Specsavers Vs Glasses Direct

[CaroleE]

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Specsavers have tried to stop us offering low prices on glasses by starting the mother and father of all legal battles.

They are picking on Glasses Direct because we undercut their prices. We stand up for our customer's right to have affordable glasses, and we promise we won't be intimidated by this this kind of bullying.

They say that we accused them of selling 'Specspensive' glasses and that they 'fleece' their customers.

Read the solicitors letters here, they make for amusing reading!

http://www.glassesdirect.co.uk/relea...ecspensive.php

And see what others are saying about it here:

http://boards.fool.co.uk/Message.asp?mid=9940092

[Qui Gon Jinn]

Good Luck Carole

[CaroleE]

Thanks, not sure if we'll need it yet or not

[Paul Wright]

Nice positive spin on a negative situation.

[Wardy]

Godo luck, I hope they can see what they are up against (<----geddit)

Cheers
Wardy

[CaroleE]

Specsavers have asked us to take down the letter - we're not going to!

[cyberbird1]

Interesting stuff!

Their argument seems to rely solely on their interpretation of the word 'fleece', saying it implies they defraud their customers and is involved in dishonest practices.

Not a very stong argument as it could also just mean that they make a massive profit margin on their glasses.

[markschok]

True, my brother worked for a high street optition a few years back. You wouldn't believe the margins. Well you might, but I didn't at the time. Frames costing the store well under £5 on sale at over £200.

He did get a staff discount of 99% though. Got a pair of Converse specs for 2pence, but wasn't supposed to have cash on him on shop floor and borrowed the 2p from a guy. True.

[pericom]

Bond Pearce, they tried to sue me a few months back cos I beat them in SERPs. Didnt even promote specsavers.

Good Luck!

[renegade]

I love a David and Goliath fight and wish you all the best - I've just signed up for your programs on AF and put a news item online about the story.

[CaroleE]

Yes that's fine - run whatever you like on the story. If anyone wants any of the Specspensive banners/artwork, let me know.

The FT ran a big article on the story today and we're also expecting coverage in the Daily Mail.

[chromate]

Fantastic! Both those letters were great reads.

"Our client has instructed us to inform you that it was not trying to pull the wool over anyone's eyes." ... lol

To be honest, I can understand the arguments from both points of view. It draws an interesting comparison between online / offline competition. It's not as if SpecSavers have a GlassesDirect store they can launch counter campaigns outside. They probably feel legal action is their only line of defence. It would be an interesting case if it went to court.