Has anyone used Glasses Direct or similar?

[squashyhat]

I need new glasses (2 pairs of varifocals - one of which need to be sunglasses) Can anyone recommend Glasses Direct or another online shop? Frame prices are upfront but I don't seem to be able to check lens prices before committing to buy. Are the lenses good quality?__

I've used them, but only for a fairly straightforward prescription. I didn't have the pupil distance from my optician so used their guide to measure it - you take a photo with a credit card on your forehead. Anyway, I've since had eye tests at the opticians and no issues with the glasses have been flagged. My partner has used them several times as he has three different kinds of glasses as he couldn't get on with varifocals.

I've used them several times....in other words, they don't last! Great being able to try for free, but I had to get a local optician to adjust them as they kept sliding off my face. I asked if they could be made tighter before sending and they said no, but I could return them for tightening 🙄

If you have an Asda Opticians anywhere near you I would give them a try. They have great specs and the pricing for the varifocal lenses is brilliant. They do thinned down lenses, tints and the full varifocal lense as standard no extra charges. I've been using them now for a few years and have had 7 pairs. For an example of price comparison Vision Express wanted to charge me over £300 for one pair with varifocal lenses, Asda with similar frames and a slight tint for glare £49.00.

Tried twice, input an up to date prescription and both times haven't been able to see correctly. Also every pair I've tried and that my partner has tried has fallen off your face the minute you bend down. Probably better off at a boots or specsavers even if it is a bit more expensive..

I have a standard prescription (for distance and driving) so am happy with Glasses Direct

The frame 7 day trial timing includes postage time, so to avoid a charge try them and send back as quick as you can (which you would get refunded anyway)

Varifocal lenses are showing as ‘from £49’ with:
Advanced £49
Elite £79
Supreme £99
Kodak Easy2 Max Progressive £139

You can go through a shopping list of add-ons for different coatings, sunglass colours etc

My prescription hasn’t changed for years, so I often just get a couple of pairs without extra coatings and get a mix of plain & sunglasses. Sometimes I’ll get something ‘designer’ and sometimes I’ll just get some basics to make sure I’ve plenty lying around

Used Glasses Direct for the pair I'm wearing. Was quick and straightforward and the glasses fit me well. The pupil distance measurement with an app and credit card was quite easy.

I ordered varifocal sunglasses and they're fine for sunglasses but not as good as my usual glasses. TBF though I did go for the very cheapest lenses on the basis that they were "just" sunglasses whereas I upgrade my everyday lenses

I believe they do a money back if you're not happy with them anyway?.

Hmmm OK mixed views. I was wondering how they would check for fit. ASDA is some distance away and gets very poor reviews. I may have to go back to Boots and suck up the cost

I adjusted mine for fit by warming up the plastic that goes over your ear with hot water and gently bending. Worked a treat and is pretty much what the fitter at the opticians would do.

For ‘fit’ they show a ‘best fit’ guide on how to measure, but they recommend using a pair of existing glasses that fit well and checking the arm for the frames measurements.

That way they would ‘physically’ fit your head, but depending on the frame you can then adjust the arms and nose for you.

An in person service at a physycal opticians beats that as it’s part of what you pay for

As I put earlier, I’ve a simple prescription and have been through high street opticians in the past, with a good opticians you can be directed to frames suitable for your head and followed up by adjusting the frame to sit properly when they are made.
The other winner for a local opticians is that you can go back with any problems

I've bought sunglasses from them before (quite reasonably at £59). The prescription is fine, and I got the pupil distance from my high street optician. They said they usually charge for this but as I buy glasses and contacts from them I could have it without charge.
Only gripe is that they took ages and needed a couple of call/messages to get the order progressed.

I've just bought another pair of spare glasses (the cheapo sort- around £15!) for home and I've received the dreaded 'contact customer services' message, so guessing these are going to take a while too.

I’ve used Goggles4u and Select Specs but also have a straightforward prescription. They’ve been good. Really handy if you just want a cheapo extra pair or some prescription sunglasses. They do have hidden costs though. My eyes are quite bad so I have to get the super thin lenses which bumps up the price a fair bit but still cheaper than the high street. I also buy my contacts online.

For sizing, find a pair that fit well and measure them, then make sure you select a similar frame. Glasses Direct used to let you try on multiple pairs at home but not sure if they do anymore.

I've had 4 pairs of glasses from Glasses Direct and love them. My prescription is very straightforward though.

However my MIL has a complex, very strong prescription, with varifocals and recently got some glasses from there and loves them. You can go through adding them to your basket and choosing the lens level without buying. Also for MIL we needed to take a photo of her holding a credit card on her forehead using an app for pupil distance. Some of the frames are definitely better quality than others too. But use the option to try on for free with clear glass first to decide what you like.

Had some a while ago, got two pairs, cheap as chips. Seemed ok to see with, but one of them had a lens that kept coming out, so not great quality.

Thanks for the additional views. I have gone ahead and ordered some home trial frames. I input the measurements on my existing glasses and the results were so hideous I ignored them apart from the frame width! So I'll see how I feel once I try them on.

I ordered some from glasses direct years ago and they're still going strong. I think as long as you get a perfect fitting frame you should be ok. I found them no different to Specsavers' glasses.

I use them all the time.
I hate varifocals so I buy their single lens reading, distance and sunglasses. As they are cheap I have lots of pairs. A pair in the car for driving, sunglasses as well. A pair in my bag and each room. I have probably got 12 pairs currently.
Dh uses them and DS2 recently started to buy from them.
DS found the first pair he got were too small - important to look at measurements.
I have found them to be good quality and good service.
Also used SelectSpecs and they have a very cheap range for spares.

I've used Glasses Direct and they were fine, but I now use Goggles4U, recommended by someone on here. They are so cheap and perfectly fine. My latest pair are varifocal, transitional glasses, you know, the ones that go dark in the sun. £49! Can't recommend them highly enough. I've bought regular varifocals, plus a spare pair, transitional and regular sunglasses from them, all good.

used an online company to reglaze some glasses....came back all wobbly...poor fit...took them to local asda which i normally use and they made them wearable....wouldnt use again....try to get to asda....my one is excellent and fully booked for months ahead tho.

I have varifocals and have used SelectSPecs for about 10 years now. (I like to change mine whenever I have my prescription reviewed.). Never had a problem!

I did try Asda once and theirs certainly didn't match the quality of SelectSpecs for a similar price.

I used Glasses Direct for years. Varifocals but the first time I sent them my glasses and they measured the pupil distance from them. Years ago I had a pair that didn't fit well and they sent someone to my house who sorted them! I don't expect they still do that.

I only got enticed away when Boots offered me lovely light titanium frames at an excellent price. DH is still using Glasses Direct. Neither of us have had a problem.

I’ve used them twice for a straight forward prescription glasses purchase and they were fab. Nothing negative to report here

Yes I always use them. Very good