Has anyone tried buying prescription glasses online?

fuzzybuddy

fuzzybuddy

SF VIP
Location
The Sticks, Northeast PA.
I used to work for a firm that made optical lenses.The mark up is unbelievable. You spend $300 for a pair, it costs about $20 to make, at the most.
I need a new pair of glasses. I know about the huge mark up in the mall opticians. So I was wondering about buying prescription glasses on line.
Has anyone tried them?
 

I would be hesitant if you need a bifocal. If you don't then it wouldn't be as much an issue. It's not just the malls that charge a lot, I paid $800 for my last pair. (almost choked) If you are near a VisionWorks, they may be more reasonable. They also run deals--my son likes that place but I don't think he needs bifocals yet and they do have a large selection of frames.
 
These places have to make a profit. But there is a certain point ,where the profit is unreasonable, and more properly called a scam
 

fuzzybuddy said:
These places have to make a profit. But there is a certain point ,where the profit is unreasonable, and more properly called a scam
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Yeah, but if you need glasses to see then you should get them. For me, the lenses are quite expensive because they are the invisilines, and the best lens with non-glare, scratch resistance, etc--each is extra. The reason I invest in the lens is for clarity because I have vision problems (blurred) Everything is expensive Fuzzy, what are we going to do. Maybe you can compare prices in your area if you haven't already.
 
There was an article in this month's Consumer Reports that showed Costco to be the highest rated overall. And their prices are very reasonable. I usually go to my own optometrist, get the prescription, and then order glasses from Costco.
 
You're absolutely right, Carla. When you need glasses, they are exceedingly expensive. The extremely high price isn't necessarily because of the lenses, but because they can charge it. You do need them to see properly, and there is extremely little competition. Most of the mall stores are owned by the same corporation, regardless whose name is on the door.
 
My husband bought his glasses on the internet. You do have to learn about the names of the parts of the glasses and how to measure the various parts and that can be challenging for some. But once you figure all that out, you can narrow down your choices based on a comparison of what your current ones are, what you would like to change about them (shape, dimensions, colour) and then you send your prescription in and a few weeks later, your new specs arrive. He's been satisfied both times he's done it. And you get to pick all the usual bells and whistles of optometry. Scratch resistant, anti glare, bi-focal or the ones where you can't see the change (can't remember the name for it).
 
fuzzybuddy said:
I used to work for a firm that made optical lenses.The mark up is unbelievable. You spend $300 for a pair, it costs about $20 to make, at the most.
I need a new pair of glasses. I know about the huge mark up in the mall opticians. So I was wondering about buying prescription glasses on line.
Has anyone tried them?
Click to expand...

My uncle used reading glasses as well as contact lenses and he said reading glasses are much better than contact lenses. There are suppliers online that sell reading glasses for men and women at wholesale rates. One can try wholesale sunglasses distributor, wholesale sunglasses suppliers or wholesale reading glasses distributors to get good reading glasses for them self.
 
applepie_luvr said:
Buying online is fine but how about the fit? That's the part that keeps me from buying shoes, clothes, etc. online.
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That's why it's good to learn how opticians measure glasses and what the various parts of glasses are called. Also helps if you can measure a pair that you already own to see what a good width is for your head and so on. My husband did it and he's been happy with his glasses. Cost 1/3 what they cost from an optometrist.
 
Several years ago, I bought a few pair of glasses online, all good experiences. I followed the info from the script, filled the info in to the specifications of what where was asked on the site. The glasses were as good as the ones I'd paid $200+ for only these I paid less than $20 each time. Today the same glasses would run me closer to the $200. And I did have stigmatism and such other information I had to add in.

I don't remember all the specifics, but, I still have most of the glasses and last time I went to the eye doc, I didn't need to change anything, so, I'm still using the same glasses when I need them which is only for distance of which I rarely have use really. I should use them for TV sometimes, but, bigger screen and sitting a little closer solved some issues, plus I no. :D Plus I no longer drive which was the real purpose I needed glasses in the first place. Anyhoo, buying glasses online can be a real money savior.

Oh and the first time I bought the glasses, I had a coupon code from "Steals and Deals" off a news program NBC or ABC I forget which. Still, good bargains to be had.
 

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