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Buying Glasses/Contact online

KyouguKyougu Registered User regular
in Help / Advice Forum
Anyone have any experience? I'm always hearing and seeing ads about how it's much cheaper, but I never done it.

Any credible sites? I have insurance (EyeMed) and the results from my last eye exam, so I'm thinking of going this route.

Posts

  • SentrySentry Registered User regular
    I ordered a pair from Zennioptical and they are awesome. They fit perfectly and look better then my 200 dollar pair from Eyemasters.
    Oh, and they cost me 15 bucks, including shipping.

    YMMV but I was incredibly happy with the pair I got.

    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
    wrote:
    When I was a little kid, I always pretended I was the hero,' Skip said.
    'Fuck yeah, me too. What little kid ever pretended to be part of the lynch-mob?'
  • NotYouNotYou Registered User regular
    I shopped around for the cheapest possible option of my contacts brand on google. I'd suggest you do the same. Unless you find a site that is committing outright FRAUD, then it doesn't matter where you order from. The contacts come packaged by the manufacturer. The site only handles sealed boxes.

    For cheap glasses, I'd suggest warby parker. They have great try-on/return policies.

  • ceresceres When the last moon is cast over the last star of morning And the future has past without even a last desperate warningRegistered User, Moderator Mod Emeritus
    I use 1800CONTACTS, and they've been great. I've never had good enough vision insurance that my disposables were covered so I don't know how they handle that, though.

    And it seems like all is dying, and would leave the world to mourn
  • DaenrisDaenris Registered User regular
    edited January 2013
    I've ordered from 1800contacts, and also JustLenses and never had any issues. JustLenses in my experience has been like half the price of buying them from the eye doctor. Although check with your eye doctor, because some places will do price matching with online sites if you show them.

    Daenris on
  • azith28azith28 Registered User regular
    There are a lot of factors in this decision for glasses at least.
    Can you handle the typical plastic lenses they like to use without a problem? My perscription never works with them, i have to get a special polymer.
    Have you worn glasses before? if this is your first time, i highly recommend getting fitted in person because your likely to want to return them at least once for adjustment.
    How strong is your perscription? If you could go to the reading glasses section of walmart and pick out a pair that work great for you then sure, order online.

    Contacts are a bit easier...assuming you got fitted correctly, doesnt really matter where you get them.

    Stercus, Stercus, Stercus, Morituri Sum
  • UsagiUsagi Nah Registered User regular
    ceres wrote: »
    I use 1800CONTACTS, and they've been great. I've never had good enough vision insurance that my disposables were covered so I don't know how they handle that, though.

    Same, I've been very happy with them! Sometimes there's a bit of a delay in shipping the contacts but I have a rather strong prescription (-8.5 in both eyes) so it's not that surprising.

    I've also ordered glasses online at Warby Parker--I liked them a lot, the glasses are a good quality, their customer service is fabulous (they misplaced one of the pairs I ordered, replaced them next day and gave me my money back), and they have ultra thin lenses available which is a must when you have bad eyes. I like their try-on program, but I realize that they have a particular style of glasses that may not be for everyone.

  • LilnoobsLilnoobs Alpha Queue Registered User regular
    edited January 2013
    Sometimes the local eye doctor will price match what you find online (contacts). You may want to ask about that.

    Lilnoobs on
  • spool32spool32 Contrary Library Registered User, Transition Team regular
    Sentry wrote: »
    I ordered a pair from Zennioptical and they are awesome. They fit perfectly and look better then my 200 dollar pair from Eyemasters.
    Oh, and they cost me 15 bucks, including shipping.

    YMMV but I was incredibly happy with the pair I got.

    I also order glasses for my kids from this place. Takes a while to arrive, but my optometrist says they're perfect, and they hold up well, and they're so cheap it doesn't matter if the kids lose a pair.

  • NightDragonNightDragon 6th Grade Username Registered User regular
    edited January 2013
    I used to use 1800Contacts, but then I switched over to Coastal because I learned their prices for Acuvue Oasys were WAAAAY cheaper (also considering the cost of shipping). I've used them multiple times now and have been very pleased with 'em. They send email deals once in awhile, too. (Right now they even have a 10% off code available!)

    Also, I've heard that you can get a free pair of eyeglasses from them (only once), but I've never tried that so I'm not sure if there are any catches. From what I've read, there aren't...so it may be worth checking out.

    NightDragon on
  • noir_bloodnoir_blood Registered User regular
    NightDragon wrote: »
    I used to use 1800Contacts, but then I switched over to Coastal because I learned their prices for Acuvue Oasys were WAAAAY cheaper (also considering the cost of shipping). I've used them multiple times now and have been very pleased with 'em. They send email deals once in awhile, too. (Right now they even have a 10% off code available!)

    Also, I've heard that you can get a free pair of eyeglasses from them (only once), but I've never tried that so I'm not sure if there are any catches. From what I've read, there aren't...so it may be worth checking out.

    I was going to come in and recommend Coastal. Like Zenni, I'm sure that if you went to a physical store and spent 200 dollars, you might find something better, but I've ordered simple black frames from them and been happy.

    And yeah, they do have a free offer. No catch at all, you just need to supply them with a physical mailing address that they haven't sent anything to before.

    Available now!
    image_2017_01_04.jpg

  • KyouguKyougu Registered User regular
    Thanks all, I went with Zenni for my glasses. 60 bucks for two frames (one of them being sunglasses) so I figure I won't be out too much if I don't like them.

    I'll report back in two weeks when they arrive for anyone curious.

  • kaliyamakaliyama Left to find less-moderated fora Registered User regular
    I'm a big fan of Warby Parker, too.

    fwKS7.png?1
  • KyouguKyougu Registered User regular
    Quick update, got my glasses from Zenni Optical and couldn't be happier.

    60 bucks for two quality (and stylish pairs)? I'm a happy customer. Definitely recommending them.

  • Dr. GeroDr. Gero Registered User regular
    Why is it so much cheaper than retail stores?

  • UsagiUsagi Nah Registered User regular
    edited January 2013
    Dr. Gero wrote: »
    Why is it so much cheaper than retail stores?

    http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2011-03-26/business/35207445_1_lenses-costs-optician

    http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57527151/sticker-shock-why-are-glasses-so-expensive/

    Usagi on
  • EsseeEssee The pinkest of hair. Victoria, BCRegistered User regular
    Man, that second story makes me cringe. It's kind of creepy to see how those kinds of people actually feel about controlling the market.

  • UsagiUsagi Nah Registered User regular
    edited January 2013
    Yeah, Luxottica is basically the reason I'm so vocal about WP

    Usagi on
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