Specsavers vs the others?

[awa355]

I've had an eye exam from OPSM, and need new glasses (I knew that). This time for wearing full time , so Progressive lens' it is. Looking at the top level of lens which give a wider focus area etc, and with a transitional coating, about $1600. (includes $360 frame).

I currently have a pair of Specsavers for reading, but have never been happy with them and always said I would never go back there. Specsavers price for their equivalent glasses, around $1000 and with a second pair thrown in.

At that price, are Specs,, using sub quality lens?. What has your experiences been with SS v OPSM?.

Edited; I am now driving a school bus and with going to specs full time, I don't want to scrimp on quality for the sake of a few dollars, but do not want to waste $'s I haven't got.

[Madness]

I won't use anything but Hoya lenses any more after having some very disappointing experiences with other brands. I've been into the likes of OPSM and SpecSavers but walked out again after feeling like they were going to try & sell me life insurance or a set of saucepans in addition to new spectacles. Proper Optometrists for the win, you can keep your Aussie chain stores thanks.

[caspernz]

Proper optometrist for me as well thanks. If you're ok with the OPSM approach, sweet. Just checked and my optometrist is part of the Visique network. Good patient methodical consult, and never an issue with the end result. If your prescription is anything but mild and simple, then I'd consider Specsavers...but you've already found the result of that approach first hand :rolleyes:

[rambaldi]

My last pair, which at the time I wore full time, I went with online (I think clearly contacts, who do glasses as well as contacts). I was pretty happy with them and they were significantly cheaper than in a store. As a first time customer with that and the other promotion I ended up only paying for the coatings on the lenses.

Some people are more particular about their glasses and that approach might not work for them but the price certainly made it an attractive option.

[Blackbird]

Proper optometrist for me as well thanks. If you're ok with the OPSM approach, sweet. Just checked and my optometrist is part of the Visique network. Good patient methodical consult, and never an issue with the end result. If your prescription is anything but mild and simple, then I'd consider Specsavers...but you've already found the result of that approach first hand :rolleyes:

+1 for proper optometrists. I use Paterson Burn in the Waikato. The have quality diagnostic equipment which gave me early warning of a problem before it became a major issue and could be easily dealt with. You do pay bigger money for the specs but that's only part of the equation.

[awa355]

Geezus!! I'm thick, :brick: It was Patersonburn Optometrists I went to, not OPSM. And I have to admit, the eye examination was fairly intense, far more than the wall chart that SS had on the wall.

The lady told me that a major cause of smeary scratchy marks on lenses comes from rubbing clean with a dry cloth. She recommended washing the glasses in warm soapy water. Never heard of that one before.

[Quasievil]

The best thing I have ever done was get Laser treatment, it was expensive but worth it, can you consider that as an option?

[huff3r]

I can definitely say that Specsavers eye exams are sub par.

However I have had glasses from there (using a prescription from a real optometrist) for the past 4 years until my LASIK 2 weeks ago. They were perfectly adequate, never noticed any issues or any difference in quality to any of my previous glasses. I did pick good quality brand name frames however as their cheap ones do feel very cheap.

But what Quasi said, if laser is an option, at $6k for both eyes vs $1600 for glasses every few years it's a bit of a no brainer. I have had better than expected results from mine and its pretty low impact apart from the day of the surgery.

[BMWST?]

i went to spec savers this time.I ussually go to an optomerist but the guy who actually fitted my glasses disnt do a very good job.I went back a couple of times but its hard to get there when you work over 20 kilometres from a central city office.I ended up getting the best progressive lenses spec savers could get me,and the cost was almost as much as the optomersit.I also got a pair of prescrition sunglaases for "free"Free actauuly means 200 dollars if you have the progressives i had.Now THAT was a bloody good idea!.The eye exam was quite thorough.It was convenient to be able to do it on a saturday morning

[Akzle]

as a not-full time blind cunt, i now use spec savers. $65 and i haven't killed them yet, after having killed a $420 pair, $380 pair, $300 pair ("proper optometrist"), an a couple of $130 pairs ("budget optometrist")

have also killed a pair of prescription sunnies, $500, and several pairs of non. $200-$400. within the space of a few years.

tractors and 2-toke powertools are not kind to glassies. you also cant wear them diving or snow-falling.

i've treated the SS ones no nicer, and they're not scratched to shit (T+6 months). they bend but i bend them back, one loose arm but a bit of loctite would fix it if i cared.

your shit must be pretty fucked for $1200!!

[Madness]

your shit must be pretty fucked for $1200!!

For as long as I can remember I've been told consistently "I don't think they'll be able to produce lenses with that script to fit those frames" shortly followed with a bill for at least $1,200.

Lucky for me the last pair were an insurance job :cool:

[flashg]

I've had an eye exam from OPSM, and need new glasses (I knew that). This time for wearing full time , so Progressive lens' it is. Looking at the top level of lens which give a wider focus area etc, and with a transitional coating, about $1600. (includes $360 frame).

I currently have a pair of Specsavers for reading, but have never been happy with them and always said I would never go back there. Specsavers price for their equivalent glasses, around $1000 and with a second pair thrown in.

At that price, are Specs,, using sub quality lens?. What has your experiences been with SS v OPSM?.

Edited; I am now driving a school bus and with going to specs full time, I don't want to scrimp on quality for the sake of a few dollars, but do not want to waste $'s I haven't got.
I have progressive lenses in my work safety glasses, we are required to wear safety glasses at all times in the workshop (company policy)
The guy that came to work to measure us up (an independent from Australia), said the pentax lenses that specsavers use are about the lowest quality old technology available and give a narrow veiw. OPSM are better quality and dearer.
The company paid for a new eye test at specsavers, new glasses were made in Australia from my new prescription and sent over. What a complete fuckup.
Went to OPSM for a retest and found from their records the specsavers prescription was weaker than what I had five years ago (my eyes haven't improved.) OPSM prescription was sent to Australia, new glasses made and sent over, bloody perfect. Fuck specsavers Ill never go back.
Rant over.

[pete376403]

A former workmate got his prescription locally and had the glasses made up when he went home to Vietnam on holiday. About $ZN25 equivalent and he said they were perfect. The vision industry makes a killing here.

[jellywrestler]

The best thing I have ever done was get Laser treatment, it was expensive but worth it, can you consider that as an option?

on your eyes or did they nueter you with lasers?

[oldrider]

Not very satisfied with Spec-Savers except for access to much cheaper (same type) contact lenses - way way cheaper!

Stopping contacts and returning to spectacles - a work in progress! :cool:

[The End]

As someone whose glasses generally fall in the $600 range, I've been looking at going offshore for my next pair.

I've used OPSM & Specsavers in the past and have never had any issues with quality or prescription accuracy.

A pair will generally last me 2-4 years before they either break or my prescription has changed and I need something new.

Definitely a lot of money to be saved by having them made overseas, and plenty of reputable sites out there to choose from.

[FLUB]

Specsavers never seem to match the prescription properly. OPSM eye test and glasses good though expensive (progressives). I ordered a spare pair from www.zennioptical.com using the OPSM prescription and they were a tenth of the cost and arrived in just over a week. They matched the prescription as good as the expensive pair.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

[Ulsterkiwi]

Been wearing glasses since I was 13. Specsavers were the go to back in the UK as the independents were maybe 5X the cost. Still use them here and never had an issue.
Now I am getting a bit more chonologically challenged reading and up close has obviously become an issue as well. I have managed to put off progressives by wearing contacts for distance and carrying reading glasses, if they get munted then I get a new set.
On cleaning, I never use anything but microfibre and wash everything in warm water with a bit of gentle soap every week. My wife was always scratching her lenses by using her clothing or kitchen towels for cleaning....no!!!

[YellowDog]

I used Specsavers in the Albany Mall, back in 2012. I decided I wouldn't use them again, after the poor experience.

They may have changed, however back then, they offer a conveyor belt type service. Pretty unbelivable really.

I was impressed with the eye examination and the knowledge of their allotted optometrist, however he could do so much better for himself elsewhere.

I called back at the store, 15 minutes after paying for my order, to make a minor change to it. I was told that the order had already been submitted to Australia and was no unchangeable. I told them that it was just a small change and asked if they could make a phone call. They said no and invited me to take advantage of their guarantee service and wait a further 2 weeks without getting what I wanted.

Like I said, I guess they might have changed since that time?

[awa355]

On cleaning, I never use anything but microfibre and wash everything in warm water with a bit of gentle soap every week. My wife was always scratching her lenses by using her clothing or kitchen towels for cleaning....no!!!

Shirt fronts and hanky's aren't that good for lenses either, but are convenient.

[pritch]

My original experience with Specsavers wasn't great, the prescription was a bit off so I tended not to use those glasses much. The glasses had "office" lenses which may since have been renamed occupational lenses. They let you read a book or a computer screen.

AA membership qualifies you for a free eye exam, the person doing the examination was qualified and it was thorough.

When I chose an inexpensive frame the assistant told me that if I spent another fifteen dollars the lenses would be free. So I chose rather more upmarket, and stronger, frames.

In the bag with the glasses when they arrived was a 50% discount coupon (conditions apply) so I bought a set of polychromatic reading glasses that permit me to sit in the sun with a beer and read a book (weather permitting). I would've bought office lenses again but that option wasn't available in polychromatic and I wanted the lenses to darken in the sun so I wouldn't be blinded by the glare from the page.

So a free eye exam and two sets of glasses at friendly prices, I was a happy customer.

Oh, and those original glasses that were a bit off? That prescription is so close now it doesn't matter.

YMMV though, depending on how swtched on your local Specsavers is?

[R650R]

I've been going to the same professional optometrist since I was about seventeen and finally admitted defeat to blurry blackboards and goodbye to TopGun dreams....

Never been to spec savers as always been so happy with product and service and I didn't use to change glasses very often (tight cheap bastrd lol)... One time in Auckland I went to a different one in Auckland, although she was very attractive I think she had my prescription slightly off or maybe it was chepa lenses people speak off????

Anyway back to my guy, he's into bikes, is straight up and very thorough, invests in latest gear and gives other great info like what I can expect in near future eye health wise.
He has a great female assistant who refuses to let my buy the gold rimmed old man glasses I like (her words lol) and helps me be a bit more current in my style and age range.
Has a motorbike parking space outside shop too

You cant put a price on good eyesight although needs might.... One time I got new lenses and realised how fatiguing the old scratched ones had been on my eyes.
Only problem ive had is the lab in Chch that builds glasses and lens swapped my L N R over, although he picked that up in shop before I came to collect them.

[BuzzardNZ]

From what I've heard, If you have relatively simple eye problems, then Specsavers may work for you.

Anything more complex ( e.g. astigmatism ), then I'd go to a more specialised optometrist.

Still, it is your eyesight you're talking about here, so I'd rather not skimp and go to a reputable place and get it done properly, especially if it's your first time getting an eye exam.

The thing that annoys me the most about getting a new pair of specs is the amount of frame bending they need to do to get them to sit on your face properly. The last place I went to they had the god damned receptionist do it and she couldn't have cocked it up more!

[slofox]

I have recently used specsavers to replace my ancient (OPSM) specs. Now I do have eye problems that are worse than most in that I have some visual loss in my right eye, very close to the fovea (where you focus). So I am somewhat one-eyed.

The (free) exam at specsavers was as thorough as anything I get at the hospital eye clinic (where I am monitored for glaucoma). I have no problems there. The service was excellent in every way. Certainly no worse than my last OPSM exam - actually probably better.

But. The new standard pair, (with the most expensive lenses - progressive, photochromic scratch resistant coating etc) have a habit of allowing double vision. Especially at a distance, most obvious when driving. The second (free) pair, sunglasses, are much less likely to cause this problem. The old OPSM pair did not do this.

So I doubt I will use specsavers again.

[awa355]

From what I've heard, If you have relatively simple eye problems, then Specsavers may work for you.

Anything more complex ( e.g. astigmatism ), then I'd go to a more specialised optometrist.

I do have astigmatism and a couple of other conditions, one of which refer's to unequal focusing at longer distances, so I will stick with the Paterson Burn Optometrists glasses. I am now driving a school bus, so taking shortcut's with glasses quality isn't really an option.

[frogfeaturesFZR]

I do have astigmatism and a couple of other conditions, one of which refer's to unequal focusing at longer distances, so I will stick with the Paterson Burn Optometrists glasses. I am now driving a school bus, so taking shortcut's with glasses quality isn't really an option.

Glad to see you haven't retired !

[F5 Dave]

My optometrist became a franchise. Never saw the same person twice. Last one was a Muppet Opsm specs were a ddisaster on first try.

Found a real place and asked who was a partner there. They aren't cheap but have the latest eye health equipment and seem waaay more knowledgeable. Saw me yesterday to check out a blood vesselat no notice and then said no charge. Match internet prices for contacts.


I'm staying.

[slofox]

Still having major problems with the specsavers glasses - both pairs - clear and sunnies. Fucking useless if you ask me. i won't be back to them.

[mrchips]

Eyebuydirect...

Pick your frame, lense choice. Enter your prescription via their website & receive ur specs in post 1week later.

Cheap, Cheap, cheap.....$60 all up compared to $400 similar nz.

Primo value for money.

Sent from my GT-I9300T using Tapatalk

[awa355]

I eventually got my 'mega' expensive Progressive lens glasses form Paterson Burns. What a disaster, a tunnel of about 10 degrees vision straight ahead. Scan my eyes (as in driving) and all was blurry. To look at a block of text meant the few words in the centre of a line were in focus, the words on the same line either side were blurred. Looking at a laptop had the sides appearing to slope inwards, angles, sizes, distance etc were all distorted.
They said that I would have to learn to turn my head to look directly at anything I wanted to see focused. I told them that I was not paying such a horrendous price just to end up with tunnel vision. Things got a bit tense but in the end they have agreed to send the glasses back and I'll get a set of bi-focal glasses.

[slofox]

I have gone back to my old glasses. Much better than the new crap from Specsavers. They can shove their specs where the sun don't shine.

[Taxythingy]

Progressive lenses are one of those truly brilliant ideas that has somehow ended up being the default "this should work" solution. Unsurprisingly, that doesn't always work. The designs are a massive bunch of trade-offs, none of which anyone wants. But, a lot of people want the alternatives less.

Barring errors, most of the issues seem to be due to the optom not asking the right questions and/or not ensuring the patient actually understands what they are about to get, before ordering. Sometimes progs are just the wrong product.

Awa: glad they took their product back. Any respectable optom will, if a lens doesn't work out.

Lurking optoms: if you want to reduce returns and improve customer relationships, ask more questions and think before acting. It helps.