Varifocal glasses - £200?

Question

Has anybody ever paid around £200 for some varifocal lenses, a relative of mine has just had a reglaze (keeping the same frames, just changing the lenses) - and she was charged almost £200. Should we go back to complain and demand a deduction?

Answer 1

Opticians will invariably work out the price and quote it to you before they order and fit lenses and frames.
It is then up to you to O.K. it or not before the work starts. You might want to check the prices at another opticians, but the prices will be basically the same depending on what extras you have with the lenses. Opticians, like all trades, will always try to upsell (think of the "Do you want to upgrade that to a supersize", or "Do you want fries with that" sales pitches from the burger chains) Except that the opticians' upsells are scratch resistant coatings, anti glare coatings etc.
In this case you have even got to the point of paying and leaving the shop, so your chances of going back for a reduction in the price are zero.
You bought it, you've got it, live with it.

Answer 2

If they are new varifocal lenses, glass, with anti-glare and scratchproofing then this all adds up. £200 is alot, but then lenses are expensive.
Remember, this may also have included the eye test itself, and labour costs.

Answer 3

I've heard alot of people talk about the difficulties adjusting to them, especially when going down stairs, but I think you've got to give them a fair chance to get used to them. I think the reason the reading bit is at the bottom is because most people will naturally look slightly downwards when reading, anyway good luck with them!

Answer 4

I pay £100. per lens for my classes but that is for very strong Len's and having them thinned down so it could be a reasonable price. if you go to an optician rather than the cheaper chain stores you would expect to pay more