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Bargain store Costco ‘beats high street opticians’ in customer satisfaction survey

  • Store has beaten leading chains in optician customer satisfaction survey
  • Beat brands such as Specsavers, Boots, Dollond Aitchison and Tesco
  • Costco is usually associated with bulk food and drink purchases


Published:
19:27 EST, 22 June 2014

|
Updated:
04:16 EST, 23 June 2014

It’s the no-frills cash-and-carry chain popular with corner shopkeepers and restaurant owners.

But it seems there is more to Costco than meets the eye.

For the warehouse wholesaler has beaten leading high street chains in a customer satisfaction survey to find the best optician.

The warehouse wholesaler Costco has beaten leading high street chains in a customer satisfaction survey to find the best optician

Customers were asked about their experience of buying glasses or lenses and having their eyes tested over the last three years.

Costco came a very close second behind the ‘local independent optician’, and easily beat well-known brands such as Specsavers, Boots, Dollond Aitchison and Tesco.

The survey of 5,409 Which? members revealed Costco – usually associated with bulk food and drink purchases – provided value for money and a good service despite budget surroundings.

The wholesaler scored 86 per cent (with local independents at 88 per cent) and Asda was third at 77 per cent. Specsavers was given a 72 per cent rating, slightly ahead of Boots and Dollond Aitchison on 69 per cent. Tesco won a 65 per cent rating and Optical Express was bottom of the pile on 59 per cent.

The survey of 5,409 Which? members revealed Costco – usually associated with bulk food and drink purchases – provided value for money and a good service despite budget surroundings

‘The top-scoring stores are all about convenient appointments, punctuality, great products and value for money,’ said Which?, adding that Costco showed ‘great opticians don’t always need a glitzy shop front’.

One customer who took part in the survey concluded: ‘I found Costco offers very high quality lenses and a wide selection of frames at much cheaper prices than the high street.’

An undercover Which? researcher who went to Costco was taken to a consulting room in a portable building for an eye test by a ‘friendly guy in jeans’. He said there was ‘no hard sell’ and that he did not mind the ‘budget feel and relatively limited choice’ – concluding that he would come again.

Overall, the customers surveyed put a higher emphasis on good service rather than cheap special deals.

Summarising the feedback, the report stated: ‘You felt that independents were poor for special offers and only average for price, but they offered good value for money overall.’

One customer of an independent said: ‘Good-quality eye care is more important than a special offer.’

 

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Comments (117)

what you think

The comments below have not been moderated.

Alcox,

Torrevieja Spain,

moments ago

Everybody beats the high street opticians …………. no contest ………… Historically they were ALWAYS rip-off merchants, and they on come down in price enough to pretend they are competing with those that live in the real world.

YampyGramps,

Cannock, United Kingdom,

17 minutes ago

When Wallmart entered the UK marketplace by buying ASDA, they were going to ‘Stack it High and Sell it Cheap’ just like they do in the US and Canada… That was until they discovered Rip of Britain. Now they are no cheaper than any other Supermarket. I can even buy stuff cheaper at the local corner store. COSTCO are doing just the same. The cartel of supermarkets will not allow them to sell anything below their price bracket.

Malcolm,

Burton on Trent, United Kingdom,

19 minutes ago

They also have a no quibble returns policy if you keep the receipt.

MJ,

Birmingham,

1 hour ago

You have to be a member of a approved trade or government organisation to get a membership of Costco, so it’s not for the average person

jrg,

Winnipeg,

57 minutes ago

Unless the Costco “rules” are different in England, this is not the case in North America. Anyone can buy a Costo membership. I can’t imagine it wouldn’t be the same for Britain.

YampyGramps,

Cannock, United Kingdom,

27 minutes ago

No you don’t, You can get a primary member card with a complimentary spouse card for £20 per year . Google it.

Leigh Riggs,

Derby, United Kingdom,

1 hour ago

Unsure how some people are saying that costco is expensive. On a strictly like for like basis no one will beat Costco for price or service. Granted you do need to pay a fee to shop but this is fully refundable at any time. Their returns policy is outstanding and if you’re not entirely satisfied with your purchase you can get your money back.

BARGET,

SOUTH YORKSHIRE, United Kingdom,

1 hour ago

Oh I see (excuse the pun) “Shouldn’t go to Specsavers”

fezza_37,

Cheshire,

2 hours ago

the baked potatoes they sell are nice as well

paevo,

USA, United States,

2 hours ago

Glass are expensive because an Italian company, Luxottica, has monopolized the market…

John,

Wiltshire, United Kingdom,

2 hours ago

I’d never heard of Costco until I read this. Just been on their site. I’d say its a bit of a con. Overall, their prices are hardly something to rush for. They are not really that competitive.

MemyselfandI_99,

Huddersfield,

1 hour ago

maybe not the cheapest place but the quality of Costco’s stuff is definitely worth paying the extra for!

LorenaB,

Los Angeles, United States,

32 minutes ago

There are quite a few products for which Costco is far and away the better deal. One is their meats. Much better-quality (higher grade) for less than it would cost elsewhere. Their leafy greens are much cheaper; condiments and staples such as flour, sugar, rice are cheaper, but they come in large sacks, so you have a storage/preservation problem. One way to resolve it is to buy it with a family member and split the amount. My mom and I have done that in the past – – bought a 10-pound bag of onions for about $3, and split it. Another way is to vacuum-pack it in smaller packages that can be stored more easily.

EZ A.,

Hull,

3 hours ago

So long as it isn’t specsavers you’re OK. Had some spotty youth telling me what I could see, after a 10 minute ‘comprehensive’ eye test. When all the discounts etc. were worked out and all the ‘extras’ I needed lost interest and went else where.

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