Costco or Sam's for Glasses

[zoo2tycoon]

My 16 year old needs glasses and he has never worn before. We went to the eye doctor to price and the frames he liked with prescription was $295.20!!

Granted it was an Adidas frame but the prescription is for distance---no bifocal or anything. That price was with 20% discount we get thru insurance.

So where else can we look. He like the rimless look (the adidas he liked were the Inspired 2D frame (have metal on top but bottom rimless). He has appointment to try contacts (I know not to buy from eye doctor).

Any other places that have nicer frames that are cheap. I know my parents go to Costco for glasses---do they carry name brand ones? We have to drive 45 minutes to Costco so I don' t want to make unnecessary trip. Also my Sam's doesn't have Optical Department but one near the Costco we'd go to does.

THANKS!!!!

 

[Straitlover]

I just got glasses at Costco recently. Yes, they sell some name brand frames. I had checked Sam's because I was already a member, but they only had one frame that I liked. Costco had 2 or 3 that I could live with.

I came out a little cheaper at Costco, including the membership fee I had to pay since I was not a member.

 

[wiigirl]

I get my glasses from Costco and contacts too. It has a pretty good selection and really cheap too.

 

[bedogged]

My 16 year old needs glasses and he has never worn before. We went to the eye doctor to price and the frames he liked with prescription was $295.20!!

Granted it was an Adidas frame but the prescription is for distance---no bifocal or anything. That price was with 20% discount we get thru insurance.

So where else can we look. He like the rimless look (the adidas he liked were the Inspired 2D frame (have metal on top but bottom rimless). He has appointment to try contacts (I know not to buy from eye doctor).

Any other places that have nicer frames that are cheap. I know my parents go to Costco for glasses---do they carry name brand ones? We have to drive 45 minutes to Costco so I don' t want to make unnecessary trip. Also my Sam's doesn't have Optical Department but one near the Costco we'd go to does.

THANKS!!!!

I have never purchased glasses from either, but Costco fixed for free my elderly father's glasses while he waited. He had not purchased them there. I think a place that is that kind and willing should get a recommendation,

 

[Fire14]

I've gotton my last 2 pr's glasses from Costco. Dh has gotton last 3 prs there. His are perry ellis also believe had kenneth something ones in past. I've seen ralph larun, kate spade, Nike, I believe adadias but I look at frames I like not brand.

 

[minkydog]

My 16 year old needs glasses and he has never worn before. We went to the eye doctor to price and the frames he liked with prescription was $295.20!!

Granted it was an Adidas frame but the prescription is for distance---no bifocal or anything. That price was with 20% discount we get thru insurance.

So where else can we look. He like the rimless look (the adidas he liked were the Inspired 2D frame (have metal on top but bottom rimless). He has appointment to try contacts (I know not to buy from eye doctor).

Any other places that have nicer frames that are cheap. I know my parents go to Costco for glasses---do they carry name brand ones? We have to drive 45 minutes to Costco so I don' t want to make unnecessary trip. Also my Sam's doesn't have Optical Department but one near the Costco we'd go to does.

THANKS!!!!

I just bought a new pair of glasses from Costco and couldn't be happier! Mine are progressive trifocals, so $$$ at the eye doctor. I think they wanted over $400 AFTER the insurance paid. I got the glasses made at Costco for less than $200. They don't take my eyecare insurance, or it would have been even cheaper. They don't have a huge selection, but they have enough. I bet my Costco had over 100 women's frames and at least 50 men's frames to choose from. Give them a try. My new, cheap glasses work just as well as my older designer frame glasses bought from the eye doctor.

 

[sookie]

That sounds about right for glasses.

I think I spent about $500 for my pair last year - I got scratch resistant lenses and Transitions.


They are an investment.

I always had vision insurance until last year, and I made sure that I got it this year. The sticker shock of not having it last year and paying fully out of pocket was enough for me to make that mistake once. I'd rather pay for vision insurance out of each paycheck - I came out ahead.

 

[JessicaR]

We use Costco also and have been very happy.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

I started buying glasses at Costco many years ago and have never looked back. They do a good job, and stand behind what they sell.

Incidentally, my new pair are transitions lenses and I love them!

 

[NHdisneylover]

My daughter got her glasses at Costco when she visited her grandparents last summer (glasses in Germany are REALLY expensive). She is 16 and very happy with them--I do not recall what brand they might be; she looks for frames she likes. They are rimless, titanium, transitions lenses with all the optional coatings and I think with the exam we paid about $300.
My glasses need replaced (coatings wore off after a decade--NOT that I cannot see) but am waiting until I can go to Costco in August to do so---the price is that much better.

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

Zenni optical. I paid $25 for my current glasses. Single vision lenses, non scratch. I've had them about a year and they are great. I'm never spending a ridiculous amount of money again.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Thanks for info!
We are headed to Costco this afternoon....he isn't into name brand....just listed the frame he'd found. He wants ones that don't stand out as much....know we can find similar.

Saw Zenni Optical- have had friends who use. Only concern with newbie getting glasses is he might not like. For hubby and I it looks great but for son who wants to try on frames think for first pair we will pass.

Appreciate all the info!

 

[daughtersrus]

I've purchased some from Sam's Club and have never had a problem.

The optical dept is independently owned so you don't need a Sam's membership to use it.

 

[Lintasare]

I got mine at Walmart. The frames were only $18.00. The lenses were $90 each, but that is because I got the high index, super thin lenses with all the coatings on them. Paid $211 for them OOP. I had already used my insurance on a year's supply of contacts.

 

[scrapquitler]

My 16 year old needs glasses and he has never worn before. We went to the eye doctor to price and the frames he liked with prescription was $295.20!!

Granted it was an Adidas frame but the prescription is for distance---no bifocal or anything. That price was with 20% discount we get thru insurance.

So where else can we look. He like the rimless look (the adidas he liked were the Inspired 2D frame (have metal on top but bottom rimless). He has appointment to try contacts (I know not to buy from eye doctor).

Any other places that have nicer frames that are cheap. I know my parents go to Costco for glasses---do they carry name brand ones? We have to drive 45 minutes to Costco so I don' t want to make unnecessary trip. Also my Sam's doesn't have Optical Department but one near the Costco we'd go to does.

THANKS!!!!

Consider Walmart's Optical department. I have had very good luck there. I also recommend getting their insurance. It covers replacement lenses and frames if the frames break or the lenses get scratched.

 

[mamacatnv]

I've done both Costco and Sams for frames, lenses and contacts. My current pair came from Sams. I like the ones with a sunglass clip, Costco had 1 pair and Sams had 22 - went with Sams due to the selection. Frames, lenses (progressive) with anti glare came in at a little over $200 - the lenses alone were $135 - I paid $140 since they applied my out of network insurance coverage.

 

[zoo2tycoon]

Went to Costco---had very similar frames to what he saw at eye doctors office.
Out the door for $95---said we can claim with insurance (should get 20% off that then)!
Very happy with them---said 10 days to get in.

Thanks again.

Tomorrow is contacts at eye doctor---they show how to use and give weeks supply. We go back next week and they see how he is doing. If he does well we will get the contacts at Costco---unless other places cheaper????

Wish Costco were closer...my local Sam's doesn't have Optical either.

Next time might try Walmart....never think of them for glasses!