Why do plastic frames in SpecSavers cost so much?

[lljkk]

Like £70-90 for a frame that seems no more sturdy and durable than poundland reading glasses.

... at least £130 if you want hinged arms and other subtle features.

The Lenses are EXTRA, many £££ extra.

But the frame... just why, how can it need to cost so much....?

You shouldn't have gone to Specsavers

We've stopped going and now both get our glasses online including DH varifocals and prescription sunglasses for us both, very happy. Specsavers for us became too pushy and expensive the last two times we used them. We get our eyes tested where we choose, then take our prescription away to order online.

The last Specsavers frames I bought (my current pair - just over a year ago) were £35.
It's the lenses that put the price up for me.

I got 2 pairs for £70, but in future I'll just order from one of those online gasses places.

They have frames at £15. I buy them for a spare pair.

EVERYTHING at specsavers is expensive IMO! For almost identical frames, thinned lenses and varifocal, I saved £200 by going to asda instead. After several issues at specsavers, aside from the cost, I'd never use them again.

I have varifocal specs which are really hard to get right with online retailers so I’ve compromised by buying my frame of choice online then I go to Specsavers for the lenses. Last time it took them 4 different goes to get the lenses right so it’s worth the hassle.
with an online retailer I’m not sure they will keep remaking the lenses until they are correct

How do the online suppliers measure for the arms or make adjustments? My local optician does that for me and fixes if anything happens to the frames.

@5289843DM , I got a wrong prescription from them. I think they rely on people thinking they're good value.

It's an all-in price at Specsavers so the cost of the frame covers single-vision lenses, as well as fitting and so on. Any frames over £70, you get two for one.

Of course there is a mark-up, that's how they make their money, but Specsavers are at the cheaper end of the market in my experience.

There's nothing to stop you sourcing your own frames and having them glazed for the cost of lenses and glazing only, if you think that would be cheaper. Or if you are replacing glasses that are still in good condition, you can have your existing glasses reglazed.

Do you mean from specasavers?
I did too! They sent off my existing frames to have the new strength of lens fitted. I waited weeks for each pair to be returned. Long story short, they'd replaced them with the exact same lens strength I'd had previously, then refused to believe that my vision was no better. Never again.

Where on line would you mind sharing ?

They profit from them - a massive profit!!

someone I know has a husband who was paid very little for fitting lenses into glasses etc, the costs specsavers etc put on is just them making money on them

Profit.

Vision express is the same for me.
Frames £70 no problem but I'm -7 in one eye and -5.50 in the other and my other. By the time I get thin and light, scratch resistant ( though mine absolutely aren't) it all adds up.
Mine are currently superglued to hell because I just can buy a new pair yet.

Isn't that the case with glasses from Boots, Vision Express or whenever though? I have only had 3 pairs of glasses so far all fron SS. First pair was buy one get one free so I got a normal pair of glasses and then a pair of sunglasses. Then I got a half price voucher so I bought a spare pair of normal glasses.

I have noticed Boots and Vision Express are more expensive than SS. I cant comment on Asda never tried them.

They do a BL discount. Happy to inbox you a discount code.

Oh yeah it’ll be all the glasses shops.

the frames and lenses are pennies to make

@5289843DM Yes. I got the frames re-glazed elsewhere and they said it didn't look right.

I've heard similar complaints about other branches

tell me about it, my varifocals were £208!!! 2 years ago

Specsavers are awful I loathe them. I had two absolutely foul experiences in my local branch I honestly have never been spoken to like it before or since, two separate occasions two different assistants.

My dad (93) had a bad experience lens put in upside down! difficulties getting them to believe him just so difficult, different branch.
I would spend any amount of money to never have to step foot in one again.

Go to an independent or a small local chain instead.

I used SelectSpecs and DH recently used Goggles4U 😊

Specsavers...pass!

My Specsavers glasses always break/snap after a couple of years. Partly my fault for not putting them in a case but I do think they are overall flimsy and so expensive. I tried Glasses Direct - £40 for a pair - they arrived and the nose piece is bent on one side and the frames don’t align properly, so I’m sending them back