The Mystery of the High Street Reglaze Fee?

4 September 2025

The High Street Reglaze Fee! 

We were asked recently by a new customer, 'what is our reglaze fee?' 

We of course answered there is no fee, just a price for the lenses! Slightly confused by this the customer asked but 'her opticians (Boots) charge a fee and a price for the lenses! So Why do they charge?'

So, we started reglazing online nearly 18 years ago. We were the first to offer this service online (despite what our competitors might say)! 

We are optician run, and 'I' (the optician) was part of a very large high street chain for over 20 years before I started this. So as you can imagine I have quite a lot of experience of both the high street and online services now. 

So what is the fee for?.

Is it for an insurance in case the high street break the frame while reglazing it, if so if they don't break it, do they give you the fee back. 

Is it a fee that pays for the dispensing and glazing costs, presumably a fee that isn't charged when you purchase a new pair? Either way, for Boots the glazing fee is £90, so the dispensing and glazing fee is more than the cost of the sight test? 

Is the fee there to discourage the customer from choosing to have their frame reglazed? Probably, and even if not, it certainly does! 

Many high street opticians don't reglaze at all, sighting issues with frames breaking etc, honestly, breakages are very rare and can often be predicted before it happens. We assess each frame before we start to pick out potential issues. 

My tip, have your eyes tested, get a copy of the prescription and have your glasses reglazed, either use the frame you already have or buy a new frame online and come to us. All our glazing is done in house and our lenses come from Essilor UK. 

If not us, then please make sure you use an online service that is optician run and UK lens supplied, this way you can at least guarantee their service and product. 

We are alwasy here at the end of the phone, call us if you have any questions, we are here to help! 

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