Glasses Buying Cost Cutting Plan Article Discussion Area

Philycheesesteak

I've just used glasses direct. Very pleased with the service and price overall. Much cheaper than Specsavers.

BTW the diy Pupil distance isn't that accurate. I got Specsavers to give me mine which they relunctantly did.
Glasses direct will work it out if you're not sure by sending you a free reply envelope to put an old/spare pair in.

You get a free 4 frame trial.
You don't get pressured sales people.
Quick responses via email
Don't forget to sign up to their news later for an additional 10% discount.

My friend likes glasses direct tried SelectSpecs.com

Said they were cheap but as it goes to the far east to be made took weeks to arrive.

Philycheesesteak

Summer01 wrote: »

I've never purchased specs online and need to read all the posts on MSE to find out more but have just seen this offer for a free pair from glasses direct - thought it may interest some of you

http://www.glassesdirect.co.uk/freepair/

From the little I've seen on this site glassesdirect.co.uk seem to be popular. Will this offer be better than going to an Asda store, as they seem to get quite good feedback too..?

That current offer ends the end of January.

The second pair is actually those in the £59 or less group even if your first was more expensive. But I moaned that it was misleading and they gave me two £89 pair for £59.

kayl

Just thought that I'd post about my great experiences with Zenni Opticals. I have had to use them as I wear varifocals, and none of the other internet companies will do them.
I've now had several pairs of them, and have had no complaints about any of them. I yesterday received an ordinary pair plus prescription sunglasses, and I'd only ordered them on 19th. Total cost for both including delivery was $110. Your order through US, but they come from China
Last timje I enquired at Optical Express, they quoted me £400 (although were quick to stress that this included an extra pair free!)

SelectSpecs_company_representative

LRon wrote: »

Just a heads up to anyone thinking of using one of these sites: I used selectspecs.com and the glasses are rubbish. They are cheap but it's a waste of money. The pair I received were really flimsy and felt weak, unsurprisingly they broke within two weeks, having never been dropped or bent etc.
I am now trying to get a refund but they are refusing saying that tailor made glasses are not covered by distance selling regulations, which is true, but as I understand it I should get a refund under Sale of Goods for faulty/unsatisfactory goods. Am I correct?

Hi LRon,

I'm sorry to hear about this as this should not happen especially within 2 weeks. Unfortunately we're unable to refund you as per our T&Cs but we can issue you a replacement frame. What frames did you order? If you can give me some more details about this order I can check this out for you.

Kind regards,
SelectSpecs.com

Steve_xx

SelectSpecs_company_representative wrote: »

Hi LRon,

I'm sorry to hear about this as this should not happen especially within 2 weeks. Unfortunately we're unable to refund you as per our T&Cs but we can issue you a replacement frame. What frames did you order? If you can give me some more details about this order I can check this out for you.

Kind regards,
SelectSpecs.com

I think you will find that your terms and conditions cannot override statutory law(Sale of Goods Act 1979). If the product that you have supplied is faulty, then the purchaser in this instance will be entitled to have a full cash refund.

hethmar

Hmm, well I dont think I will bother with that company then!

pmduk

I hope Selectspecs sort out their Ts & Cs, because I won't use them again if they're ignoring consumer protection legislation.

Rossan

stphnstevey wrote: »

Anyone know anywhere for prescription goggles for swimming?

Asda do them from @ £20. Also, at the moment you can get a pair of designer specs with 1.67 thin variofcal lenses for only £110!!

ziggles50

Hi All

I have used Selectspecs and it took 4 weeks for them to get here and now they are here they have been improperly glazed and so are useless to me.
i emailed them a week ago and had no response AT ALL! I quite like the frames and they were great but what's the point if i can't see out the glasses.
have sent another email (via their website) and hope for a reply within the 72hrs stated but am not holding out hope and am looking at Tesco's for a pair that's £60 but that means i'll have to go without a spare!

totomason

koru wrote: »

Buying on line is a good option, but I think Martin goes a bit too far in dismissing any alternatives.

Sure, you can pay £99 at Dollond & Aitchison for basic frames, if you are really stupid or rich, but to use this as the only comparison is to exaggerate the cost benefit of buying online. There are plenty of cheaper options and special offers at most opticians. A realistic price for a basic frame on the high street would be more like £40. Still more expensive than the real cheapies online, but not that much extra, and at least you do get to see the frames and try them before you buy and get them fitted to your exact face, and take them back easily if they are faulty.

And if you want designer frames, which many of us do, then again the difference in price is less marked. Indeed, if you are a Costco member (or know someone who is), they sell designer frames for as little as £40, including frames, so online is no cheaper at all.

I'm not an optician and I'm not saying don't buy them online, but I think the choice is not as clear as Martin suggests.

Have to disagree with Koru here. The saving for designer glasses is massive if you shop around. I found a site that supplied me with thinned down lenses in a Police frame for a quarter of the price Vision Express quoted me. I think a 75% saving is worth shouting about. The site is run by opticians, which convinced me the risk was minimal, and it was. I see well and they look great. The site was called Valley Optics.