Just paid £400 for new glasses ouch!

[ChiaraRimini]

My old frames were on their last legs so I went to high street optician for 2 for 1 deal.
Thought I could get away with single vision lenses so not too expensive.
WRONG!
I need varifocals. £119 for ones that weren't shit.
The only frames that suited me and seemed solid were the £169 designer ones.
Anti reflective coating £30
Got upsold Polaroid lenses on second pair (sunnies) as safer for driving £60
And they charged me £20 for the eye test.
£400.
.
.
Should have gone to Specsavers I know.
(Spoiler alert: this was Specsavers)

Last time it was £330 for two pairs at Boots! I was in shock! Have I been totally done over? I wear them every day. I could have done without the bill but will just have to live with it I guess

I'm with BloodyBridget - probably the most expensive thing I own, after house, car and bed.

Mine were £500 Rimless frames, extra thin lenses, varifocals... But given I wear them 16hrs a day, it's worth it to have flattering & comfy glasses 👓

I got my eyes tested through work and then took my prescription to Cubitts - they just charge a flat rate of £125 for any pair to me, not sure about beatifically but definitely cheaper than £400 ... they're gorgeous too

Oh and if you get tested with them and buy a pair they take the price of the test off of the frames

I’m going to Asda this time, I told my Mum Mumsnet recommended them and she got a great price.

Beatifically? Varifocals*

I've just paid £160 at Specsavers for varifocals for two pairs. I always get them from there. No upselling at all and always perfect.

I obviously got ripped off as I paid double that from an independent Opticians. Only I know that they will have the correct vision as I have had problems with specs from Specsavers and Vision Express in that their glasses didnt have the correct prescription. I'd always go there, but then again I also used to work there and know the prices of the things I am buying.

I have found with glasses you get what you pay for! I know cheap is popular particularly on here, but I'd rather have the correct prescription in frames I am happy to sit on my face all day every day.

I feel your pain. A few years ago I paid £280 for thin lenses and £130 on frames

This year I've spent £60 (single vision, not thinned lenses)

I refuse to go to Specsavers as I've had a couple of bad experiences with them so I go to an independent.

With my high prescription, varifocals easily cost in the region of £400. I get good quality lenses & have them thinned down as much as possible, and I always seem to like expensive frames. I need them, so it's worth spending a lot on a decent pair.

Asda were half the price of Specsavers for me. Much better quality frames too.

Sorry OP, it's down to your choices. I got two pairs of varifocals from Specsavers for £200.

Yep, Asda is the way forward. My previous glasses cost £600. I have -9 prescription+ astigmatism. New pair from Asda was £120 including prescription sunglasses!

Mine are near to £800. I wear them all day every day for around three years, and they’re in the middle of my face.... I don’t get on with contacts for lots of reasons (complicated vision) so I suck it up.

I buy frames I love from whichever shop I find them. I have opticians nearby who I trust and spend a lot of time choosing lenses for my frames every time. When your lenses get a bit complicated I think you won’t ever get the cheap deals at chains, and for the best service you’re better of at a local optician.

Our son has needed glasses since junior school but has never got on with them and finally gave up wearing them but when he started driving lessons last year they became a necessity. With a kids NHS voucher they'd never cost us more than £50.

He decided he wanted to try contacts so did a trial at Specsavers and we're now paying out £25 a month, or £300 a year, for those. I can't wait until he stops being a student and starts working full time so that I can change the direct debit to come out of his bank account. Having said that though he wears them daily whereas glasses were only worn for his driving lesson or when we went to a football match.