Online Eyeglasses

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Shann

Joined
Sep 2, 2004
Messages
5,250
I just bought a pair of very expensive progressive lenses\glasses. They were almost $800 although the insurance paid $250 of that. I want to get a pair of single vision sunglasses and that would cost at least $350 through the optician.

I entered my prescription, etc. in Zenni optical and could get a pair for $62.00 plus shipping (single vision only not progressive).

Before I pull the trigger has anyone tried zenni or any other online eyeglass company?

Thanks.
 
Haven't tried Zenni but have ordered online a single vision pair of polarized sunglasses for fishing several years ago and they turned out good and saved me a good chunk of cash. Sorry, but I don't recall which lab I ordered from. I would not consider ordering progressives online, which I assume are your sentiments as well, since even the brick & mortar opticians seem to be hit & miss on getting those just right. I'm using a vison plan from VSP right now with several local opticians that use the VSP lab to choose from. I believe they have online ordering available too FWIW.
 
I get my progressive lens glasses from 39dollarglasses.com. I replace them every two years as recommended by my eye doctor. I'm currently wearing my third pair of specs from them and they are pretty good glasses for the $110 - $115 I pay for them. That includes the frame, progressive lenses, scratch resistant coating, UV protection, anti reflective coating, and shipping. The anti reflective coating is $24.95 so they cost even less if you don't want that. I don't even use my insurance. I just buy them straight up. They have gotten my prescription spot on each time and the glasses hold up just fine. No complaints.

One must be very careful when entering his/her prescription information online. It must be accurate. Type in just one number incorrectly and you'll get the wrong prescription. You'll have nobody to blame but yourself. That kind of goes without saying but I just wanted to mention it as a reminder.

I recommend 39dollarglasses.com but it should be noted that I started getting my specs from them when I first started needing glasses. I've never worn glasses from any other provider so I don't have much to compare them to. I think they're good glasses but your mileage may vary.
 
A lot of us have gotten glasses from Zenni and been very happy with them. If you search this forum you'll find reviews.
 
I have also used Zenni. They are decent glasses. The only caveat is that you don't know how well they fit until you get them. I've been most happy with larger aviators as driving/sun glasses.
 
Thanks for the heads up on Zenni, guys. I must be behind the curve, because I had never heard of them but it sounds like a good alternative to the crazy spendy glasses you get from an optician, etc.
 
For sunglasses or a backup they're fine but I would avoid getting budget glasses for your main pair. There are quality differences even between good brick and mortar shops and average brick and mortar shops. I used to grind lenses at one of them and I can tell the difference between well made lenses and budget ones pretty quickly. Frames aren't too critical in terms of quality but the lenses are the things you see through. Buy the best you can afford. It's your sight.
 
Shotgun said:
I would avoid getting budget glasses for your main pair. For sunglasses or a backup they're fine but there are quality differences even between good brick and mortar shops and average brick and mortar shops. I used to grind lenses at one of them and I can tell the difference between well made lenses and budget ones pretty quickly. Frames aren't too critical in terms of quality but the lenses are the things you see through. Buy the best you can afford. It's your sight.
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Yeah, the lady at the optometrist really wasn't happy about me asking for my prescription but when she found I wanted it for distance only for sunglasses she was pretty good with it. She said that she really wouldn't recommend online for bifocals or progressives but I'd probably be fine for single vision. Her quote for single vision lens was $145 and on zenni the whole thing, frame and all is less than $75. (I think the lens was about $30 and that included an up charge because my vision is quite bad.
 
A pair of progressives for the Wife, single vision regular and sunglasses for me all for about the cost of one pari of frames. Showed them to my eye doc and he took down the name!
 
Shotgun said:
For sunglasses or a backup they're fine but I would avoid getting budget glasses for your main pair. There are quality differences even between good brick and mortar shops and average brick and mortar shops. I used to grind lenses at one of them and I can tell the difference between well made lenses and budget ones pretty quickly. Frames aren't too critical in terms of quality but the lenses are the things you see through. Buy the best you can afford. It's your sight.
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I am going to add an Amen to that, your vision should not be taken lightly. I have been wearing glasses for forty years and have found it is not a place to cut corners. If you are wearing $100 glasses and carrying a $500 knife you have your priorities seriously confused.
 
Shotgun said:
For sunglasses or a backup they're fine but I would avoid getting budget glasses for your main pair. There are quality differences even between good brick and mortar shops and average brick and mortar shops. I used to grind lenses at one of them and I can tell the difference between well made lenses and budget ones pretty quickly. Frames aren't too critical in terms of quality but the lenses are the things you see through. Buy the best you can afford. It's your sight.
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stjames said:
I am going to add an Amen to that, your vision should not be taken lightly. I have been wearing glasses for forty years and have found it is not a place to cut corners. If you are wearing $100 glasses and carrying a $500 knife you have your priorities seriously confused.
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This sounds like good, solid advice to me. However, it does raise a few questions.

I wear glasses but I know very little about how to distinguish low quality lenses from high quality lenses. We have brick & mortar stores right here in town that I can walk into and pay $350-$500 for a pair of progressive lens glasses. How can I determine, in advance, that I'm getting a better pair of glasses? Certainly not by price alone.

On the flipside, does the fact that the glasses I buy online only cost me $115 automatically mean that they are low quality specs? I wouldn't think so.

What should one look for to make sure they're getting their money's worth prior to making a purchase?
 
I need to follow this thread as turning 43 wiped out my vision. The phone doesn't have a font large enough and my arms stopped growing.
 
Check warbyparker.com
I do not have glasses but I have heard good things. They let you try out frames before they put lenses in em'.
 
This was recommended to me for safety / sports glasses

http://www.neweyeco.com/catalog/#all/1/list


The prescription lenses are inserts that pop out and you can change them into a new pair of protective lenses everytime they scratch, or you want a different colour.

Australian, so shipping may be higher, but they are the only ones to do this
 
For brick & mortar eyeglasses, try Costco. Seems like the last reasonable priced place around here.
 
I've been looking at a company called warby parker. They send you 5 pairs that you pick off their website and let you try them on. If you like a pair send them back with your prescription and they'll make them for you. Reasonably priced too. I haven't tried them yet but I'm about to.
 
shunsui said:
For brick & mortar eyeglasses, try Costco. Seems like the last reasonable priced place around here.
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Seems like you will save a C note and you get to try the frames before mounting and check the prescription before you leave the store.
 
I use glassesshop.com. A pair of glasses with all of the extras generally cost me about $50. Also they have the Ultem frames which I absolutely love.
 
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