Specs!

[whakapapa]

Will more than likely be on my way very shortly, just wondering whether to get new glasses here in the UK (with free sunnies) - can anyone tell me costs to get a pair over in NZ?

[sks]

http://www.specsavers.co.nz/special-offers

I wear contacts, and the exam and a 6-month supply were about $200.

[MrsB]

In short... YES!

I haven't actually had an eye exam or purchased new glasses here in NZ but the main reason is because everyone tells me how expensive it is to get new glasses here.

I went to Specsavers in the UK and got new glasses & free pair of prescription sunnies before we moved 3.5yrs ago. I am going for a free assessment for Lasik this coming Friday before I decide whether I want to go to the expense of getting new glasses here.

HTH
Mrs. B.

[newarrival]

For me, coming from Germany, though, it is no more expensive, even cheaper, to get glasses here. I have very high prescriptions, so the lenses are expensive no matter what, because they have to be custom made.
I find that there are lots of frames with very reasonable prices here, and the eye exams I had so far were very thorough, for around $70.00 (for around 45min) not really so bad, I think.

There are specsavers here, too, can't comment on their prices out of lack of experience.

I got new glasses made a couple of weeks ago, and paid around $1200 for the exam plus photos and the frame including transition lenses. My glasses used to cost around the same in Euro, without the added benefit of the transition lenses. And that is more than 6 years ago.....

[Duncan74]

As with all things in NZ then there was a survey a few months ago that showed great variences from shop to shop of one of the chains (OPSM?) and big discounts available. So haggle and don't accept the first price. $1300 down to $700 rings a bell.

[YouMeAndThree]

I purchased a selection of pairs of glasses prior to moving to NZ because I'd heard that prices where high. Have a look at GlassesDirect as their prices are ridiculously low . A prompt and efficient service. I think when I have my next eye test I'd still consider using them to make up my glasses, using my parents as the forwarding party

[sophiedb]

I bought 2 pairs at Boots before we moved over. Bought new shoes for us all too...

[Familyofmonkeys]

One of my children is under specialist treatment for an inherited eyesight condition, and needs 2 new pairs of glasses every 6 months, and the others need new ones every 12 months. We have found Specsavers considerably cheaper than the main competitors, not only for the actual eye exams, but also for the glasses. Whilst they are never going to match the UK prices as it's a smaller market here, they usually have some sort of deal for buying 2 pairs, free lense tints/anti scratch coating, or free/very cheap prescription sun glasses.

[newarrival]

Re. the price for eye exam- I paid less for my eye exam at a local optemetrist than a friend at specsavers. Just to mention that, it might be worth getting different prices.

[BkyMonster]

I bought some online at www.zennioptical.com and am quite pleased with them. I think altogether I paid around $27 for two pairs (single lens, serious astigmatism). I have a grabby baby and they have survived all that, so decent quality as well. I did go to specsavers for an updated prescription and I wasn't really pleased with their service (they gave me an updated prescription that wasn't possible to get filled anywhere but there). I ended up calling my old optometrist in the US because Specsavers refused to give me a prescription I could use to get glasses elsewhere.