News

EJ · 17-09-2004, 5:29 PM

Hi

I love this site so finally registered and making my first (hopefully of many!) post.

Glasses Direct has been in the news recently so there could already be a post about it (searched through to check but sorry if its already been done!)

Basically Glasses Direct can afford to do their glasses so cheaply as they don't have to fork out for expensive premises and staff etc so they can have lower overheads therefore lower prices (yippee!).

I've had a look and they have some nice designs - inc rimless ones (35 pounds inc frames + lens + case + delivery + guarantee).... they're the most expensive ones on there i think!

Take a look for yourself:

http://www.glassesdirect.co.uk

Hope this helps some people!

Cheers,

EJ

BLACKHURSTM · 18-09-2004, 12:17 AM

Thanks. excellent post
This sight I mean site pardon the pun looks like one that I will be using in the very near future,This could even be post of the month based on the % of us wearing specs.
Keep posting.

damo101 · 18-09-2004, 1:46 AM

fantastic first post there EJ, will def be using these guys

ArsenalFC · 18-09-2004, 2:05 AM

Although there are very limited choice, the prices are fantastically cheap. Mostly likely to use them. Great post.

EJ · 18-09-2004, 1:33 PM

;D

I'm very pleased to help!

The background on the company is here, written up in the Telegraph for those of you wondering how they can manage to provide glasses so cheaply.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/ma...8/hglass18.xml

I wear glasses only for reading and just wish I had known of this company a couple of months ago as I would have definitely used them.

If anyone has used them can you let us know if they are good?

Cheers!

EJ

8)

EJ · 18-09-2004, 11:13 PM

Cheers Sheel for pointing that out - I didnt find it when i searched!

EJ

screamingblumurder · 19-09-2004, 12:56 AM

I've found another firm on the net offering cheap specs.
specs4less.com

the site seems to be offering a simliar service.

check it out

I guess there will be dozens of of online specs shops opening up by this time next week.

wadewade · 19-09-2004, 1:17 AM

At a quick glance, they don't seem able to cope with people who want varifocals, or have I missed something?

EJ · 19-09-2004, 1:25 AM

Quote:

At a quick glance, they don't seem able to cope with people who want varifocals, or have I missed something?

No, you've not missed anything - on the site they say this:

"FAQ What about varifocals?
Due to the complexities of taking Varifocal orders, we do not sell varifocal lenses at this time. This is something we shall be reviewing in the future. "
(http://www.glassesdirect.co.uk/faq.htm)

EJ

revenant · 24-09-2004, 3:15 AM

I bought a pair for £20.83 from http://www.optical4less.com all prices are in US$ so the exact cost varies with exchange rates, but from $29 well worth a look.

They are from Hong Kong and took 12 days for mine to be delivered.

I was sufficiently impressed, I ordered 2 more pairs (1 different style and 1 sunglasses). Again 12 days for delivery. £38 for both pairs.

They come with all the usual coatings and thin lenses, so now I have 3 pairs of glasses for less than £60 inc delivery.

The big part of the savings come from not having to add: £30 thin lenses; £10each anti-reflective/scratch resistant/uv400 coatings.

So for less than the cost of the 'upgrades' I got 3 complete pairs!

Still, the prices on the glassesdirect site do show you have to be a mug to pay high-street prices! In case you are wondering, last time I bought from the high-street one pair cost me £230!!!!!

Hope this information helps saves some people even more money.

Pope7 · 24-09-2004, 1:07 PM

I can see a few problems with buying glasses online - how can you tell if they fit, how can they put the lenses in the right place and what will they really look like on you?

I'd recommend this place to anyone...

http://www.directspecs.co.uk

Their glasses start at £20 complete and because they have shops you can try the frames on and take them back if there's any problem.

gazbert · 27-09-2004, 1:54 AM

Well I've just ordered a pair of Specs and a pair of sunglasses for £37.50 including delivery for both! Can't say fairer than that. GlassesDirect wanted £41.13 for just one pair, which I was happy to pay until I read this.

Will post back when they arrive to let you know how good they are.

Cheers for the tip. Not having to pay extra for the coatings is excellent.

Once again, thanks moneysavers!

gazbert · 27-09-2004, 1:55 AM

Oh yeah, I forgot to say they were from optical4less.

alison6692 · 27-09-2004, 1:20 PM

Quote:

I can see a few problems with buying glasses online - how can you tell if they fit, how can they put the lenses in the right place and what will they really look like on you?

I'd recommend this place to anyone...

http://www.directspecs.co.uk

Their glasses start at £20 complete and because they have shops you can try the frames on and take them back if there's any problem.

This place are currently doing a £5 off voucher! Lovely Jubbly.

speleo · 27-09-2004, 2:28 PM

We ahve just used the site and ordered some for the wife 2 weeks ago. The site was down due to being hit so many times after the Telegraph article. It's now back up and running a dn sure enough, as soon as it was they came back and acknowledged the order. Glasses have been received and they are superb quality.

yaacov81 · 27-09-2004, 5:33 PM

well i got mine from optical4less.com.
incredible value $49 (plus postage) for rimless frames with lenses. i needed to have thin lenses an incredible and also antireflect coating c. £52 including delivery
that is at least half you would pay anywhere. just the drilling of the lenses costs usually 30 quid.
if you needs thin lenses i think is cheaper from them. i just went to glasses direct and checked how much it would cost to by a pair like mine - with thin lenses and anti-reflect. £88.

if you only want a basic pair then glasses direct are cheaper.

only problems is delvery took over 2 weeks , takes a bit longer for rimeless. they werent so responsive to emails.
i have an affilaite link to optical4less on the referrers board

http://forum.moneysavingexpert.com/c...1849;start=0#0

Marko_C · 12-10-2004, 12:56 AM

Have just bought a pair of bifocals and the quality is appalling - no wonder they're so cheap - will be sending mine straight back for refund.....

purplepatch · 03-11-2004, 12:51 AM

I ordered from glasses direct on 11 October - still waiting for my specs to arrive :-/

Apparently they have been inundated with orders. Looks like MSE strikes again

bargain-babe · 03-11-2004, 1:25 AM

i ordered a pair of glasses for my hubbie at the beginning of october from glasses direct they phoned me to say they had not got the gun metal frame and would we have silver instead ,we agreed to silver on the 20 th october, and still they havent arrived phoned them up about seven days ago and they didnt know what i was talking about it finally clicked, now they are ordering them again at the lab and will be another two weeks.

purplepatch · 03-11-2004, 1:50 PM

Not very impressive is it bargain babe.

I wonder how many MSE users have ordered from glases direct since seeing the threads on here - and if so, whether they would recommend? Anyone??
Seems to me that they can't compete with the turnaround times on the high street. Guess it was too good to be true and you get what you pay for. :'(