The Amazing Fielmann Experience: Eye Test, Frames and Lenses in Downtown Munich for 15 Euro

The Amazing Fielmann Experience: Eye Test, Frames and Lenses in Downtown Munich for 15 Euro

By  Thursday, 22.1.2015, 11:17    Shopping

Coming from a small island in Croatia to a big European town like Munich, one of the main concerns of course was cost. Munich is SO expenive was something I heard from almost everybody before coming here, and the prices of things like accommodation do crop up in many conversations here. I have been fortunate initially to not have to worry about accommodation, thanks to the generosity of friends, and although Munich CAN be very expensive, there are some bargains to be had...

Bargains such as the Fielmann experience. 

Given that I spend a large amount of my life looking at a laptop screen a few centimetres away, coupled with the fact that I am of a certain age, the time had come to admit that I needed to dedicated glasses for the blogging task in hand. Having made an appointment (2 week wait) in Croatia, I had my prescription, but the initial prices of what for me was a purely functional item (the only person looking at me while I blog is my trusty laptop, which has as much appreciation of style as I do), the new glasses remained on my 'to do' list as I left for Munich.

"You should try Fielmann, they are amazing. Great service and guarantees, and incredible prices," suggested a friend over a cold one the other night.

Going to an optician in Munich, now THAT would be expensive, but he urged me to check it out, and as I chanced upon the Fielmann store between Tal and Marienplatz the following day, I thought I would at least enquire.

WOW! 

Without an appointment, I was asked to wait at one desk, as several others were doing as well. Within two minutes, a staff member was politely putting up with my pained attempts to express myself in German, I had explained I was on a very strict budget, something I stuck with throughout the conversation, partly because I was interested to see what her sales technique would be.

Within five minutes, I had been treated to a complimentary eye test, then presented with a range of frames. The lenses would cost 15 euro, or 7.50 each, and prices for the frames started at free of charge? Hang on, did I understand correctly -  an eye test AND glasses for 15 euro??? 

The sales lady was extrememly good and offered me a range of glasses, prices and insurances. The frames for 29.50 were elegant, and I would probably have bought them but I was fixed on the idea of this 15 euro bargain in the heart of the Munich centre. Realising that there was no chance of upgrading this British skinflint, the sales lady was extremely professional and efficient, and the payment was processed, with the glasses to be ready in ten days. Total time from start to finish in the store - just 20 minutes.

And having had the experience, I know I will return to replace my main glasses (with a higher budget...). 

A little research on the Fielmann experience shows that it is quite a phenomenon, with outlets all over the country after an aggressive expansion campaign, with plans to have a store for every 100,000 inhabitants in Germany. If my experience was anything to go by, no wonder they are proving so popular. Check out the official site here to find your nearest store

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Paul Bradbury

After 12 years living on the most gorgeous island in the world, Hvar in Dalmatia, I have begun to wonder if there is still life beyond its shores. Prior to discovering Paradise in 2002, I was a world traveller, living and working in Japan, Georgia, Somalia, Rwanda, Russia... and Munich.

After 95 countries and some 25 years have passed, the memories of my year in the hotel industry in the Bavarian capital (fired by the Sheraton for losing our pet snake, the first male chambermaid at Hotel Arabella, and a truly eye-watering introduction to five-star living in  my days as a bellboy in luxury Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten) are strong, and the call of Munich has been a constant theme over the last quarter century. 

And so here I am, answering the call some 25 years later. Twelve years of island living have changed me for sure, but also left me curious about life in a big city, and whether or not I could adapt to it after such an insular decade. 

I was surprised to see that for such a magnificent multi-cultural city, English-language blogs and regularly updated information are not that available. Static tourism information, such as that provided by the excellent tourist board website yes, but accounts of daily life delivered daily? Hard to find.

And so I have decided to take a break from my idyllic island and see if I could live in a city again. And what better way to try than to discover modern Munich in all its facets after so many years. It is a journey of discovery which I am relishing, and I hope the site proves to be of interest for Munich residents and its numerous visitors.

About Paul Bradbury

Author of Lebanese Nuns Don't Ski, Lavender, Dormice and a Donkey Named Mercedes and Hvar's first comprehensive guidebook, Hvar: An Insider's Guide to Croatia's Premier Island, as well as co-author of Split: An Insider's Guide with Mila Hvilshoj, I have lived in Dalmatia full time since 2003. In addition to running Total Munich, I also run Total Split (www.croatia-split.com), Total Hvar (www.total-hvar.com) and Total Inland Dalmatia (www.total-inland-dalmatia.com), as well as being an accredited Google News journalist for Digital Journal in Canada.

I also have various blogging clients, including the Central Dalmatia Tourist Board, European Coastal Airlines, Touristar TV and Andro Tomic Wines, and print clients include Qatar Airways inflight magazine, Out! magazine from New York, and Croatian Hotspots. 

In December 2014 I was delighted to receive the Marko Polo 2014 Award from FIJET Croatia (Federation of International Travel Writers and Journalists)  at a ceremony for the Croatian Journalists Society for the best international tourism promotion of Croatia. More here.

Ongoing writing projects:

A History of Hajduk Split, co-author with Frane Grgurevic - in 2015

Around the World in 80 Disasters - out in 2015

Total Hvar in the Media:

Interview of the Month, Croatian Embassy in Washington (May 2013)

Special Feature in Globus Magazine (May 2013)

Featured on Croatian TV show, More (2012) - watch the report here

Interviews in Slobodna Dalmacija, Dalmacijanews, Radio Split

I am available for writing services. Please contact me on [email protected] or visit my main writing website, www.bossandblogger.com 

Website: total-hvar.com Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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