[Neil,Emma & kids]

is it worth buying a decent pair over here or on the way?

what are the prices like in NZ ?

thanks
neil

[Lisa T]

We bought over there - much better selection and somehow they seemed darker than the ones we have in the UK. Also very helpful if you need prescription sunnies (like me....blind as a bat....), not particularly cheap in the opticians but definately great!

[StevieD]

Are they reasonably priced there then??

[Bubbles]

Are they reasonably priced there then??

:laugh :laugh

I take it you were hoping for an answer there Steve

:nice1

[Lisa T]

OK I wasn't ignoring anyone but I kept getting messages that I could only post one message every 30 seconds - don't know what that was all about I can't type that fast......

I asked in an opticians regarding prices and she said with prescription lenses between 400 NZD and 700 NZD, which is about what I have had to pay in the UK (dodgy eyes, special lenses....).

My sunnies were a Chrissie pressie so OH paid more than usual. Childrens sunnies were brill and we paid 20 NZD each.

[Diny]

As in the UK, over here in NZ you get what you pay for. Sunglasses range from cheap and useless to expensive and really good. I can't say I've noticed alot of difference in price between the 2 countries. My advice is - when you find a pair you like, buy them, regardless of where on the globe you are.

Diny

[Rocketman]

There is not a huge difference in price, so I would personally suggest buying before going, on the grounds that you probably won’t want to spend your first day looking for sunglasses for the whole family. Remember that you are probably going to feel a bit out of it due to jet lag.

[pineapplehead]

I was just looking for glasses today, so some brands fresh in my mind. All prices in NZ$:

Bolle polarized 219 (on sale for 158)
prada 335
ray ban 300 range
arnette 100-200
maui jim 250
Revlon 50-70

I think the highest price I saw was 395 and the lowest about 60 for on-sale items.

There are some sales on now, and maybe more at the end of summer. I don't know UK prices, but they are definitely more costly in NZ than the US.

[Avalon]

Now that i dont have to get prescription sunglasses - I go for the cheapest i can find. On account of I have a terrible knack of losing or breaking sunglasses :wah Lost count of how many have gone!

My last pair I got from Hallenstiens - for a bargain $19.95. Very dark too (I really need black as black lenses).

Designer ones seem about the same - but id never buy them anyway as it would be an utter waste for me.

[Rabbit]

On our stop-over in LA I went to down town Santa Monica, a few miles from the Airport.

Prescription specs were less than half the price of the UK and they can do it while you wait.

Armani was about a third of the UK price for frames.

Getting specs on the way can pay for the price of a stop-over.

Tip: take the local bus it is only $1.50 - a taxi can be $40 or more.

Also when you see the traffic in LA on a Sunday afternoon, you realise why you are going to NZ.