I rate Zenni as ok. 39dollarglasses not as good as Zenni. About to try a new place, eyebuydirect.

trig42:

 

openmedia:

 

I spoke with a local independent optician and was quoted close to $1500 for a single pair of glasses with high density lenses.

 

I'm wearing a pair I got made in Beijing that cost under NZD $120 with HD lenses, but sadly after 3.5 years of wear I now need to replace.

 

Compared with Specsavers in the UK our local shops are expensive but still a hell of a lot cheaper than the smaller independents, so what do you do if you want to avoid a $1000 plus bill?

 

 

If you have your prescription, and your PD (pupillary distance), 39DollarGlasses or Clearly.co.nz do a good job. I have three or four pairs from both, and each pair has been fine.

 

I get my prescription done at Specsavers (on the AA deal, every two years), but they never have any frames that fit my face. I tell them I am getting my glasses off the web because they don't stock anything that fits me (same with shoe stores by the way, why do they stop at size 12??)

 

Thanks for the links.  I got some progressive specs from specsavers which were very expensive.  They didn't have a good range of frames and I ended up getting a designer brand.  Cost a packet - those prices look great.

I got my glasses from SpecSavers and I haven't had any issues with them. The service getting them was fine and I'm happy with the quality and the price. Then again I've only had them for 2 months, so I don't know how much that really counts...

Interested to try somewhere like Zenni actually. i found SpecSavers' range of frames less than amazing and any money you can save is always good, right?! Does anyone know if SpecSavers will happily give you your prescription and data like pupillary distance?

Optometrists have to give you your prescription if you request it, and I don't think they can charge for it. Mine always does, no problem, they're part of a small national chain.

The old dilemma

Quote from independent for single vision glasses for my 8 year old $476 [includes frame @ $235 less 10% & $99 child eye test/exam]

Quote from Specsavers two pairs for $169 to $369. Testing free

1. Anyone recommend a Specsavers in Wgtn region ?

2. Which Wgtn practices handover the prescription without a fuss ?

xlinknz:

 

The old dilemma

 

Quote from independent for single vision glasses for my 8 year old $476 [includes frame @ $235 less 10% & $99 child eye test/exam]

 

Quote from Specsavers two pairs for $169 to $369. Testing free

 

1. Anyone recommend a Specsavers in Wgtn region ?

 

2. Which Wgtn practices handover the prescription without a fuss ?

 

 

While I can't respond directly to your questions, I went through the same experience earlier this year getting glasses for my five-year-old. We elected to go for the value offered by Specsavers, given the gulf in prices was significant (as per your example); we got the two pairs for $299, and the frame choice was ideal for a five-year-old having to pick their first glasses - one pair had Mickey Mouse and the other The Avengers!

I had no problems regarding the thoroughness of the testing, or (TBH) the quality of the glasses at Specsavers; where I have been continuingly frustrated is in the fitting service here at the store in PN; I've been back maybe six times thus far with his pairs, and never once have I been happy with the fit. They have what appear to be young and inexperienced employees doing the job that, in more expensive shops, is done by a technician or at least someone with actual skill in this area. It's got to the point where I'm planning on taking the glasses to another retailer and paying them to fit them properly. (That said, I got one of his pairs - which I later ran over in the car! - fitted at Specsavers in the Queensgate Mall, and she actually did a good job - so it's not a universal issue...).