Lawyer told about tricks of unscrupulous sellers in optical salons

Some unscrupulous sellers in optical salons may tell customers stories about rapidly yellowing Asian lenses, peeling coatings and the terrible quality of anything not made in European countries, while trying to sell customized premium lenses. The general director of the professional legal group AID, lawyer David Adams, told Izvestia on November 22.

"Unscrupulous sellers use an arsenal of psychological techniques and marketing tricks to significantly increase the average check. At the heart of most manipulations is a person's natural concern about their eyesight. When it comes to eye health, many people are ready to overpay just to get the "best". This is actively used in optical salons, where the basic cost of glasses can grow several times after a number of "necessary" additions", - said the expert.

According to him, one of the widespread schemes starts with the offer of a free vision test, even if the client has a fresh prescription from an ophthalmologist. In the course of such a check-up, additional features of vision are often "discovered" that require more expensive correction. For example, a small astigmatism, which was not noticed before, or peculiarities of eye function when looking up close, allegedly requiring complex progressive lenses.

"A significant part of the markup in the optician's shop is made on various lens coatings. Sellers masterfully demonstrate the difference between ordinary lenses and lenses with anti-reflective coating, emphasizing how ugly glare looks on photos," the lawyer said.

The seller may then offer to add a hardening coating, UV protection, blue light screen protection, and a water-repellent layer. Each such addition increases the cost of glasses by a substantial amount.

"A separate story is the manipulation of lens manufacturers. The client is told horror stories about quickly yellowing Asian lenses, peeling coatings and terrible quality of everything that is not made in Germany or France. It is silent that many European manufacturers have factories in Asia, and the difference in price can be completely unjustified," said Adams.

At the same time, salons can actively promote individual premium lenses. Under the pretext of maximum personalization, they conduct a lot of additional measurements: the angle of installation of the frame, the distance from the eye to the lens, the peculiarities of the fit of glasses. All this is presented as a necessity, although for many people with standard vision parameters such lenses will be an excess, the expert added.

"It is also worth noting the widespread practice of "temporary discounts" and "special offers". Consultants create the illusion of urgency: "This price is only today!" or "We are running out of action on premium lenses." In fact, such actions in most salons are constantly going on, just changing the conditions and wording," - explained the lawyer.

He noted that before going to the salon it is worth getting a prescription from a proven ophthalmologist and, if there are no doubts about its correctness, firmly refuse to re-check the vision in the store. It is also useful to study the market and approximate prices for basic models of glasses and lenses in advance. In addition, it should be understood that not all additional options are really necessary.

"When choosing an optician, it is worth paying attention to the presence of all necessary licenses and certificates. It is important to clarify the qualifications of specialists - not all salons have ophthalmologists on staff, often there are only optometrists, whose powers are limited to the selection of glasses," - emphasized Adams.

According to him, a quality optical salon is distinguished by the fact that consultants do not rush the purchase and are ready to explain in detail the advantages and disadvantages of each option. They are relaxed when a customer wants to compare prices elsewhere or take time to think.

"If, however, you feel undue pressure or imposition of expensive options - it is better to look for another salon," the expert advised.

Earlier, on November 20, ophthalmologist, ophthalmic surgeon of JSC "Medicine" (clinic of Academician Roitberg) Irakli Behoroshvili told "Izvestia" about astigmatism - a visual impairment that is caused by the irregular shape of the cornea or lens. According to him, symptoms of astigmatism may include blurred or distorted vision at different distances, difficulty in focusing, and headaches, especially after long periods of reading or working at a computer