How much for glasses?

Zirax · 27-09-2009, 22:04

I have recently had to buy an emergency pair of specs from the high street. Now I last got some about 3 years ago and I knew they were expensive. I went to get a fully specced pair today and they are now unbelievable money!

High street average 1.67 lenses + UV & antiglare + photo chromic with mid range glasses >£300

Same thing from this website I found, glasses direct..... £180.

So I settled for a bog standard cheapo pair until I get an updated prescription. Has anyone else got some good online glasses shops they've used? The glasses direct is UK based, I think I remember someone getting some sent from India or Pakistan?

Flibster · 27-09-2009, 22:09

Got several pairs from Glasses direct - very good.

Couple of cheapass pairs, couple of more expensive pairs and a couple of pairs of sunglasses.

Psymonkee · 27-09-2009, 22:24

I got 2 pairs (reg + sun) from specsavers for 225 - paid over the odds methinks!

Not tried glasses direct yet but prefer to try these things on in a shop since I have to live with them

Zirax · 27-09-2009, 22:24

You have a point there, just looking at some £15 ones that I can wear when racing, perfect.

edit:- glasses direct will send you 4 pairs to try for £5. Just measure them up compared to ones your wearing so you shouldn't get some duff ones.

Mondo · 28-09-2009, 01:40

I paid through the roof for mine, as the profit margin for glasses in the UK are silly, like 70%. I have a friend who is an optician, when she was living in the UK she could give her family a 50% discount at work and they STILL make money.

My last pair of prescription glasses were from Hong Kong 6 months ago, £150, Police, 1.6 index. Though it is sunglasses. My day to day glasses set me back £450....

Nutcase · 28-09-2009, 07:38

My GF got some from glasses direct, and they quality was rather poor. They were lower end of the market though as she normally wears contacts.

I usually blag some kind of 50% deal when I buy, still ends up costing about £200 though, but as I have to wear the things every day, I want decent ones.

Mark · 28-09-2009, 12:06

What do you need them for? If it's work then enquire about eyecare vouchers. They do restrict what you can get with them (and sometimes where) so they may turn out to be useless for you, but there's only one way to find out that.

27-09-2009, 22:04	#1
Zirax Goes up to 11! Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 4,577	How much for glasses? I have recently had to buy an emergency pair of specs from the high street. Now I last got some about 3 years ago and I knew they were expensive. I went to get a fully specced pair today and they are now unbelievable money! High street average 1.67 lenses + UV & antiglare + photo chromic with mid range glasses >£300 Same thing from this website I found, glasses direct..... £180. So I settled for a bog standard cheapo pair until I get an updated prescription. Has anyone else got some good online glasses shops they've used? The glasses direct is UK based, I think I remember someone getting some sent from India or Pakistan?

27-09-2009, 22:09	#2
Flibster Moonshine Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,388	Got several pairs from Glasses direct - very good. Couple of cheapass pairs, couple of more expensive pairs and a couple of pairs of sunglasses. __________________

27-09-2009, 22:24	#3
Psymonkee A cat wearing a wet suit Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: St.Andrews Posts: 2,023	I got 2 pairs (reg + sun) from specsavers for 225 - paid over the odds methinks! Not tried glasses direct yet but prefer to try these things on in a shop since I have to live with them __________________ Sonisphere FMC Code: 1k949178

28-09-2009, 01:40	#5
Mondo Absinthe Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,174	I paid through the roof for mine, as the profit margin for glasses in the UK are silly, like 70%. I have a friend who is an optician, when she was living in the UK she could give her family a 50% discount at work and they STILL make money. My last pair of prescription glasses were from Hong Kong 6 months ago, £150, Police, 1.6 index. Though it is sunglasses. My day to day glasses set me back £450.... __________________ My Website / MSN / Email / Flickr / Blog

28-09-2009, 07:38	#6
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	My GF got some from glasses direct, and they quality was rather poor. They were lower end of the market though as she normally wears contacts. I usually blag some kind of 50% deal when I buy, still ends up costing about £200 though, but as I have to wear the things every day, I want decent ones.

28-09-2009, 12:06	#7
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	What do you need them for? If it's work then enquire about eyecare vouchers. They do restrict what you can get with them (and sometimes where) so they may turn out to be useless for you, but there's only one way to find out that.