Ordering prescription glasses on-line: Any recommendations?

copperkid3 · #1 12/24/09, 02:06 PM

Went thru this last year when we went to America's Best to "try" and get our prescriptions and then had
the hassle where they called us several weeks later to tell us (1) pair of glasses were in and we could pick them up.
Had to go round and round with them (and our credit card company) that we NEVER ordered any glasses
and to please send us the prescriptions only......to date we got a refund on the glasses, but not on the
prescriptions and we are STILL WAITING on those. In the meantime, we went into our local SAMS CLUB
and had our eyes examined and then requested and were given our prescriptions. Right now, the wife is leaning
towards 39dollarglasses.com as the best deal for her, and is in the process of ordering on-line, but we decided
to come here to ask the members the good, bad and the BEST place they would recommend.

BTW: In case anyone is wondering, I would NEVER recommend going to America's Best to ANYONE.......
they are thieves and liars and can't even get a simple request of getting a couple of prescriptions sent thru the mail......
SAMS CLUB on-the-other hand, is a 5***** ranking; easy to get to, quick and courteous service and provided
the prescription the same day!!! We even went back later to have them measure pupil distance
(which we'd neglected to ask about at the time) and they cheerfully did it.....no extra cost either.

jcatblum · #2 12/24/09, 02:30 PM

After one of my girls lost her $200 pair of glasses the first day she wore them, I refused to buy pricey glasses again!

We now buy them at this site.
http://www.zennioptical.com

First time I told my daughter pick whatever she wanted. We ended up with 4 pr of glasses for $95. EVERY place we go people talk about her cute glasses. I am not sure if I would be brave enough to order adult glasses there, personally I want to try mine on.

So far she has only broken 1 pr. Which is pretty good for her! We will be ordering more soon.

It takes 2 wks to get your glasses, but for the $$$ it is worth the wait!

Freeholder · #3 12/24/09, 02:41 PM

I got my last pair of glasses from Zenni (site listed above), and they are good quality and fit well. They ask for a whole bunch of measurements, so I just measured my old pair, which fit well, and used those figures. I'm not totally happy with these glasses as they are progressive lenses and are a nuisance, but I guess that's the price we pay for getting older. I don't think it's anything that Zenni did wrong, just my eyes!

Kathleen

DAVID In Wisconsin · #4 12/24/09, 02:42 PM

I second zenni optical. Good service and fast shipping with very low prices.

rkintn · #5 12/24/09, 03:45 PM

Definitely Zenni optical! I had some problems w/the Walmart vision center refusing to give me my pupillary distance measurement. Googled PD and found out it was something I could do myself. Haven't had any problems and I love my glasses

Freya · #6 12/24/09, 04:51 PM

I will ditto Zeni Optical.

I do want to add in that I LOVE America's Best Eyeglasses! I have been to alot of eye places in several states and they have by far been the best!!! We normally get our glasses in 7-10 days, and they have never messed up the script. I also ALWAYS ask for a copy of the prescription right there and they have always handed me one. Only once did they take 2 1/2 weeks and I was sent a "sorry" letter in the mail with a coupon for it.

You have apparently gotten a bad location. I would complain to the headquarters!!!!!

Ken Scharabok · #7 12/24/09, 05:33 PM

A friend buys frames she likes at a flea market for a buck or two and then has her new prescription put into them. Saves her quite a bit each time.

gran26 · #8 12/24/09, 06:49 PM

I purchased my glasses thru the $39.glass.com you mentioned; I have had them several years and been very pleased with both the glasses and the service provided.

L.A. · #9 12/24/09, 07:37 PM

Yep, Zenni. Have had great experience with them

L.A.

windswept · #10 12/25/09, 04:10 PM

I also think Zenni is a good bet. I used the measurements from a previous frame I liked and my new pair fits and looks great. I also have a fairly strong prescription (-3.5) and I am completely satisfied with the look and feel of the standard lens (instead of paying more for a thinner lens). So I now have glasses I really like for $15.00 including shipping!
I was also impressed that the glasses came in a hard case and included a microfiber cleaning cloth- I never got either of those when spending over $100 for a pair of glasses before!

cathleenc · #11 12/25/09, 04:57 PM

I like Zenni for standard prescriptions - my first and only pair of bi-focals were a total disaster. I think I needed to go in person to an optician and get fitted/measured and offered followup to help me adjust/make sure they worked. If you are used to bi-focals then you could probably order with confidence from Zenni.

tallpines · #12 12/25/09, 05:13 PM

When ever I get new frames, there seems to be so many adjustments before I can begin to get use to them --- in regard to the no-line bifocals.

How do you get then adjusted correctly when you order them on-line?

mellba · #13 12/25/09, 06:23 PM

I've ordered from Zenni Optical several times and always had good luck. I wear progressives and MIL wears lined bifocals and we have both been pleased with our glasses from them. The only problem I have with Zenni is they require a frame be at least 32mm high for bifocals, and I'd like smaller glasses.

Old Swampgirl · #14 12/25/09, 06:38 PM

Zenni Optical is great. I got a pair of single vision (no bifocals) for $12.95 & that was including shipping.

Polly in NNY · #15 12/26/09, 06:18 AM

We have used http://eyebuydirect.com
We've gotten glasses from them three times now and are very happy with the service, availability of frame styles, options, and price. The last order I sent in was for two pair of glasses. Total charge was $22 and some change. Arrived within 9 days and also received a coupon off our next order.

tallpines · #16 12/26/09, 07:40 AM

Where do you go to get mail order glasses adjusted?

Polly in NNY · #17 12/27/09, 06:31 AM

I have a friend who is an optician and gladly does this for us. Also if I have any questions she answers them before I order.

Jan in CO · #18 12/28/09, 09:23 PM

We've bought from Zenni a few times too, and been satisfied except for one pair hubby got, that had a tiny, visible letter on the lens. Drove him nuts. He returned them, and got another pair that also had that tiny 'd' on the center of the lens. We figured they sent back the same pair, but the lady swore she had his first pair in her hand while talking to me. Took them to another shop in town, and the rep there said 'all' bifocals have that, but that it shouldn't be visible. He eventually got used to it. Great place to get the titanium frames for a cheap price, instead of paying hundreds at Lenscrafters, etc. They do tell you how to measure the distance between your pupils, and it's easy. Jan in Co

Ravenlost · #19 12/29/09, 12:36 AM

I've been buying my eyeglasses from Zenni Optical for several years now. I've never been unhappy with a singe pair I've received. Strangely enough, I've never needed to have any of them adjusted and none of them have ever hurt my ears or nose. I'll never get them anywhere else!

Mrs_stuart · #20 12/29/09, 10:06 PM

I have ordered a pair from $39glasses.com and they were great...I found a free shipping code on line too so my order was only $39. I went and "shopped" at walmart first and tried on a bunch of frames and when I found some that I liked, I wrote down the measurements and such and had dd take a quick snapshot... to that info home and got a pair that are almost exactly the same... walmart wanted almost $300 for them and all I spent was $39... My $39 are good quality and I have adjusted them myself...I have been wearing glasses for 30 years, and it doesn't bother me to do so...they needed very little adjusting, only the part over the ear, since i have a small head.

Belinda