Spectacles Subsidy Scheme

brickies · Guru

RE: Eyeglasses

Connie · Veteran Member

[ Happywanderer wrote: I'm on a pension and buy what I can afford. If the local guy charged reasonable rates I would be quite happy to buy off him but around 400.00 for a new pr of glasses is ridiculous when I can get a pr for 12.95 that do the same job.
Nothing to do with being patriotic, just like to be able to afford them when I need them.]

All States have a spectacle scheme where you can get free glasses if you're on the pension, subsidised by the local guys.

-- Edited by Connie on Monday 10th of January 2011 08:47:59 AM

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

4 small buisnesses at our local centre have been there for at least 8 years, so I do not think they are going out of buisness just yet.
How many specticle shops have you seen close down? they are like chemist shops.

The site I deal with has a return & replace or repair policy so YES they will fix anything thats wrong, no need to go to the local shops for repairs, I have had my last pair for 2 years and NO problems.

Personally I would never go to a local retailer for something I purchase online, that's not fair, I would do as I said above or throw away the item and purchase new online, having said that I have never had to do that for anything I have got online.

brickies wrote:

What if internet shopping run these small operators out of business who will you be able to take the product to to get it fixed , no we don't fix thing on the net , go to the person we have run out of business . My friend who work for small electrical retailer tell me they have people all the time coming in to ask them how to get their product to work , did you buy it here no we brought on the net why don't you ask them , you can't talk to them so people want the small retailer to help them out they want support but wont support the retailer we live in a strange world

-- Edited by _wombat_ on Monday 10th of January 2011 09:32:00 AM

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Hi Connie,
I was not aware of that, but I will be looking into it, thanks for the info.

Where would I look for more info in WA?

Connie wrote:

[ Happywanderer wrote: I'm on a pension and buy what I can afford. If the local guy charged reasonable rates I would be quite happy to buy off him but around 400.00 for a new pr of glasses is ridiculous when I can get a pr for 12.95 that do the same job.
Nothing to do with being patriotic, just like to be able to afford them when I need them.]

All States have a spectacle scheme where you can get free glasses if you're on the pension, subsidised by the local guys.

-- Edited by Connie on Monday 10th of January 2011 08:47:59 AM

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Hi Connie,

just ben doing some research into the WA scheme and found this

http://www.health.wa.gov.au/services/detail.cfm?Unit_ID=448

its not free glasses, just a $50 max subsidy, perhaps I am looking in the wrong place, do you know where I can get anymore info please?

Spectacles Subsidy Scheme

The WA Spectacle Subsidy Scheme assists with the purchase of a complete pair of prescribed spectacles or lenses by providing a fifty percent subsidy of the total cost to a maximum of $50. This assistance is available once every two years, subject to eligibility criteria.

Contact Information:

Location:	189 Royal Street, East Perth WA 6004
Postal Address:	Locked Bag 7, Perth Business Centre WA 6849
Phone:	08 9222 4222

Hylda&Jon · Guru

Connie wrote:

[ Happywanderer wrote: I'm on a pension and buy what I can afford. If the local guy charged reasonable rates I would be quite happy to buy off him but around 400.00 for a new pr of glasses is ridiculous when I can get a pr for 12.95 that do the same job.
Nothing to do with being patriotic, just like to be able to afford them when I need them.]

All States have a spectacle scheme where you can get free glasses if you're on the pension, subsidised by the local guys.

-- Edited by Connie on Monday 10th of January 2011 08:47:59 AM

Where are these free glasses???
I bought new glasses a month ago & all I could get off was $50 due to being on a pension so this free glasses scheme must be a secret even from the optometrists.

-- Edited by Hylda&Jon on Monday 10th of January 2011 01:39:52 PM

Gerty Dancer · Guru

Not every optometrist does those pension specials, in the ACT they are around $40, and only OPSM can dispense them. (They are usually crappy frames too)

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

I'll checkout our local OPSM here in WA, I don't usually shop there as they do not have a tech person in store, everything has to go away to get done, they only do the eye test and sell glasses.

I did go in there once and the guy said why not get an extra pair of glasses, I replied to him by saying I see no point in that as I only have one nose to put glasses on so cannot wear two pair at once.

Connie · Veteran Member

Not sure about WA except that they have a scheme. Qld calls it "MASS Spectacle Supply Scheme" , NSW has "Visioncare", Vic has "Victorian Eyecare Service". Other States, go to seniors .gov.au and search under Help with glasses.
Gert is right, not all optometrists do the free bit.

-- Edited by Connie on Monday 10th of January 2011 05:11:55 PM

Happywanderer · The Master

There is one in Echuca who does the free glasses scheme. I went in to check it out a few years ago. The frames were UGLY. I said forget it if that is all you can let me have and went somewhere else and paid full price for a decent looking pair.

No, I am not a snob just won't wear those huge plastic crappy looking one he tried to talk me into.

Some of mine off Zenni have only cost me 12.95. If something goes wrong with them I will throw them out rather than take them to a local for repairs.

jimricho · Guru

I once knew a girl who was an optometrist's daughter....

After two glasses she made a spectacle of herself.

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

jimricho wrote:

I once knew a girl who was an optometrist's daughter....

After two glasses she made a spectacle of herself.

brickies · Guru

I have private health and I get glass for free

Hylda&Jon · Guru

_wombat_ wrote:

I'll checkout our local OPSM here in WA, I don't usually shop there as they do not have a tech person in store, everything has to go away to get done, they only do the eye test and sell glasses.

I did go in there once and the guy said why not get an extra pair of glasses, I replied to him by saying I see no point in that as I only have one nose to put glasses on so cannot wear two pair at once.

I tried about 4 optometrists in WA & none mentioned anything about free pension glasses & 2 in NSW 3 years ago didn't either so I guess I'm just picking the wrong ones.

I got 2 pairs for the price of one this time because last time I tried the photocromatic ones & they were useless as they didn't darken enough in the sun so this time I got some graduated sunglasses as well as a normal graduated pair & I couldn't be happier...maybe I could if they were a bit cheaper cry

Cheers
Jon

brickies · Guru

Just did a search on centrelink web site , people on centrelink benefits or seniors health card get a rebate for glasses every 2 years

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

you don't get them for free, you are paying for private health

brickies wrote:

I have private health and I get glass for free

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Hylda&Jon

Try this site http://www.zennioptical.com/ and I am sure you will find them cheaper.

Hylda&Jon wrote:

_wombat_ wrote:

I'll checkout our local OPSM here in WA, I don't usually shop there as they do not have a tech person in store, everything has to go away to get done, they only do the eye test and sell glasses.

I did go in there once and the guy said why not get an extra pair of glasses, I replied to him by saying I see no point in that as I only have one nose to put glasses on so cannot wear two pair at once.

I tried about 4 optometrists in WA & none mentioned anything about free pension glasses & 2 in NSW 3 years ago didn't either so I guess I'm just picking the wrong ones.

I got 2 pairs for the price of one this time because last time I tried the photocromatic ones & they were useless as they didn't darken enough in the sun so this time I got some graduated sunglasses as well as a normal graduated pair & I couldn't be happier...maybe I could if they were a bit cheaper

Cheers
Jon

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Hi Brickies,

that is not correct in WA, we only get a $50 max discount on the purchase of glasses, there is no rebate as such.

brickies wrote:

Just did a search on centrelink web site , people on centrelink benefits or seniors health card get a rebate for glasses every 2 years

-- Edited by _wombat_ on Tuesday 11th of January 2011 09:25:13 AM

Firefly · Guru

I don't often comment on here, too many posters take things way too personally. smile

I shop locally but by darned I shop around.

I used to work for a little Aussie company called Bonds, anyone familiar with that?

Next time you throw a pair of their undies in your trolley to buy, check the label and see where they are made. Then ask yourself this question; Could this garment possibly have been made in a sweat shop in that country? Then ask yourself another question. This company, along with many others, moved their operations off shore, to rip off Aussie workers and get their goods processed cheaper, have they passed that saving onto me?

We have to support our local businesses thats a given but they need to support us too.

Where are all our frames manufactured? Yep, I know we have bigger overheads etc but it really does make you question things doesn't it. wink

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Hi Firefly,
I promise not to take comments online personally, its just to let people know there is a cheaper way to get what you need.

I also shop locally and shop around BUT when the specticale shops over charge to the extent they all do I look online.

I do remember Bond's and I do not buy their product's in Aus or online because of their decision to go overseas for their production, I don't think what I am saying about specticle shops is the same as the Bond's issue, but I do get your point.
No I do not believe Bond's has passed on any savings to the Aussie market

I think you are right, our frames are probally made in Japan or China, but our specticle shops still charge as if they are made with aussie labour in Aus.

Firefly wrote:

I don't often comment on here, too many posters take things way too personally.

I shop locally but by darned I shop around.

I used to work for a little Aussie company called Bonds, anyone familiar with that?

Next time you throw a pair of their undies in your trolley to buy, check the label and see where they are made. Then ask yourself this question; Could this garment possibly have been made in a sweat shop in that country? Then ask yourself another question. This company, along with many others, moved their operations off shore, to rip off Aussie workers and get their goods processed cheaper, have they passed that saving onto me?

We have to support our local businesses thats a given but they need to support us too.

Where are all our frames manufactured? Yep, I know we have bigger overheads etc but it really does make you question things doesn't it.

Firefly · Guru

Thanks Wombat, I may have gone the long way around to say what I wanted to say so sorry if it was a bit confusing.

It is the same as Bonds in the big picture mate. They want us to shop locally but they wish to manufacture offshore.

We want to shop locally but need the savings they went offshore to find.

Do I make sense? wink

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Yep, I get your point, they just want bigger profits, manufacturing offshore saves them money but it's still not passed on to us locally.

They are only after the big bucks and I am trying to save some of my buck's smile

brickies · Guru

Wombat my friendly optometrist swipes our private health card and give us our glasses

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

yes, but you still have to pay your private health fund, is that correct?

brickies wrote:

Wombat my friendly optometrist swipes our private health card and give us our glasses

brickies · Guru

Wombat you win

_wombat_ · Master (of Mischief)

Hi Brickies,

I'm not sure how to take this as I did not know I was taking part in any competition, perhaps you would care to explain Please

brickies wrote:

Wombat you win