Firstly can we just say that the majority of High street opticians do not want to rip you off , they have a lot of overheads to account for when accounting for what they charge you for a pair of spectacles. They must take into account that they have to pay for expensive high street stores with high rental charges and business rates, medical equipment, display equipment stock and staff. They must then pass all these costs onto the cost of your glasses. High street opticians provide a essential service to the public and to us also as a business without them providing a eye test you would not be able to buy glasses from us and we would not exist.
Once you have has your eye test you will normally then be passed onto another member of staff (most of the time this member of staff is not a qualified optician) they are normally trained sales staff to ensure they sell you a pair of glasses.
By law, an optician must- following your eye test provides you with a written prescription. Regardless of whether you plan to buy glasses from them or not. You may feel pressurised or guilty for not buying glasses from them, but it is your decision where you buy your glasses