Most of my coworkers have ordered glasses from this site, and have been pleased with the quality of what they've gotten. I'm skeptical, though--the merchandise on the site is just absurdly inexpensive, and I find myself imagining them being made in 3rd world sweatshop conditions or something. Anybody know anything about this company?
Posts: 1087 | Registered: Jul 1999
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I don't know, but I've been reasonably pleased with http://www.39dollarglasses.com (remembering that you get what you pay for; they are good FOR THE PRICE, can't beat what I get at my optometrist's office for quality, but much cheaper. Good for backups and such.)
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Among other things, I'm pretty sure the lenses are of a cheaper material than most opticians use (although they'll upgrade for an additional fee, natch) -- and the lower index means thicker lenses.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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Wow. Those are crazy cheap. I'm with you, Jake, I'd be afraid that there was something extremely hinky going on there.
I've never needed glasses for everyday use, but now that I'm over the big four-O, I have reading glasses. I have 2 pairs of prescription ones I've gotten with my insurance (every 2 years I get a new pair with a minimal deductible) and 3-4 drugstore pairs that I keep in my desk at work, in my kitchen for reading itty-bitty labels & recipes, and in my purse. 5 of my 6 children need full-time glasses, however (I tell them it's their dad's fault, and in THIS case, I'm right). I've learned in the past 10 years or so, contact lenses are less expensive than glasses, so we've gone that way. It's nice to have a back up pair, though, especially once they start driving.
I think I'll still stick with my optometrist though.
Posts: 2069 | Registered: May 2001
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At a former employeer, I used to have perscription safety glasses made for our employees who needed perscriptions. My experience was that the commercial mark-up on lenses and frames was between 300% and 1000%. I don't know these guys. But, I do know that it would be possible to provide good quality glasses for much less than we usually pay.
Posts: 1167 | Registered: Oct 2005
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A couple thoughts after skimming those: a brick-and-mortar optician or optometrist will measure pupil distance and several other things. They use a specialized instrument and they are trained in its use. If I measured my kids, odds are I'd be off a bit. If I had to guess, I'd say that wouldn't necessarily be noticeable, but might cause eyestrain and headaches.
Also, some of these people are comparing to the expensive in-house offices that many eye doctors have. Find a small local optician -- by word of mouth, if possible. IME, they are far cheaper, they often have inexpensive frames (discontinued models and the like), and they will make free adjustments if your kid manages to torque the frames a month or two later. Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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My optometrist was quite happy to measure my pupil distance for me and write me a prescription to be filled elsewhere that included pupil distance.
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