High Street Opticians

GrahamLM52

Which of the High Street Opticians offers the best value for spectacles?

I have always used a local independent, but the new owner has gone all up-market and is now very expensive.

My usual specs are:
Thin lenses
Varifocal
Anti-scratch coating
Not photochromic or "transition" lenses
Not a designer frame

Previous Optician wants more than £500.

Undervalued

If you want to get the price right down then take the prescription (which they must give you by law) and order online.

A compromise, if you are not happy to buy online, is to look for a spectacle manufacturing business in your area. Most high street opticians will ship their manufacturing out to one of these firms and many are happy to deal direct with the public. Often found on an out of town business park / industrial estate. 

HP_Source

I too would have said online, until I saw the word varifocal. With varifocal specs there are so many variables in addition to the basic figures shown on the prescription that I would want to use an optician. In terms of the quality/cost balance my suggestion is Costco if they have a warehouse with an optical centre conveniently close to you. Yes, you would have to pay for Costco membership but their prices are very keen. 

luvchocolate

Asda everytime..

Linda32

I've used Specsavers for years. Last time I had varifocal.

I am very shortsighted to the extent that the lenses are quite thick. However, the prescription was fine for driving (long distance) so the optician offered that I keep my existing 2nd pair as sunglasses for driving.

Then get a new prescription using their £75 offer of 2nd pair free but have that pair with the lenses thinned instead of an extra pair. You can honestly tell that the lenses have been thinned out.

Couldn't argue with that offer to be fair.

Murphybear

luvchocolate said:

Asda everytime..

The worst service and worst spectacles I’ve had in my years of wearing them (since I was 11 I’m now 70) was at Asda.  When I collected them and wore them for a few days I knew there was something wrong.  Asda denied it so I insisted.  They finally gave in and admitted there was a problem.  Although they “sorted it out” they still weren’t brilliant.  I have varifocals so need to get them properly prescribed and fitted.

 Obviously, like most things, it depends which branch you go to.

I went to a local independent optician to get my latest specs.  Because of lowish income and health issues I was eligible for a large amount of the cost to be paid for by the NHS.  The new specs are brilliant, it’s the first time I’ve been able to walk out of any Optician and see perfectly without having to get used to the varifocals.