No Frills Prescription Glasses Options

Herbse on 18/04/2022 - 17:40

I'm looking for suggestions for somewhere to get decent looking specs without the crazy prices or the usual cash grab for "thinner" lens upsell etc.

There used to be a shop in Melb CBD where I could give them my prescription and they'd measure the pupil distance and just pop in the prescription lenses into frames that I picked without and fuss and worked out to about $70 a pair.

I've looked online and can't seem to find anything similar for decent prices.

Just wondering if anyone has found something alternative to the usual Specsavers etc that have worked well for them?

Cheers.

Health & Beauty Prescription Glasses

Comments

  • dixy on 18/04/2022 - 17:50
    +1

    Try au.lenskart.com

    • Iangh on 19/04/2022 - 07:39

      My experience was underwhelming, never again.

  • 87percent on 18/04/2022 - 18:15
    +1

    What’s wrong with Specsavers? With private health, I pay $50 for 2 pairs of glasses (usually one sunglasses) nearly every year

    • Herbse on 18/04/2022 - 18:33

      I don't have private health.
      Even with their discounted 2x for $199 deals, it works out to close to $400 with lense upgrades etc which are needed.

      Places like the one suggested above work out to around $100ish each which is reasonable.

      • gimli on 18/04/2022 - 18:42
        +1

        even with lens upgrade you can end up fair bit out of pocket when you need lens upgrades.
        I have high power so high refractive index lens destroy the wallet
        Keen to also know what cheaper options are out there

      • El cheepo on 18/04/2022 - 18:46
        +2

        $400… your lucky

        Mines comes to $700-800 for 2 pairs…

        (Thats the $250 range with polarisation and thinning because of stigmatism)

    • nsonha on 05/05/2022 - 08:02

      I have private health and they quoted me $135 yesterday after trying to quote $350 for some fancy lenses

  • klendestined on 18/04/2022 - 19:13
    +2

    I have used eyebuydirect for a few years. You can measure your PD yourself then buy online. Never had an issue

  • Shadowsfury on 18/04/2022 - 20:39

    I use clearly and zenni a lot but no stores

    • altomic on 18/04/2022 - 21:23

      clearly - I've bought a couple of pairs from them. very decent. and inexpensive. $25 for 2 pairs delivered.

  • factor on 18/04/2022 - 21:11
    +3

    Before the world shutdown for Covid I've been getting mine from Shanghai. Approx AU$50 per pair for quality Korean frames, eye-test included. Prescription polarised sunnies ~AU$60. Manufacture time is <10 minutes for most types. Australian optometry is a rip-off.

    And then there is the experience. It is an entire shopping mall of shops selling glasses!

    https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/Attraction_Review-g308272-d62…

    If travelling overseas for glasses seems extravagant .. total cost is lower than Australia if you need 2 or more pairs!

  • justgooddeals on 18/04/2022 - 21:45
    +1

    2nd shout out for

    https://www.zennioptical.com/

    No stores. All online. Upload photo and see the glasses on your face 🤓 with virtual try on.

  • BewareOfThe Dog on 18/04/2022 - 21:51
    +1

    Eyebuydirect. Avoid optically, dodgy.

  • Kparky on 19/04/2022 - 04:23
    +1

    ausspecs.com.au - highly recommended

  • SmiTTy on 19/04/2022 - 04:38
    +1

    Aliexpress (no jokes)

    • Herbse on 19/04/2022 - 12:35

      Really? I'll check it out.

      • nsonha on 05/05/2022 - 08:05
        +1

        be aware that the frame might not fit your skull. I bought 3 times, one perfectly fits, one smaller, one larger

  • xmeister2k2 on 19/04/2022 - 08:31
    +2

    Selectspecs.com. UK based I think. Basic frames/lens from 25$. I've got a stronger prescription lenses (about -4) and with a basic 30$ frame that works out to around 70$ with thinner 1.67 lenses.. Getting older I also starting to get into early 'bifocal' zone.. not strong enough to warrant daily use but annoying for working with fiddly things.. so two pairs of ok looking frames with high index lenses - 130$ - free shipping above 90$. OPSM you are looking at 700-1000 for same thing - even with health rebate it's ridiculous.
    I've also used clearly a lot in the past and never had a problem - in theory they do private health rebates but one time I claimed never saw anything. Clearlys range seems to have dimished over the years.
    Just for interest do some reading on Luxottica - closest thing to a cartel you will find . They own OPSM/Laubman Plank and pretty much all major frame brands (Rayban/Oakley/Armani etc.) - which is why it's so expensive.

  • OpayuOnam on 19/04/2022 - 14:57
    +1

    There's a shop in Westfield Knox called "Glasses Warehouse" or something along those lines, they have very good customer service and I've been happy with the quality of their glasses+lenses. Currently wearing a pair that has lasted me well over 4 years, before this I never had glasses lasting more than 2 (either frame breaks or the lenses coating comes off).

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