Rave for Walmart Optical (so far)!

[ThisIsTheYear]

I took my son to the eye doctor today and he needs new lenses. Back in January we bought an entire pair from Costco which was $100 (we were reimbursed by my DH's insurance). This time, I knew I wanted to get him Tranistion lenses (or similar) because his eyes are very sensitive to light. The eye doctor wanted $260 and that is for 3 day processing. Insurance only covers glasses every 2 years. I really didn't want him without his glasses for a few days, a week or 10 days (Costco), so I called Lenscrafters, Pearle Vision, etc. they wanted the same price. At least they were same day processing though.

So I went to Walmart. They told me they have a machine that will scan the size of his lenses. Then, it will take a week for them to come in and at that time they will take out the old lenses and put in the new ones. So, the cost for the transitions lenses is $80 and it was an addition $10 to have them scanned so my son isn't without glasses for a week!

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

When my DD started wearing glasses last year we visited all of the optical places looking at and pricing frames with transition lenses. All were in the $300 range PLUS extra for the breakage guarantee. Finally I said, well let's try Walmart. She found a frame that she loved for about $30 and with lenses the total was about $180 WITH a year breakage guarantee. We aren't even looking any place else this year.

 

[LilyWDW]

I will never use Walmart Optical again. They had me with lenses that I did not need and that cost SO much more then what I did need. There were other issues as well. I finally switched because their suggestion for an eye infection (due to allergies) was to just not wear my contacts. I went elsewhere and ended up needing 2 different medications to help clear it up and I STILL have issues with that eye.

Also, unless you went with the super cheap frames, the price was not that different... and the cheap frames are cheap for a reason.

 

[Lewisc]

I think COSTCO gives the best value. Good selection of reasonably priced, designer style frames. Quality lenses. Good service.

People looking for the lowest price should look at internet vendors like zenni optical. You can get transitions lenses, with frames, for $76. Other places might be a little cheaper.

Wal Mart is very limited in what they offer. They won't handle prescriptions other places handle.

Replacing the frame and lenses gives you a backup pair of glasses. People who have prescription sunglasses always have that as an emergency backup. People who only have a pair of glasses with transition lenses don't have that.

 

[Nik's Mom]

My mom had a really bad experience with Walmart optical. It was a wrong prescription for her, plus the bifocals were way off. She ended up having to go to another place to get a pair that would work for her. But I realize that every Walmart is different. I'm sure the op is happy with their experience and there are probably Walmarts that do offer good service.

I've been looking in to Zenni optical. I'm going to our eye doctor next week to get new prescriptions. I hope she doesn't give me a hard time because I don't plan on buying glasses through her office. I just need the prescription.

Here is Zenni optical's website, if anyone is interested. http://www.zennioptical.com/

 

[vacamomma]

I love finding a great deal! My family has been using Walmart and Sam's Opticals for years with no problems. The associates we've encounterd are always professional and their employees do not make a commission on their sales so no pushy sales people to deal with

 

[Jeff_G]

I will also say I have used their one year replacement plan, DS glasses fell out of his back pack side pocket (we had a talk about leaving glasses not in their case in the backpack), and someone stepped on them, broke the frame and cracked the lenses on the edges ever so slightly. I brought them into wal-mart, then gave us a new frame, scanned the lenses put the old lenses into the frames while they ordered new lenses. Swapped in the new lenses when they came in the following week…


DW will be trying her third OD next time, she has a normal contact order but we keep running into some shoddy business practices. The first one would never give us an itemized listing of what she was buying and or what the treatment costs ( we do not do vision insurance), they would just tell her the amount after the appt with one pair of contacts on order. We had to fight them to get the prescription so we could order contacts online. So she tried another OD, he puts her into a contact that is not sold online and can only be ordered through his office! And of course no prescription!!! BTW state law says the OD must present you a written prescription upon request.

 

[Lstar311]

I've been happy with Walmart too. My son had to get glasses last year when he was 3 and my ped ophthamologist recommended going to Walmart. We found a pair that he liked and love the fact that if they break they replace them for free. Amazingly enough they haven't broken yet but we have been back for readjustments and because the screw has fallen out a few times and they don't charge us and its very quick. It looks like their children's selection has gotten smaller though so I am a bit disappointed about that.

 

[ThisIsTheYear]

OP here-
So, the day after Walmart scanned his frames, they broke! Just my luck. I went back to Costco where I originally bought the glasses in January. They were able to warranty them, however they don't have his frames in stock anymore. So I called Walmart right there and they said they can refund my money. I received my $90 back and my son got new transitions lenses with frame, for $40 (the extra $40 was for the transitions). Also, since the broken glasses are still wearable, he doesn't have to go a week without his glasses. All because they decided to break when they did. lol I guess I'm still raving for Walmart because they gave me my money back on custom lenses.