Hi, I have been considering giving specsavers a try but have been put off by the bad reviews. Also I find it confusing with all the lense options they have available. Just wondering what experiences people have had with specsavers and what lense options I should go for.
Thanks
I am pretty sure you can ask and they will just print out a copy for you. At least my local specsavers does.
If you read the previous forum about it, some where pointing out how it was like extracting a tooth. It's just plain unethical to have to make people beg for this data.
Perhaps they can focus on better service (I think they actually innovated a new and intersting 3D type eye scan thingy, not sure if it's SS or another brand) etc. Perhaps be nicer and encourage people to shop with them rather than forcing many of them, especially those that aren't confident, assertive or confrontational.
Thanks guys, I have already got my eye tested and have the script, was more wondering about the quality of their lenses and which lense options I need. After adding the extra lense options they font really seem that much cheaper, maybe even more expensive
Your lenses will, to a large extent, depend on your prescription. If your prescription is only mild, then a normal stock standard lens will be perfectly alright for you. You may choose to upgrade your lens which will make it thinner in the frame. There may be an opportunity for you to have it tinted, to have an anti scratch or non reflective coating - none of these things are necessary unless you want it (although I always go for anti-scratch).
If you have a more complex prescription (eg more extensive vision correction or multi focus) then your lens choice might be restricted. I have a high minus (I'm very shortsighted) so if I had the normal lens they would be very thick in my glasses frame, (and actually protrude out of the rim). Therefore I go for the highest index lens I can order (which is also the most expensive, as it happens)as the lens will be thinner. I also wear multifocals, meaning I have several different focal points in the one lens. This also increases my lens costs. Finally, I have a preference of a particular brand of lenses if I can get them, simply due to the way they are manufactured to allow a different visual "pattern" (which is relevant to the multifocals).
None of this might be relevant to you and so therefore all the different options which appear to be making the lenses more expensive could be irrelevant. You might not really have to consider any of those choices/upgrades.
I think what makes it confusing with Spec Savers is their deals they have with frames. Basically if you can separate your purchase into two things - the frames, and the lenses. If you can, find out the cost of the standard pair of frames you are interested in and the cost of these with the lenses. The frames themselves don't really contribute all that much of the cost to your spectacles, at least not in a big volume organisation like SS (or OPSM etc). The cost will always be in the lenses, as this is the part of your spectacles which requires the actual technical knowledge and skill to prepare a "medical" device to correct your vision. All the rest is just fashion, and more or less those people who are employed at SS to deal with the frames are just salespeople. Of course, it is their job to try and upgrade you to more expensive packages. The optometrists employed by SS are the highly qualified health care professionals, but they aren't the ones discussing your glasses with you.
And on that note, part of the reason why it is difficult to obtain your prescription once you have had your eyes tested is for your own visual health safety. Having your eyes checked is more than just testing your acuity to produce a prescription. Your optometrist does a thorough inspection of your ocular health and can pick up/report on other health and well being aspects. It is important to see optometrists as more than just prescription writers, and to maintain a consistent relationship with your optom for health reasons.
That being said - I easily got a print out of my prescription last time I popped in to Spec Savers - the optom was happy to hand over a copy, and I promptly went home and ordered a pair of high index multifocals from a US based site, for less than $100AUD (was looking at $700+ here). I know, I know - say one thing and do another! But at least be aware that this is a health matter as well as a fashion/cost matter, and aim for an ongoing relationship with your optometrist, even if you don't buy your glasses there.
My last two set's of glasses has been from Specsavers ive never had any problems. I received my glasses about a week after the eye test and ordering them.
Yep another happy specsaves shopper. And as mentioned above I just asked for the measurements and they gave them no problems at all. Alo have 3 month guarentee if for some reason you dont like the frame you can take it back and swap for antoher. About to put this one to the test on Friday.
I have obtained my last two sets of glasses / sunglasses from specsavers. Never had a single issue here at all. There service has been great, I pop in about once every two months or so and they adjust them for me and give them a clean also.
Always greeted with a smile and good service in general.
Thanks everyone. My prescription is not too strong, 3.5-3.75.
I get new glasses every year from specsavers as health fund covers the cost. As I only need them for a year I don't get any extras on the lenses. Stock standard good enough
Have you ever gotten an eye test specifically for contact lenses? I approached a couple of different optometrists today and they wanted to charge me between $35 -$40 out of pocket that could not be claimed back from health fund or covered by medicate. I just wanted an update of my current one which was done around 1.5 years ago.
That's interesting, I have never got contacts before and I thought you just provide your standard prescription, do you know what's the difference?
The two prescriptions are different and require them to print out two separate scripts. It includes additional items as Base Curve and Diameter which is not included in the Glasses script.
I have got 3 pairs of glasses from SS and I was quite happy with the services provided. As mz_caz pointed out, the deal was good but it is very much depending on the lense you would need/choose, I guess that's how they make money in that business model, for me, my prescription is on the high side so I had to get those "ultra thin" lenses, there were 2 types with less than 1mm in difference, the cheaper option did not seem to be much thicker compared to the thinnest version based on my prescription. After my health insurance cover I still need to pay about $150 for my glasses. The service SS provided was very friendly and you can drop in whenever you need your glasses adjusted if they feel uncomfortable, I also requested a printout of my prescription and requested my pupil distance, which I got with no issues at all (although I asked them after I made my purchase)
I was told they use luxotica brand lenses, but a crappy lense only available exclusively to spec savers. I have two pairs and I think the lenses are poor quality. I did go for the two pairs with no gap. So maybe I skimped on the optional add ons. Usually I pay a lot lot more at other optometrists. I think you get what you pay for.
just back from the one at Collins st, Melbourne. Always been great for me.
if any one needs glasses and has booked a trip to an asian country then get your glasses there.
when I lived in Japan 10 years ago you could get glasses for about $60 a pair for your basic frame and lens. at the time in Aust a basic pair would have cost $200+.
my wife got a pair of prescription reading glasses (everything done in store) in Shanghai for $30. they have been good.
I have always gone with spec savers and have been quite happy with them. However yesterday I went to get some prescription sunnies.
For the 2 for $249 range they wanted the $249 (no problems there) plus $50 each for the tint, otherwise the sunnies come with clear glass (!?) and if I wanted polarized lens that is an additional $80 each.
I think I will stick with them for normal specs and go elsewhere for sunglasses, I hope they don't make it hard to get my script.
Personally not impressed with specsavers. Their "buy 1 get 1 free" offer does nothing for 99% of people who will only use one pair. Their prices are not particularly low and i've never seen them with any outstanding deals.
In comparison buying them from places like Clearly Contacts still lets you claim from health funds and is a ton cheaper. They also had a 50% off promo for boxing day which i missed…
Really 99% who need only 1 pair?
& a Ton cheaper?
Mind quoting where you got this survey data from?
Quoting fictional and imagined figures does nothing for a argument.
Like 100% of my household disagrees with you, if there is only 1 in my household!
Dude, use common sense. You can only wear one pair at once. To use more than one pair implies that you are breaking 1 pair every 1-2 years. Simply go ask people who wear glasses how often they do that.
As for prices, simply look at the website. IIRC specsavers charges $250+ for 1.67 lenses and frames.
Dude
Some (many more than 1%) use two pairs for reading. Like one for bedroom, the other in living room. One at work one at home.
One for spare if they lose them. Also you can get one of these two made as sunglasses. And so on.
So your common sense isn't necessarily common, its YOUR view point which is valid for you, not 99% of the population.
Just saying..
I went to them for a couple of years, but wasn't happy with the script they came up with the last time (couple of years ago.) When I went back to have the script checked they told me I was being unreasonable expecting to be able to see well enough to thread a needle. The frustrating thing was that, having already been to them for the test, I wasn't eligible to get tested elsewhere without having to pay for it.
I went to Optical Superstore last year, but the range of frames available wasn't all that great.
Was very pleased the other day to see that CC is now back on board with Bupa. Have been quite happy with the glasses I've gotten from them in the past.
Do a search, was a previous discussion about it just last week. Never had my eyes checked so don't know personally but it seems dodgy that they don't release the eye test, pupil distance thingy data for people to buy glasses.