Author Topic: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?  (Read 4185 times)

VikingTree

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Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« on: September 12, 2016, 11:29:31 AM »
Hello! I was wondering if anyone has any advice on where to buy prescription glasses (as well as get eye exams). I have been wearing my current glasses for more than 5 years and recently cracked the lenses and am looking to get a new pair. Any suggestions for people in the US?

NoStacheOhio

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #1 on: September 12, 2016, 11:32:15 AM »
There are a couple inexpensive online places that offer home try-on (Warby Parker, others).

If you have a flexible spending account at work, glasses qualify, so no tax on that income, but you need to plan ahead.

Check your regular health insurance coverage, mine pays for one regular eye exam per year (this is medical insurance, not vision).

GuitarStv

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #2 on: September 12, 2016, 12:46:31 PM »
I'm Canadian, but have had good luck ordering from Zenni Optical in the US.

Cromacster

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #3 on: September 12, 2016, 12:57:15 PM »
I order most of my glasses from glasses.com.  They regularly have sales for free lenses, which if you have high index or like some special treatments/coatings, the sales can save you a good amount of money.  The various frames also regularly go one sale.

I have also used Zenni optical, but I've never really found a pair of glasses that I like from them.  My spare glasses did come from zenni.  For 15-25$ they really can't be beat on price.

NV Teacher

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #4 on: September 12, 2016, 01:33:36 PM »
I get a prescription from the eye doctor and get glasses at Wal-Mart.  Last time I paid $50 a pair.  They aren't great but they do the job.

mountains_o_mustaches

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #5 on: September 12, 2016, 02:27:34 PM »
Costco also seems to be a good option (at least for cheaper frames).  I'd also say this depends on the insurance you have.  With my health (not vision) insurance I get a certain amount of $ toward frames and the eye exam, but it has to be at in-network places, so shopping online doesn't count.  I got my last pair for free, with the $20 co-pay for the eye exam - not too shabby.

jamesbond007

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #6 on: September 12, 2016, 02:30:36 PM »
I used coastal.com a couple times. Good experience over all. Spent $45 once and $50 another time.

retiringearly

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #7 on: September 12, 2016, 03:11:18 PM »
Costco, without question.  I have no line bifocals.  Their prices are dirt cheap and their quality is high.  Consumer Reports rates Costco Optical highly.

Spork

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2016, 03:13:40 PM »
I'm Canadian, but have had good luck ordering from Zenni Optical in the US China.

Fixed that.

I'm being pedantic.  I don't really care that they come from China.  I've used them 3 times and had fine results.  It does take a while to ship them because... China.

daverobev

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #9 on: September 12, 2016, 04:25:16 PM »
EyeBuyDirect, ZenniOptical, Clearly Contacts; I've used all of them. All fine.

libertarian4321

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #10 on: September 12, 2016, 04:35:45 PM »
I'm Canadian, but have had good luck ordering from Zenni Optical in the US.

I've been using Zenni for the past few years.  I've also had good luck with them.

A couple of drawbacks.  They take a while to get the glasses to you (probably sent cheapest bulk rate, from China).  So if you broke your glasses and need new ones quickly, you'll wait weeks.  No "one hour" service here.

And I've been told that the "fashion" aspect isn't great.  I have no idea.  I have ZERO fashion sense. :)

aperture

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #11 on: September 13, 2016, 08:29:17 PM »
Costco, without question.  I have no line bifocals.  Their prices are dirt cheap and their quality is high.  Consumer Reports rates Costco Optical highly.
+1 for Costco.

letired

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #12 on: September 13, 2016, 08:53:19 PM »
Costco, without question.  I have no line bifocals.  Their prices are dirt cheap and their quality is high.  Consumer Reports rates Costco Optical highly.
+1 for Costco.

+ another 1 for Costco. I have a relatively high prescription, and the one time I did the internet thing they weren't that much cheaper and the 'center of focus' was a little off. I think it's something that most people probably wouldn't notice, especially if their prescription isn't that strong. My eyes had to take a second to adjust every time I switched glasses (prescription sunglasses from online, regular eye glasses from local shop). I like going in person so they can get the vertical spacing right as well, not just the spacing between my pupils.

Rural

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #13 on: September 14, 2016, 03:08:24 AM »
Another +1 for Zenni.


VikingTree

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #14 on: September 14, 2016, 06:45:14 PM »
Thank you all for the great suggestions. It just so happens they are building a Costco within biking distance from me. I think I'll ride out the cracked ones until its finished in a month. Y'all are the bomb!(sorry, southern heritage lol)

retiringearly

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #15 on: September 14, 2016, 07:47:24 PM »
Thank you all for the great suggestions. It just so happens they are building a Costco within biking distance from me. I think I'll ride out the cracked ones until its finished in a month. Y'all are the bomb!(sorry, southern heritage lol)

Sign up for the Costco Visa credit card.  It is a really good deal.

TaxChick

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #16 on: September 14, 2016, 08:15:19 PM »
I have been really impressed with Costco. I bought a pair of Transition Drive wear sunglasses as well as regular glasses.  The quality was much better than I purchased from my eye doctor previously. Several Costco stores have eye doctors with offices in their facilities.

tomatops

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Re: Prescription Glasses? Any suggestions on where to buy?
« Reply #17 on: September 15, 2016, 09:20:10 AM »
I have been really impressed with Costco. I bought a pair of Transition Drive wear sunglasses as well as regular glasses.  The quality was much better than I purchased from my eye doctor previously. Several Costco stores have eye doctors with offices in their facilities.

Second the Costco bit. Glasses are well made, cost efficient, and I always get good service for repairs, etc. One time, I legit dropped my glasses lens first on payment and they got a chip in the front - they sent it in for a warranty claim and got me a new set of lenses, no charge.

 

Wow, a phone plan for fifteen bucks!