My Zenni optical order--Update post 14

[patsal]

arrived today and I am so pleased I can't even believe it! I ordered 2 pair for DD. One regular and one sunglasses. I can't believe how nice these frames are. I will be calling the eye Dr. on Monday to get my script and DH's (DS just uses his for reading , but I wish I had known about this before forking over $179. for his). Anyway, from someone who has spent well over $1000 on frames and lenses this past year, a huge thanks for the information on this place and for the savings I will continue to have. They took 15 days to arrive but they were so worth the wait.
If your iffy, really it is worth the try.

 

[lisaross]

Great - i ordered two pairs for my son about 13 days ago hoping they fit him well!

lisa

 

[sueh]

I purchased my glasses back in March and I have been very pleased with them.

After I get back from my trip I may look into ordering a couple different styles.

 

[semo233]

After reading all of the great reviews on DIS, I made appointments for myself and my daughter (we needed them anyway).

How did you decide on a frame? Did you try frames on at the doctor's office and then write anything down? I'm wondering about the measurements the offer and what would be the right size for me.

 

[brittsmum1998]

I recently had an exam and spent $400 on glasses

I'm wondering if I need a written script to send to them or can I get my measurements over the phone? TIA, Kim

 

[twinsplusone]

This is so good to hear. I ordered dd (7) a pair of sunglasses and I got another pair with the sunshade. All for around $45. I'm excited to get them.

 

[lisaross]

Just got my order - exactly two weeks! I got two pair for my son who is 8! 1 pair were the 8.00 glasses - and they look great on him the other pair was also an 8.00 pair but i added the tint to make them sunglasses - but i just did 50% tint - as i want him to get use to them! He is so happy w/them. I was nervous about the size but they are perfect! Does anyone know if they have "sports" glasses for kids? guess i can always call!

Now he wants me to order more - i told him wait till Sept. to make sure his prescription stays the same!

lisa

 

[aprilvaca04]

I recently had an exam and spent $400 on glasses

I'm wondering if I need a written script to send to them or can I get my measurements over the phone? TIA, Kim

I just ordered a pair for my daughter on Wednesday. I had almost all the script numbers I needed except the PD number so i just called lenscrafters and they gae me the number. She got her first pair of glasses this past May for almost $500 so I was more thern willing to try these for a back up pair. We can't wait to get them.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

I'm so excited to continue to hear good Zenni's reports. Ours should be here next week and I'll let you know!

Everyone I tell is amazed at the 5 pairs for $45, and I'd like to be able to back that up with a description of how good they are!

 

[Wendy*Darling]

Is there an option to have the doctor's office fax a copy of the prescription or call it in or something? My son's eye doctor is out of town for vacation for 2 weeks and they won't give me the prescription without his signature. I've asked for it over the phone and was told that legally they can't give it to me that way, that they can call it in to a company making glasses or fax them a note from the office but it has to be given to me with a doctor's signature.

 

[kellia]

Thanks for the updates!! I am ordering some as soon as I go to Walmart again so I can get my script. Can't wait to replace my glasses that are super-glued together! (Don't worry, they are only worn after the contacts come out at home.)

What type of frames did you guys get? Are the $8 ones really any good?

 

[HappyCamperToo]

Are the $8 ones really any good?

I imagine they are less money because of the styling, not because of the materials from which they are made. That's all we ordered, so I'll let you know when they get here---hopefully in a few days!

 

[Cindy B]

After reading all of the great reviews on DIS, I made appointments for myself and my daughter (we needed them anyway).

How did you decide on a frame? Did you try frames on at the doctor's office and then write anything down? I'm wondering about the measurements the offer and what would be the right size for me.

I took a tape measure and measured out my frames (glasses and sunglasses). My tape measure was in inches so then I converted that number to milimeters. I also used an inches/cm ruler.

Once I had the numbers for both glasses, I went to Zenni and looked at what they had and matched up with the numbers. The ones I ordered were only 2 mm different on the width and I figured I could live with a 2 mm difference. How small is 2 mm anyway?

 

[patsal]

We played with the ones we already own to get an idea for frame shape and size. The $8.00 are at least as good as the $79-$119 I've purchased from the optical.
You do not need a written script to fax to them or anything so you'll have to wait for your DR. to get back for the signature on the script. Ask for the PD to save yourself the trouble of trying to measure your own.

Also, I cornered my Uncle at the fourth of July party--he works in an optical and fits glasses, cuts lenses, etc. He said they are great until they need to be repaired. Check the screws on them, they are philip's head and all others are regular so local places can't replace the screw and or tighten them since they do not have the tools for them--and the screws are a bit bigger than any optical carries locally. For those of you that have the Zenni ones compare them to your other glasses and you'll see what I am saying. The way I figured it, for $8.00 I can replace them if they break, and I can't remember the last time I had a pair that needed to be adjusted or repaired in that manner so I'd take my chances. But I told him I'd share with you all, please do not get angry at the place you ask to fix them if they cannot. He said he has had a few people stop in and ask for help with them and when he couldn't repair them they went ballistic on him. Please remember if you didn't buy them from the optical you stop at, they are willing to help you, but it isn't their fault if they cannot replace a screw that they do not carry.

 

[tiggr33]

He said they are great until they need to be repaired. Check the screws on them, they are philip's head and all others are regular so local places can't replace the screw and or tighten them since they do not have the tools for them--and the screws are a bit bigger than any optical carries locally. For those of you that have the Zenni ones compare them to your other glasses and you'll see what I am saying.

With all due respect, that is not entirley true. I have quite expensive Italian frames that have phillips screws. The type of screw alone does not denote a level of quality. Small phillips head screwdrivers are widely available, and I have never had a problem getting my frames adjusted professionally at locations I did nto purchase them at.

 

[Cindy B]

thanks for the update about the repairs. I usually don't need repairs either but for $8 I can take that chance as well.
My order should be coming soon.

 

[EthansMom]

We had a missing screw replaced on DH's Zenni glasses at our local optometrist's with no problems.

 

[HappyCamperToo]

The Zenni's are here. The Zenni's are here.

It only took 1 1/2 weeks. I've got them on now and can tell you that my need for bifocals, which manifests itself into reading glasses while I have my contacts in, is not as apparent while I'm wearing eye glasses! This is a surprise, since I've been wearing contacts for longer than I've needed bifocals/reading glasses. I can see just fine through the new Zenni's at a distance, mid range like a computer screen, and can even read, as long as I don't hold things way too close.

My DD measured my PD as 61, using the ruler technique they described, but when we went to Wal-Mart to pick up her contacts, I asked them to measure me and found I was really a 59. I don't think it's a noticable difference. If I had plans to wear these all day, I'd reorder some more and get the PD right.

The quality of the frames seems nice. Each pair came packed in its own hard clam shell case. The lenses are polycarbonate--you can tell that they're thinner than they'd be for my prescription in regular plastic lenses. I didn't pay extra for this. It is a straight $8 pair--no extras for anything.

The one noticable drawback is you have to make your own adjustments to the temples. Most eyeglass places will do a curtesy adjustment, but it seems weird to buy them from a discount on-line store and then use the services of the places which charge you more. DD didn't need any adjusting, but I'm more particular. Still, by gently bending, I've been able to get them to fit me just fine!

Thank you to all those who steered me to Zenni's. DD loves at least two of the 4 pair, one was a little wider than she envisioned, and the last is a really funky lilac shade of purple which I think she'll love more once she's wearing the right outfit. Glasses she can change just like her shoes! And even less enpensive than most of her shoes....

 

[4Seasons]

I just got my $8 pair today (ordered 7/5) and I'm THRILLED!!
They actually look nicer than the current ones I paid over $150 for.

They are really cute and I can see perfectly. I'm definately going to be ordering a few more pairs. Oh and these don't have philips screws, they are straight.

Thanks to whoever it was who mentioned Zenni!

 

[zoemurr]

We played with the ones we already own to get an idea for frame shape and size. The $8.00 are at least as good as the $79-$119 I've purchased from the optical.
You do not need a written script to fax to them or anything so you'll have to wait for your DR. to get back for the signature on the script. Ask for the PD to save yourself the trouble of trying to measure your own.

My Drs office would not give out the PD#. I wanted to order my DD a pair of sunglasses.. I spent $270 on her regular glasses (Coach brand for a 6yr old.. not sure what we were thinking.. but she's had them for 3 years so far.) Anyway, they had no problem giving me the script, but when I asked for the PD they said that would make them liable if there were any problems? How is that different from giving me the other #s? I know we can measure it fairly well, but I was not happy.