Spectacles Direct - www.spexuk.com

This is for the Edinburgh branch. I ordered some Rayban frames and spoke to customer service to see when they would be dispatched as I needed them quickly for a holiday. They couldn't arrange the coated transition lenses for next day delivery but offered to send some out with regular lenses and then return them after my hol's to fit the other lenses- how great is that. It wasn't necessary as they arranged for the coated/transition lenses for delivery for the morning I went away and they turned up exactly when they said. Such friendly, helpful service and quick considering the special order.

I hoped to benefit from cheaper prices as it does a lot of online business, but I live in Edinburgh so was able to visit. I found them pretty professional, well informed, well mannered. They offered me a solution to my relatively special requirements. I wanted varifocals for out and about everyday use, but I also wanted a pair for reading and monitor use - these it turns out are called office prescription varifocals. My high street shop had not suggested varifocals for this sort of use but only bifocals. The varifocals work really well without the awkward dividing line of the bifocal

In the end, I saved a fair bit of money (I think their internet prices are cheaper but I did get some special advice that one can only get in-store) and a better solution than I would have if I'd gone to high street one.

So overall pretty happy.

I ordered 2 pairs of bifocal glasses from Spectacles Direct. One pair were rimless and the other for use as sunglasses. Total cost £137.50 which was a big saving on most high street prices. The problem was that when they arrived the sunglasses were very heavy and the tint was poor. The arms on the rimless glasses had not been set properly, which made them awkward to put on.

One of the disadvantages with living in Chester and buying online from a supplier in Edinburgh means that if anything is wrong you have to contact them, confirm the problem in writing, parcel them up and send them back. It is just too much hassle, so I persevered with my glasses until I could stand them no longer and attempted to adjust the wonky arm myself, which resulted in the plastic lens breaking.

As they already had my details I thought I would contact Spectacles Direct in the hope that they would be sympathetic and perhaps offer a small goodwill gesture. They didn ' t and to add insult to injury I was informed that their prices had gone up!

My advice is, buy from a local opticians. They may at first appear more expensive but they are convenient and will adjust your glasses and make sure they fit, which won ' t cost you a penny.

Remember: Buy on Price " Buy Twice!!!

I ordered some glasses from Spectacles Direct and I couldn't believe the price. I would normally pay over £200 for my spectacles. I was very impressed with the quality and speed of service. Highly recommended.