Bayfields at Charnley's Opticians

The eye exam itself was fine and the optician was lovely. However there isn't much transparency in terms of the costs. I booked my test online and couldn't find and prices listed on the website so imagined the cost would be similar to other opticians in town. This wasn't the case and cost me twice what I could of paid in the shop next door. The frames available to choose from were all super expensive too. Yes I'd like to see better, but for those prices I'd expect to be able to see into the future!! Took my script elsewhere Overall, service good, prices bad.

I used Charnley before which was quite good, however my recent experience at Bayfield wasn’t great. In fact it was rather disappointing. The conversation I had was very focused on the sale side, and I ended up wasting my time and leaving to get my glasses completed somewhere else.

Made an appointment for a Sunday morning. I arrived a few minutes early and was asked to take a seat.

I waited for 20 minutes beyond my appointment without any comment from the staff. Had to leave as car parking would expire before the Eye test could be completed.

I was with Charnleys for over 40 years, the difference is staggering bad.

Sent an email via web page contact, not surprisingly no response.

Can you give a no star review?

Repeat atrocious service after years of the family using Charnleys. Clearly whatever changes have been made have just made it terrible.
My other half ordered contact lenses than never arrived, and as it turned out never got ordered in the first place, he was then made to feel like it was his fault that the staff hadn’t done their job.
His eldest child had an eye test booked and we arrived a few minutes late to no reception staff. He politely waited until she returned to inform her they were there for a booked appointment and before that sentence could even be spoken she said “I’m with another customer” and walked off.
We stood there for TWENTY minutes waiting for someone to acknowledge us and register our appointment attendance but they never did. Almost 30 minutes later when two staff members returned to the front counter we then got told we’d missed the appointment completely despite having been stood in the shop for half an hour… Absolutely bonkers how you haven’t even got the basics of customer service, and clearly this is an experience that many people are dealing with.
No one approached us to greet us, no one asked if we were there for an appointment, no one even asked if we needed any help.

You’ve now lost an entire family’s business, and you’ve no one else to blame but yourselves.

Terrible. Would recommend people AVOID this business and take their money and eyes elsewhere.

Unfortunately this opticians has really gone down hill since Charnleys was taken over by Bayfields - some staff give the impression of not caring at all about customer service - not welcoming when you arrive, they didn’t call back when they say they will, didn’t follow up on queries they said they would and some appear quite rude (couldn’t help me because they were “sorting out their desk”). The website is also quite confusing and non-transparent and you can end up booking a very expensive “advanced eye test” when this is not necessary for your circumstances (as it’s not clear what these are and pricing is not at all transparent at the time of booking). To be balanced, the young woman who performed my eye test seemed good, was very pleasant and explained things well, but I was unimpressed with the other staff I dealt with particularly when it came to sorting out frames/lenses (which surprised me as surely this is the area where they make the money?!) - not sure how they compare to other ‘chains’ but if you’re looking for a smaller ‘independent’ type opticians (like Charnleys used to be) I would look elsewhere

As other customers have said the service has really deteriorated since the takeover. I too have been a customer for many years. I am now constantly frustrated with waiting weeks for contact lenses. I’ve been waiting months for some replacement frames under insurance for my daughter. I find myself going in to ask for updates every week. Each time I am given lots of apologies and excuses for the delays and unfulfilled promises of call backs. I’m really finding it hard to justify my continued loyalty- which was deserved by Charnleys NOT Bayfield. There are so many more staff members now but that is not being translated into efficiency or service I’m afraid.

Superb selection of frames (some exclusive brands on offer such as Lindberg) and staff have great taste and incredible knowledge. Very friendly help from Colin in store - will be returning. Can’t recommend enough.

Awful service, child glasses ordered several weeks ago, never return calls when you ask where they are so I went into store today. Made to wait 30mins whilst they looked only for the woman to ignore us. Then told the order had been cancelled.