Varifocals from Specsavers…
Discussion
I’ve really been struggling with close work over the last year or so, and after a recent eye test at Specsavers have been told I need varifocals.
As a musician I’ve been advised by quite a few colleagues to get some fixed distance glasses for music reading (I guess around 2-3 feet, further away than “close work” anyway).
Specsavers seem to offer a 2 for 1 deal but I’m increasingly confused by their website. Went in today to have a look a frames and within 20 seconds I just wanted to leave as it all seemed to be sales patter rather than anything of actual substance.
2 for 1 only seems to be on £70+ frames. Frankly some of the £15 frames look OK so I’m wondering if it’s worth just buying both separately especially as the fixed distance ones should be fairly cheap.
They seem to do varying levels of varifocals, from £40 up to £180. Would be tempted to go for one of the better ones, but are they worth it? Then there’s the coatings… Is it as simple as paying £250 for lens + coating, + £15 or whatever for glasses, then buy a second pair for £15 (which seems to include boggo lenses) + whatever coating…. Could be all in 2 pairs for £400? Is the 2-for-1 a false economy?
Also, how does one specify the distance of the fixed distance? Do they work it out for you? Again, slightly odd talking to sales people abut this who will promise the earth…
Appreciate any experiences anybody’s had with Specsavers or any light that can be thrown on how their confusing pricing works…
I’m not open to online stuff at the mo, given it’s my first experience with varifocals I want somebody I can go and shout out if they’re not working for me!
As a musician I’ve been advised by quite a few colleagues to get some fixed distance glasses for music reading (I guess around 2-3 feet, further away than “close work” anyway).
Specsavers seem to offer a 2 for 1 deal but I’m increasingly confused by their website. Went in today to have a look a frames and within 20 seconds I just wanted to leave as it all seemed to be sales patter rather than anything of actual substance.
2 for 1 only seems to be on £70+ frames. Frankly some of the £15 frames look OK so I’m wondering if it’s worth just buying both separately especially as the fixed distance ones should be fairly cheap.
They seem to do varying levels of varifocals, from £40 up to £180. Would be tempted to go for one of the better ones, but are they worth it? Then there’s the coatings… Is it as simple as paying £250 for lens + coating, + £15 or whatever for glasses, then buy a second pair for £15 (which seems to include boggo lenses) + whatever coating…. Could be all in 2 pairs for £400? Is the 2-for-1 a false economy?
Also, how does one specify the distance of the fixed distance? Do they work it out for you? Again, slightly odd talking to sales people abut this who will promise the earth…
Appreciate any experiences anybody’s had with Specsavers or any light that can be thrown on how their confusing pricing works…
I’m not open to online stuff at the mo, given it’s my first experience with varifocals I want somebody I can go and shout out if they’re not working for me!
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Tuesday 7th May 01:33
Very interesting stuff, thank you for all the responses. It seems that it’s rather luck of the draw whether I get a good pair or not which is slightly concerning. My prescription isn’t too strong IIRC, I can “get by” without wearing glasses, but I am struggling a lot more in the last couple of years.
What’s worrying me is I’ve done the professional optician bit (which was great) but I’m just seeing the upselling/sales bit now and it concerns me this is where the ball will get dropped.
I will probably give them a go but bear in mind the no quibble guarantee.
Weirdly I think my fixed lens prescription always seemed to be £350-400, I have no idea why so much.
My mother recently had a new pair of glasses (her eyesight is atrocious) which had to be made abroad for some reason, a very complicated prescription, and they have just billed her (verbally) for £1650!! As she is in her late 70s and in a wheelchair I am concerned they may have seen her as a soft touch. I have asked them for a full invoice with breakdown of costs and they’ve gone suspiciously quiet…
What’s worrying me is I’ve done the professional optician bit (which was great) but I’m just seeing the upselling/sales bit now and it concerns me this is where the ball will get dropped.
I will probably give them a go but bear in mind the no quibble guarantee.
Weirdly I think my fixed lens prescription always seemed to be £350-400, I have no idea why so much.
My mother recently had a new pair of glasses (her eyesight is atrocious) which had to be made abroad for some reason, a very complicated prescription, and they have just billed her (verbally) for £1650!! As she is in her late 70s and in a wheelchair I am concerned they may have seen her as a soft touch. I have asked them for a full invoice with breakdown of costs and they’ve gone suspiciously quiet…
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