Trying out zennioptical! UPDATE p. 2, post 17

[WDWAurora]

Well, I've read the wonderful reviews for zennioptical on here and other boards, so I decided to give them a try! I intended to after my last optometrist visit (about 1.5 yrs ago) and just never did. I went Thursday, and my glasses from 3 or so years ago are still current on their prescription, but they're starting to look at little rough. Even with vision insurance, glasses from Lenscrafters (attached to the eye doc I used) were going to be in the neighborhood of $300. Not sure what the point of the insurance is, but anyway. My last pair from Sam's Club, totally out of pocket, was less than $200. So...since I know I'll be going into the hospital in May when our first baby is born, I decided I wanted a back up option just in case mine broke or something.

I ended up ordering 3 pair on zenni! I spent about $40 with shipping, and I added anti-reflective coating to 2 of them. I can't wait for them to get here and see if I like them! If I do, that will be my primary source for glasses from now on, and I already have at least 2 coworkers who will be ordering from there (full-time glasses wearers, and one has 2 daughters that would need them as well, the other's hubby would). Since I'm only a partial wearer (mainly at night) I can't justify the high prices.

Anybody want to share experiences while I wait for mine to arrive?

 

[torinsmom]

I know most people had good experience with Zenni, but mine was not a good one. I ordered glasses from them in October 2008 and got them in January 2009. They are shipped out of China and subject to customs, so sometimes the packages get tied up there for weeks or months. Customer service was no help, as they had no idea when the glasses would get to them to send to me. Hopefully, you will have a better experience. The glasses were fine once I got them.

I ordered from 39dollarglasses.com after that fiasco. The glasses are made in the USA and I got them in 4 days. I would rather support a US company anyway if I can. Zenni has a California address, so I didn't know they shipped out of China until I called when the glasses hadn't come.

 

[lisaross]

i've made about 2 or 3 orders from Zenni for my son - they arrive quickly and are great...i ordere a couple of them as sunglasses. Will definitly be ordering again!

Good luck

 

[Zerosinthecloset]

I just got my first pair of glasses (plastics) from Glasses Unlimited yesterday....$9.99 plus $4.99 shipping. No more $200 glasses for me.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I'm glad to see this thread. I've been mulling over using an online eyeglass place. I have all the info. I including pupil distance. I need to just jump in and try it!

Let us know how you like your glasses, OP!

 

[MAGGIED]

I got mine and love them... they total $64 that was for no line bifocals with anti glare, the sun glasses clip on.. and shipping...

 

[WDWAurora]

DH measured the pupilary distance for me...it came out to 63.5, and they said 62 was average, so I figure he was right. I went with 63 (they don't have halfs). I can't wait! I like plastic frames anyway...2 pair that I ordered are plastic, one pair is mixed, and half-rimless, but they were still in the $8 section. I'm glad to hear some good reviews, and a caution...hopefully mine won't get stuck in customs! I'm figuring they'll get here at the end of next week.

 

[S. C.]

I always thought Zennieoptical was in California. Did they move to China?

 

[tekoa]

I did not have a good experience with their glasses. The earpieces are very cheesy. They are made in a way that I cannot bend them to fit. I am afraid I am going to snap them in half. I think I am in the minority though, most people are very happy with Zenni.

 

[roadtripper]

I've ordered about 8 pairs of glasses from zenni. My son throws his glasses and rolls over them in his wheelchair, so we were constantly getting new frames and lenses. Once I found a style that worked for him, I ordered several pair, so we have backups. The lenses on one pair did break, but that happened to the 'good' glasses, too. For 10 dollars or so a pair, I think they're great. Even my fashionista teenager wears hers from zenni.

 

[torinsmom]

I always thought Zennieoptical was in California. Did they move to China?

See, that's what I thought too, until I had a problem(not getting the glasses for three months). I called the customer service number, which IS in California, and was told the glasses are made in China and then shipped here. The idea I got was that they are shipped to California and then shipped out to your address. I guess not though, as mine came with Chinese postage all over it. I think they know it may turn some customers off or make them nervous regarding shipping times.

Here is there shipping information:

PRODUCTION AND SHIPPING SCHEDULE

SINGLE VISION: In most instances, a single vision pair of glasses will be delivered in approximately 2 weeks after the placement of the order. If you’re ordering single vision, and you’re on the West Coast of the U.S., the period may be shorter. Most non-domestic single vision orders arrive in approximately two weeks of placement of the order, and are shipped directly from our overseas lab via Hong Kong Post.

MULTI-FOCAL: A multi focal pair of glasses (lined bi-focals or progressives) requires approximately two and a half to three weeks (extra options) for delivery from the date of the order, in most cases.

ADDITIONAL OPTIONS: If you’ve ordered extra options such as tint, anti-reflective coating or a photochromic lens, this time may be extended by several days. From time to time, procurement of the high index and photochromic lens blanks may be delayed and the orders may take up to approximately three weeks for single vision and 4 weeks for a progressive, at the outside. This happens rarely, but can occur unexpectedly.

SHIPPING INFO: Orders shipped within the US are done via first class United States Postal Service and take approximately 2-5 days for delivery after leaving our office in California, holidays and weekends considered. There is no expedited shipping available. You are welcome to call the office a day or two prior to the expected receipt date for the tracking number. We tend to under promise and over deliver in many instances, but there are things beyond our control which affect delivery schedules (such as random Customs’/FDA inspections, postal misrouting, lab annual holiday closures, etc. These are not things over which Zenni Optical has any control, nor does Zenni Optical have any way in which to intervene to expedite the delivery under these circumstances.)

IF YOU ARE REQUESTING SHIPPING INFORMATION, PLEASE HAVE YOUR ORDER NUMBER AVAILABLE FOR A FASTER RESPONSE.

SHIPPING DELAYS: To help assure that your order is delivered timely, it is important that you enter your address correctly. We use United States Postal Service software for mailing label preparation. The computer only reads precisely what you’ve entered. It does not capitalize, space or punctuate for you. If you’re having your glasses shipped to a commercial address, you must indicate that the glasses are to be delivered in care of the company name. The Postal Service does not recognize individuals at commercial addresses. If you leave out your street number, or run your address all together, the Postal Service will return the shipment, causing you further delay and expense in receiving your eyeglasses.

PERSONAL MEDICAL CONSIDERATIONS: Please be informed that if you have severe medical conditions and needs which dictate that you have your glasses by a precise date, you are advised, and it is your responsibility, to purchase your eyewear from a source directly in your immediate control.

DELAYS: Our prices are available because you are purchasing directly from the manufacturer, and our labs are overseas. This distance, the fact that we ship via the postal service, and all foreign shipments are subject to random Customs and FDA inspections, may create unanticipated delays from time to time, over which Zenni Optical has no control, nor contingent liability.

 

[TheLittleRoo]

We found Zenni Optical and tried them for replacement glasses for my daughter, thinking if it was a total flop, THEN we'd cough up the $150 for a new pair with lenses at Costco or Wal-Mart.

As it turned out, we loved all three pairs I ordered. My daughter is 8 and already feels awkward about having to wear glasses, so my idea was to get her several different colored frames and see them as 'accessories' that she could coordinate with her outfit. The people at Costco measured her pupilary distance for us, and I measured her old frames width in mms and then we just tried to stick to frame shapes that she's already had and likes.

I think it took about 2 weeks to get the package and each pair was a great fit and she loved them. No problems for us, and it cost me about $49 shipped for all three pair!!

Look at it this way, for less than the cost of just the lenses, you can order 3 complete pair of glasses. If you don't like them, I think Zenni will refund 1/2 of your cost, so you're out almost nothing. In my book, that's a very low risk for potentially a large savings!

My 15 y/o son was recently told he needs glasses to read the white boards at school - - we'll see how my skills hold up helping him pick with no old frames to use as a guide to what looks good on him! Not to mention the teen angst about even finding a pair that 'looks good' enough!

I say it's a risk worth taking for the low, low cost.

 

[windycitymom]

I've ordered from them multiple times and they have always arrived within two weeks. No complaints here.

 

[fakereadhed]

Be aware that it's Chinese New Year and everything shuts down for that. Orders placed now may take much longer than usual. Had a problem with that at this time last year, but have placed other orders that take only a week or two.

 

[bavaria]

Be aware that it's Chinese New Year and everything shuts down for that. Orders placed now may take much longer than usual. Had a problem with that at this time last year, but have placed other orders that take only a week or two.

This year it is actually very late - Feb 14th. However having worked in both China and HK over Chinese New Year, I agree. People tend to take off the week leading up to and sometimes days after. Ordering in the next week or two will probably impact the delivery time.

I own over a half dozen pairs of Zenni glasses, as do most of my colleagues in Asia. They are much more like the styles we see around Asia and Europe.

And most importantly, I tried a few times in America to have glasses made for my very unusual prescription with no success. My $20something glasses work far better than the $600 ones I paid for in past.

In fact, I plan to order a few more pairs shortly.


Edited to add: if you want to see photos of how they look on 'real' people, I stumbled across this thread on a pet website (of all places!) by doing a Google search for zenni. It is a little outdated and many of the styles may no longer exist, but it gives a better idea than just looking at the website. There is 21 pages of dicussion about the glasses, from people around the world. http://www.goosemoose.com/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,118/forum,rabbit/topic,4046151.msg4684198/,

 

[fakereadhed]

Bavaria, I agree! My Zenni glasses are better than the glasses I got at the optometrist office a few weeks ago. I couldn't see out of them and they checked the PD and it was off on the left eye by 5mm. I would have paid $425 for those without insurance! Than goodness my Zenni order came in before those so I had some decent glasses- ones that I could actually see out of!

 

[WDWAurora]

My 3 pairs came today (less than 2 weeks after ordering). I'm really happy! I didn't get anti-reflective coating on one pair, and I can tell a difference. I like 2 pairs a lot, the 3rd is a little big, but still fine. The prescription and PD seems correct in all 3. WOOHOO for a great buy! $40 for all 3 was definitely worth it.

 

[lisaross]

Does anyone get Antireflective for their kids? where i order my glasses the lady said not to as they r too fragile - just wondering as i'm going to order a couple of pair for my kids this spring from Zenni...always need backups in the summer w/camp, they r either loosing them, OR breaking them!

 

[Janet100]

Has anyone gotten transitional lenses done by this company? The no line bifocal? If so, were they okay? I'm going to get my first pair and I heard that they have to be fitted to your eye just right.

 

[puffkin]

Has anyone gotten transitional lenses done by this company? If so, were they okay? I'm going to get my first pair and I heard that they have to be fitted to your eye just right.

My mom did. She got two pair and no problems. It did seem to take them longer to get them (about 3 weeks) but she says they are great, especially considering she paid $60/pair rather than the $500/pair at the Dr. office!