Help/FAQs
About Specdepot.co.uk
Why are specdepot’s prices so low?
Simple. Because we are online, we do not have to pay for high street premises/rents or equipment. We also have our own laboratory, run by dispensing opticians, so we can take advantage of lower running costs and pass this saving onto our customers. We obtain the same frames sold on the high street, direct from the manufacturer, missing out the middle man saving our customers pounds.
Do you have a catalogue you can send me?
No, because we update and change our range all the time, a catalogue would increase our prices, the website is our catalogue.
How long will my glasses take?
We aim to despatch single vision glasses within 5 working days, bifocal/varifocal and some coatings can take a little longer, usually 7/10 days. We do not expect any glasses to take longer than 14 working days. You can choose a delivery address, different to the billing address. For example you can choose the delivery address to be a relative, neighbour or work.
Can I try, before I Buy?
Yes you can, we realise how important it can be, simply tell us which frame and colour (up to 3 frames) you would like to try and we will send them to you. To cover postage and labour, a cost of £3.50 per frame (non refundable) will be charged. Try the frames, return in the envelope provided and we will start manufacturing your selected glasses. Frames not returned after 14 days will be charged at the website price.
Postage & Packaging
Cost of postage and packaging in the UK will be £2.95 per pair of glasses. Order more than one pair, postage will be free of charge.
Can I put lenses into my existing frames?
Yes you can, contact customer services to discuss your requirements and for a price.
What if I have any further questions?
Any questions, not covered in the following sections, please contact customer services by one of the following and they will be pleased to help with your enquiry
By Mail :- Specdepot.co.uk Ltd, Safety House, Kerfoot Street, Warrington, WA2 8NU
Email: enquiries@specdepot.co.uk
phone: 08450 175115
fax: 0151 495 5635
Your Prescription
How do I obtain my prescription?
Under the opticians act (1989) your optician is legally obliged to provide you with a copy of your prescription. You are under no obligation to purchase glasses from your optician, so do not feel pressured into doing so. Instead, have your eyes tested, let us know your prescription and we will save you money!
Do I need to send you my prescription or I cannot understand it?
As long as your prescription is under 2 years old, (1 year if you are 70 or over) you can either enter the details on the prescription entry page, or if you prefer, you can
Fax your prescription to: 0151 495 5635 or
Email: prescriptions@specdepot.co.uk
If you are unsure, call our customer services on 08450 175115, and they will be glad to help.
Can I use my contact lens prescription or my old glasses?
You cannot use your contact lens prescription this will be slightly different to your glasses prescription. Yes, we can take the prescription from your old glasses, providing the prescription in your glasses is less than 2 years old(1 year if aged 70 or over). Send them to: Specdepot.co.uk Ltd, Safety House, Kerfoot Street, Warrington, WA2 8NU. There is a £7 charge for this service. We will return your glasses within 24 hours. Please note we cannot take any responsibility for damage or loss.
My prescription mentions prism
If you have prism in your prescription, we should still be able to make your glasses. Contact customer services by email, phone or fax and we will let you know the cost.
What is my pd and how do I measure it?
PD is the distance between your pupils, (the blackspot in your eye). If you do not know this measurement, do not worry, we will use the most common pd which is 63mm, or in smaller frames 60mm. If you have any concerns about your PD, contact customer services.
Understanding and entering your prescription
Your prescription is in 3 sections – sphere, cyl and axis.
Sphere and cyl always have a plus or minus sign before the number, and appear in 0.25
steps, for example 0.25,0.50,0.75,1.00.1.25 and so on.
Always start with your right eye.
First the sphere, select the digit that applies including a plus or minus sign. Now the cyl, repeat the same process you have just done. If you have a cyl entry you will always have an axis entry, this figure is a number between 1 and 180. Remember if you have a cyl, you always have an axis.These two come together.Where there are no digits, enter zero.
Repeat this process for the left eye
For reading glasses, bifocals or varifocals, there will also be an additional part of the prescription to enter. This is sometimes written as an add or near). Again it is in 0.25 steps. Simply click on add or intermediate for computer glasses, select the number that matches your prescription.
If you are unsure, do not hesitate to contact customer services.
What is the prescription range for your glasses?
Prescription range is maximum sphere 8.00 and cyl 4.00. Prescriptions over sphere 6 and cyl 3 the minimum lens that can be selected is Bronze.
My prescription falls out the range
If your prescription falls out of the standard range, contact customer services and we may still be able to provide you with your glasses.
I have entered the wrong prescription
If you enter the wrong prescription, contact customer services within 24 hours and we should be able to change the information. After 24 hours it maybe to late to amend.
Prescription Problems/Questions
Any other problems or questions you have with your prescription, contact our customer services by e mail, phone or fax and they will be glad to help you.
Frames & Lenses
Selecting your frame
Options available are:- Type of frame – plastic, metal, semi rimmed or rimless,
- Gender - male or female
- Frames for specific types of lenses – single vision, bifocal or varifocal
- Price range – choose to suit your budget.
Once you have seen a frame you like, select the frame and this will give you further information about the frame – colours available, what lenses can be selected and the size of the frame. If you want to have a look at another, just go back and re-select.
Once you are happy with your frame, add to basket
Frame sizes and colours
The frame size is represented by two numbers, the first the lens size, the second the bridge, this is the width of the nose bridge. These numbers are always etched onto the arms of frames (for example 57 18, this means each lens is 57mm in length and the bridge 18mm). If you want a similar sized frame to your existing glasses, have a look at the measurements to compare sizes.
What is the quality of the frames?
We use the same suppliers as opticians on the high street. The frames we sell are available on the High Street, sometimes double our prices. All our frames conform to CE standards, which is the minimum standard to produce and manufacture medical equipment.
How many pairs can I buy?
You can buy as many pairs of glasses as you need. We recommend that everyone should have a spare pair, in the event of loss or damage. This will reduce any disruption to your lifestyle. Especially if you use them to drive, accidents caused without glasses can now invalidate insurance or lead to prosecution, or maybe a spare pair of readers at work.
If you purchase more than one pair, you will benefit from a free scratch coating and free postage saving you money.
What lenses are available?
We can provide you with the following :- Single vision lenses - used for distance, intermediate or reading.
- Bifocals - we use the d shape bifocal as standard.
- Varifocals - we are able to provide any type of varifocal, if you have a preferred type, let us know and we will give you a price.
Bifocals and Varifocals are used for distance and reading. If you are unsure, contact customer services.
Remember our prices already include single vision lenses, some of the premium lenses are up to half price compared to the high street.
Lens Selection(type and thickness)
- Single vision for distance, reading or intermediate
- Bifocals
- Varifocals
Once you have chosen your lenses, select how thin you want your lenses. If your prescription is over 3.0 sphere or cyl, our dispensing opticians recommend at least our Bronze lens. This lens is thinner and lighter than a standard lens. If your prescription is over 4.00, our dispensing opticians would recommend our Silver lens. This is even thinner than our bronze lens. For very high prescriptions over 6.00, our dispensing opticians would recommend our Gold lens. This lens is of aspherical design and is flatter and thinner than the silver lens.
Please note our Bronze, Silver and Gold lens include anti scratch, anti glare and uv coating as standard, saving you money.
Remember even without a high prescription, to reduce the weight and thickness of your lenses, any of the above options can be selected.
What type of lenses do you use?
All our lens options are plastic except when polycarbonate lens option is selected. If glass lenses are required, contact customer services for availability. If you select rimless frames, we use polycarbonate material free of charge saving you £40.00. Polycarbonate is stronger and more durable than plastic, making them less likely to break.
Other Lens Options
Can I protect my lenses from scratching?
Yes, By selecting the scratch coating option we will apply a coating to your lenses to prevent surface scratches. This will increase the life of your lens saving you money in the future. All scratch coatings come with a 12 month guarantee. Please note a scratch coating reduces scratches but cannot prevent them completely.
Can I have my lenses tinted?
Yes, if you select standard lens option, simply choose a colour and depth of tint, either a light tint, medium tint or sunglass tint. If you select a sunglass tint, the UV protection will also apply, however you will benefit with a £5 discount. All other lenses, if a tint is required, please contact customer services for details.
What is UV protection?
UV protection is a coating that we apply to your lenses, to reduce the amount of harm UV rays can cause to your eyes. Like sun block for your body, UV protection is recommended to protect your eyes from the sun. To much UV rays can harm your eyes and is know to cause a number of eye problems.
Anti-Reflective Coating
An anti reflective coating reduces glare and reflection when looking at or through the lens. It is extremely useful if you drive at night, it will reduce glare of oncoming traffic or streetlights, reduced glare from computer screens and reduced reflection on photographs. This is our most popular coating. If you select an anti reflective coating, this will include a scratch and UV coating, saving you money.
Reactoloite Lenses
These are lenses that react in sunlight and go dark. When you go back inside they become clear again. Colours available are Grey or Brown. Theses lenses include UV protection.
Cases
All glasses purchased come free of charge with a cleaning cloth and hard case. We can however offer you more spectacular cases, leather or metal. The choice is yours
Your Guarantee
Quality Assurance
All our glasses are fully inspected prior to despatch. The prescription is checked, your lenses and frames checked for any defects, finally the frame is carried out to ensure a good fit. The frame is then put into your choice of case before despatch.
Where possible we only use Kodak lenses. This famous brand will give you reassurance to the quality of our lenses.
We also own our own lab. This enables us to control our quality and delivery times. Our lab has been certified with CE certification to manufacture glasses, ISO 9001 accreditation for its management and processing system and has now been awarded the Kitemark for quality after independent assessments and audits from Bsi(British Standards Institution). How many other on line suppliers can offer these guarantees?
Guarantee
All lenses with a scratch or anti reflective coating are covered for 12 months from manufacturing defects. All lenses will be replaced free of charge. All frames are CE certified and are guaranteed for 12 months. Any manufacturing defect arising within 12 months will be replaced free of charge Please Note - this does not cover mis-use or damage not due to a manufacturing fault.
Money back Guarantee
In the unlikely event you are not happy with your glasses, return them with the case, within 10 days of receipt. We can either exchange or refund the basic cost of your glasses
Exchanges
After 10 days an exchange may be offered. We will offer an exchange on all glasses up to 21 days of receipt.