Rawlings Opticians & Hearing Care - Purley Reviews 107

This is about today's experience. Which is very disappointing since I have been a loyal customer for many years. I purchased a pair of prescription glasses, and decided I would also purchse 3 pairs of 'off the rack' reading glasses, after being worn twice, one of the pairs of off the rack reading glasses broke, the frame slpit around the left lens. I duly returned this pair expecting a refund for these not fit for purpose spectacles. Instead I received an accusatory tone and refusal for the refund. Giving me a replacement pair of the same clearly poor quality product. No signs indicate no refund policy, no verbal communication upon purchase of this policy. All for a £20 refund, Rawlings have lost a loyal customer. Deeply upsetting.

I had cataract surgery and a post-op six-week eye check up. Priscilla Cunningham, the optician who conducted the post-op check up was very professional, thorough, patient and very focussed and dedicated to the quality of her services and role.
I was very impressed as it’s been a very long time that I have had such a great and professional service.
I have already recommended Priscilla Cunningham at Rawlings ‘Purley’ branch.

I had an appointment because one of my hearing aids had developed a fault.
I expected that my aid would need to be sent off for repair.
To my suprise and relief it was repaired in store and the bonus was that the repair fell within my warranty.
All the staff within the store are really professional.
Thank you team Rawlings.

I have been with them for over 40 years starting in Caterham and then moved to Purley. The staff are on very professional service and assist. They have always explained everything and answered the questions that I have asked! They are very willing to explain the issues and problems without any difficulty. They are very patiently with my choices for glasses at some time. I am so happy to continue with them for life!

Priscilla, the optician very knowledgeable and listened to my worries. She explains everything clearly and was very reassuring. The other members of staff were also respectful amd approachable

I recently took my child for an eye test at Rawling Purley and was impressed with the experience. From the moment we arrived, the team was welcoming.
The child eye test was carried out very professionally. The optometrist explained everything clearly and used a friendly, calm approach that kept my child relaxed. It was clear they have great experience working with children.
The whole appointment felt thorough and unhurried, and I left feeling confident that my child’s eye health had been carefully checked. I would highly recommend Rawling Optical to any parent looking for a professional and child-friendly eye test service.

After a routine eye test 4 months previously, I returned for an emergency check after suffering static and moving coloured lights in my eye. After over an hour of extensive checks and scans I was assured there was no actual eye problem but given the freedom to return should the situation recur. Everyone in the practice was friendly, courteous and professional.

Very professional and friendly on everything as soon as you walk in the door. Reception, Eye Test, Glasses.

I have now made 3 visits to the Purley branch and each time was a very positive experience. The staff are very friendly, welcoming and professional. The service and their experience is 2nd to none.

Disappointed that my appointment for Friday 30th was cancelled as Hannah had to go to cover another branch. She adjusted the fitting of my glasses on Monday 26th but was going to see how I got on as I believe that the distance reading between my two eyes were incorrect. She compared this with her reading of a few years ago. She offered me this appointment after taking the reading 3 times, so was there a discrepancy?? She said that I have two prescriptions so my brain needs to get used to it! Wrong!! I’ve being wearing contact lens and had cataract operations with two prescriptions for over 20 years! She offered me appointment with Simon on Friday 13th February! I’ve cancelled this. There isn’t a problem with the eye test, that's perfect! I’ve received 4 years of a friendly, polite service but now I’m very disappointed as the glasses cost me £311.00+ after discounts.

Very friendly staff and professional in dealing with customers.
The optician was very patient in explaining everything to me and talked me through what is happening with my daughter’s eyes.

Following my eye exam I had a thorough discussion with Simon Callaghan about the options for treating my cataract and subsequently he has managed my NHS referral. He also recommended not rushing to change my glasses before deciding on cataract treatment to avoid unnecessary expenditure, having confirmed that my old prescription was still safe for driving.

I have used Rawlings Opticians for over 30 years, firstly the Croydon Branch and for the last two years Purley. I cannot fault their service and their staff are all really helpful and considerate. Would highly recommend Rawlings Opticians whether you need contact lenses or glasses.

I brought my son here to buy glasses, and staff suggested my daughter’s were too small. I only got my son’s glasses at that time—my son’s glasses were purchased from this store. The same male staff who helped previously was extremely unprofessional, impatient, and dismissive. As an Asian customer, I even felt there might have been some discrimination.

On 13/12/2025, I tried to buy new glasses for my daughter, specifically Young Kids 14, not Junior, because she had already tried Junior there and it didn’t fit. I also checked online and confirmed the sizes differ. I asked them to order the correct size for me. They first told me the glasses were available, but when I arrived, they were not. Then they told me my daughter’s current glasses were fine and insisted that Junior and Kids sizes were the same, contradicting what they had said before. Kid C 46x17 and Junior C 46x17 differ in top-to-bottom length:
tomatoglasses au sizing
Previously, my son’s new glasses became loose and kept falling off. The same male staff barely looked at them, dismissed the problem, and asked rudely if the glasses were bought there. After returning home, nothing had been fixed, and my husband had to adjust the uneven temple arms himself.
The female optometrist I saw, however, was excellent—caring, patient, and meticulous. She deserves 10/5 stars! Most other staff are friendly too.

Thank you to the professional and gentle female optometrist for your outstanding service!

I have been going to Rawlings since I was a child and the staff have always been so kind and lovely over the years. The opticians are great, really professional, take time to listen to you and really care. They’ve always been very accommodating with requests to send contact lenses to different branches and have helped with a need to change appointment locations as well! Would recommend Rawlings to everyone and I’ll always be going there!

Very friendly and polite staff. A very pleasant experience.

All staff friendly and helpful. The optometrist explained everything well and all the measurements felt thorough and not rushed. There was absolutely no pressure when selecting glasses or joining the Vision Plan. For me the Vision Plan is very good value for money, so I joined. The glasses arrived sooner than expected staff made sure they fitted properly.
PS

At the end of Covid I decided to support independent traders as far as possible. I found the staff extremely helpful. The Optician explained in detail the health of my eyes which was most helpful to me. The care and attention given for my new frames and lens was First Class. All in all I am a very happy client.

My experience was great except the online booking system seemed to require 3 phone calls once having been booked online.