Mailorder glasses

[tar heel]

Has anyone used $39 Glasses, Frames Direct or Glasses, Etc.? I know we've had reviews on here before of Zenni Optical, but I'm looking at these other three b/c they are Sunshine Rewards merchants (got to get those points).

I usually wear progressive lenses, but my opthamologist wrote my prescription this week for "bifocals optional" since I take them off to read. I want to try out non-bifocals and a mail-order company at the same time. If everything goes great, I may even try progressives since the pair I want at my eye doctor's is almost $700 AFTER my 30% Blue Cross/Blue Shield discount (don't think I'll be getting those in any case).

 

[Nickimouse]

We ordered glasses for my husband using 39 dollar glasses 1/2-2 years ago and he is still happy with them.
He had just gotten a new pair from the eye doctor and lost them and didn't want to pay $$ again so thought it was worth a try. We also had new lenses put in his prescription sunglass frames.
He will be getting an eye exam and new glasses soon,but if he needs an inexpensive second pair we may go this way again.

 

[snowbunny]

I have used Optical4Less.com and that is my favorite pair of glasses.

 

[snowwhitesmom]

I love 39Dollar glasses - GREAT customer service!

 

[quentina]

I order from Zenni all the time. Take a while to show up however; well worth the wait.

 

[muffyn]

question

how the heck do you guys get the PD number?

my optician refuses to give me that info.
went to walmart & got a cheap $38 pair of reading, but they would NOT take my distance PD ( which I needed to order online)

I had purchased from $39glasses before, but luckily had my PD # before.

this is so frustrating

 

[puffkin]

question

how the heck do you guys get the PD number?

my optician refuses to give me that info.
went to walmart & got a cheap $38 pair of reading, but they would NOT take my distance PD ( which I needed to order online)

I had purchased from $39glasses before, but luckily had my PD # before.

this is so frustrating

My DH got his from his eye doctor. Just asked him to write it on the prescription. Even though it is wrong, I can see them not giving it to you if you haven't had an exam. But next time you have an exam I would demand it. They shouldn't have a say in where you get your glasses!

 

[WDmommyof4]

I ordered my glasses from goggles4u.com because they did not charge extra for my very high prescription and astigmatism, so I can't be of help there. However, you can go here http://www.stingyspecs.com.au/what-is-PD.html and see how to measure the PD yourself. I did my own at home and my glasses turned out just fine.

 

[muffyn]

My DH got his from his eye doctor. Just asked him to write it on the prescription. Even though it is wrong, I can see them not giving it to you if you haven't had an exam. But next time you have an exam I would demand it. They shouldn't have a say in where you get your glasses!

yes had the exam. we have been going to the same place for many years. I just hate the frames this year ( & the assistant told me, quietly look somewhere else)
but she was told NO she could not give me my PD unless they ordered the glasses.

walmart also told me they would NOT take my PD for distance ( they only took it for the reading ones I ordered).

I am going to look at another place for my whole "insurance covered trifocals" & when they take my PD's,, tell em I want the PD for distance or they can cancel the order........ I guess.....

arrghhh

 

[muffyn]

I ordered my glasses from goggles4u.com because they did not charge extra for my very high prescription and astigmatism, so I can't be of help there. However, you can go here http://www.stingyspecs.com.au/what-is-PD.html and see how to measure the PD yourself. I did my own at home and my glasses turned out just fine.

interesting

I DO have my near vision PD (from walmart). so maybe just add the 3mm to it?

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

My DH got his from his eye doctor. Just asked him to write it on the prescription. Even though it is wrong, I can see them not giving it to you if you haven't had an exam. But next time you have an exam I would demand it. They shouldn't have a say in where you get your glasses!

Just don't expect the opticians at your doctor's office to adjust your cheap glasses for free everytime they warp or get too loose, etc... And if they are kind enough to adjust them for free, realize that they are not responsible for damages if the cheap quality things break during adjustment.

OK, off of soap box now.

 

[puffkin]

Just don't expect the opticians at your doctor's office to adjust your cheap glasses for free everytime they warp or get too loose, etc... And if they are kind enough to adjust them for free, realize that they are not responsible for damages if the cheap quality things break during adjustment.

OK, off of soap box now.

Wow, that is a bit uncalled for! Seriously have you ever bought glasses from some of these places? They aren't bad at all! And since they are so cheap...why even bother getting them adjusted? DH can buy about 10 pair for the cost of one at the doctors office.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

Just don't expect the opticians at your doctor's office to adjust your cheap glasses for free everytime they warp or get too loose, etc... And if they are kind enough to adjust them for free, realize that they are not responsible for damages if the cheap quality things break during adjustment.

OK, off of soap box now.

I understand what you are saying, but in my dh's case we bought very expensive glasses from the Dr. office opticians and after the leg broke off (for the second time) they refused to fix them. That experience has caused us to shop on-line for cheaper alternatives!

 

[tar heel]

Just don't expect the opticians at your doctor's office to adjust your cheap glasses for free everytime they warp or get too loose, etc... And if they are kind enough to adjust them for free, realize that they are not responsible for damages if the cheap quality things break during adjustment.

OK, off of soap box now.

I'm looking for glasses b/c my $600 ones have broken, for the second time. The first time they replaced the frame. This time they did a temporary fix that I know will not last the long term. If my frames are going to be crappy, I'd rather pay under $100 than over $600. Off my soapbox now.

There also is a mark-up at some optical offices that borders on criminal. For way too long I bought my son's contacts at the optician associated with our opthamology practice. When his prescription changed, I bought the first batch there for $200. Then I decided to check other places . . . We now pay $96 at a local optician. Online was $5-$10 more and Sears says it will match any price.

 

[kellia]

I got some from Zenni's and hate them. They are so flimsy and give me a headache if I wear them too long. Luckily, I just wear glasses between taking off my contacts at night and going to bed. I guess they are good as a back up, though.

 

[quentina]

question

how the heck do you guys get the PD number?

my optician refuses to give me that info.
went to walmart & got a cheap $38 pair of reading, but they would NOT take my distance PD ( which I needed to order online)

I had purchased from $39glasses before, but luckily had my PD # before.

this is so frustrating

We measured it ourself and in addition, the eye dr verified our accuracy. If you go to zenni optical, it will give you instructions.

 

[WDmommyof4]

Just don't expect the opticians at your doctor's office to adjust your cheap glasses for free everytime they warp or get too loose, etc... And if they are kind enough to adjust them for free, realize that they are not responsible for damages if the cheap quality things break during adjustment.

OK, off of soap box now.

No one stated they expected their optician's office to adjust their online ordered glasses. I for one wouldn't even think of bringing them into an optician if I did not buy them there.

For the record, my glasses with my prescription would cost me a minimum of $300 for one pair with the cheapest frames at my local optician. I purchased two pairs for $92 online over three years ago and have not had the first problem. No adjusting needed, no fading or wearing of the lenses or frames and no missing nose pieces. Just because we are not being wasteful with our money does not mean that we can't get a quality pair of glasses.

 

[quentina]

Just don't expect the opticians at your doctor's office to adjust your cheap glasses for free everytime they warp or get too loose, etc... And if they are kind enough to adjust them for free, realize that they are not responsible for damages if the cheap quality things break during adjustment.

OK, off of soap box now.

Mine adjusts the "cheap glasses" for free all the time. We get our vision checked there and buy 1 pair (which insurance allows). My daughter is young and she is hard on the glasses so, I order from Zenni. I get 4 pairs for an average of $60.00.

I have never had them say no....they are very gracious.

 

[rock_doctor]

I order from $39 glasses all of the time. In fact, we just got my brothers glasses in the mail this afternoon... The PD is pupalar distance. Just get somebody (husband, boyfriend what ever) to measure the center of one pupal to the center of the other when looking straight ahead. I did my own by looking in the mirror. This must be fairly accurate as the focal center of the lenses will be wrong (don't panic get as close as you can). Measure in centimeters then times by 10 to convert to millimeters i.e. 6.3 cm will be entered as 63... No need to worry about it. Use to go through a set of glasses each year. I am hard on them so i got a set of the titanium wire frames and they have lasted for a couple years now. I get the high index refraction lenses that auto tint in the sun light.

 

[vacamomma]

Remember you get what you pay for when ordering online glasses. And don't be surprised when optical shops charge you a fee to adjust your frames or verify if your prescriptions are correct. Some things like healthcare should not be purchased online. Most offices will charge $30 or more to give out PD measurments, some won't give them out beacause they don't want to be liable if your order is made incorrectly. It's better to price compare 3 reputable shops At least you will have real people to help you. An online tech cannot replace your nosepads or adjust your frames. Just stay away from commision based shops.