Glasses Buying Cost Cutting Plan Article Discussion Area

Sanstesticles

Steve_xx wrote: »

Let's hope Specsavers don't cotton on to that then. Because an eye test cannot be provided for £7.50 forever, for everyone who doesn't go on to buy their spectacles from Specsavers!


Make hey while the sun shines.

I'm sure if that well does eventually dry up, there will be some enterprising soul who comes up with an exam only option, to work hand in hand with the online glasses suppliers, much like those who make apps for smartphones, or accessories for tablets. Working WITH the new technology is the way forwards.

It's no different from when I go into Waterstones, pick out some books, then walk across the atrium, then sip on my Costa, whilst buying the books off of Amazon (or whoever is cheapest that day) for a fraction of the price.

It's up to Specsavers, Waterstones et all, to realise their previous model doesn't cut the mustard in 2014 and they need to change. The internet has changed our world forever, and will continue to do so :beer:

Steve_xx

Sanstesticles wrote: »

I'm sure if that well does eventually dry up, there will be some enterprising soul who will come up with an exam only option, to work hand in hand with the online glasses suppliers, much like those who make apps for smartphones, or accessories for tablets. Working WITH the new technology is the way forwards.

It's no different from when I go into Waterstones, pick out some books, then walk across the atrium, then sip on my Costa, whilst picking up the books off of Amazon (or whoever is cheapest that day) for a fraction of the price.

It's up to Specsavers, Waterstones et all, to realise their previous model doesn't cut the mustard in 2014 and they need to change. The internet has changed our world forever, and will continue to do so :beer:

Yes the internet has changed the world. I can well see the day when spectacles will be provided only by online providers and of course they can't provide an eye test so you can imagine that the high street opticians will become testing houses only.


Of course, when and if that happens, you will not be able to have your eyes tested for just £7.50


So, do make hey whilst the sun is shining.

Sanstesticles

Steve_xx wrote: »

Yes the internet has changed the world. I can well see the day when spectacles will be provided only by online providers and of course they can't provide an eye test so you can imagine that the high street opticians will become testing houses only.


Of course, when and if that happens, you will not be able to have your eyes tested for just £7.50


So, do make hey whilst the sun is shining.

Well, they'll certainly have to be competitive. Perhaps that will mean £20? Or under a fiver if you buy it from one of their 'online partners'? The options and opportunities are endless.

I saved over five hundred on a ski holiday (thanks to ML) by negotiating. Should I have not done that?

Should we all just pay whatever we're told without question?

hollie.weimeraner

Sanstesticles wrote: »

I agree, which is why I got Specsavers to do one for me Steve, for £7.50. They didn't know I wasn't going to buy from them, so I'm sure they didn't hold back doing a 'real' exam on me

I have worn glasses for 18 years now and never paid for my eye test. If you have a search there are usually free eye test offers floating around the internet and failing that Tesco opticians offer free eye tests if you have one nearby

Sanstesticles

hollie.weimeraner wrote: »

I have worn glasses for 18 years now and never paid for my eye test. If you have a search there are usually free eye test offers floating around the internet and failing that Tesco opticians offer free eye tests if you have one nearby

Oh right, I didn't realise that. I'm new to this, as I've always gone to the opticians and done it as a package. I did only want a copy of my prescription, which Specsavers had on file, but insisted I go in to collect it. When I saw the ad for a cheap exam, I thought I may as well get a current prescription since I'm there anyway.

Steve_xx

Sanstesticles wrote: »

Well, they'll certainly have to be competitive. Perhaps that will mean £20? Or under a fiver if you buy it from one of their 'online partners'? The options and opportunities are endless.

I saved over five hundred on a ski holiday (thanks to ML) by negotiating. Should I have not done that?

Should we all just pay whatever we're told without question?

Well you know this is the good health of you and your eyes we're talking about. And so only you can decide what price an eye test is worth.

Imagine if you had your eyes tested and the optician found a tumour on your optic nerve. Early diagnosis could save your life. This is just one example of serious conditions that can be detected during an eye test.

So you really ought not to undervalue the skillset of your high street optician to the extent that you don't want to reward him or her for a potentially life saving diagnosis.

An eye test examination involves a myriad of tests using skill and a lot of very expensive equipment. It all has to be paid for.

Steve_xx

hollie.weimeraner wrote: »

I have worn glasses for 18 years now and never paid for my eye test. If you have a search there are usually free eye test offers floating around the internet and failing that Tesco opticians offer free eye tests if you have one nearby

These are typically cross subsidy offers. Naturally the optician wants you to have the free eye test and to go on and purchase product ftom them. If you don't actually do that then I'm sure that you can easily see that if everyone got the free eye test and then didn't go on to buy their spex then the optician will be bankrupted in a very short period of time. So if people insist on having a free eye test and then doing a runner with the prescription, then the cost of the eye test will have to rise.

There is zero incentive for an optician to cosy up to an online retailer because without the optician there can be no online retailer, not the other way around.

buglawton

I got a very good impression of the Asda in-store opticians - willing to do repairs & re glazing unlike snooty Boots etc.

Sanstesticles

Got my Spex4less today, 4 days after ordering them. Came in a nice box with a cloth. I went for a light model, but it feels very sturdy. Did the adjustments (there were instructions included), which only took a few minutes. Since I can feel how they fit, I knew how to adjust them to get a good fit. Fit is more positive, with no digging in, which is better than at an opticians, since they can't feel what I feel. I always end up adjusting them myself anyway.

So, they fit better, arrive quicker, are massively cheaper, you can still get an eye exam, vision is fine.

You get to try them on in a shop, but other than that, it's better in every single way to buy online. If you can live with that, buying online is a no- brainer.

buglawton

So how did Spex4less know your PD?