Online eyeglasses

noppenbd · #1 (**permalink**) 07-18-2008, 04:55 PM

Has anyone tried zennioptical.com for eyeglasses? Clark Howard recommends them but I am a little leery of ordering eyeglasses over the internet. They are really cheap though!

disneysteve · #2 (**permalink**) 07-18-2008, 05:29 PM

I'v heard of the online places but I don't understand how you can possibly order glasses online. When I buy them in person, I usually spend half an hour trying on frames and going back and forth until I finally narrow it down to the ones I think look best. Then, the technician measures me so that the lenses are made properly centered. How exactly does all of that get done over the internet?

aukxsona · #3 (**permalink**) 07-18-2008, 11:05 PM

Eye Glasses For 25 Dollars

I reviewed the 25 dollar eye glasses. I personally love it!

noppenbd · #4 (**permalink**) 07-19-2008, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by disneysteve

I'v heard of the online places but I don't understand how you can possibly order glasses online. When I buy them in person, I usually spend half an hour trying on frames and going back and forth until I finally narrow it down to the ones I think look best. Then, the technician measures me so that the lenses are made properly centered. How exactly does all of that get done over the internet?

I am giving zenni a shot, I will let you know how it works out. It is for my wife, a pair of prescription sunglasses. On zenni's site they have a measurement for center-to-center distance of eyes. I just eyeballed it with a ruler. Pardon the pun. The total including shipping was $17.95, so if they end up looking terrible it is not a lot of money. They could also just end up being a backup pair.

disneysteve · #5 (**permalink**) 07-19-2008, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noppenbd

I am giving zenni a shot

The total including shipping was $17.95

Wow. That is really cheap. Definitely let us know the outcome.

msnln · #6 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 11:38 AM

I am wearing a Zennioptical glasses right now as I am responding. I got these last week after pricing out optician's prices in town at $200-$300. They wanted $75 just to replace the lenses for my new prescription. So, I said no thanks and decided to gamble with Zenni. For $8.99, even if the glasses did not fit, or something was wrong, I could not go too wrong. Anyway, I went with $8.99 frame/lens sets and added $4 for clip-on sunglasses for total $12.99 plus $4 shipping (grand total $16.99).
So far, I give the quality and fit A+. In fact, I was so happy, I ordered another set, to use as sunglasses.

I measured my old glasses for size and found closest matching demensions for new glasses. According to website, they only refund half the money if you are not happy so make sure you check and recheck everything.

sounderella · #7 (**permalink**) 07-21-2008, 03:01 PM

Wow...very interesting. I'll have to check this out

noppenbd · #8 (**permalink**) 07-31-2008, 01:30 PM

Wanted to give everyone an update on zenni. The prescription sunglasses came in about 1 week (less than the advertised 2 weeks) and my wife is really happy with them. She is harder to please than I am so that is saying something. The total cost was around $18 including $5 shipping (if they had not been sunglasses it would have been $5 less).

djabloel · #9 (**permalink**) 08-21-2008, 12:48 PM

I have bought eyeglasses online and am perfectly happy with them. I saved hundreds of dollars by not getting it at the optometerist clinic or even at Pearle vision or something. I bought mine at goggles4u.

MsAmian · #10 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 07:55 PM

I have bought several pairs of glasses from Zenni. Some were more successful than others in looking good on me, but I got one great-looking pair, two not-bad-looking, and one pair that are a little bold for my taste but kind of cool for something different.

For the four pair I spent less than $100, which is still far cheaper than the last pair I bought from my local optometrist's store. (Which, incidentally, I wasn't crazy about... apparently rimless glasses are best for thinner lense prescriptions than mine.)

Anyway, I'm very happy with Zenni and will definitely order again.

disneysteve · #11 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 08:00 PM

As I posted in my blog, my wife got new glasses a week or so ago. Well, she ordered new glasses. We went to Pearle after not finding anything that fit her at For Eyes or America's Best. Her glasses came in so we went over there on Saturday. She put them on and couldn't see clearly. They tried adjusting them but it didn't help. Finally, they determined that the curvature of the new lenses was less than the curvature of her current glasses. Most people aren't sensitive enough to notice the difference but she is. So they are making a new set of lenses.

See why we don't shop online?

I may try it for myself someday, though.

MsAmian · #12 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 08:12 PM

Hmmm... yeah, if she is that sensitive then the online thing probably isn't for her. My prescription is pretty straightforward and although sometimes things look wonky for a few days when I get new glasses I seem to adjust.

My first pair cost $8 plus around $4 for shipping. I figured that wasn't a lot to lose, considering the potential savings if it worked out.

disneysteve · #13 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MsAmian

My first pair cost $8 plus around $4 for shipping. I figured that wasn't a lot to lose, considering the potential savings if it worked out.

I'm certainly willing to give it a try for myself next time around.

djabloel · #14 (**permalink**) 09-06-2008, 11:24 PM

Do not get the PD (Pupillary distance) from your eye doctor when you get your glass prescription. You will need this to buy eyeglasses online.

Clearly Lenz · #15 (**permalink**) 02-10-2009, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djabloel

Do not get the PD (Pupillary distance) from your eye doctor when you get your glass prescription. You will need this to buy eyeglasses online.

djabloel,

You mean 'get' the PD from your eye doctor? Please check out my new online eyeglass website for a nice range of styles, great prices and speedy delivery. Thank you

feh · #16 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 12:07 PM

Wanted to provide some feedback regarding Zenni Optical - a few weeks ago I ordered some prescription sunglasses and was happy w/ the product. So, I also ordered a new pair of glasses for my son, whose prescription had changed.

Big thumbs up! I think I spent about $18 for mine and maybe $23 for my son's. Huge savings compared to the usual retailers.

Joan.of.the.Arch · #17 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 01:30 PM

Interesting, feh. I looked at zennioptical and some other sites this summer, but could not find the super good deals that people speak of in this thread and that I saw people on other sites excited about. Between the slightly higher prices and my distrust for getting a good fit and properly filled prescription, I decided against the risk. I ended up spending $49 at Walmart, but even that is the least I have ever spent on glasses. One day I will try an online seller, no doubt.

MonkeyMama · #18 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 05:05 PM

I am highly skeptical of getting a decent pair of glasses for $20-ish. (Though admittedly my current pair are about 6 years old. Since my prescription doesn't tend to change, quality is more important to me since I don't have to buy them so often).

I am also skeptical of getting right fit, etc.

BUT, it does sound like an awesome idea for a backup pair of glasses. Next time I order some glasses I may get an online backup pair to test them out. Maybe for some sunglasses? Definitely some interesting feedback.

feh · #19 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonkeyMama

I am highly skeptical of getting a decent pair of glasses for $20-ish. (Though admittedly my current pair are about 6 years old. Since my prescription doesn't tend to change, quality is more important to me since I don't have to buy them so often).

I am also skeptical of getting right fit, etc.

BUT, it does sound like an awesome idea for a backup pair of glasses. Next time I order some glasses I may get an online backup pair to test them out. Maybe for some sunglasses? Definitely some interesting feedback.

When I ordered my sun glasses, I was doing just that - testing the the company out. I've always wanted prescrip sunglasses, but never wanted to spend the money. For $20, I figured it was worth the risk.

The frames are pretty nice...no different from my primary glasses which I probably paid a couple hundred dollars for a few years ago.

ridilsht · #20 (**permalink**) 10-23-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

Interesting, feh. I looked at zennioptical and some other sites this summer, but could not find the super good deals that people speak of in this thread and that I saw people on other sites excited about. Between the slightly higher prices and my distrust for getting a good fit and properly filled prescription, I decided against the risk. I ended up spending $49 at Walmart, but even that is the least I have ever spent on glasses. One day I will try an online seller, no doubt.

it does sound like an awesome idea for a backup pair of glasses. Next time I order some glasses I may get an online backup pair to test them out. Maybe for some sunglasses? Definitely some interesting feedback.