Bethell & Clark

We had been going to Bethell & Clark since our Daughter has required glasses, recommended by Colchester General Hospital. Our Daughter was only 2 years old at the time, she is sadly disabled with global developmental delay due to suffering from a stroke 5 hours after birth.We went along as advised and YES 10/10 the staff were amazing and very helpful. They recommended that our Daughter would need glasses from The Tomarto gang due to her small features and small head. Their was no charge for anything and the lady was wonderful with our daughter.We returned the following year and we was told that our Daughter had to pay for her frames? I questioned this as we wasn't charged before and they looked and said no charge would be required.We returned this year and all was ordered for our Daughter again however we was told that we needed to pay £95.00 this was told to us via a telephone call. I explained once again that we have never been charged for our Daughter as these glasses were needed for her for her safety and due to her small head and features to her face (medical reasons) BUT the manager said we shouldn't have been allowed these glasses without paying? She wouldn't listen as I tried to explain previous years, she was so very rude and abrupt, repeating that we had to pay £95 or we won't get the glasses.We have never expected a freebie we pay for anything that our Daughter needs but on the principle of how our Daughter was treated and the so called manger sayingIF Our Daughter chooses these glasses then payment is needed"Our Daughter can't choose she has cerebral palsy on top of everything and she can't choose between mummy and daddy let alone a pair of glasses!I collected her prescription and called Colchester General Hospital and even they were shocked as they have been advising other parents to go to Bethell & Clark. They said maybe the Manager just wanted to make a profit over the glasses.We have since taken our Daughter elsewhere and they have provided our Daughter with The Tomarto gang glasses that she requires. Yes we did pay but only £75 so profit clearly is what Bethell & Clark are about. And not the needs for a disabled child with sight loss.We won't be recommending Bethell & Clark but we would recommend that the manger takes a course in people skills and communication skills a maybe she'll learn just a little bit of empathy for disabled children and the parents."

I had an amazing experience with Tracey who helped sort out my 6 month old little girl with glasses that actually fit her (another opticians had horrifically let us down).She went above an beyond. She called us to update us about step of the way as she knew I was keen to get things sorted asap. She also went out of her way to look into eligibility for funding for a 2nd specialist pair of glasses as a spare and gave us the info we needed to try and get that sorted.I'm so thankful for the experience I had here and I am looking forward to go back each and every time my little girl needs a new pair!

After living in Colchester for just over a year I chose to have an eye test at Bethell and Clark after seeing good reviews online. I also saw that they were a well established business here. To be honest I can’t say I was that impressed with the customer service…I called up and explained that I would need the extra tests due to some medication I was on; they were very accommodating and said I could come in the next day. The excellent service I expected seemed to end there.When I arrived I had to sort of linger around the shop until someone noticed me as there was no one at the desk. I had to find somewhere to sit as it was quite busy. I was called fairly quickly by the optician and she was really thorough, explaining what I needed; but I wasn’t lead out and explained which glasses were where.I then started to look at the glasses and was trying on a pair when suddenly another girl that was working there barged this French family in front of me as I was looking in the mirror. I had to reach around them to put the pair I was trying on back and continue looking elsewhere in the shop. I managed to find a few pairs and got some advice from the lady who was now sitting at the desk about what suited me. I was happy with my choice but there were quite a lot of empty spaces where glasses had been in the shop, it looked like it had been raided if I'm honest.The man- who was very nice- took me through the prices and did tell me they were a staff member down that day, but it didn’t really cut the lack of attention to detail and rudeness of one of the shop girls.When I got home I was immediately emailed asking me to review my experience of my over 40s eye test! For one I’m 34 and secondly I don’t want to be forced to give a review until I’ve picked up my glasses and I’m happy. I did pick up my glasses and they seemed fine but I noticed a week later they were slipping off my face when I looked down. I did call the shop on three separate occasions to arrange to come in but couldn’t get through. In the end I found an optician website and tightened the legs myself and they are fine now! When I was at my last opticians they didn’t just simply put them on my face and ask if they were ok, he would keep checking and made sure they fitted correctly. I might go back to my old opticians next time. It’s all the was back near my parents in Harrow but at least I know I’ll get exceptional service and well fitting glasses.

Have just purchased two pairs of glasses from Bethell and Clark and felt very satisfied with their professionalism and customer service. I had come to them them after a bed experience with a local chain opticians and wish I had gone there first. The lenses, frames and coatings offered are far superior to that of local multiple chains and the prices are very competitive too! Ian helped me to choose two pairs of glasses that were right for my needs and shape of my face.. highly recommend!

I highly recommend Bethell & Clark. Having previously used a well known High St opticians their service and products just do not compare to Bethell & Clark.From the eye examination through to receiving my glasses and contacts the customer service is impeccable. The choice of frames for myself and my children is extensive and as they have a glazing lab in house I received my glasses within 24hours.The professionalism from all staff members is outstanding and made the whole experience enjoyable for all my family.

Myself and my family have used Bethell and Clark for a few years now and have found the staff to be very polite and helpful and the service is excellent. Prices are also very reasonable considering the whole service they offer

I bought a pair of glasses a year ago, The service when I bought them was good, I went away happy. Now, over a year later, I needed some help with the glasses, and I received very good after sales service. That is why I have chosen to give them five stars. I have found them to deliver consistently good customer care.

Amazingly helpful and friendly. Went out of their way to fix my glasses with smiles and patience.Highly recommend and will be first choice for any future optician concerns.