Eyeglasses online recs?

kellya01

Hey ladies,

My FI got his eye exam just a few days ago and needs to get new glasses.  Are there any websites for purchasing a complete pair of glasses that you would recommend?  He'd like to be able to try on the frames before ordering, if that is even possible.  He is VERY concerned about price and doesn't want to pay the $250 that most optical stores want.  He's found a frame he likes (from Wrangler) but with the 1.67 High-Index lenses, it will be $244 plus tax through Wal-mart optical, and that's the cheapest we've found.  Thanks for your help!! 

HobokensFury

$244 for Walmart is very expensive.  By me they have glasses starting at $40.  FI got 3 pairs of them (in different colors) because he loves them so much.

kellya01

Well, I guess his problem is more in the lenses required -- he has to have the 1.67 high-index lenses, and at wal-mart they are $85 per lens.  So, after the frame price... which for the pair he liked was $74, plus $85 per lens, it adds up quickly.  His vision is such that he can't have the "free" lenses that most optical places offer (I think it's 1.51 or something like that).  

We are planning to go to w-m together (he went alone last time) to look, maybe he'll find a frame that is less expensive he likes.  Still hoping for something online too, especially if they'll let him try on the frames first... 

kellya01

Okay, I've come across www.ZenniOptical.com.  Does anyone have experience ordering your glasses from them?  Are you satisfied with the product, did you have problems, was it a great bargain for a great product, or was this a case of "you get what you pay for?"  We just can't see spending over $200 on glasses.  His insurance only reimburses up to about $100 on glasses, so if we ordered through this site, it would essentially be "free" with the insurance reimbursement. 

Are there other websites out there we should check out? 

msgraphics

A number of people in my office swear by zennioptical.com The glasses look nice and are the cheapest that I've ever seen. My coworker showed me her new pair a few weeks ago and was joyous over paying $35. You need to have an eye exam and have someone measure your nose. 

That being said, I have a high prescription and a severe astigmatism.  I always insist on feather weight or my lenses would look like coke bottles (not cool) therefore i have never tried them, plus my insurance coverage requires me to go to a specific store.

Another option is to purchase your frames online (at a discount), and go to a store for lenses. Did you ask the price for frames and lenses separately? Also, eyeglass stores are always willing to bargain, I have never paid the first price they offered me.  You can always check out discount eyeglass stores, there is a local chain in my area that would fit into your price range.  And do you have AAA? There is often a discount associated with that.

Good Luck

Ashley9+10+11

we use goggles4u.com and eyebuydirect.com they both work very nice!!!

kellya01

My FI's doctor said he needed 1.67 lens which Zenni does offer... he was skeptical about the "coke bottle" effect too.  Eye Care Associates called it "spectra-lite" or something, which I think is specific to their particular optical store... although we're doing some more research.

On a positive note... I did a live chat with Zenni just a bit ago and they said that if he wants to try on frames what he can do is order frames only (which are 50% of the listed price), then return them, and upon return it is a 25% restocking fee.  So, to try on 5 frames he is interested in, it will be $44 plus shipping, but when he returns them, he'll get $33 back.  So... roughly $15 to try on frames, that's not so bad.  Plus, since he could get a complete pair for $70 or less, spending the $15 to get the right frames might be well worth it compared to the $250 we were looking at with Wal-Mart, Eye Care Associates, or other optical places in town.  

I love shopping online so this thing might be really really good for him... plus if he wants prescription sunglasses, we could get those really cheap too!! 

Any other suggestions are welcome... we won't be able to order until after the Holidays.  

kellya01

AH, just saw Ashley9+10+11's post -- will check into it!!  Thanks!!!