Specs and contact lenses too expensive

specs are tax deductable if used for only specific jobs and nothing else, iobvious example would be a builder using safety specs, though someone who only requires specs for intermediate vision and uses a computer all day should be able to claim against expenses. Your sight test can certainly be put against expenses if you are a vdu user most of the day. If you are employed and require a prescription for vdu use only your employer has to contribute.
Remember though that VAT on spectacles is very low 0 on a sight test and betweeen 4 - 6 % on spectacles hope this helps.

are spectacles/eye tests tax deductable in certain jobs? I have to work with a computer most days and need to write reports etc

I can certainly vouch for Alan of Dennies Spectacle Makers. He does a brilliant job and if you have any problems with your glasses he gives excellent customer care after you have purchased them. I have known Alan for 2 years and have just contacted to order a pair of galsses from him. My former husband had a pair of varifocals for under £100 and a second pair just for driving, not varifocals, for £15Alan's prices may have changed since these prices were paid a year ago. I recommend him to everyone I know who needs glasses.

Get on a plane to Taiwan. You can get beautiful pairs of glasses for 20 pounds each. Fancy a spot of acupuncture? 10 pounds per session. Lunch for 90p (pork chop, rice, 3 veg and soup) then take a stroll to the dentist's and have your teeth cleaned and polished for 15 pounds and get a filling and a crown done for just over a hundred pounds.

It's worth the airfare and you get a good holiday too.

Hi,

For people in the UK, I think the best value place for glasses is iWearGlasses: http://www.iwearglasses.co.uk

Prescription glasses start at £9.99 including single vision lenses. Has anyone tried them, or does anyone know anywhere cheaper?

:)

wat would you rather be £100 out of pocket or blind

why not buy eyeglasses online?

I have try opticalchic.com and 39dollarglasses.com

Both are great

I bought two pairs of glasses from Moorfields four years ago, for £25 each.

Now I need some new ones, and I find - GASP! - that VisionExpress want over £500 for two pairs, incorporating their cheapest frames !

I guess there's a rip-off going on....

I ordered a pair of glasses one of the links on this page, Optishop, this link takes you to www.opticalmailorder.co.uk and is a very simple site to use. I needed some advice before I ordered my specs so I called the number on the site. The chap was very helpful and even explained some disadvantages to ordering on the web (he told me it was not a good idea to order vary focals over the internet as they should be fitted by a trained optician). He could have lost my order, but I did order a pair of their Carducci designer glasses and got them within the week. I am very pleased with my new glasses and have recommended Optical mail order to all my friends and family.

I recently used www.thinlenses.co.uk and I am extremely impressed with their service. Their prices are amazing and I was able to purchase two pairs for a lot less than what I would have normally paid from the High Street Retailers. It was my first time buying glasses online. I found it very easy as I was contacted by their Customer Service team via telephone and I was able to speak to a person who guided me through the whole process from helping choose frames from there wide selection, right through to when they contacted me to make sure I was happy with my new glasses when they arrived. I would recommend www.thinlenses.co.uk to anyone.

Hello, I have been buying my specs online for a few years now. Have tried a few out, with some varying results. But the one that stands out from the crowd is www.thinlenses.co.uk. They offer really trendy frames with super thin and light lenses, at very good prices. Plus the customer service is excellent. Definately worth a try.

Hi, All who put their comments on the weekly gripe.
My name Is Alan My web site is www.dennies-spectacle-makers.com
I am a traditional spectacle maker with 21 years experience within the industry and have worked for all the major industry leaders in the optical market.
My comments are few, "All that glitters is not gold". What do I mean by that?
Many people offers some amazing can't believe offers, and sure enough they delivery some very cheap quality specs, What of their after sales service though? After sales services has been paid for by you, so don't leave it to chance that you will get it, check out the supplier before purchasing.
This can be done by calling them and talking to the person who actualy makes the spectacles or the owner of the site. Ask them questions and listen carefully to their answers, you can get a good understanding of the ethos of the company and a general feel about them. There are many companies that have set up in the last few years (mine included) that have been designed with their local area's needs in mind, they may even be manufacturing spectacles for opticians. Ask them if it is possible to visit their work shop. (Try to find a small independent manufacturer near you.)
We, the small independent manufacturers are under constant pressure to exceed your expectations where possible, we understand the market place is changing and are willing to adapt to supply you spectacles. Some suppliers will stop our accounts to stop us providing eyewear to you at better prices. The opticians are hoping we fail to deliver, so it is important for us the small independent optical manufacturers that supply direct to the public to do all we can to ensure our survival and get you the best price and service.
If you have any questions please call me on 01376 583 524, I will be pleased to help you.
Or text your details to 07912 036 252 and I will call you back.
Kind regards and happy shopping.
Alan
Spectacle Maker