Buying prescription glasses online

[Nooch]

If you have experience of buying your glasses online, which companies would you recommend? There are so many, don't know which to choose! Thanks.

I've just received a pair I ordered from Firmoo, they were £10 with postage on an introductory deal. The style doesn't suit me that much but I bought them as a second pair to wear at home. They feel cheap, really light and bendy with thin metal bits holding the nose pads on. Comfy enough to wear though. They took about 2 weeks to arrive from China.

I think if you know what style suits you then it's great. But if you need to try on a hundred pairs like me, it's always going to be a gamble!

Thanks @Thirty2andBlue I had looked at some on that site and suspected you probably get what you pay for. I have a little pea head so probably need a site you can send them back after a trial or as you say, try on in person.

I’ve had numerous pairs from Glasses Direct and no issues (except my face is quite small so sometimes they slip down on my nose but my local opticians tighten them for free)

@TotheletterofthelawTHELETTER thanks I will have a look at Glasses Direct.

I've used Spex4less for a few years. They have a mixture of designer frames and standard ones, so the cost can vary greatly, but the non-designer ones can be pretty cheap. They're generally pretty quick to deliver and responsive, and they're UK based. The quality is ok - I've had a couple of screws fall out and so on, but that's mainly because I'm quite hard on my glasses (I tend to carry them round the house, put them in my pocket and sometimes sit on them...)

@TotheletterofthelawTHELETTER

I’ve had numerous pairs from Glasses Direct and no issues (except my face is quite small so sometimes they slip down on my nose but my local opticians tighten them for free)

Same here, I like the fact you can try most styles on first to see what suits you but they do slip on me more than pairs I’ve brought from the opticians.

I’ve just seen that you can get 30% off if you use the code EVERYTHING before midnight.

@TotheletterofthelawTHELETTER

I’ve had numerous pairs from Glasses Direct and no issues (except my face is quite small so sometimes they slip down on my nose but my local opticians tighten them for free)

I don't think I could bring myself to take advantage of the local optician that way. It seems a bit of a CFer thing to do.

So far I've not bought any online as it seems to take quite a lot of measuring and checking by my optician to get the fit just right. I can't see how that would work online.

I've had two pairs of prescription sunglasses (one order) from Goggles4U. I'm really pleased with them, they're some of their cheapest frames, but well made and sturdy. I had a great customer service experience with them. (I thought I had a log in problem but actually had only used a guest check out ) They have great deals and the process was quick and easy. But, they did take a while to arrive (I wasn't in a hurry so didn't matter to me) and I'm absolutely bombarded constantly with emails from them. The email thing has put me off them a bit if I'm honest but otherwise I found them great.

I've used glasses direct a few times. It's very useful as my children have a habit of breaking my glasses (they're both under 3, hopefully they'll grow out of it) so it's good to be able to get cheap replacements between eye tests. They've always been fine - I like the try on at home option and I believe they do a quibble free return if you've got any issues.

I did manage to end up with a couple of pairs that were too big and kept sliding off my face. I assumed that I'd be able to adjust them a bit at home (bending the arms like they do at the opticians) but I couldn't get them right. Now I'm just very conscious of that when choosing and only go for ones that fit and stay on.

I think they do good introductory offers, but I have a referral code that you're welcome to try which might get you slightly more off. Bear in mind that lenses are included but they're the most basic, it's extra for thinner/anti reflection etc

Fitting glasses is something of a skill. No one has ears in exactly the same place.

If you look at your existing glasses you will find the size. A small number and a long number separated by a square. The small number is the bridge size and the larger number the size of the lens. Try to get that close to what you have at the moment.

Thanks everyone, I'll have a look at the companies people have had good experiences with.

@JofraArchersFastestBall thanks for the offer of the code. I usually have anti-glare coating, so I'm used to paying extra for that.

Thanks @StanfordPines, that's really helpful advice.

We’ve used glasses direct and direct sight. Both cheap and good quality. Used for varifocals and single vision. Saved £££££
Complex prescriptions are probably best done via a physical shop such as spec savers.
Fitting glasses is a bit of a dark art - but buying the right size helps. The side arms will have the size printed on them as arm length - nose width and frame width. As no ones face is perfect, they may need to be adjusted behind the ears and on the nose and arm height. Warm the frame GENTLY with warm water or kettle steam or low heat hairdryer to make it pliable enough that gentle finger pressure will bend the arm/frame as you need. It is easier for someone else to check the fir behind your ears and if they sit straight on your face.
Take it slowly and gently so you don’t pop the lenses or snap the frame.

Hi all,

Please feel free to use my referral link! £35 off!

glassesdirect.mention-me.com/m/ol/al2hp-joshua-morris

I’ve used select specs 4 times and been happy each time. The glasses start from £6 a pair.