Buying specs by post

[rosyposy]

I posted this a couple of days ago in ' Shopping' but didn't get any replies. As I received so much friendly advice in 'Body & Soul' about my husband's callouses I thought I might have better luck here. I would like to know if anyone has used any of the 'glasses by post' sites, and if so with what kind of results, and are there any sites which particularly stand out for both price and service.I only need reading glasses and some of the opticians prices are outrageous.Some of these sites are advertising specs + lens for £12, so is there a 'catch'? I look forward to any replies. rosy

[mike11111]

If you only need reading glasses, have you tried your local supermarket? You can get them a damned sight cheaper that £12.

[smurfchops]

I buy normal reading specs in Primark. £2. Three at a time and leave them all over the house.

[Prudie]

I have bought the simple readers, type where you specify +1, +1.5 etc several times from Amazon and have been really happy. This year i got sunglasses with reading lenses from them and it stopped me looking daft wearing 2 pairs on top of one another on the beach!

[funnygirl]

Try Poundland or the 99p shops!

That's where I get mine.

[sara3]

I've just ordered my first pair online.. I'll let you know!

[fbg40]

Hi Rosyposy
I have used Glasses Direct a couple of times with very good results.I wear bi-focals and the cost from Glasses Direct compared to, say, Specsavers or Vision Express, is probably a 40%-50% saving.Hope this helps
FBG40

[rosyposy]

Thank you all for your quick replies, I shall try the places you mentioned, and look at the glasses direct website. I lalso look forward to hearing how you got on Sara. Thanks again rosy

[AlBags]

I use these people ..
http://shop.ebay.co.u...=&_ipg=&_trksid=p4340
I buy 4 pairs at a time .. I use low mag for reading only.
Bit tougher than those at supermarkets for 1.99.
You need a written precription first tho .. Read the values off that.

I also used http://www.spex4less.com/ in the past .. very good. Again, you have to enter prescription details.

[ladyalex]

I have used Glasses Direct several times and found them to be excellent.
I also have the ready-readers from my local Nickel and Dime shop. They work fine too.
Glasses Direct have a wide range of frames and are very good about returns etc. Their telephone service is good too.....you get through to a real person very quickly and they have always phoned back when they said they would.
As others have said , you need a prescription, but your optician should give you it without any problem.

[grasscarp]

I'm a glasses direct fan too. One of their pairs (about 32 pounds) are the only pair that I have people say they like them. You need to enter a prescription on the site. Some opticians leave out the distance between the pupils figure because they dont want you to be able to get your glasses elsewhere. I got my own figure by standing in front of a mirror with a ruler and measure the distance myself.

[joko]

try budgetspex.co.uk (or com)

i've had loads of them and they've all been great...you can reglaze your own frames for 8.99

[rosyposy]

Again, thank you all. I do have my prescription, (which is how I found out how expensive specs were from the opticians, ouch!!!) Shall certainly look at all your recommendations, and should be fixed up soon. regards rosy

[Quizmonster]

I've used best4glasses for years and have been perfectly happy with the service and quality. As regards the distance between the pupils of your eyes and the length of the sides of the frame, all you need to do is send them an old pair. High Street prices are outrageous by comparison and the minute they hand you your prescription, they'll try to steer you towards their frame-display. Don't go!

[rosyposy]

Yes, you can say that again, Quizmonster! As I came out of the examination room there was a lady waiting outside, the optician said Mrs.(whoever) will take care of you. She took me over to the frames and the first pair she picked up were by Chanel I think, priced at £250 without the lens!!!!! After she picked me up from the floor I said I didn't have time to choose frames as my parking time was running out, took the prescription from her and scarpered!!! lol. Thank you too for your advice, rosy. P.S. good idea about sending old frames, that was the bit that was bothering me.