Review of   Dipple & Conway, Norwich, Norfolk    Phone: 01603 626 750     Address: 17 Castle Street

Went to an independent optician as I've always had better service than from the high street chains in the past. The service I got from Dipple and Conway was very poor and I won't go back. The sight test itself was okay, although the young optician was not very personable. He didn't volunteer any advice or information, so I found myself asking a lot of questions to find out what was going on with my eyes.

The bigger issue was downstairs with the dispensing optician. I was really shocked at how offhand he was with my partner and I - he behaved as if we were interrupting him, and didn't even bother to ask what it was I was looking for (prescription sunglasses), and only looked at my prescription when I asked a specific question about it. He did not offer any help in finding and choosing any frames, and basically acted as if we weren't worth his time. As a result, I went elsewhere for my glasses. At the other opticians I went to, they found that my prescription was written incorrectly (missing information) and had to phone repeatedly to get a correct version.

All in all, a very negative experience - I have had better service in high street chains!

Value for money:		Poor
Service & support:		Poor
Quality:		Poor
Location:		Average

Review of   Ambleside Opticians, Ambleside, Cumbria    Phone: 015394 31331     Address: The Old Mill, North Road, Ambleside. LA22 9DT

This is a new company to Ambleside and, as we like to support independents, we thought we'd give them a try. What an asset to our community. I cannot stress strongly enough how impressed my wife and I have been with the service and care we received. Never have we had such a thorough and comprehensive eye tests, nor have we been treated with so much respect and kindness. Thank you Ambleside Opticians.
Peter & Georgia

Value for money:		Excelent
Service & support:		Excelent
Quality:		Excelent
Location:		Excelent

Review of   Good Looking Optics Ltd, Enfield    Phone: 020 8364 4444     Address: 5-6 St. Onge Parade/Southbury Road

Recently went to Goodlooking Optics in Enfield after trying out most of the other opticians in the town! They were fantastic! Not only was the eye test 1st class (they managed, unlike the other places i'd been, to find out what was wrong with my eye) but they also had a fantastic selection of frames at a range of prices. And best, best, best of all they gave a lovely, warm friendly service. Love them!

Value for money:		Excelent - A lovely selection of frames at a range of prices
Service & support:		Excelent - Outstanding
Quality:		Excelent - Superb
Location:		Excelent - Great. Train station opposite + 5 carparks in 5min walking distance

Review of   Specsavers, Beeston, Nottinghamshire    Phone: 01159518980     Address: 4 The Square, Chilwell Road Beeston Nottingham

I called to make an appointment for my daughter who is having quite at lot of problems with her eyes. I was informed they had had a cancellation for this afternoon which I thought was great. The details were taken and I was told the time to arrive. My daughter and I arrived a few minutes early but the receptionist was unable to find her appointment. She asked us to take a seat while she sorted it out. About 10 minutes later I was approached by the same member of staff and another only to be told they had rebooked the appointment for someone else and that my daughter would now not be seen. I was then spoken to by the optician who advised us to go to A&E or the walk in centre. Do A&E now do eye tests? Of course I had already taken my daughter to see the gp who had advised us to get her eyes tested. Talk about going round in circles I certainly won't be going back there nor will I be going to A&E who are over run as it is. I am not surprised the NHS is in such a state if opticians are recommending A&E because they messed up with an appointment. If they had tried to contact me to explain it might not have been so bad but to allow us to turn up then sit and wait only to be given substandard advice and no consultation is just unbelievably diabolical service.

Value for money:		Not rated - Didn't get chance to find out
Service & support:		Poor - Messed up the appointment and didn't get a consultation
Quality:		Poor - Didn't get chance to find out
Location:		Average

Review of   Boots Opticians, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire

I've just returned from a pre-booked eye test appointment at Boots in Newcastle-under-Lyme. I can't comment on the eye test itself because I didn't get that far.

I arrived at Boots on time for the scheduled appointment and when I checked in the receptionist informed me that they were 'running a tiny bit late'. By my reckoning, 45 minutes+ does not constitute a 'tiny bit late'. It could have been longer but I walked out at that point. At no point during the 45 minutes I was waiting did any of the staff acknowledge, apologise or explain why there was such a delay. I left the branch and walked across the road and made an appointment at Specsavers instead.

I certainly won't be using Boots Opticians again.

Value for money:		Not rated
Service & support:		Poor
Quality:		Poor
Location:		Not rated

Review of   Harvey G T & Partners Ltd, Newcastle upon Tyne    Phone: 0191-232 7615     Address: 9A Saville Row

First time I've used Harveys.

A small practice with very high level of customer care. I had the most thorough eye examination, with clear comprehensive feed-back throughout.

But this practice also has 2 qualified and experienced dispensers whose advice and guidance is so invaluable.

The dispenser spent more time with me than the eye examination took. I know that proper dispensing is essential to get the full benefit of the initial examination, and Harveys gives an excellent dispensing service - well above any competition that I've experienced.

My varifocals were not cheap because I selected expensive arms and lenses but I'm so delighted with the standards and service I received, so I rate this as excellent value-for-money.

I recommend Harveys, very highly.

Value for money:		Excelent
Service & support:		Excelent - I cannot think of an adverse criticism
Quality:		Excelent - Excellent is the right description
Location:		Good