Cheapest optician for glasses 13 February 2012 at 12:14PM in Over 50s MoneySaving 41 replies 20.4K views

red_devil

Specsavers say they give a discount but are they dearer to start with?

Thanks.

scotsbob

Well someone has to pay for all the expensively located high street shops and mass advertising.

I read about spex4less on one of the forums here and have used them for the last 5 years.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/cheap-glasses

Get your free prescription from a local optician and then get the spectacles online.

www.spex4less.com

red_devil

do you always need to change the frames? Cant you just just change the lenses at opticians?

Horace

red_devil wrote: »

do you always need to change the frames? Cant you just just change the lenses at opticians?

I get my glasses from the dispensary at the eye hospital - I needed two pairs this time around (one for reading and the other for distance), I took in a pair of old frames to have the lenses changed for distance and have bought a new pair of reading glasses. Due to my very low income at the moment I have managed to get my glasses for free, however, I often make a contribution e.g. cost of extra thin lenses (not bothered this time) and my glasses can cost me around £150 extra.

pollypenny

I'd never buy specs on line. The dispensing optician/clerk measures them carefully, especially important if you wear varifocals.

Never had any problem with local Specsavers - helpful staff, who care and will alter, amend and do anything my specs need.

Savvy_Sue

red_devil wrote: »

Specsavers say they give a discount but are they dearer to start with?

From recent experience I'd say yes, dearer than Boots. Boots do a BOGOF if you spend more than (I think) £79, whereas you have to spend at least £129 in Specsavers to get BOGOF. They do have other offers but I started to lose the will to live ...

fleetco

I was looking in ASDA the other day and they're doing designer label varifocal glasses at £99 and standard ones for £79 so they might be worth you looking at.

pollypenny

I think it's £79 for BOGOf in Specsavers. Don't forget this includes varifocals.

25% discount on one pair for over 60s. (used to be 30%)

lilykim

I got varifocals from ASDA last year. £95 for first pair, and £75 for spare pair. Cant fault the service and they had a really good range of frames.

JimmyTheWig

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

From recent experience I'd say yes, dearer than Boots. Boots do a BOGOF if you spend more than (I think) £79, whereas you have to spend at least £129 in Specsavers to get BOGOF. They do have other offers but I started to lose the will to live ...

But Specsavers do glasses for £29. So even if you really want two pairs that's still cheaper than £79 bogof!

I find Specsavers the cheapest place on the high street. I agree with someone above about not wanting to get them online.
The only thing I'm not sure about with Specsavers is the value of the "added extras". I feel they bump the price up with these. As I just get the specs I don't need to worry about this!

meercatsunited

tried specsavers, bought rimless but they snapped really easily. then went to tesco paid a similar price, again bought rimless they last an even shorter time and the second pair I accidently put something down on them and bit by the side of the lense bent but I was able to straighten it with my fingers because the metal is rubbish.

going to try online glasses direct.