Specsavers - high prices, and is there any real difference between the different varifocal options?

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Specsavers used to represent good value. Clear pricing, and good quality sold at fair prices.
Things have changed. Despite the clear pricing claims its impossible to find clear prices for the various lens options online, the prices are high, and all the sales staff want to do is extract as much as possible from you.
That cheap pair of glasses can easily cost £400+.
The basic varifocals cost around £40, as I recall, but although they’re supposed to do the job, all the staff want to do is upsell the ones costing around £200.
Does anyone have any knowledge of the lenses they sell, and what the real differences are, because the prices differences are huge.
Things have changed. Despite the clear pricing claims its impossible to find clear prices for the various lens options online, the prices are high, and all the sales staff want to do is extract as much as possible from you.
That cheap pair of glasses can easily cost £400+.
The basic varifocals cost around £40, as I recall, but although they’re supposed to do the job, all the staff want to do is upsell the ones costing around £200.
Does anyone have any knowledge of the lenses they sell, and what the real differences are, because the prices differences are huge.
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Specsavers have 4 main varifocal options.
Standard, premium, elite and tailor made.
The main difference between them is the design, quality and manufacturing process. In real terms there is a noticeable difference in the field of clear view you get.
For example in a standard varifocal you may find there is more peripheral distortion and you need to move your head more to see things in the periphery whereas one of the better lenses would require less head movement and a wider field of view.
Depending on what your daily activities and requirements are you may find the standard acceptable or you may find it limiting.
Do you currently wear varifocal changing lens type can cause an even more noticeable difference.
As far as I am aware there isn't a great deal of difference between the top two categories but there is a marked difference between the bottom two
Not wanting to spend a fortune, but these don’t seem too good to me, and the way they hide the prices doesn’t impress.
I can bear pain myself, he said softly, but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have -
Diana Gabaldon, Outlander
I can bear pain myself, he said softly, but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have -
Diana Gabaldon, Outlander
The same quality varificals rom an independent optician two years before were £400
Markings have to be highly accurate, frame shape, size of lens etc
Additionally the categories are not limited to a single lens. For example each of the categories (Standard, premium, elite, tailor-made) have multiple lens availabilities within them- the dispenser usually decides based on tasks, frame and prescription.
For example some lenses within the premium range are actually closer to the elite category than others within the category.
Also they have a 100 day No quibble No fuss policy so if you don't like them you can take them back!
However, I can't fault the price and quality of my lenses and the actual frame so far. I just have to be smarter the next time I'm due. My last pair of glasses lasted me more than 3 years, so I think that's a justifiable cost per wear.
Debt-Busting Progress: 2020: £13,200 | 2020: £9,200 | 2021: £4,900
2022: ongoing