EyeglassRetailerReviews is currently in archival status.

<< back to MyGlassesNEXT (Other Retailers) >>

 

Quick notes:

  • High end of discount price range – looking at $41 shipped for 1.5 index single vision glasses.
  • Total of 17 frames offered – leads me to wonder if they’re winding down their online business.
  • Based in the UK.

 

Introduction:

SpecsOnTheNet is located in the UK (Cardiff). Pricing in Pounds, Euros, and USD. They sell single-vision, bi-focal, and vari-focal glasses. Methods of contact include email, phone, fax, and a mailing address. They accept Visa, MasterCard, and Delta.

 

Impressions:

SpecsOnTheNet is either preparing for a revamp, or is winding down their online business. At one time they had a large selection of frames and even ran a promotion where a number of frames/lenses were free if you paid the shipping. At this point they’re down to 17 frames total with about half being discount brands ($36-40 range) and the remainder being designer brands ($100-150).

As mentioned above, there are 17 frames total – 6 metal and 11 plastic, divided between the discount and designer frames.

None of the frames currently listed show as being compatible with bi-focal or progressive lenses. Standard single-vision lenses come free with 1.6 index adding £24, 1.67 adding £49, and 1.74 adding £89. AR, tint, photochromic, and polarized lenses seem to be available as well.

 

Website and Ordering:

The SpecsOnTheNet website is very easy enough to navigate, although most categories show empty.

Ordering is simple enough. Find a frame, then choose the lens options.

Because they may be winding down, further detail probably isn’t necessary any longer. If they increase the number of frames beyond 17, I’ll take a look again at that time.

 

Pricing and Value:

Prices are reasonable for the high end of the spectrum with frames starting at $36 though the 1.5 index lenses included are a bit of a turnoff. While the AR coating starts adds about $16 USD, if you upgrade beyond the basic lens, it becomes free.

Pricing shown for single-vision lenses in USD (based on current exchange rate). Check the website for pricing in Pounds or Euros.

FRAMES (includes free 1.49 index lens) $36
ADDITIONAL LENS OPTIONS
AR Coating +15
Photochromic (grey or brown) +76
Polarized (grey or brown) +76
1.6 High-Index (free AR) +37
1.67 High-Index (free AR) +76
1.74 High-Index (free AR) +139
Tint (optional) +12
Shipping (appears to be worldwide) +5
VAT (added to all orders) + 15%

Note: prices are not exact, and may fluctuate with exchange rate. Contact me with errors. 

While prices are somewhat reasonable for a retailer at the higher end of the spectrum (though 1.5 index lenses for the price isn’t great), the lack of available frames would make me hesitant to recommend checking them out at this point.

 

<< back to MyGlassesNEXT (Other Retailers) >>

Curious as to how things have changed since 2006?
Here is my original writeup from many years ago…


SpecsOnTheNet
“Online Prescription Spectacles Warehouse”

 

Introduction

SpecsOnTheNet is located in the UK. Pricing in GBP (£), Euros, or USD. They sell single-vision lenses only (no bifocals). They display email addresses, phone number, fax number, and postal address on their Contact Info page. They accept Visa, Mastercard, and Delta.

 

Impressions

The two things that stand out most about SpecsOnTheNet are the ability to change currencies on their site, as well as the free frame/lens promo they currently have running. Regular pricing on frames/lenses with a free hard-coating starts at £9.99, or $18.00 USD. The pricing in this review will be done in USD.

The free promo they have running should at the very least bring people to their site. It’s a good way to interest people who may be skeptical about plunking down a good chunk of money for glasses from a place they know nothing about. For the cost of shipping, if the glasses are good, a buyer might be more inclined to buy from them again. Other than the free pair, SpecsOnTheNet has a wide range of pricing. There aren’t a heck of a lot of frames offered for £9.99 / $18.00USD, and I wouldn’t be surprised if quite a few people have to step up to the $26.00 or $35.00 price point to find something they like.

 

Pricing

Basic Frames + Lenses $18.00
.
Anti-Reflective Coating +$26.00
Polycarbonate +$35.00
Polycarbonate + Anti-Reflective Coating +$49.00
Thinner High Index (1.6) Lenses (free AR) +$51.00
Thinner High Index (1.67) Lenses (free AR) +$103.00
Thinner High Index (1.74) Lenses (free AR) +$222.00
Transitions (Grey/Brown) +$85.00
Photochromic (Grey/Green/Brown) +$68.00
Tint (Light/Medium/Sunglasses) (Blue Yellow Green Pink Brown Black) +$14.00
Shipping (UK) +$7.00
Shipping (US) +$7.00

A pair of single vision lenses without any add-ons is $25.00 after shipping, seemingly whether in the UK or in the US. A pretty good price if you can find a frame you like in that price category.

 

Website Ratings

Category Rating Details
Website Great It’s very easy to browse through and order through the website. For the most part, it’s pretty well laid out. A nice thing they did when you’re inputting lens options was to give the option to select how you want to enter the prescription. It can be done online (the same as most sites), by fax (they show the fax number), or by email (they show the email address). Because of that, if I were a first time buyer and did not know how to read my prescription, this site would probably be one of the most accommodating. It even has a nice easy, simplistic feel to it that novices would enjoy.
Selection Good The website caters a little more to those who want to spend a little more. There’s quite a bit of selection, but not much of it is below $30, and for the budget buyer, you may be hard pressed to find a frame that you like that fits your price point.
Frame Info Good Dimensions and color are given. Each frame has a clear picture from the front and from an angle.
Lens Options Good Although Bi-focal wearers are left out in the cold, Single Vision wearers can choose between basic, Tinted, Polycarbonate, High Index (3 types), Photochromic, and Transitions lenses. Definitely good selection offered there.
Value Good The cheap frames/lenses are competitively priced. It’s just unfortunate that more selection isn’t offered in that price range. Some of the options such as AR and Tint seem to be a little pricy, but all in all, this site appears to offer fair value for the money.

 

 

 

<< back to MyGlassesNEXT (Other Retailers) >>