My two-year-old pair of glasses open two inches wider than my head, which means it was time to plunk down $250 at Lens Crafters for a new pair. NOT!
My friend Megan alerted me to a Web site that sells cheap glasses, Goggles4u. All the frames are $13. My light prescription added another $17 to $45 dollars. There was a good selection of cute frames, an easy way to compare favorites and a handy guide to measure the size of my face. I found six pairs I liked. A feature that uploads your picture and lets you virtually try the glasses on did not work, unfortunately. The site offers free shipping and refunds the full cost of the frames and 50 percent of the lenses if you are unhappy.
I also found Zenni Optical, which sorts frames by price: $8, $10, $13, $15, $16, and $19 for complete pairs (upgrades available). You can also search by type of frame. The site was not as user-friendly as Goggles4u and had more frames made out of metal than plastic, which is what I wanted. I did not find any frames that I liked. Returned pairs must be received within thirty days of the initial shipment date for a 50% percent refund.
39 Dollar Glasses is just like it sounds. The site sells glasses with a prescription for $39. Bifocals are $79. You can search by frame type or look at new arrivals. I liked many of their pairs, but had a hard time telling what I would actually be happy with. The site’s return policy says if they cannot re-cut your lenses to fit a new frame, you can exchange them for a new pair or you get a refund minus a 30 percent restocking fee.
After browsing these three sites I was uneasy purchasing prescription glasses online. If I didn’t like my purchase I estimated I would incur fees ranging from $12.50 to $25, including shipping. That seemed like a lot of money to essentially try on a pair of glasses.
I decided to head over to Costco, where I had gotten a super cheap eye examination for $49. I quickly narrowed it down to four pairs, all $49.99. “I can see why you didn’t want to buy them online,” Hubby said. It was so hard to tell what looked good until I put them on.
Finally a salesman came over and asked if he could help. Yes! He knocked out one boxy pair straight away and helped me decide against a dark green pair. The two remaining pairs turned out to be the same Norma Kamali frame, one in black (above) and one in a deep red.
I chose red. Anti-reflective glare was another $29.99 and my prescription was $27.99.
My total came to $107.97, which is about $50 more than if I had bought them online, but a lot less than going to Lens Crafters. I decided $50 was worth knowing I liked the frames and not having to deal with returns. My friend loves her glasses from Goggles4u, but I couldn’t stomach the risk. In the name of vanity, I paid extra.
Thanks, Megan!
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:26 pm
I’ve used Zenni Optical and have been very pleased with them. I have a very strong prescription and need thinner lenses to fit in most frames. This costs more at Zenni (as it does everywhere), but I was still able to get 3 pairs of prescription glasses, including 1 pair of sunglasses, for $140 last year from them. That would normally not cover the cost of just the lenses for 1 pair at Lenscrafters, including my health insurance discount. It was well worth the risk for me, and I ended up being happy with all of the frames I chose.
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:28 pm
I have been using Zenni Optical for over a year now with nothing but good results. I have over 13 pairs of glasses. The keys is papillary distant and know the size using a pair of glasses you already own and convert from inches to mm.
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:01 pm
I’ve worn contacts for years, the hard lenses (gas permeable) so the initial cost of lenses is higher. I found an optometrist I really liked (in a Walmart store) and then took the prescription to my local Sam’s Club for the lenses. (it was cheaper that way at the time).
I had heard about 1-800 contacts, so I went on line and checked them out, but I also found Coastal Contacts, which had lower rates for my type of lenses.
The thing about hard lenses is they’re not ‘one size fits all’ like the soft ones…so if you need to get them, it takes longer. I wanted to get two pair, so I’d have a spare for travelling, etc. I ordered from Coastal and paid about $40.00 per pair less than through the Walmart optician.
It’s going to be time for an exam so I can order more, but the process is easy. The optometrist has to give you a copy of your prescription. You order online, send them a copy, they verify with the doctor, and ship within a couple of days. You get the same brand (mine is Boston Envision) although mine only comes in one color, blue (so you can find it if you drop it).
It’s $33.95 per lens (vial) and with 3 you get free shipping.
I see (from their site that they also have regular glasses, including some designer frames. I suppose you could find frames you like and then find a better price online…
The address for Coastal Contacts is:
http://www.coastalcontacts.com
You can also look up 1-800contacts…I haven’t checked our their prices recently, I’m happy with Coastal. And yes, you can find discount coupons for most online companies at:
http://www.couponcabin.com/contacts/index.htm
For those who wear disposable or extended wear contacts, I think you’d see similar savings online.
And yes, I did lose a lens one time when travelling so I was very happy I had the spare pair with me.
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
I have got my last several pairs of trifocals from Costco. Never a problem and they let you exchange them within a year if you are not happy. Even with all their coupon discounts, Lens Crafters is really expensive.
April 23rd, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I have a very strong prescription, too weird for Costco or Wal-Mart. I tried the online sites but most could not handle my diopter, prism, etc. Finally found a place in Tarzana (in the Valley Produce building) where I got progressives for $170 and distance-vision sunglasses for $80. They send out to a local lab to grind out the prescription lenses. The salesclerk there was very nice when taking my order and made sure they were adjusted to my face when they arrived a week later…
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:42 pm
my son had glasses and we always used Costco–they replaced the frames when someone stepped on them and would adjust them for free–which meant almost every week when you’ve got an active child!
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:47 pm
Re : Zenni my prescription is strong too. I only pay $9 more for a strong prescription.
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:52 pm
Finding your size is super easy, no need to measure and convert from Inches to mm. Just read on the Inside the arms of your glasses , it will have three number like 45.18.135 which stand for Lens Width , Bridge Width and Temple Arm Length . Read this and then order online.
I have used Zenni with very good results
April 23rd, 2009 at 3:55 pm
I normally wear contact lens and switch to glasses after I get back from work. I have liked the glasses I obtained from eyebuydirect.com.
I guess the trick is that you visit lenscrafters kind of shop to figure out the width, length of the glass and the temple arm length. After you have all the information, you can then search for options based on these criterias and place the order online.
May 3rd, 2009 at 8:59 pm
Here’s another vote for Costco. Too much guessing with online purchases even though I have a pretty simple prescription. However, I want my husband to read this blog. His prescription is such that virtually no one can get his lenses into a frame that can contain them–Costco, Fedco (yes, that long ago!), even Kaiser!!
May 7th, 2009 at 4:42 am
[...] They cost $107, about $50 MORE than if I had bought them online. (My previous post covered options to buy cheap glasses online.) [...]
May 13th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
DO NOT buy from Zenni – after 6 weeks and 4 phone calls with NO follow-up response (after it was promised each time), I finally canceled my order. I ended up going to a local drugstore for a pair.
May 16th, 2009 at 9:37 am
I ordered from Zenni 3 times in the last 3 months and each time I had a good experience. The glasses are perfect – I get compliments all the time – sturdy frames, right prescription lenses. The length of time to receive the glasses varied (18 days, 11 days and 14 days) but each time, I got the glasses and loved them. I am completely converted – for the price you cannot go wrong with Zenni. After paying $200-$400 for glasses, even with insurance discounts, and getting 8 pairs of glasses from Zenni for just under $200, I would be a fool to shop anywhere else. I recommend online glasses highly. If you know the size of frame that fits you well and the general shape (you can try some on in local shops), you can always match it up to something you chose online. For me, it was a breeze!
May 17th, 2009 at 11:18 am
I always go over to glassyeyes.com to the forums to read who’s currently doing the best. These places go up and down like a yo-yo with the customer service.
Always had great luck buying online.
May 23rd, 2009 at 3:45 pm
i bought 2 pairs of glasses from zenni for my girlfriend and she loved them i had a great experience with them now i need glasses and plan on ordering from them to get some for myself