MSE says: This offer's open to both new and existing LensWay customers.
This is a regularly updated list of cheap online eye glasses deals, vouchers and offers.
We aim to ensure all vouchers can be used by everyone (unless stated). Most vouchers have restrictions, so make sure you double check the T&Cs; to ensure the offer is compatible with your prescription.
Do see our tips for safer shopping.
Whether it's a retailer or restaurateur, airline or air-conditioner seller, computer shop or car rental company, there are always two main risks: either it's a dodgy company, or it's a legit company that has financial problems and goes bust.
The aim of these tips is to help you minimise the risks.
Quite simply, its customers are immediately transformed into creditors.
This hits hardest if you've ordered goods or tickets from them, and not had delivery, as then you are simply one of a line of people trying to get your money back out of the company's assets, and you usually get back much less than you paid in.
Even if you've had delivery, if the company you bought from goes under and there's a problem with the goods, it can mean you've no comeback.
While MoneySavingExpert.com endeavours to check deals are valid, we don't check companies' finances - even huge names like MFI and Woolies have folded - so it's very important you use the right strategies to stay protected where possible...
Pay by credit card for something over £100, eg, flights, kitchens, sofas, and Section 75 laws super-charge your consumer rights.
Unlike debit cards, cheques & cash, pay in full or part (even just £1) on a credit card and by law the lender's jointly liable with the retailer. This means you have exactly the same rights with the card company as you do with the retailer, so if it goes bust, you can simply take your complaints there instead and get money back if no delivery.
Yet it's important you ALWAYS REPAY IN FULL each month, so there's no interest cost. See the Section 75 guide for a full guide and Cashback Credit Cards for how to earn cash on top too.
Section 75 doesn't apply to purchases under £100, but there's still an option which can help. It's not a legal protection, just Visa rules, but it's a good secondary back up.
Spend on a Visa credit or debit card and, if the goods don't appear within 120 days, you can ask your bank to reclaim the cash from the seller’s bank. See the Visa Chargeback part of the Section 75 guide for full details.
Bogus websites are often set up to cash in on popular products like Ugg boots and Tiffany necklaces, so be wary if it's an unfamiliar site. And don't think that because it appears on a reputable search engine, that makes it a reputable site - always check.
Most folks know to look for a security padlock on a website's bottom right, but that doesn't mean the site's legit, just that payment's secure.
To find out who registered the site and when, search the Whois database. Reputable firms should also appear on the Companies House site, the UK Govt's official companies register. Be very wary of businesses with just a PO BOX or email address.
Study the site's worldwide web ranking on Alexa. Anything in the top 100,000 means it's reasonably big - a good, though not foolproof, indication of legitimacy. Do a quick Google search for other shoppers’ experiences.
Crucially, ensure your security's up-to-date - free software can be downloaded to your computer in five mins. Full details in the Free Anti-Virus Software guide.
Many people are surprised to learn you've MORE rights buying online (or telephone/catalogue) due to the Distance Selling Regulations.
This gives a legal right to send most goods back within a week for a full refund (including outward delivery costs), even if there’s no fault. You'll usually need to pay for the return delivery. Read Consumer Rights for a full guide.
However, of course this is balanced by the fact that, order online, and that automatically means a time gap between ordering and delivering - when the company has your money. So if it goes bust in that time, the distance selling rights don't help.
Ultimately, there is always a risk that a company can go bust. If the above routes don't apply, then you have to make a decision about whether you're willing to take the risk of parting with your cash.
Don't be overly scared of this: every day we all make transactions based on trust, and this is part of that, but do balance up the amount you're spending against the risk. Don't give large amounts of money to a company you're not sure of.
CloseDiscount: 50% off frames | Who for: Anyone |
Get by: N/A | Use by: Tues 31 Jan 2012 |
How:
Enter the code SAVE50 online at LensWay*.
Some frames will have ‘coupon not applicable’ on its image - LensWay have assured us the code will definitely work on them (we've tried it on a pair and it works). |
|
The details:
You can pick any frame on the site (around 1,000 to choose from), however unlike previous offers, you'll have to pay for delivery (£5.99) and handling & insurance (can be up to £9.95) and lenses (£9 - £149) on top of the frame price. Thin lenses or those on a high or unusual prescriptions will cost more. All LensWay frames include Premium Anti-reflective, UV Protective and Scratch Resistant coating. You'll need your current prescription and PD measurement (See LensWay for guidance on prescriptions). |
MSE says: This offer's open to both new and existing LensWay customers.
Discount: Free eye test | Who for: Anyone |
Get by: N/A | Use by: Ongoing |
How: Either book an eye test over the phone (0845 601 3479) go in store to one of 176 Tesco Opticians nationwide. | |
The details: As it's an ongoing offer, you don't need to print a voucher, and there's obviously no need to buy glasses from there afterwards. |
MSE says: Eye tests are permanently free at Tesco, so simply make an appointment at one of its 176 stores with opticians in them by calling 0845 6013479. To find a participating store, use the store locator and select the 'Opticians available' option.
Discount: £10 eye test | Who for: Anyone |
Get by: N/A | Use by: 31 March 2012 |
How: Book an appointment at Boots online or by phone on 845 125 3752. Print voucher and take it with you to the appointment. | |
The details: Subject to availability. No cash alternative or refund for an NHS eye test permitted with this offer. Only one voucher per transaction and not valid in conjunction with any other eye test discount or coupon. |
MSE Penny says: The eye test is usually £20 so this is a good deal, though not as good as the usual £5 eye test voucher.
As with contact lenses, buy specs from the high street and you're covering the expensive overheads and salaries needed to operate that way.
Opt to purchase your glasses from an execution only company and you can substantially cut the price as you won't be financing costly sight equipment. They also buy in bulk directly from manufacturers enabling them to get special deals and discounts.
Prescription: By law opticians are obliged to provide you with a prescription. Once you have had a thorough eye test they must give you a copy of your prescription without requiring you to make a purchase.
Sphere. Specifies the strength of the lens; plus for long sightedness, minus for short sightedness.
Pupiliary distance. This is the horizontal distance between your pupils in millimeters. Opticians currently don’t have to give this by law. You can do it yourself with a millimetre ruler. Online optician Metsuki opticians is asking for signatures to its petition to make it law that this measurement should be given out.
Cylinder. This is your astigmatism correction so if you don't have an astigmatism. you can leave this blank.
Axis. This corrects an astigmatism which is when the eye is slightly rugby shaped.
You do need to be careful when ordering, if you make a mistake with entering prescription details you are not necessarily guaranteed a refund or exchange.
It's usually not possible to get a refund if details are entered incorrectly, but most companies do double check all prescriptions to pick up any obvious errors.
In other cases provided you return the frames within the specified time limit you should get a refund or exchange, though you will have to stump up for the postage costs again. If you're not sure of something on your prescription most online dispensers will decipher it for you if you fax it or phone them.
Order the glasses and then go in to a high street optician for a final fitting and adjustment.
Check the frame dimensions online before buying and compare them to an old pair of glasses that fit well.
The inside arm of your present pair of glasses should have a pair of two digit numbers e.g. 55/21. The first number represents the width of the lens and the second the width of the bridge.
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