This deal is back on!
Any 2 pairs of glasses (single vision) for $199
Expires 17 April
Offer available in store for all prescriptions and online for +/-6. Includes single vision lenses. Both pairs for the same person. Excludes the $149 range or below unless purchased together with a higher value frame. Other lens types and options available at an extra cost. Use with other offers restricted. Offer valid 30 March to 31 May 2025.
Single vision sunglass lenses and standard single vision lenses are treated equally. Polarising option will be extra.
Just tested it. Making a pair of standard frames into prescription sunglasses comes with an additional $30 fee, on top of the $199 for two pairs deal.
Same idea as adding "clear lenses" or opting for the thinner lenses. All come with an additional fee.
Are you referring to adding sun-glass lenses into a frame that you already own? I have purchased glasses on many occasions, including having sun-glasses in a new non-sunglass frame. There was no additional fee.
@rickb: Nope, just picking a random pair of prescription frames on their site, and then selecting sunglasses at the lens page. Added $30.
@Rail Rider95: I've done in-store and they haven't charged me any extra. Maybe something has changed?
I picked two pairs of sunglasses and added my prescription, nothing extra charged and came through at $199.
Is your prescription a strong one or did you use normal glasses and change them to be sunglasses somehow?
Been going to Speccys for years and have never been charged extra to turn a pair of prescription frames into sunnies. Last time I went was probably Sept last year. Everything else is extra as you mentioned like the thinner lenses, anti reflective coating etc
Single vision refers the lenses not being bifocal/multifocal which increases cost.
So yes, single vision sunglass lenses are nothing special.
not sure if this is a deal or just a way to extract the maximum $ amount from peoples private health…
The deal expires on 17 April, according to an email I received.
Thanks - updated post
The T&Cs on the Specsavers landing page has:
Offer valid 30 March to 31 May 2025.
Do they allow to choose one frame if wanting from higher price range like $249?
All frames are $199 in this deal. Even $399 frames.
nice, so even the ultra light ones which are like $399 https://www.specsavers.com.au/glasses/lite-516?
My Bupa cover has $199 limit, so I should be able to grab two of these ultra lite frames?
They will charge you for the thinner lenses to suit the frames? Depending on your prescription apparently. I need to pay extras few hundred dollars last time for the thinest lenses, which is a must for me at least.
These are the best but as they come with the thinner lens and they don’t charge extra. I have these frames and they look great but they do fall apart as the lugs that attach the arms to the lens become weak over time. But I replace the frames each year so overall great. The glasses are for people who will prefer not to have to wear glasses.
Unless you have a very straightforward script good luck getting the total to come anywhere near $199. My last trip to Specsavers set me back over $400 on a single pair of thinned bifocals.
And after giving Dresden a go and getting a pair of sunnies for under $100 I'm never stepping foot inside Specsavers for anything other than a free eye test.
Yeah, any of the add-ons, like extra thin lenses still get charged with this deal. It's more like "from $199".
Dresden seems to have basically just one type of chunky frame in different colours. If you want anything else bad luck
That number only recently doubled to two :)
My point is that the markup on glasses is absolutely insane. Frames are a few grams of plastic. Get your script at SS then shop around.
Where do you recommend shopping around to?
I’ve only recently required glasses and feel like I’ve been absolutely stitched up by these retail optometrists - 4 reading glasses and 1 sunglasses.
Wouldn’t mind a couple more pairs of prescription sunglasses, but I feel like I’m getting done over in a very non ozbargain and more Gerry Harvey monster hdmi cable way. It should be no more than $100 a pair, all-in based on the likely manufacture cost but it’s closer to $350 a pair at the moment.
@muzzamo: Same boat over here, I picked up my first ever glasses from Specsavers last weekend and it was $318 for reading glasses and a pair of sunnies. Seems like a lot.
@thatguyfromthatplace: Ask for a quote with this new deal. You have 3 months to return the ones you just picked up.
According to ChatGPT, when asked the question:
"What is the average overhead cost to operate an optometry practice in Australia."
Its response was (summarized):
Rent and Lease Costs
Staff Salaries
Equipment and Technology
Inventory Costs (Frames, Lenses, etc.)
Utilities and Maintenance
Insurance
Marketing and Advertising
Total Estimated Overhead Costs
Based on these estimates, the annual overhead costs to operate an optometry practice in Australia can range between $150,000 to $300,000 per year for a small to medium-sized practice, not including initial capital investment.
That is what the mark-up is covering plus a profit margin for the shareholders.
NB I have 19 years experience working in the optical industry.
@Glabrezu: Hi Glabrezu, I get it, but with other industries being disrupted, it seems like optical is rife for the picking.
They are often in expensive retail locations (malls etc), with staff idle/chatting when you go in. There's fat to be cut.
Not to mention that a lot of it is stitched up by luxxotica and their brands. They (OPSM) charged close to 400 for lenses only (no frame) to go with my Oakley Holbrook sunnies.
Online stores can knock out most of these costs. As a consumer, going with generic and non-luxxotica can knock out even more costs. Not getting stitched up with all the highly profitable extras (coating etc) can knock out even more.
And specsavers won't even let me order anything online without an appointment apparently (as my prescription is too high (-4.50), even though I have a prescription (from them) from a few months ago…
Side question : What is the cheapest way to get the eye test done for visitors (as the Bupa Visitor Cover doesn't include eye test)?
I think specsavers do the eye test for free?
Isn't this for Medicare card holders only?
Visitors to what? The store? Eye tests are free mate.
Its internationals
Yep. Don't want my taxes paying for international visitor eye tests
why don't your visitors get testing done in their home country?
Foreigners? https://www.specsavers.com.au/eye-tests/bulk-billing
From link:
If you fall into any of the below categories, you may be eligible to apply for a Medicare card:
Australian or New Zealand Citizen
Permanent visa holder (or have applied)
Visiting Australia (from a reciprocal health care agreement country)
If you have adopted a child
You could potentially try a Uni optometry clinic?
https://www.unsw.edu.au/medicine-health/our-schools/optometr…
I'm not sure if it's free, so you'll have to call and check, but hopefully it is. The test is done by supervised students, but I've heard it's normally quite decent
I went to their shop twice for the deals. Every time the sales asked me to buy the expensive lens and made it a huge gap to pay. Many rule and restrictions to claim your insurance as well.
no worth it if you have a high degree.
Finally, I can get my sunnies and cancel my extras with AHM. Did not realise how expensive my extras had been getting the past couple of years.
Don't they have this deal running all the time? Or at least every time I've gotten glasses they have it.
No, last time was a year ago at same time
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/861808
Twice a year actually, always at the same time.
I had actually set a reminder for last years deal for tomorrow because it seems like it repeats.
I don't need them but I pay for Extras so might as well cash it in👍
I find they conveniently take the expensive ones off display, so you're left with the ones that are usually $199 anyway.
True, all the ultra series vanishes from the shelf in this promotion.. you need to explicitly ask for it.
Tried to add 2 pairs to the cart to check total cost with various lens options. Nope. My prescription is too strong so they want to measure it themselves. I was using a Specsavers prescription. I guess that means I'm limited to whatever options happen to be in the local store.
Thanks OP, I need to go in to get replacement lenses for a new pair that got scratches up recently, might be cheaper to just get two full pairs instead.
Last time I bought from Zenni for a lot less than this.
This is not worth it at all. Most extras insurance policies don’t entertain discounts like this (I have NIB and they didn’t) I selected 2 pairs worth $300 and $250. Insurance wouldn’t cover them at the sale price so I was asked to pay the usual price anyways. The sales person asked me to get Medicare as they cover $250 pairs but then I would have to get any two with $250 price tag and the insurance policy still doesn’t cover them at the reduced price.
It is your insurance mate. NIB is one of the very very few insurances that is percentage based rebate health fund on extras
Ie if you are on 60% back policy, you gonna need to spend up to 416.67 to get all of your 250 back. In this instance, your insurance only going to pay 119.4.
Thats just cheap to me. NIB likely has done this to lessen the payout.
They also wrote Qantas insurance.
Your sales person is right. Change your insurance. Medibank or HCF are much better in that regards
For a second I thought the picture said something else… looks like I need some glasses.
Rookie question.
Have just recently got Medibank health insurance.
It has the $200 optical limit. 100% back.
I have not done an eye test yet. Assuming my eyes are fine. Is there a way to claim this deal for sunglasses?
Just seeing if anyone here has done so and not been out of pocket anything???
Normal Medibank no gap for 249 range even if you have a 150 optical limit.
Since this is 199 inclusive should I also be charged no gap? Anyone knows?
Just went in today and they also had 20% off extras. So that's 20% off polarising, ultra Clear coat and ultralight modification.
Single vision lenses aren't the same as prescription sunglass lenses, is that right?