Where do you buy your glasses from?

[EldonAve]

Is it worth going to bigger places like VisionExpress or should I stay local?

I got mine from Vision Express, mine are Armani frames.

Most of the good local opticians stock designer frames, if that's what you want. I suppose the best thing to do is have a look around for the right frames and then maybe ask around for word of mouth recommendations ?

I go to Specsavers, I got 2 pairs of Ralph lauren glasses for £121 last time. They were very good at picking up my mums glaucoma, which her Dr missed. And he's an eye specialist .

just wondered if you get a better deal in the bigger places

vision express but local branch not as good as they used to be. I think this is due to manager in store leaving though.
Always found them excellent at helping me choose the right frames ie. young and stylish staff to spend time saying 'yes' and 'no' quite honestly.

I usually go to specsavers but this time I coul;dn;t find any frames I liked, so took my prescription to Scrivens (whihc is next door but one) and got mine there

I go to Dolland and Aitchison - they have a special deal where, if you get contacts by post (which I seem not to wear much, but whatever), you get 50% off glasses. As I have quite poor vision and want very thin lenses, this is absolutely worth it!

I got a free pair from a local independents, plus the pair I bought were Lulu Guiness.

I always brace myself for several trips and trawl every shop before choosing.

And, annoyingly, last time I went back to have the frame adjusted, there were at least 2 pairs I liked more than mine.

Thanks

I go to Specsavers. Their prices include single vision lenses. My lenses alone at an independent would cost more than a whole pair of glasses at SS. I have always found frames I like. SpecSavers are franchises and I think that service, frame style etc varies a lot between the branches. I recently got 2 pairs of Jasper Conran frames, with Ultrathin, Reactions lenses for £300. I also really like the optician, who picked up a far more serious problem than short sight, and they have a sales assistant who always helsp me fidn fab frames!

depends on what your local place will do deal wise...

My current frames are d&g and had chanel,versace,gucci etc in the past. IME, my local place has been the cheapest. Lens price is lower andthe frames tend to be cheaper and as they are my local opticians and I have bought several frames off them they will do me discount.They will also price match (in fact I called them while abroard about price matching with a pair I saw abroard. They agreed! in fact once home they were miles cheaper as gave me discount)
Last check I think they were giving me around 20 ish% discount.

I also fine them V helpful, plus I can walk to them to select and collect the glasses !

forgot to add, you are best selecting a pair (on web or in a shop) and comparing prices at each place...I would guess local place would want and value business more so would do their best iykwim...

I will watch this thread closely. The deals that the chains do never include those with particular prescriptions. I am -7 and -6 with astigmitisims in both eyes so I am automatically ruled out of the cheap deals.
Anyone know of anywhere that caters for the likes of me?

AussieLou, the D+A deal I mentioned (50% off if you do contacts by post) applies to every prescription and deal. I'm 5.5 and 6, these days, I think, with some astigmatism, too.

I would vote for buying your prescription high index glass/plastic lenses as blanks over the internet and then having them fitted in your chosen frames. I'm -8 with astigmatism and am vain enough to pay for the thinnest lenses I can get (1.9 high index glass) and this is what I do. I can save 50% off the cost of my lenses this way. I'm picky about my frames so tend to buy these locally (if I had more time I might surf the net to find the frame for cheaper) but I'm happy enough to make the saving on my lenses and just pay a nominal amount to have my 'blanks' inserted into my chosen frames.

I bought my last pair of glasses at Specsavers and I was really pleasantly surprised. I'd always assumed it was a bit of a conveyor belt type of place and that you wouldn't get very good service but I was totally wrong. The staff were really helpful. The selection of frames was good. The price was excellent. I'm definitely going back there next time.

Selby - I didnt know I could do that. I like mine extra thin with every coating possible (sounds like a pizza).
NQAC - There is a D&A near me. I might pop in and ask.
Thanks