Peckham Rye Specsavers: Appalling service

[jobby1]

I have been with this branch for 5 years now and the service is appalling. I have never had one straight forward appointment or phone call with them they can't even perform the simplest of tasks. I have had enough does anyone use another branch that they could recommend please?

[BrandNewGuy]

We've always used Paine and Hunter on Lordship Lane - friendly, independent and reliable. Probably not the cheapest, but using the major chains can be a false economy when they offer crap service.

[annabel42]

R Woodfall in Sydenham are very good. There is also a branch on Lordship Lane.

[jobby1]

Thanks!

[Loz]

Seconded for Paine & Hunter. Really good service.

[bkkmei]

I've used Specsavers in Croydon, near the Whitgift Centre. I found them busy but efficient.

[ednewmy]

A friend of mine uses Paine and Hunter on LL. I also went in there once for some advice and they were really thorough and very very helpful even though I hadn't given them any business. Next time I need any specs I will go to them without a doubt!

[Ant]

Switched from Specsavers to Paine & Hunter a couple of years ago, very happy and glad I did.

[arsmith]

Not that you'd think from the outside but D&A on Rye Lane were really helpful - not the biggest selection of glasses (or perhaps even any nice ones) but for contact lenses I would actually recommend

[katanita]

Hmmm, I actually switched from Paine and Hunter to Specsavers after a pretty rubbish experience at the former (can't remember the exact details, but I do remember them being very unhelpful and a bit rude). Have since been going to Specsavers on Tottenham Court Road and they've been great. Much cheaper too, especially if you are ordering contacts as well. Helps to have lots of branches that you can go into for adjusting glasses, getting emergency contacts etc. No complaints.

[Sue]

That's interesting, because although I have used Specsavers on Tottenham Court Road in the past, last time I went in there they were so rude and unhelpful that I left!

It probably depends who you get I guess and/or whether they are having a good day :)

ETA: And Specsavers is a franchise, so getting generally good or poor service at one branch does not mean it will be the same at other branches.

ETA: I'm talking about for glasses - I use the Institute of Optometry near the Elephant and Castle to get my contact lens prescription, then I get the actual lenses at half the price on the internet (same brand, same prescription, just a hell of a lot cheaper :)) )

[camberlou]

Another recommendation for Paine and Hunter on LL. Helpful service and advice. And saved me money by suggesting children's glasses as I have a small face.

[dbboy]

Have used Woodfalls on Rye Lane and have always been well looked after.

[chica1]

I am both Paine & Hunter and R Woodfalls (LL branch) both provide very professional & efficient service.

The only complaint about H & P is that the receptionist eats her lunch at her desk which unfortunately the smell of her food wafts around the premises as you walk in....rather unpleasant and wrong imo.

[AlexFried]

It would be unfair to suggest which one to go to as I work for one of the above mentioned but to let people know that the LL woodfalls is part of the chain that includes the Sydenham branch and west Norwood branch. The rye lane and Brixton one are connected to each other but not to the LL one.

Also the thing with Specsavers it that it can really depend on the branch and staff you see personally I like seeing the same person each time as they get to know your needs.

[NMC]

Another recommendation for R Woodfalls. Great services and good value.

[jobby1]

Unfortunately the high staff turnover at Peckham Specsavers makes it impossible to see the same person twice.

I do agree however that it is branch specific; I have been with Specsavers for over 10 years and only had a problem (actually multiple problems!!) with this one branch.

I stayed in North London last week and went to the Muswell Hill Specsavers branch; they were really helpful and did for me in 2 days what it has taken Peckham 4 months to still fail to achieve! All I am trying to do is simply order a standard pair of glasses!!

[aquarius moon]

After poor service in Specsavers, Peckham, I changed to D & A further down Rye Lane & always been happy with them.

[Libbyloo]

Hi

I don't have any recommendations but just wanted to have my pennies worth. My father is an Optician in North Wales and was on the local health board, he therefore had to carry out regular inspections of Optical practices. I never forget him telling me how he visited a Specsavers branch and on entering the staff room saw a white board with targets on how many glasses they had to sell that day. Their offer of 2 pairs for the price of one is also a complete con as the prices are usually double what the independent opticians charge. I have stepped foot in specsavers once and never again. The staff were unexpereinced and pushy as they obviously hadn't met their target sales and wanted to try and sell me glasses even though i didn't need them.

So, my advice is... Don't go to Specsavers at all if you expect good service.

[east-of-the-Rye]

We usually use Woodfalls on Rye Lane - my son needed glasses when he was 3 and and had (quite naturally) kicked up a fuss about the various eyes test he had to have and about trying on glasses (without of course lenses) at another optician that was suggested. He saw a picture of Superman in the window of the branch of Woodfalls that used to be on Nunhead Lane and we went in: the staff were great, let us come in and just look around, then sit down and look at a book, and then finally actually try some frames on. We saw a lot of Woodfalls for the first few years (glasses would fall behind radiators, get grabbed & broken by other kids etc.,) and always got a friendly good service. 15 year old son's glasses tend to last somewhat longer now, so our visits aren't so frequent...

[jobby1]

I went in to finally collect my glasses from Peckham Specsavers over the weekend: this was all finally resolved as a new manager has been appointed called Ariyo who personally dealt with my order and saw that it got resolved. When I went in to collect them I was pleased to see that they have had a bit of a refurb and also employed what looked like a full new staff. I am happy to say I received a really good, efficient and even friendly service from them for the first time in 5 years. Maybe they've finally turned over a new leaf....let's hope it lasts!