Do Optometrists Oversell, Especially The Chain Stores?

tryagain on 20/03/2020 - 10:14

So the wife has been taking herself and the kids to Specsavers, The first child that went was having issues with sore eyes, they gave her some eye exercises to do and sold us some glasses that "will hopefully help" since then everyone else who has gone has been sold some glasses, I went to the same store a couple of years ago when we had health insurance and got a couple of pairs free through that which they said "should help" most of the reasons they have been giving are that "eyes aren't working together properly" "eyes are overworking" etc as opposed to being things like being short/long sighted etc.

One of my kids got tested a year ago through a school testing program and was deemed as OK, but after the trip to Specsavers now has a couple of pairs of glasses on the way.

The suspicious side of me feels like we are being oversold, mentioned this to my wife who when she took the most recent one said she asked if the glasses were actually needed or it was just that they might be beneficial, she received a "should be beneficial" answer so followed up with a "do you think I should get them for her" to which she was told yes.

Are the optometrists at these stores incentivised or do they have sales targets they are supposed to meet? I am more they happy to buy them if needed, but just feel like we are likely being oversold, am I justified in this or just being paranoid.

Health & Beauty

Comments

  • hashtagbargain on 20/03/2020 - 10:20
    +3

    Optometrists at stores definitely have a incentive to push sales as the sales figures would be part of their of their salary.

    If I'm going down the route of chain stores, I'd definitely consider visiting multiple stores/chains to have advice from various POVs.

    Or just goto 1 proper optometrist/opthamologist.

  • Ocker on 20/03/2020 - 10:34
    -1

    Get a referral from your GP and see a opthamologist. Specsavers and the likes are not that interested in you as much as meeting their sales targets

    • Diji1 on 20/03/2020 - 11:31

      Specsavers and the likes are not that interested in you as much as meeting their sales targets

      "Target" meaning "as much a possible".

      I'm surprised anyone would listen to anything they say given their obvious adversary position to customers. They are in a battle to remove as much money as possible from the customers.

      And to trust your children's health to them, especially something as important as vision, is crazy.

    • blob2004 on 20/03/2020 - 15:55

      All places have sale targets. Doctors have to sell surgery to make money. If you are concerned, then you should get a second opinion from another optometrist in a different store.

  • ily on 20/03/2020 - 11:19

    ultimately it's up to the individual if it helps them or not. But use Eyebuydirect or Clearly to get the glasses - just get the prescription from Specsavers. Then claim five pairs on insurance instead of one.

  • Seraphin7 on 20/03/2020 - 11:24
    +2

    If you take your problem to a glasses seller, you're going to be offered a glasses-related solution.

    Same as if you take your problem to a carpenter, you're going to be offered a carpentry-based solution … and so on and so forth.

    You need to take your problem to someone who is effectively paid solely to diagnose your problem and determine the appropriate solution … not someone is a paid when they give you a solution.

    The above suggestion of an ophthalmologist is sound.

  • Shadowsfury on 20/03/2020 - 12:20

    Either go to a real optom or buy online - I've bought from Zenni (USA, sale currently on) and Clearly (Australian so I believe can claim health insurance rebates) before

  • brad1-8tsi on 20/03/2020 - 14:10
    -1

    Everytime I go to HCF Eyecare they try and upsell me. They got particularly nasty when I supplied my own "Mercedes Benz" frames off AliExpress. The woman even claimed that there was a high possibility that they would be damaged on lens fitment and they weren't liable. I pointed to all the other plastic frames and asked "Do your techs break many of those ones?"

    • blob2004 on 20/03/2020 - 15:50
      +1

      Yes, frames can be broken even by professionals during fitting. Since they did not produce/stock the frame, they have no idea the condition/material of the frame and how susceptible it is to breakage. They can give you a new one if it's their stock, but how on earth are they going to supply you with a new "Mercedes Benz" frame if they break it on accident?

      • brad1-8tsi on 20/03/2020 - 19:07

        I agree with what you are saying but this was "There's a high possibility the frames will break". It was ridiculously obvious what she was trying to do.

  • crashloaded on 20/03/2020 - 16:11

    If the eye test is bulk billed you have no obligation to purchase anything. Just walk out.

    • coin saver on 20/03/2020 - 17:03
      +1

      It doesn't matter how it is billed I always tell them I will be getting the prescription and shopping around.

      • crashloaded on 20/03/2020 - 17:20

        Never paid for an eye test tbh.

  • Glabrezu on 07/04/2020 - 20:50

    Speaking as an individual who has been in the optical industry for over 10 years:

    • One of the hardest thing to confirm is the quality of vision someone is having with new glasses unless you are that person. Have you tried asking your child is their vision better?

    • Going to an ophthalmologist is a possibility but do realise that besides the base cost of an appointment, they may encourage you to do other technology based screening that will cost you more on top.

    • Because of the setting of an optometrist practice being in retail, a lot of people forget that actually, they are actual Doctors of Optometry, and do hold a duty of care to their patients, and thus their malpractice insurance would certainly be a big incentive for them to not purposely prescribe incorrectly. The selling component by floor staff isnt going to happen unless there is a need for glasses that either support your vision or enable you to see.

    • The general eye testing done at schools is not done by a doctor, and it is not a comprehensive eye examination you would get from an optometrist or an ophthalmologist. It is a simple basic observational test.

    But a good rule to follow is to keep asking questions to your health practitioner till you understand and are satisfied, and if they dont want to bother with you, find someone other practitioner that does.

    Keep safe

    • tryagain on 07/04/2020 - 21:43

      Thanks, the eldest child went to get her eyes tested and didn't return with glasses so my scepticism was alayed a little. I have seen my wife fall for just about every sales tactic thrown at her so although I probably think she was oversold, I don't suspect a total rip off.

      I also didn't expand on the daughter with the school testing, she did have something potentially flagged at the school testing and then referred to a non chain optomitrest who said she was OK, so it's possible that they missed something, or that something else deteriorated, but I will never know for sure.

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