Fairbairnopticians Reviews 2

Long overdue review. Can I begin by saying a massive thank you to Michael [ optician and owner ] for his thorough and comprehensive examination. Taking his time to fully explain what he was doing and why and reassuring me throughout. Extremely professional. When you walk through the doors of this family run business you immediately get a sense of being part of it…All staff are extremely helpful and informative. Sharon in particular was absolutely amazing at her job and helped me pick a frame that was both practical and tailored for me. Nothing was a problem and when I finally returned to collect my glasses I was again blown away by the amount of time and precision that goes in to ensure everything is as it should be. I can’t rate Fairbairn Opticians highly enough having engaged with all staff at one time or another who make you feel like you are one of the family..!!.. Highly recommended..!!!

I would love to give a 5 star review as everyone was so nice until I asked for paperwork and for damage / mistakes they had done to be repaired.

In short; Michael and Ruth in Banbridge convinced me that Varifocals were my best option, even though I only wanted my reading glasses to be updated and maybe driving glasses; I was not told I would lose most of my vision, i.e. the lower half of my vision was pixilated and my peripheral vision was blurred. When the lenses were replaced, they were not set properly and the frames were chipped. I also had mild double vision in my driving glasses beyond arm length, and my reading glasses focused far too close (only good for close smartphone use). On return I was told my eyes had become near sighted, ah... NO! the glasses were like that the day I got them! I was told at the time, by Ruth, I would get used to them (Michael will naturally disagree, insisting he did not make a mistake; Ruth also changed my order from Transition to standard, she didn’t tell me, I learned this on the day I collected them - but no problem we’ll give you free prescription sunglasses… but you pay for the frames).
I was also told the frames did not fit my face, which was why they were slipping off while at my computer, this could be fixed "after" I paid £229.00 for new lenses! I was stunned as I had been assured by Ruth that Fairbairn's would stand over their products and I would “be 100% happy".
At home I considered what to do; I was paying a monthly EyeCare payment, but couldn't find paperwork for it, I then realised that Fairbairn's had given NO paperwork for anything, except Card receipts, I emailed asking for the Documentation that should have been given to me after Signing Up to their monthly EyeCare plan, which from memory gave me discounts, etc. They then set up a second Direct Debit, I complained and in short the DD was cancelled, no apology, no believable explanation, no attempt to resolve the situation… no paperwork / documentation either.
I am out of pocket many hundreds of pounds.
This all happened close to a two year time period, my late wife also used their services and glasses, and had similar problems; the death of her parents and her devastating decline in health, and subsequent death, happened during this time period - hence the reason why it was spread over such a long time. We were assured we did not need to worry about the length of time it was taking for us to get our glasses sorted out, "just come back when you're ready" (they knew the difficulties I / we were having), well six months after the death of my wife I did come back (I had to go to the Newry branch, as I was unable to return to Banbridge) and only then did I realise I should never have gone to Michael Fairbairn in the first place.
IF you do decide to attend Fairbairn Opticians, insist on promises, Warranties, to be given to you in WRITING before payment, assume that any lenses replaced WILL damage the frames, the frames may not fit your face, but they will be expensive. Do not trust what they say on timescale of when you can return items, get them repaired, etc. get it in writing!