Advice needed

[ellid]

I went to my optometrist for my every other year eye exam. Turns out I need a new prescription, and the optical department at Sears said the best they could do for price was $269.

Is this out of line for new glasses? I wasn't happy with the quality of the glasses I bought last time, and the frames offered with the $269 glasses are pretty boring. Should I try one of the on-line places like Zenni? Join a wholesale club? I really don't have almost $300 to spend on glasses right now, plus I really think I was being pressured to select new glasses on the spot. The ones I really liked were the *men's* glasses my friend Todd was wearing, and which he let me try on for a lark...and they're from BJ's, which I don't belong to.

Any suggestions? Has anyone tried on-line opticians? Thanks in advance -

Comments

[brieza.livejournal.com]

How strong is your prescription? I pay far more for my glasses, however, I get the highest index (thinnest) they make, and I tend to go for the flexible frames that can bend and still keep their shape because I tend to fall asleep wearing my glasses.

I'm wary of trying online places for glasses, because I have a difficult time finding frames that fit my face, because it is narrower than the typical women's face and the opticians seem to need a while to ensure correct fit/alignment with me.

[rufus.livejournal.com]

wait, it's $269 for the FRAMES? You can definitely do better than that at, like, Pearl Vision.

If it's $269 for frames AND glasses, that's actually less than I paid for my last new pair - WITH employee discount because I went to the frame store in the hospital. (This was not overall a good idea; I've never had such a hard time getting glasses as I did with them, and they still aren't right.)

A lot will depend on the complexity of your prescription, though. I have very bad eyes and so my glasses tend to be pricey.

[kaiz.livejournal.com]

Like everyone else said, $269 for frames + lenses isn't really that bad. For just frames...well, you can do much better. I have a high prescription so my lenses tend to be in the $400+ range, even with various discounts. I usually go somewhat budget for the frames, so I'm generally looking at in the neighborhood of $500+ when I have to get a new pair (and I never buy designer frames, just knock-offs).

You might consider Costco if you have one near you and are a member. (Also, btw, BJs often has trial memberships! In fact, I just got a free trial card in the mail the other day.) Additionally, Target, Walmart, and Sams's Club have pretty good frame selections in the cheaper range so you might try them too.

FWIW, I know that people do it, but I wouldn't ever buy glasses online (frames, sure, the lenses, no) because it's really important that the optometrist get the mesasurements just right (just a few millimeters off and it's headache time!) and I won't leave it to chance.

[cathouse-mary.livejournal.com]

I have been very pleased with the glasses I get from Zenni. For the record, I have no-line bifocals, corrections for astigmatism, and so on. Their work is top-notch, and I can afford more than one pair at a time.

[hugh-mannity.livejournal.com]

I'll second this! I'm currently wearing my 3rd pair of Zenni glasses (progressive lenses with magnetic sunglasses) which cost me $80. Much better than the $400+ I had to pay at the optical shop.

I also have a pair of just for the computer glasses (also from Zenni) which cost about $30.

There is a somewhat limited range of frame styles, but that doesn't bother me as they have several that I like and which suit me. I'm planning to get another pair in my main Rx soon, so I can change my look from time to time.

[aseneth.livejournal.com]

I'll third this. Both my sister and I have high refractions and have been very happy with glasses from zenni.

[gardengirl6.livejournal.com]

What about the place by KFC by the malls?

Alternatively, I've got a 60 days free membership at BJ's offer here - and you don't need a card to get IN, just to check out, so if you wanted to go scope it out, then decide about the membership fee (if we couldn't coordinate) you could consider that.

[chazpure.livejournal.com]

J has been getting glasses from Zenni for several years now and has been very happy with them. They're accurate, fast and inexpensive, and she doesn't have a simple prescription. We've also gotten her glasses at Costco before, but Zenni worked out so well that we switched.

[soberloki.livejournal.com]

That's crazy. In Canada and the US, I can highly recommend zennioptical.com, as I've used them and been very satisfied. Every pair of my glasses, frame and lenses together (with a quite strong prescription), has cost less than $40, including my sunglasses, which are basic glasses with a $5 tint added.

[knic26.livejournal.com]

I've gotten prescriptions for both my mom and dad from zenni, as well as myself and the young man, and we have all had no problems.

My dad has a 'lazy' eye, so his prescription actually pulls it into focus (I don't know if that is the right way to describe his situation, but that is essentially what happens).

Mom has no line bifocals with an astigmatism. I got the young man his sports glasses from there. The most I've paid for a single pair was $65, and that was b/c of my dad's feather light frame just as much as his detailed script. My son's 2 pair this year were $60 and one of those was the kind that get dark in the sun, not Transitions, but their own version.

It can't hurt to go to the site, put in your prescription and play with the frames. You will know how much the glasses are before you actually buy them.

[alphasarah.livejournal.com]

another vote for zenni. their prices range from $7 to ... much more. The cheaper frames are definitely not the sturdiest (my $7 ones feel pretty flimsy, the $15 ones much less so) and there are TONS of options. The one thing you need to know is your pupillary distance. and then it's easy-peasy. There's even a way to upload your picture to "try" frames on your face.