In The Press

The Sunday Times, 04/06/06

Cheap specs netted online
by Louise Pemble

PERTH people are buying prescription glasses over theinternet for as little as $65.

The trend for online spectacles, which has swept other states, is catching on in WA, says Kevin Reece, managing director of Sydney-based glassesonline.com.au.

He said customers were fed-up paying up to $300 to replace their glasses every year.

"Glasses priced at $300 actually cost around $40 to make," he said.

Mr Reece said online sales were booming after customers realised prices for basic spectacles started at $65.

Popular rimless titanium specs were cheaper online at $280, compared with about $400 from a shop, he said.

He said the price difference was because online suppliers did not have huge overheads.

Optometrists Association Australia spokesman Robert Hilkes agreed that the expense of testing equipment – costing up to $150,000 – had an impact on prices.

"There is some cost subsidisation of the consultations that optometrists do through the sale of products because the Medicare rebate doesn't cover the cost of the equipment needed for testing," he said.

But he said optometrists still sold low-cost glasses for $80-$100.

Mr Reece said he used the same labs to make lenses, so the quality was the same, but his frames were cheaper because he steered away from designer labels.

Customers still visited an optometrist to have their eyesight tested, but then submitted prescriptions online and selected frames from photos on the website.

Richie Tunbridge, of Swan View, was happy with his first pair of online specs. The semi-rimless glasses cost him $115, compared with the $300-$400 he was used to paying.

"They're exactly the same as the ones I used to buy, except they don't have a designer label," he said.

"I reckon the quality is just as good."

Mr Tunbridge, who works in finance, said he spent hours in front of a computer and needed a pair for work, as well as home.

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