Where to get inexpensive eyeglasses

MichaelZ · #1 03/28/14, 06:58 PM

In the past I have gotten glasses at Lens Crafters, but when all was said and done, I never walked out less than $300+ poorer, despite all their "deals". With two kids getting wisdom teeth out, we have nothing left in the HSA account for me, so I need to go cheap. What would you recommend? Either franchise or online. Is 39dollarglasses OK? I have a very current prescription btw. I wear bifocals, the regular type.

fnfalguy · #2 03/28/14, 07:13 PM

Ive had really great luck at zenni optical. Tried one pair from them and ended up buying five more for back ups.

fnfalguy · #3 03/28/14, 07:14 PM

Forgot the link. Www.zennioptical.com

MichaelZ · #4 03/28/14, 07:37 PM

Wow, they are cheap fnfalguy! Looks like I could buy about 10 or 15 pairs for what I forked over to Lenscrafters - THANKS!

oldmania · #5 03/28/14, 07:49 PM

We have bought 8 pair from Zenni. Great service. Check for coupon codes before checkout.

paradox · #6 03/28/14, 07:59 PM

Walmart has a large selection of cheaper frames.

DAVID In Wisconsin · #7 03/28/14, 08:51 PM

I have used Zenni and a few of the other online sellers for about 5 years now with great success.

paradox · #8 03/28/14, 09:09 PM

hmmm looking at Zenni but can't imagine buying frames without trying them on (or trying on like 40 pairs) to see how they look. What if you get them and hate them?

Cookie2 · #9 03/28/14, 09:14 PM

I've used WalMart or Sam's Club or any other big box store with an optical department. When I used WalMart, I simply looked in their "clearance frames" section and picked out a couple I liked. I went with the simplest lenses, without any coatings. I got a couple of pairs of glasses for under $50. They weren't great glasses but it was a lot better than not seeing.

MichaelZ · #10 03/28/14, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paradox

hmmm looking at Zenni but can't imagine buying frames without trying them on (or trying on like 40 pairs) to see how they look. What if you get them and hate them?

Not sure about Zenni, but I know other online glasses sites have a measuring method for you to use. At any rate, at $15-$30 a pair, I will take my chances. If nothing else for a spare pair. Right now I wear old-man's wire rim glasses that are very similar to what I wore in the 80's so looks have not been all that important

.

PNP Katahdins · #11 03/28/14, 09:36 PM

Michael, Paul and I always get safety glasses because of the farm. He has bifocals and I have trifocals. We went to the Monroe Shopko (regional chain like Walmart or Kmart or Target, for those not familiar with them) a year ago and have been satisfied. The AARP discount helped a lot though. The optometrist did very good exams as far as we could tell, just as good as the last one I had done in Platteville, and she didn't try to talk me out of safety glasses like the last place.

So if you are anywhere near a Shopko, think about that. It did take two trips, first for the exam and then to pick them up rather than have them mailed and not fit right.

Good luck.

Peg

Awnry Abe · #12 03/28/14, 09:50 PM

I've had pretty good results with Costco.

...you know...I wonder if restricting almost all of my shopping to one place is what it is like over in commie Russia? "Yes Boris. Here are your selections of frames. I'm sure you will find one that suits you. If you are having problems finding one, the vodka is in aisle 8."

Belfrybat · #13 03/29/14, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paradox

hmmm looking at Zenni but can't imagine buying frames without trying them on (or trying on like 40 pairs) to see how they look. What if you get them and hate them?

I just find a pair the same size and approximate shape to what I usually wear, then again, I don't wear them as a fashion accessory. The size of your glasses should be imprinted inside the ear piece. You can also upload a picture of yourself and try the glasses on virtually.

If they don't fit, Zenni will remake them for no charge. If you just don't like them, they will give you a 50% discount to replace them.

country friend · #14 03/29/14, 10:25 AM

I do not know if you just need them for reading or not but if reading glasses are all you need most drug stores sell them , here in Indiana dollar tree have them for $1.

snoozy · #15 03/29/14, 11:05 AM

Another vote for Zenni here. I've ordered from them several times, and have been happy with them. I get graduated bifocals with an extra lightweight lens material because otherwise, they'd be really thick and heavy. Usually comes to $100 for me, but that is massively less than buying from an eyeglasses place in town. Mind you, I bought the $9.95 glasses for my son in 3s, because either they break easily or he is hard on them. Either way, that is still cheaper than buying anywhere else, and it is awfully nice to already have spares for those "I broke my glasses at recess..." kind of days.

wogglebug · #16 03/29/14, 12:53 PM

Zenni have been around for a while, and their business is growing. That means they are keeping the customers they get, and getting new referral business from their old customers. Look at their website for frames and lenses. Particularly look at the measurements they want, and how to get them. The unusual one is the intraocular measurements - how far between your irises. Every optometrist uses that during fitting, but they don't usually give it out unless specifically asked, just because fitting is what distinguishes them from and gets the business from volume suppliers who supply an average size and hope it fits.

Cheryl in SD · #17 03/29/14, 03:10 PM

Zenni has a try on feature. Just upload your photo and you can "try on" the glasses before you order. Save the ones you like to your favorites and you can look at them all together and then choose. My husbands and I bought 6 pair from there for under $200, and it included light weight frames, sunglasses and bifocals!

wes917 · #18 03/29/14, 04:55 PM

I have also used zenni with great success. Can't beat them

Jennifer L. · #19 03/29/14, 05:08 PM

Zenni is great. For their prices I get second sets of sunglasses for the tractor in the summer, and for prescription glasses, that's wonderful. I'd never afford that second pair, otherwise.

bluefish · #20 03/29/14, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cheryl in SD

Zenni has a try on feature. Just upload your photo and you can "try on" the glasses before you order. Save the ones you like to your favorites and you can look at them all together and then choose. My husbands and I bought 6 pair from there for under $200, and it included light weight frames, sunglasses and bifocals!

I'm sorry, I know it's a typo, but it gave me the giggles!