Lost Last Years Optical Health Insurance Benefit Because of Optometrist Stuff up

madbunny on 25/01/2023 - 19:13

I'm interested in getting the OzBargain perspective on a matter that happened to a mate.

We went to Specsavers together late last year. I wanted to get some new specs (I'm a tightarse), while my friend wanted to get their prescription updated on their fancy and expensive Ic! Berlin glasses.

Apparently he checked a few other places, and Specsavers seemed to provide the best price with minimal gap. I remember him asking the store rep several times if they are able reglaze the lenses as they are very thin and lot of places can't do them. They kept saying yes yes, their lab can handle it all.

I caught up with him recently and he told me that Specsavers were unable to replace the lenses on his glasses, so they've been returned to the store. They did say they can offer him some store credit, or they might be able to return the money to his health care fund, but in my view he's essentially wasted his 2022 optical benefit.

What do you guys think should happen in this scenario?

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Comments

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 25/01/2023 - 19:16
    +2

    Escalate to the franchisee/manager?

  • SF3 on 25/01/2023 - 19:18

    Seems like he could get store credit that should be combined with 2023’s yet to be claimed specs money…

    We went to Specsavers

    Hmm… checks out.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 25/01/2023 - 19:19

      Yeah now where can he go to 😮‍💨

      • SF3 on 25/01/2023 - 19:20

        A new pair of glasses or cut new lens if they like the current frame.

      • Ghost47 on 25/01/2023 - 19:57

        Specsavers of course.

    • Sweet Berry on 26/01/2023 - 16:25

      I seriously would combine it as you can get something better than you originally could. In effect the franchisee is helping you.

  • Ocker on 25/01/2023 - 19:22
    +2

    Why does such a situation always seem to have happened to "a mate", "a friend" or " a family member" etc., etc.,?
    Aside from that opinion, going to Specsavers you should not feel like a "tight ass", as they will screw you like the rest.
    In closing, tell your "mate" just to cut his losses and move on with life.

  • AustriaBargain on 25/01/2023 - 19:41

    Shouldn't have gone to spec savers. Should have got your prescription paid for by insurance/government and ordered from China.

  • Davo1111 on 25/01/2023 - 19:49

    meh, he lost it because he put his trust in a chain (where people had already said its not possible).

    Also, he left it to the last minute.

  • [Deactivated] on 25/01/2023 - 20:15

    We went to Specsavers together late last year. I wanted to get some new specs (I'm a tightarse), while my friend wanted to get their prescription updated on their fancy and expensive Ic! Berlin glasses.

    For sure your 'mate' would take exxy glasses to Specsavers for an updated prescription - this absolutely happened!

  • seanfoite on 25/01/2023 - 21:54

    And? Its just a bit of bad luck, he's not out any money. Fwiw, a lot of optometrists won't put new lenses in old frames for exactly this reason. Most of the time they want to do the whole thing from scratch.

  • madbunny on 27/01/2023 - 13:56

    Wow I didn't expect so many (interesting) replies.

    Actually my mate is very 'meh' about the situation while I'm the one that is annoyed. I don't like it when companies are not held accountable, but I do agree with some of the comments here that he did leave it too late.

    While Specsavers might be budget chain, I don't see why that should play into it as the lab (or whatever they call it) are the ones that will be reglazing it, and if the rep said multiple times that they can do it, why would one doubt them?

    I do think that frames overall are overpriced, with Luxottica dominating market share. Your generally paying extra for a logo to be printed onto plastic. I'd imagine that's where most of the money is being made.

    But when it comes to the lenses I'm not so sure. I've never gotten my glasses or sunnies reglazed. Is there really a significant difference between a budget chain (Specsavers), more mainstream chains (OPSM), and those independent stores?

    I would love to hear from those who've sent them overseas, which place you sent them to and your overall experience.

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