Rupert 23 Nov 2014, 15:21
Hello Soundmanpt,
Yes, I placed my order with Zenni and had no problems. The glasses are in transit and will be arriving in a few days. So, it all worked out fine.
I think you're right that the message has always been there. I just didn't notice it when I placed my first order a couple of years ago.
Thanks again for encouraging me to go ahead and order.
Soundmanpt 21 Nov 2014, 23:35
Rupert
I just wanted to report that I placed orders for glasses for 2 different people with Zenni. I have actual current prescriptions for both people but I at times have placed orders without a current up to date prescription. So I was curious if they would contact me asking for a copy of the prescriptions and they did not. Honestly i have seen that disclaimer many times through the years but never actually read it until you pointed it out. But it seems nothing has changed which I am happy about.
So did you in fact go ahead with placing your order?
GreginColo 11 Nov 2014, 19:57
Hi Trent; if I am recalling correctly, Zenni optical usually has a BOGO special for Black Friday, so I am hoping they plan to do so again this year, as I have been waiting to order, so we should know in a few weeks. In the meantime you may want to go to their site and look at frames, etc in case they offer this special again. I have been pleased with glasses I have ordered from them in the past. Hope this helps. Thanks also for sharing your recent Rx, if the same Trent. Regards, Greg.
Trent 11 Nov 2014, 19:23
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming, where do you think the best sale on glasses will be?
Soundmanpt 11 Nov 2014, 17:37
Crystal Veil
To be honest like yourself i have been placing orders with Zenni for about 11 years now and have probably ordered several hundred in those years and yes i saw statement but I don't recall ever reading it. i just finished checking my orders to be sure they were entered correct and simply clicked where it asks if you accept the terms and conditions. So has it in the past always ask for a written copy of your prescription slip to be included? I told Rupert the only way to find out is to place his order and if they don't accept it then we all have a problem. But otherwise he should receive his glasses as ordered. Most all of my orders do have actual prescriptions from the people wanting them. But I usually always order several pairs a month of glasses that I think will be popular with my clients based on their age group. So far this has worked out very well. Of course every so often some of them are dropped by Zenni. But because my sample pairs all have very weak prescriptions in them I don't have much trouble selling them at a slightly reduced price.
Anyway until now have you ever read that statement at the very end?
Crystal Veil 11 Nov 2014, 16:20
Rupert,
I have been ordering Zenni glasses for five years (well over a hundred pairs) and always simply fill in the form without adding a photocopy of an optician's prescription. They only ask me questions about orders for glasses with high prescriptions without high index. I then explain to them that the glasses are not for use in daily life, only for photo shoots with models (which happens to be the truth!) so nobody will ever complain about the thickness of the lenses. I hope this information is reassuring to you. All you have to think of is how to paraphrase it for your own situation. Good luck!
Soundmanpt 11 Nov 2014, 12:41
Rupert
Please do! Many of us in here use them quite often and that would be a major bad thing if they are only accepting written prescription slips.
Rupert 11 Nov 2014, 12:01
Thanks so much for the responses!
I'm going to go ahead and order. If I run into any problems, I'll alert the crew here at Eye Scene!
Soundmanpt 11 Nov 2014, 11:58
Rupert
I think your fine too place your order. Those terms have been in place for some time and I have never had a problem getting orders placed and received.
astigmaphile 11 Nov 2014, 11:44
The last time that I ordered from Zenni was a few months ago. They did not ask for a prescription. They just had an online area where you fill in spghere, cylinder, axis, add. What I am wearing is a little higher than my real prescription, which is over three years old.
Rupert 11 Nov 2014, 11:07
Quick question about Zenni Optical. I was just about to order a couple of pairs of glasses to do GOC and noticed in the terms of sale as I was checking out that they are requesting that a copy of the prescription be sent via e-mail, fax, etc. along with the order.
Since I'm doing GOC, my actual prescription does not match what I'm ordering. I ordered a couple of great, thick pairs from Zenni two years ago and had no problem. Does anyone know if they're actually following through on the prescription request? I canceled my order for now.
Thanks.
lazysiow 27 Oct 2014, 19:34
An interesting startup. Frames and lenses specifically designed to be interchangeable
aviator -00- 08 Oct 2014, 16:25
Does anyone here have experience or ordering glasses from optical shops in Argentina? Do they require an "official" prescription, or will piece of paper written by the customer be sufficient? Also, what are the prices like if buying in Buenos Airies? All advice welcome.
19dollface76 18 Feb 2014, 11:56
newbie -- while this doesn't help you just yet, it soon will. Visio-Rx.com will soon be offering international shipping as it looks like more countries are being added to the website (US and Canada,but Netherlands and Spain are now showing up recently, which may mean shipping will soon be available!). The wonderful thing about this is that they are the only website to have come up with software tools on their site to accurately measure vertical fitting height for bifocals/progressives(varifocals)/etc. This is a critical measurement that allows for proper prescription/lens placement in the frames you choose and will make you a much happier customer. I believe if you contact them, you can be notified when the shipping becomes available.
http://www.visio-rx.com/contact-us
newbie 31 Jan 2014, 15:35
Thanks for your advice, Soundmanpt. I will give that some thought. As you say, the 50% cash back offer does reduce the risk.
Soundmanpt 31 Jan 2014, 11:55
Newbie
Maybe I can help you a bit for any future on line glasses shopping. Your correct that it is so much easier to buy some nice single vision glasses on line and not have any problem, but varifocals, progressives and bifocals is somewhat more of a challenge to get the correct sight height for the add.
It's great that you prefer a rimless or semi rimless frame style or any frame that has the adjustable nose pads. This at least does allow for the glasses to be adjusted higher or lower and puts the add in the proper location. Also something that Zenni (zennioptical.com) has started asking when you place your order is where you position your glasses on your nose, pushed all the way up, part way down or low on your nose. Picking one of these should help them place the add closer to what works best for you.
As for a good fit of the glasses in general, something I have found that works very well is to first find a pair of your previous glasses that fit your face best. Measure them across the front from the outside left to the outside right in millimeters and then when shopping on line for new glasses find something that is very close to the size of your glasses that fits well.
Doing these things should help at least
If this still doesn't help and your not pleased with your new glasses Zenni will at least refund 50% of what you paid for them which isn't a bad deal considering they are not very expensive in the first place.
lazysiow 31 Jan 2014, 03:48
Everyone should check out Made Eyewear. They seem to only offer hipster frames for now sadly, but they will send you a free trial of 3 frames with PRESCRIPTION lenses for up to a week and it's up to you what you keep with FREE shipping.
They actually own the factories they use and apparently manufacture them with qualtiy and for $5 or less a pair so beat Warby Parker at their own game
newbie 30 Jan 2014, 19:41
In my last post (last line) I think I meant too say 'too low in the frame'.
newbie 30 Jan 2014, 19:39
Does anyone here have a view on which UK chain opticians give best value? I have seen a number of contributors say that independents give better value than chains but I don't know whether they mean US or UK. In my area the independents seem to be aiming at the high end of the market and are therefore very expensive.
I'm looking for varifocal lenses in rimless or semi-rimless frames (ie not the current fashion) and the local independents are quoting £400-£500. I did buy a semi-rimless pair online few years ago and while they fitted reasonably well, in the end I didn't feel I suited the frame and the add in the prescription started too high up the frame, so that I had to tilt my head up to read. I could, I suppose, buy online again, on a trial and error basis, accepting that although it may take a few tries to get a really suitable pair, I would still have spent less than I would buying on the 'high street'.
Cactus jack 06 Dec 2013, 00:23
Astra,
You might want to explain coherent and non-coherent light and the sources and uses.
C.
Astra 06 Dec 2013, 00:13
As for the unit of "angular deflection",
Scientific prisms are often used for deflecting a coherent beam of light ray to propagate in a specific direction.
This purpose is different from Ophthalmic prisms or most types of non-prismatic lenses, which often comes with the unit of "focal length", are often used for focusing of non-coherent light beams.
Cactus Jack 05 Dec 2013, 12:39
Aubrac,
Ophthalmic Prisms are prescribed in Prism Diopters defined by Sir Isaac Newton 300 years ago as: 1 Prism Diopter is that amount of prism that will deflect a ray of light 1 cm at a distance of 1 meter. Some times you see it written as a number with a small superscript delta or triangle symbol followed by the direction of the Base of the prism Up, Down, In or Out. The delta or triangle is often mistaken for the small superscript circle denoting degrees of several different types.
Scientific prisms are often specified in angular degrees of deflection. When Newton was defining, distances were more easily measured very accurately than angular degrees.
There is a trigonometric relationship between Prism Diopters and angular degrees using an Arctangent function (Inverse of the Tangent function). It turns out that 1 Prism Diopter = approximately 0.57 angular degrees.
The simple, but surprisingly accurate prism test I outlined on the Vision and Soex site uses Newton's definition of Prism Diopters.
Even if you use a small circle to designate Prism Diopters, most lens makes will interpret that as being Prism Diopters and make the glasses
C.
Astra 05 Dec 2013, 05:37
Zenni 1.61 index costs $ 20
Astra 05 Dec 2013, 05:20
Currently,
1.6 lenses in "Profit Finder Co" costs US $ 28.4
Crystal Veil 04 Jul 2013, 06:25
Aubrac,
Zenni recently started offering prism glasses at a modest extra cost, just under 10 dollars. You may well get what you want there.
Aubrac 04 Jul 2013, 05:31
Was interested in getting some glasses made up with base out prism added. Unfortunately the cheapest seller, SelectSpecs, insists on a prescription for prism correction.
However Glasses4eyes does prism up to 3 degrees, and when I called them said that for £10(UK pounds) per lens, they would do higher levels so might give them a try.
aviator -00- 03 Jul 2013, 18:12
Does anyone have experience of buying glasses in Brazil? Will they insist on a proper prescription, or do the optical stores accept what the customer asks for?
Revolver 27 Jun 2013, 11:03
If you're ever in Vegas, go to the Cosmopolitan hotel/casino, take the escalator to the 2d floor and there's a shop called RetroSpecs which is way cool. It's an interesting mix of original old frames, some of which have been rx'd and some of which haven't, but all in excellent shape and can be rx'd. Also, they have brand new frames made to be vintage. You'll find just about anything you want, they have 3 licensed professional opticians on staff, but are very upscale in price. Their GM is a sweetheart, she came to them from other retailers, and unfortunately has no correction herself. But, she wears a pair of black/silver Clubman style frames, plano with AR coating. Well worth the trip.
Stingray 26 Apr 2013, 10:18
I just ordered a new pair of glasses from http://www.greateyeglasses.com/shop/home.php They have powers up to -/+ 20.00 and the prices are dirt cheap
Crystal Veil 26 Apr 2013, 08:38
Ellie,
a good alternative for 1.74 lenses in a Zenni frame is ciliaryblue. My life partner Nel has -12 and needs progressive lenses. Zenni does not go higher than -10.00 for progressives. So I sent two of her favorite Zenni frames to ciliaryblue and they charged me 200 GBP for each pair. The glasses look great and give her perfect vision. If you only need single lenses (presumably the case) their price is 95 GBP per pair. Not as cheap as Zenni would have been but still only one third of what your local optician charges you. It's really worth a try!
Ellie 26 Apr 2013, 00:23
I had the opportunity to speak with a Zenni representative on their live chat today and I asked about the 1.74 high index lenses. It turns out that they are an option to only -10 and below...which I found strange. Perhaps they're getting lens shipments from a different source than they used to in the past? I'm not sure. The representative said she didn't know if 1.74 lenses will be made available to those with higher precriptions (like me).
I'm quite disappointed as I was hoping to get a really nice (and inexpensive) pair. My current glasses from Zenni broke unfortunately, so I need to get a new pair anyway. I'm suffering with having to wear contacts for longer than I am used to...
Soundmanpt 14 Apr 2013, 11:34
Specs4ever
I had forgotten about that happening to you, and I know they have a disclaimer that says some prescriptions, I assume stronger ones, may take a bit longer than 14 days to deliver, but without a doubt 4 weeks is excessive. I can certainly understand your displeasure with them for that as I am sure your daughter was in need of her glasses. So as a consumer with other options available that are good and maybe more timely I get it. If I ever feel that I am getting poor service I would be doing the same as you.
One thing I can tell you is that I now know of many opticians and even the doctors that are getting their own glasses as well as their family members from Zenni and in many cases they have told me that Zenni is more accurate with their prescriptions then their own lab is.
specs4ever 13 Apr 2013, 23:06
If you go back to 05 May 2011 @ 09:18 and read to 12 May 2011 07:57 in the thread Online Retailers it might refresh your memory soundmanpt. The eventual outcome was that they did not get her glasses to me on time and they refused to refund my money. The eventual outcome was that they did ship the glasses directly to her, but she had purchased another pair from a local optical store.
When I get ticked off I have a a long memory and the fact that they were very uncooperative didn't help.
Soundmanpt 13 Apr 2013, 15:52
Specs2ever
Just curious what problem did you have with Zenni as I have used them for many years and ordered many hundreds of glasses from them without even one problem. (so far) As well as other members of our vision group.
Specs4ever 13 Apr 2013, 06:52
Ellie, I have been sadly disappointed with Zenni during my past couple of purchases. I have found www.choiceeyewear.com to be a decent alternate, and they do offer 1.74 lenses
Ellie 13 Apr 2013, 00:53
Hello Soundmanpt, thanks for your response. Please let me know if you are able to reach someone at Zenni who can explain what happened to the lens selection.
I'm quite disappointed that they don't offer higher index than 1.67 anymore. I wonder if they would do special orders. I was hoping to get a new pair as I'm heading off to college this fall and am contemplating wearing my glasses in public more often. Especially since I can't find contacts that correct me properly, I will need to wear glasses more often. My prescription is -14.50 for my right eye and -12.50 for my left. I also have moderate astigmatism in my left eye as well, which makes it hard for me to find toric lenses that go up in my power for sphere. I don't think my glasses would look bad in the 1.67 (I have a pair with 1.67 in an older rx) but I would prefer a nicer looking pair.
Also, sorry for posting in the wrong thread. I forgot that there is a thread called Online Retailers.
Soundmanpt 11 Apr 2013, 10:48
Ellie
You are correct. Interesting that they don't offer it anymore. I will make a point to ask them the question next time I chat with them. Actually you can do the same as they have a nice "live chat" that they answer questions on. I did notice that it wasn't real cheap as I recall it was an additional $78.00 or so, but compared to the optical stores still a bargain. Does your prescription warrant such a hi index? I have ordered glasses from them in the teens with just the 1.67 lenses and they look great.
Ellie 10 Apr 2013, 21:07
Not sure if I'm just not looking in the right place, but does Zenni still offer 1.74 high index lenses? Every time I get the screen to order my glasses I only see the 1.67 as the highest index. Is this happening to anyone else?
Soundmanpt 04 Apr 2013, 10:38
Crystal Veil
That should work for them in the future. Most all optical shops respect and honor a request for a patient's prescription without question.
I was wondering why you didn't just use your trial frame and lens on them as that should work well. Now I understand why.
You should be able with their own help to get reasonably close to their prescriptions by their first picking out the glasses they want to use in the shoot and then modeling with them.
looking forward to your next shoot. Sounds like you have quite a good number of willing models to select from.
Crystal Veil 04 Apr 2013, 05:32
Soundmanpt,
I will mention your information to the models. It's not the end of the world if they don't know their exact prescription. It often happens that a model puts on a pair of vintage glasses, exclaiming, "I can see perfect through these!". Then I know their actual prescription. There will be no room left to bring along a trial frame + trial lens set to Ireland so the glasses will have to do the trick.
Thanks for your information, much appreciated!
Soundmanpt 03 Apr 2013, 09:32
Crystal Veil
That is a shame that that won't release the girls prescriptions to them. I can only wonder if their prescriptions are more than a year old? It is common now that optical shops won't provide a patients prescription if it is past a year. But if it current there should be no reason to refuse providing it. One possible way to maybe get their prescriptions would be if you have a friend that is an eye doctor or even an optician that would call their doctor and ask for it. Usually doctors will provide it without question to another doctor.
Then of course yo should recommend to these models that they find doctors that will provide them a copy of their prescriptions in the future. They need only ask when they are making their appointment if they can have a copy of their prescription?
We of course don't want to see you limited to the models that you want to us in your photo shoots because of this.
I know you often pay the models by having them pick glasses for themselves from Zenni when the shoot is completed and of course you need their prescription in order to do this.
I think we all enjoy the fact that you always provide what the models own prescription is which adds to the effect of how well the models can see with the various glasses they are modeling.
Crystal Veil 03 Apr 2013, 04:18
I am not quite sure if this is the right thread. Just a deep sigh (not with relief) after receiving several messages from models in Ireland. Their opticians simply refuse to give them the prescription of their latest glasses. A real nuisance as I'm in the process of selecting glasses for their photo shoots next week. It's all about money and self protection as far as the shops are concerned. The good thing is that my schedule for the photo shoots is already full and there is a nice variety of models who reacted on my casting call. If there are no "Irish promises" made I have three hectic days in the Dublin area :).
specs4ever 29 Mar 2013, 11:27
Maybe I am crazy for doing this, but I did write SGS back and told him that I had no interest in him shipping me my third pair of glasses. Lets face it, I won't deal with him again and I have told him so.
I did also tell him that I would not post any more negative things about the experience I had with him. This is not negative, but is an update.
Soundmanpt 26 Mar 2013, 15:45
I wonder why SGS uses as you say such cheap and poor quality frames. It sounds like his lenses are great and very reasonable in price. Maybe if he has trouble getting decent frames he should consider buying just the frames from Zenni as they can be bought without lenses for $3.00 and up. But many are under $8.00.
From what I have read in here it seems like SGS's biggest problem is being inconsistent with his orders and delivering them in a prompt manner?
specs4ever 26 Mar 2013, 13:56
Hi revolver: Yes, I had considered that thought. But I did post some pretty negative things about him on Alibaba as well as here. So I am wondering why he is "trying to make things right". It is sort of like shutting the barn door after the animals have escaped if you follow my logic.
On the other hand, if he is sincere then possibly I have misjudged things and I might have jumped the gun with my negative postings.
I will keep everyone posted if there are further developments.
Revolver 26 Mar 2013, 13:21
Specs4, my two cents worth. I think you should answer the e-mail and get whatever you can. As you said it's not about the $35, on the other hand, he owes you a pair and you just as well have them.
When they are in hand, you can make a decision as to whether to go any further with him.
Crystal Veil 26 Mar 2013, 06:15
specs4ever,
sorry to hear about your recent bad experience with SGS. I have not bought anything from him for a while because the frames remain the same. He used to have some great frames in extreme prescriptions (e.g. Depai, Lin Wei, Tiaotiaotu and Feizai frames) and I still use these in my photo shoots. There is no way I could have bought these glasses for a modest price.
specs4ever 25 Mar 2013, 23:43
In defense of SGS likelenses he is the only reasonably priced supplier of high prescription glasses. His glasses are not the best quality, however they do generally serve the purpose quite well for those who do GOC and don't want to lay out a lot of money.
As an update I have been contacted again by SGS and he has offered to send me more pictures to choose from. I am uncertain as to if I should respond to his e mail or not.
I was one of his strongest supporters on this website when he first was selling glasses on e bay but unfortunately he has lost my trust because of the way he has dealt with me.
The 35 bucks I am out won't kill me, and I feel that he needs to learn a lesson in how to deal with customers.
Likelenses 21 Mar 2013, 00:08
Why anyone would even want the junk glasses that SGS sells is beyond me.
He touts the high minus lenses,but refuses to make them in a persons required PD.
His tacky descriptions of glasses that he is selling is very annoying.Perhaps it is poor command of English.
Buy American,Canadian,or European,and pass this cheap,low quality Asian junk by.
specs4ever 19 Mar 2013, 19:04
It takes a lot to upset me, but I have finally had it. I purchased and paid for 3 pairs of glasses from our old buddy SGS through Alibaba.com. When the package arrived it only contained 2 pairs. I filed a dispute with Alibaba, and I was contacted immediately with an apology saying that the 3rd pair was backordered and could I please withdraw the dispute. So, since I have purchased about 10 pairs from SGS over the past 3 years I agreed. Since then it has been nothing but a battle of bullshit and I do not have my 3rd pair.
He claims that he has not received my e mails, and he also claims that he has sent me e mails that I have never received. Easy to say, but hard to prove. No one else has had a problem getting an e mail through to me.
I really don't care now if I ever receive the 3rd pair. I only hope I can prevent anyone else from being cheated by Steve.
lazysiow 13 Mar 2013, 20:18
Framed - 22 minute segment in Canada about the usual overpriced scam at Lenscrafters etc vs Clearly/Coastal Contacts. http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2012/framed/
Aubrac 10 Mar 2013, 05:43
Le Visiteur
SelectSpecs in Westgate-on-Sea, Kent, UK, has been selling online for years and has now opened a shop.
They advertise themselves as 'the worlds cheapest optical store' with a range of complete frames from £6.
They do prism lenses, and will quote for any out of the ordinary prescriptions.
selectspecs.com
lazysiow 23 Feb 2013, 04:19
Oops first sentence should read price of 5-10 pairs of glasses for price of one designer pair etc. Posting from flaky wifi an didn't want to lose the post just in case.
lazysiow 23 Feb 2013, 04:17
I would disagree strongly with that video.
For the price of anywhere between 5-10 pairs (or maybe more with extra coatings) of designer glasses from a high street optician you can try more than enough styles, and instead of trying even if things don't work out you still have spare pairs. Buy one designer pair, it breaks or you lose it you are done.
Glasses, like US health care just cost way too much and while there is value added by designers it is overpriced. The Chinese are all over this, while there is a craft in the design and material choices etc it is not worth the designer markup value amount. If you can manufacture you can experiment with design. Look at firmoo.com's community site, they have copied but there's also some very interesting arm styles etc from the no name brands that the luxottica designers have not come up with
Ive still occasionally tried the regular stores, and their value add is terrible. Many frame stylists are just choosing frames for people at random, arent aware of principles like eye shape, face type etc. The only value the store adds is the ability to try frames on to get a feel for the weight, fit, shape, feel of the frame etc and that's entirely independent of the staff. The online lens quality has gotten really good as well, lenses Ive gotten from Zenni and Coastal can be so clear I forget I'm wearing anything at all. Admittedly I no longer know what the state of the art is with Crizal etc is but for the knowledgeable buyers, the days of the high street optician are numbered imo
We can print our own frames with 3D printers these days. They are not a substitute for even the online frames you can buy but the technology will only get better so who knows in the future.
independent optician 23 Feb 2013, 01:02
Funny video but explains why to go to the independent optician for independent eyewear vs going to a mass retail chain for mass produced licensed eyewear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOteUP9R23E
Soundmanpt 05 Jan 2013, 15:26
Danbert
No problem I just noticed it when I was placing some orders and I too was surprised that they now offer that as well. I have chatted with people over on "lenschat" that were interested in places that offer prism glasses.
Danbert 05 Jan 2013, 12:59
Soundmanpt, thankyou for pointing out that Zenni now does prism prescriptions. A few months ago they didn't - very welcome development!
Le Visiteur 04 Jan 2013, 14:38
Oh dear, I do hope that I have not started a fire here... I honestly wasn't even aware of that other thread! Anyway, thanks for opening my eyes as to the existence of the online retailers thread anonymous poster...
Thanks for your support lentifan.
04 Jan 2013, 01:21
OK, but what's wrong with the Online Retailers thread, which has been going since 2002?
lentifan 03 Jan 2013, 19:01
I think you're being a bit picky. Probably not many people bought glasses online in 2004, but many now do, as the price savings are considerable. Times change in 8 years.
03 Jan 2013, 18:43
Quote from a member on 5 September 2004 (when this thread was new):
This was supposed to to be 'a thread to discuss experiences with and post questions about brick and mortar optical retailers such as Lenscrafters, Specsavers, or the friendly optician around the corner' (Wurm, 1 May 2004) - so why are we discussing online suppliers here?
Le Visiteur 03 Jan 2013, 11:09
Thanks again.
I've emailed them. I'll wait and see.
Any ideas as to other online stores out there that can cater for my request?
Thanks
Soundmanpt 03 Jan 2013, 10:48
LeVisiteur
To be honest I really doubt it but you can email them and they are good about replying and they even have a chat line that you can go on line and chat with someone that can answer your questions.
They do offer 2 options for their free lenses one is 1.57 which is a thinner lens and 1.50 which is a thicker lens. The main purpose for that lens is for someone with a very weak prescription and they want a drill mount style pair of glasses. this makes the lenses thick enough to drill and yet keep the lens from being too weak and breaking. That lens option goes up to -8.00. But I doubt that would make your -5.00 lenses as thick as your hoping.
Le Visiteur 03 Jan 2013, 10:27
Thanks Soundmanpt, that's very informative. In your experience, would they be agreeable to make lenses of a prescription of around -5 diopters as thick as 15mm with a plano front? If so, would they charge extra? Thanks again mate.
Soundmanpt 03 Jan 2013, 10:17
LeVisiteur
I think one of the best out there is Zenni Optical (zennioptical.com)They do ship worldwide, there prices are very inexpensive, as low as $6.95 and the quality is really very good. they offer glasses up to -20.00 and they don't require a real prescription. So you can order whatever prescription you desire to wear without any question. They recently now offer prism glasses as well. Something that many on line retailers don't offer.
Oh and by the way their frames are very fashionable. I have many friends in the optical business and they now get their own glasses from Zenni.
By the way i am with a non profit vision group and we have been using Zenni for more than 11 years now without even one problem.
Le Visiteur 03 Jan 2013, 10:04
Hi, can anyone please tell me what's the cheapest online glasses store which will ship worldwide and which can take 'unusual' requests such as making a pair of glasses as thick as possible?
I've just contacted optical4less with such a request and they've replied with a quote which is above USD 200 which I find a bit high.
Thanks for sharing your views and experience.
Danyang Optical 01 Nov 2012, 01:21
With the arrival of summer, people dress more and more colorful style, this time demanding accessories diversified needs. Glasses as the human visual aids necessary to take into account in addition to the individual to create the image of the task, on different occasions and costumes, on the need for the decoration of different glasses.
Danyang town known as the name of eyeglasses, in recent years, the expansion of Chinas new glasses Danyang city is famous, attracting countless consumers to travel and buy optical, with the arrival of summer, Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai area visitors come here by car, more and more people buy glasses, the glasses city has gradually become the mainstream of consumer groups. A glasses boss said, With peoples living standards improve, peoples glasses to replace increasingly short time, often with several pairs of spectacles to meet the needs of different clothes, to create the image. Therefore, the recent summer, field significant increase in visitors, usually family friends or colleagues together to drive up, everyone will have to buy more than two glasses, many of which are the purchase of a pair of sunglasses and optical microscopy. glasses Danyang City advantages to the environment and glasses price, so that the guests come to Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Shanghai to buy glasses along the trends are becoming evident.
Many glasses of spectacles city business integrity management, reasonable price, so a lot of foreign guests into their regular customers every year to shop, matching glasses, guests have even a single post from optometry, with good stores directly glasses post back-to-business customers can be seen as a confidence-building. However, businesses complain that outside the mass of our guests Danyang cheap glasses, so many guests come on the only value prices, this has led to a whole class of products that do not.
Danyang City, China brand glasses has begun, how can it not just to win on price, but in quality and well-known brand, so that more and more light on this sign is Danyang glasses efforts should continue to do things.
Clare 13 Sep 2012, 09:27
Soundmanpt - even if there's not much profit in it for them I'll support them by purchasing from them. I'm sure they hope they'll be able to sell me some expensive new glasses in the coming months!
Soundmanpt 12 Sep 2012, 18:24
Clare
It seems you are getting better attention to your vision needs anyway. You had not mentioned that you had been told to only wear one contact before this. That of course doesn't sound like the correct solution to your problem because if one eye is dry no doubt the other eye isn't much better.
Since there isn't much profit to be made in selling contact lenses I don't think they would mind at all if you only got your prescription and purchased your contacts from another outlet. But of course that is up to you.
Clare 12 Sep 2012, 14:18
This weekend I went to an independent optician for the very first time and was very happy with the service - even though they told me things I didn't want to hear! For years I have been to one of the UK's large chains and when I called them to say I was experiencing a lot of contact lens discomfort they said they could offer me a weekend appointment in a month. I thought I'd try a different large chain that's right outside my office but found them equally casual, although they could do me an appointment within a couple of days. That said my experience at the large chain is that I've rarely seen the same optician twice.
At the independent optician on Saturday I really noticed the difference - the optician spent a lot more time, discussed and showed empathy. The eye with the dry patch has been uncomfortable for a long time, the previous optician had suggested wearing just one lens which I tried and felt like I had double vision. I told the new optician this and she said that the difference between corrected and uncorrected a -3 would be too much. My November appointment will be with the same person who saw me on Saturday. Its no more expensive, although their contacts lens programme is, but even if it were I think it would be worth it.
Julian 03 Sep 2012, 02:09
even a receptionist ::)
Julian 03 Sep 2012, 02:08
Chex: my experience (also in the UK) is that while independents can be more expensive. this is not always the case. Some years ago I knew an optical technician who worked for a small chain but also did some work on the side for friends. His wife was a receptions for an independent, and he said he didn't understand how they made any profit.
Chex 03 Sep 2012, 00:33
I am in the UK and have been using a major chain for many years. I've tried to get an appointment and was told I'd have to wait for three weeks so thought I'd see if I can get one earlier. I know there are a number of owner managed businesses in my area so presumed that they would be running the testing side too. I always feel the major chain is in a rush, never see the same person and wondered if I should try a more professional outfit?
Soundmanpt 02 Sep 2012, 13:46
Chex
Something most people don't know is that most doctors at least here in the states often work for more than one company. I have several good friends that are doctors and they all at least 2 jobs. Many optical shops only have a doctor for 2 or 3 days a week so for a doctor to make any decent money they work at another optical shop to make ends meet and quite often one is a chain and the other an independent shop. You are correct because if they work at say Wal-Mart an exam maybe around $50.00, but the next day they may be at an independent shop and they will charge $85.00.
Hope that helped.
Chex 02 Sep 2012, 11:15
does anyone have a view on the benefit of going to an independent eye doctor over a chain? I'm about to make an appointment and would like to know whether the indy is worth it, given it would cost more.
Astra 20 Jul 2012, 06:32
http://sh.eastday.com/m/20120703/u1a6671520.html
Summer vacation, students make the optical shop.
However, some unscrupulous traders posing labels express the relevant indicators and actual product quality and more differ. Municipal Quality Supervision Bureau announced yesterday that the Shanghai-produced frames, special supervision of the quality of the lens results showed that among 47 batches of frames and 33 batches of lenses on examination, have 8 batches failed.
Insiders said that some unscrupulous manufacturers are afraid of "posing" acts were found, often with the frame or lens, by gift of the gimmick of a glasses case, the product was originally with and label the packaging of the relevant parameters bag away, once a quality problem in the future, consumers would be difficult to proof. Proper vendors will take the initiative to provide glasses frames and lenses used in packaging, lenses, refractive index and film hard situation and on the invoice.
Astra 25 Jun 2012, 23:42
Re: Soundmanpt 25 Jun 2012, 18:24
But these stores can assemble the required lenses within an hour , after order. It depends on where you live. If such stores happen to be close to your place, it is worthwhile to visit.
I have visited 1 store in Hong Kong, me without buying. a relative ordered plano lenses.
1 store within an office block, in Incheon.
I wonder if there are any near soundmanpt . As there are so many demand nearby an university as you said.
Soundmanpt 25 Jun 2012, 18:24
I still think you can just as good by shopping on-line at several of the suppliers such as my favorite Zenni, but there indeed are others as well. The prices can be as cheap as $6.95 and really not bad looking glasses. One of the favorites for many of the people I sell glasses to is in the $6.95 page and work best as rx sunglasses.
Clare 25 Jun 2012, 13:33
Red Westerly - you'll find a great choice in the Pacific Place mall but don't expect them to be cheap. I was there with a colleague in February this year, she bought I didn't, and didn't think they were any cheaper than in the UK. I was hoping for some funkier styles but didn't see any.
Astra 25 Jun 2012, 03:34
Re: 25 Jun 2012, 03:23
They typically offer lenses of several famous brands + several local brands. lens quality, frame quality both ranging from low-end to high-end.
These factory outlets can satisfy the diversity of customers fairly well. But the "downside" for some people would be : Travel time to the factory outlets. This is because they tend to concentrate within the industrial areas with lower rent.
Astra 25 Jun 2012, 03:23
Re: 24 Jun 2012, 02:34
New Fei is one of the major manufacturing site of eyeglass lenses in Hong Kong. Their factory is located in Mong Kok.
Similar to the situation in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. These major lenses factories, due to their size, can offer lower prices for lenses that are not produced by themselves.
Astra 24 Jun 2012, 02:36
images from http://www.ausbt.com.au/insider-tip-a-hidden-hong-kong-gem-for-a-great-deal-on-glasses
:
Astra 24 Jun 2012, 02:34
Re: Red Westerly 23 Jun 2012, 22:32
New Fei Optical.
location: 2-9 Mong Kok Road
"Fancy picking up a pair of new glasses during your next trip to Hong Kong?
Louis Baleros, chief concierge at InterContinental Hong Kong, tipped us off to a hidden gem on Hong Kong's Kowloon side.
New Fei Optical, located at 2-9 Mong Kok Road, will:
* pick you up from the hotel in their air-conditioned leather-seated peoplemover, and whisk to you their store
* copy your existing prescription or have a new one made up for you
* help you choose new frames
* and have them made up in around an hour
How's that for service?
You can be driven back to your hotel and return later to pick up the glasses from New Fei Optical, or just have a wander around the colourful Mong Kok area while your new specs are shaped.
The InterContinental's concierge desk has a stack of New Fei's cards, or you can print out this picture and take it with you for your next HK visit."
Red Westerly 23 Jun 2012, 22:32
Does anyone have any recommendations for Optical places in Hong Kong..? im there next week for 10 days and hoping to get some new spex....
Thx Red
Astra 07 Jun 2012, 06:42
JINS-JP
http://www.jins-jp.com/quality/price.html
Astra 07 Jun 2012, 06:36
369plus
Astra 07 Jun 2012, 06:18
Meganedrug.com store location : Chiba
http://www.meganedrug.com/products/set/index.html
Astra 05 Jun 2012, 03:48
Review: 3/F 332 Gyeongin Ro, Nam-gu, Incheon
prices ranging from US $ 8 (low quality PVC cost US $ 1 per frame) to above US $ 200. 1.56 Lenses cost US $ 7
comparison to Danyang: some stores in Danyang offers usual acetate glasses as low as US $ 8. Low quality PVC ones can be US $ 5-6 (US $ 0.5-1 per frame). 1.56 Lenses cost US $ 5-6, 1.50 lenses cost US $ 4
After an order, the glasses can be finished within 1 hour.
downside: 1. choice of frame is limited, given the factory itself produces frame and lenses.
2. the sales may not insist fitting your frame to your face before you leave the store. As we all understand most frames need some fine-tune for each user. I guess, You have to ask them. This experience is different from other stores.
Visitboy 06 May 2012, 23:20
Just had my eyes tested. Very friendly, chatty eye doc so, when he asked if there was anything else I wanted to ask, I felt tempted to broach the subject of wanting to be (a lot) more shortsighted.
I asked about the highest prescription he's written: -29, with a nice story to go with it.
Astra 30 Apr 2012, 03:17
http://www.hopfatoptica.com/c-news.html
In a foreign country due to the concerted efforts of industry, consumers can not find flat goods bought also happy for the window to the soul more pay in exchange for professional services, protection of the reputation to buy glasses is different from eating dan dan noodles, the latter year, at least time to eat, the more the more eating, but the former is different glasses this guy, as I did not myopia, send do not have myopia, cheap goods and then up to a year to buy a different box-shaped, involving further In addition to pay to buy the lens, the mainland city of glasses, a sell, they sell eye examination glasses, the size of the take-all, a serious threat to the survival of the retail, plus a factory direct supplier to large wholesalers automatically disappear. are heartless, nor capable of creating famous brand, price-cutting competition, checks and balances, and cheapest, precarious, effort and reward, disproportionate, and lacking the professional, quality for price, the result He ran the guests, retain poor off, cheap customer to buy cheap goods, ponds roll pond, tired of fighting tired Therefore, since 1979 nearly 30 years, the mainland glasses not make the Chinese optical frames brands anxiety of the world famous brand. some money off. afraid case of fakes, Ning (free exercise) to go out to buy brand-name, would make it not a world famous brand with annual sales in the mainland over San Bai million U.S. dollars, the vast and mighty God, thirty, 13 million people, over 80 million middle-class, glasses sales The situation degenerated so can not Alas
Astra 30 Apr 2012, 03:15
http://www.hopfatoptica.com/c-news.html
"Glasses city" this freak. In Europe and America, There is importer, Wholesalers, distributors, retail stores, four-layer supply chain.
One layer sold to the next level,
keep our part, interlocking and mutually beneficial. Six U.S. dollars mainland potential buyers and eventually sold lo consumers is $ 360, large wholesalers has lucrative profit. So, the ability to sell ads, build networks, recruit talent, and do service fulfill its commitment, emphasis on professional. Address, phone, and strive for constant, long years, the passage of time, the brand then more and more impact, and eventually became the famous brand such as Safilo, the Marcolin, Ray Ban, etc.,. gweilo ugly practice a lot, but the move, we can learn.
Glasses industry and the past few years, the Greater China region, in the fierce competition, margins are thin, is no different manufacturers, take a look at the per share for the Hong Kong plant of the five largest listed companies (Taixing (389) - stock price $ 5, ARTS (1120) - $ 2.60, emerging (125) - $ 3.30, elegant (907) - $ 1.15, constant light (663) - $ 0.14) in recent years, stock, turtle OK snail-paced, relatively isolated, can be evidenced by Taixing slightly aggressive, that was a disaster. Ma 30 years of hard results destroyed. mainland opens a factory to earn more, in recent months, prices of materials, wages of the storm outside was corrupt. Forced moved to the pain, at present, can be described as dire straits. a pot of loose sand characteristics of the Chinese people, the wind flow reach, bad for extension of all walks of life, is the industry myself, so the glasses to play on ideas.
Astra 30 Apr 2012, 03:09
http://www.hopfatoptica.com/c-news.html
In addition, heard that Shanghai has two, is investment, so take the opportunity to see what happens, a trefoil market and drinking places not far across the Government Bus Terminal fence that never sleeps, the sales lady say so, and rent does not sell, smallest stores are 40 square, each side is $ 5 per day, the efficiency rate is 50%, or 40 parties, 80 parties to pay the rent, as I heard wrong, rent the area pay $ 12,000 a month ($ 5 x 40 x 30 Day x 2 = $ 12,000), $ 1.20 per day for each side of the management fee, electricity per unit of approximately $ 1.0 yuan. lease signed for a year or three years, the expiration of the rent increase of 10%, no slotting allowances, but to pay an annual rent of 20 % margin, the expiration of the renewal refundable, other companies which are also located in the Zhabei District, Baoshan the subway, 15 minutes walk along the, roundworm River Road, by the dozens of second-hand computer audio market, see the towering Fujie market. high four-story, asked the manager, Mr., has only rent not sell, no slotting allowances, the contract signed to be three years, annual rent increases of 10 percent, the first pay rent for one year and a monthly rent deposit, the most expensive ground ( per side $ 22), fourth floor is the most level (per side $ 6 million), a monthly management fee $ 13 for each side, 85% of the salable area is 85 square, 100 parties to pay the rent, it arrived than the city that never sleeps food (dominant), the rent is no different three-hour drive away from the Danyang glasses factory group, Shanghai, large passenger to plant purchases, snatched Shanghai eyewear industry is not a small business, I estimated, these two new markets, should not escape out the fate of Aoba and Wun Road businesses, namely retail-based, supplemented by a small amount of wholesale As a result, five ghost of an incense burner, the prospects for retail chains are more ups and downs of yore?
Astra 30 Apr 2012, 02:21
link:
Astra 30 Apr 2012, 02:20
this page offer BBS about eyeglass industry .
bbs.glasses.com.cn
Astra 30 Apr 2012, 01:24
Image of Henggang "Jiabao International" :
http://img3.laibafile.cn/getimgXXX/3/1/photo3/2012/4/3/middle/90563015_66702969_middle.jpg
according to the website, the price are more expensive than Danyang region.
expect RMB $ 100 or above for a frame + lenses.
Astra 30 Apr 2012, 01:20
The images here are taken from a website. So I have not visited this place.
Henggang wholesale market:
http://img1.51cto.com/attachment/201010/23/520839_1287796207Ca2E.png
Zhonghuan wholesale market:
http://img1.51cto.com/attachment/201010/23/520839_128779621295bW.png
Astra 30 Apr 2012, 01:19
I have mentioned Henggang earlier. This place has several wholesale markets.
Henggang wholesale market, Zhonghuan wholesale market.
Images around Henggang wholesale market.
http://img1.51cto.com/attachment/201010/23/520839_1287796177kgh9.png
http://img1.51cto.com/attachment/201010/23/520839_1287796197U0TB.png
http://img1.51cto.com/attachment/201010/23/520839_1287796201ASnm.png
Astra 18 Apr 2012, 12:02
There are some retail stores in Danyang (not Nanjing), which offer the best prices for the Eastern China region.
should be close to the prices in my previous post about Danyang Optical store (Nanjing).
Astra 18 Apr 2012, 11:59
Re: RMB $ 25 for certain type of plastic frame
We have confirmed that it means "acetate frame", which is the usual material.
Not PVC .
Astra 18 Apr 2012, 11:55
previous post is by me.
18 Apr 2012, 11:54
Nanjing has several optical stores which offer low-priced frames.
Danyang optical store (Nanjing)
Baixia district, Jiefang Nan Rd 72-1.
Some of the prices:
RMB $ 60 for ordinary plastic frames. (It says high-quality)
RMB $ 35 for 1.56 lenses.
RMB $ 35 for titanium frames.
RMB $ 25 for certain type of plastic frame (I am not sure what this is, could be the inferior material: PVC frame)
----
In comparison, in 1985-1995 we have PVC frame sunglasses available in a souvenir store located in Stanley, Hong Kong.
We charged HKD $ 70-200 (US $ 8-25), but the wholesale price is less than US $ 5 because we used sub-standard lenses (discarded by factories) with PVC frame.
Astra 18 Apr 2012, 09:45
Re: Clare 17 Apr 2012, 13:27
Hong Kong is far from expensive if it comes to wholesale price.
But, in Hong Kong, most of the retail stores have a high profit margin in order to sustain their stores .
However , I have purchased frame + lenses at about US $ 19 (HKD $ 139) in Hong Kong.
Astra 18 Apr 2012, 09:41
Re: Clare 17 Apr 2012, 13:27
Unfortunately, the Chinese optical industry is concentrated in several small cities that are far apart each other.
Thus, most retail stores in mainland China would sold the frames + lenses at US $ 100-400 instead of close to their wholesale price.
Astra 18 Apr 2012, 09:32
Source: http://www.cqn.com.cn/news/zgzlwlx/71322.html
Imported South Korean resin lens, the minimum wholesale price of 25-30 yuan, some better ones, for 45-60 yuan . But, they can be sold for more than 300 yuan.
If it is European resin lens such as Essilor, Hoya, Sola the retail price can be sold for at least 800 yuan , but the wholesale price is only 300 yuan.
Soundmanpt 17 Apr 2012, 14:00
Clare
The strange thing is that most all of the on-line retailers glasses come from Hong Kong. Zenni is a great example which is very hard to figure since their home office is in the states and so really they operate as a middle man and yet their glasses are as cheap as $6.95 for a complete pair. But many like yourself say that glasses are not anywhere near that cheap in China. You would think buying direct would be much cheaper.
Clare 17 Apr 2012, 13:27
Astra - I didn't find that glasses were cheaper than in the UK when I shopped in Hong Kong last year. On subsequent trips I haven't bothered to look again. I'm guessing that its mainland China that's the best place to shop then? Not sure if business will take me outside of the SAR.
Astra 17 Apr 2012, 12:04
But for domestic users in China, such as me.
Traffic around Nanjing is acceptable. It is worthwhile to visit the region, to shop for frames and lenses. The climate is comfortable, from October to April.
Frames it is mostly Chinese made.
Lenses, there are some foreign made lenses available there.
Astra 17 Apr 2012, 11:56
Stingray,
Because of "progressive transition lenses + shipping + customs duty" I think US $ 105 is a reasonable price.
Stingray 17 Apr 2012, 11:48
I bought 2 pairs of glasses from 5 starglasses.com http://www.5starglasses.com They are located in Danyang. With frame and progressive transition lenses were just around $105.00 U.S. with free shipping. The turn-around time from the time you order to the time you get your glasses is about 3 weeks. You can contact Ms. Monica Wu. She speaks English very well.
Astra 17 Apr 2012, 11:47
Bart probably have heard about this before.
In China, the prices of eyeglasses are much lower than elsewhere. (excluding online stores such as zennioptical)
For all types of frames with 1.67 lenses (assume the rx is not too high), they should cost less than US $ 20 a pair, similar to the price offered by zennioptical.
Astra 17 Apr 2012, 11:33
I have heard there are 80% of frames and lenses manufactured in China, are manufactured in Jiangsu Province. In Jiangsu Province, It is concentrated in Nanjing Region and Zhenjiang Region. This is where the renowned Danyang town located in.
Astra 17 Apr 2012, 11:29
Re Bart: In case what's their name?
I am still unfamiliar with the manufacturers. Would need some time to observe.
PS, for manufacturing, Mohe region (Da Hinggan Ling Region or Da Xing'an Ling Region) is mainly based on Paper and Wood industry.
Astra 17 Apr 2012, 11:26
Re: Bart 17 Apr 2012, 05:00
In China, At least 90% of frames and lenses, are domestically manufactured.
But, because Northern China does not have a major center of eyeglass manufacturing,
The prices are always over-priced in Northern half of China.
Nanjing is located close to Central China (which includes Shandong, most of Anhui, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi etc.) therefore Nanjing is a different region. The Southeastern part of Anhui Province (Xuancheng Region, Huangshan Region), is located adjacent to Nanjing. But I am not familiar with either regions.
In Mohe, where I am currently living in. A pair of Chinese-made glasses, commonly cost USD $ 150 or above.
In Shandong Province or Henan Province, where I thought the population density is high, from the available online stores based there, prices in major city is similarly high ! It is because of the lack of eyeglass industry.
Bart 17 Apr 2012, 05:00
Hi Astra,
it's very inetresting. Do you know if the major part of glasses worn in China comes from local manufacturers? In case what's their name?
Astra 17 Apr 2012, 04:34
Finally noticed the largest optical shop in China.
Located in Danyang, Nanjing of Jiangsu Province, opened 2010.
http://img.cncsj.net/upfile/20100807/201008070850883.jpg
Some info about the spatial distributions of the eyeglass industry.
Nanjing region is the center of eyeglasses manufacture in China. world-renowned Danyang, is located within Nanjing.
This place is located in the most densely populated part of China. Major cities within 400 km (constitutes the Chang Jiang Delta): Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhu, Hangzhou, Ningbo.
The Second major manufacturing center in China, is in Henggang of Shenzhen region. This place is located 30 km north of Hong Kong. Major cities within 200 km (constitutes the Zhu Jiang delta): Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Guangzhou.
Nanjing region supplies most frames and lenses, all over China, which includes 1. the distant, decaying Northeast China, where I am currently living in. 2. The populous but poorly equipped, Central China. National Capital, Beijing is the center of Central China. 3. Southern China, which is moderately populous, 1000-2000 km from Nanjing. 4. Chang Jiang delta itself.
Astra 30 Mar 2012, 06:16
sorry mixed up, the previous US $ 1000 should be US $ 150.
Astra 29 Mar 2012, 13:22
Another manufacturer of eyeglass frame in Japan, Fukui Megane, is the major Japanese frame available for Hong Kong local market.
The selling price is typically above US $ 1000 for frame alone.
Astra 29 Mar 2012, 13:18
We have also visited the store "Optica Fukui" , in Fukui.
Most of their frame are above US $ 1000.
Astra 19 Mar 2012, 14:21
Safelar optical store, part of catalog
http://imgsrc.baidu.com/forum/pic/item/35a85edf8db1cb13bba3a4a7dd54564e93584bb8.jpg
guests 13 Mar 2012, 20:23
EyeTri,
Thanks for the links! Good to know about the ability to do vintage glasses.
At simplyeyeglasses.com I worked up an order for -20 rx using cr-39 in my frames which comes out to around $45 including shipping. Still, it's all subject to order review, I guess.
luvspecs 13 Mar 2012, 16:43
Does anybody know where I can purchase prscription sunglasses with a mirror coating? I found a website once called Giarre.com but it seems that they no longer offer them.
EyeTri 13 Mar 2012, 16:10
guests,
The only lenses I've had EyeglassLensDirect change for me have been to my own prescription (about +2 with trifocals).
For me the placement of my trifocal segments is very important and they have always followed my instructions exactly. Something that may interest you is that they have changed lenses in vintage frames that I purchased via eBay.
Now that I'm thinking about changing lenses in vintage glasses I should mention that I recently had www.simplyeyeglasses.com change lenses in a Shuron frame from the mid 50s. They did a superb job.
guests 13 Mar 2012, 15:23
Brooklyn Boy,
Thanks! Looks like I can get up tp a -15 with 1.49 lenses in my frames for about $65.
guests 13 Mar 2012, 15:14
EyeTri
Thanks! The site looks interesting. Have you been ordering an unusually high prescription like what I'm interested in?
I would be interested in low or medium index with -20 or higher prescription. A red flag for an additional high rx charge or 'unavailable with this lens') is not noted when I place order in shopping cart. I wonder if order is manually processed then price and lens adjustments are made after ordering. While on the Zenni site the adjustment shows up automatically when placed in shopping cart. Get what I mean?
Brooklyn Boy 13 Mar 2012, 14:46
I have used http://lensesrx.com/ few weeks back and I was surprise with how fast their service was. It took them 24 hours to make the lenses and ship my glasses back to me and they didn't ask for the script.
EyeTri 13 Mar 2012, 14:28
guests,
I have had www.eyeglasslensdirect.com change a lot of lenses for me. They have never asked for a written prescription. No problems with frame damage damage or loss.
guests 13 Mar 2012, 13:40
Soundmanpt,
I'm a male whose interested in glasses and women wearing glasses.
I found a most remarkable (at least according to my taste) pair of glasses on Ebay and have been trying to imagine them with thick lenses. As you're aware SGS does offer women's glasses in the script I like but I'm not interested in his frame choices. I don't like the combination of big frames and myodisc lenses and his smaller frame choices are rather ho-hum.
Zenni on the other hand provides an OK variety along with superlative service. I do (actually 'did'- past tense) have a number of Zenni glasses and have been pleased with the style selections, in general, but I'm really seeking the look of those thick lenses in a superlative frame that - not the 10 to $40 variety. Look at it this way, if you had been wearing strong glasses all your life wouldn't you want to look the best you can?
Soundmanpt 13 Mar 2012, 13:18
guests
I think you are correct in your concern about your frame for some reason getting lost. I have read where that has happened. Is there reason you are wanting to fit lenses into this frame and not just getting a complete pair made up?
I am somewhat confused? Are theses glasses to worn by you or by a woman? Are you female or male then? I ask this because most of what SGC has shown in here have been womens frames.
guests 13 Mar 2012, 13:08
Thanks for the good feedback.
I have dealt with Zenni before and have been very pleased with the results. I've toyed with the idea of connecting with SGS; sending him a pair of frames and having his lens fitter put in a high script - even to -30! I guess I'm concerned not just from a time consideration but that these special frames might get lost in transit or that they may be damaged. (there's always a degree of risk with chasing a dream). The strength of lenses he can provide is very appealing though.
Cactus Jack: My interest is not in the wearing of these glasses but just a fascination for glasses with strong minus lenses alone, or worn by women.
What I will probably do is order some pairs with -20 rx from Zenni (3 prs for the price of two) and try my hand in grinding the lenses from one pair to fit my special frames. I'm quite handy and skilled with tools but not yet clear about grinding, edge treating and fitting plastic lenses to have them appear professional.
Thanks again. All thoughts are most welcome!
Soundmanpt 13 Mar 2012, 10:30
Not sure "Ciliaryblue" will work for you as they require a written prescription.
I do think there are a few others out there that may make up lenses with a written script.
I agree with Cactus Jack, SCG is probably a perfect option for you. Zenni also makes glasses up to -20.00 as well.
aviator -oo- 13 Mar 2012, 00:45
Guests: try: http://ciliaryblue.com/
Cactus Jack 13 Mar 2012, 00:01
guests,
Could you share a bit more about what you are trying to do. It sounds like you are either considering GOC or trying to Induce some Myopia.
If either of these are correct, there is a lot more to doing either one successfully than your question implied. Ordering high Rx lenses without a plan is a good way to waste some money and develop some massive headaches. If you want to try either one, we will help you do it right.
If you just want some high minus glasses, you might consider investigating some of SGS's offerings. It might be a less costly approach.
C.
Soundmanpt 12 Mar 2012, 22:13
guests
Off hand I don't recall the names of the on-liners your looking for, however if you look back through this thread you will find several. I'm not sure how high they will go with making the lenses your requesting though.
guests 12 Mar 2012, 20:29
I'm sure this question has been asked before but I can't seem to find the answer in past posts:
Do you know of online lens fitters who will put there lenses in my frames. I don't have an RX but want a strong minus lenses put in somewhere around -20 or more in a 1.5 or 1.57.
Zenni only sells lenses with their glasses.
Thanks in advance.
Soundmanpt 05 Mar 2012, 10:57
Melyssa
Because I go to so many optical stores to pick up the donated glasses I am good friends with many of the opticians that work in the stores. I have told all of them about Zenni in conversations and now many of them go there for themselves as well as their families and friends. Needless to say one of the first things they do when their glasses arrive is to check them to be sure that the glasses were made correctly. Many of them have told me that they are surprised that Zenni was more accurate than their own lab in making their glasses. When glasses are made there is a certain tolerance that is allowed to be off, but Zenni is usually dead on or very close.
I have no doubts with Zenni being very accurate in making single vision glasses as the only number that needs to be good besides the rx is the PD. But surprising I have taken a good number of orders for progressives and so far not had any rejects. Somehow the sight height seems to be fine.
Melyssa 05 Mar 2012, 10:30
Zenni gets a mention: http://philadelphia.cbslocal.com/2011/05/17/3-on-your-side-eyeglasses-online-for-cheap/
Astra 04 Mar 2012, 04:32
Aha. un-branded or un-organised market.
That was once rampant in Hong Kong.
"A huge parallel market
Besides the branded and unbranded market, there is also a huge parallel market in unbranded eyewear. These markets contain products that are mainly imported from the Chinese mainland, and are available in the unorganised market at very low prices ranging from US$2 to US$10. These are mainly ophthalmic spectacles with refractive power and usually feature low-quality plastic lenses. A lot of non-branded sunglasses are also available in this segment.
The organised players do not expect this to hurt their market shares, as these are non-standard goods. But almost all organised eyewear manufacturers and retailers are trying to capture this segment of the market, by offering lower-priced, standard goods."
Astra 04 Mar 2012, 04:30
Some articles I have found.
"In India, there are millions of people suffering from eye disorders and vision impairment and need treatment. The country also has the highest number of cataract patients. There are many children suffering from blindness and all that they need is glasses. Lack of awareness on eye disorders and shortage of ophthalamologists are the major reasons for the present scenario since there is only one ophthalamologist for almost a million Indians.
Speaking on the under-developed Indian optical industry, Dr Holden feels that a lot more needs to be done for it to transform from the current $3 million industry to a $ 30 million industry. "50 million pairs of spectacles are imported from China each year and billions of dollars worth optical equipment are bought in from overseas. India has the knowledge and potential to be the leaders in this sector like IT. We want to generate business, develop products and make this a self-sustaining industry,
"
"Top Indian brands Fastrack and Vintage also import sunglasses from the Chinese mainland.
Where it comes to spectacle frames, Hong Kong is said to be the best source for the latest models. These are competitively priced and suit the price targets of the Indian consumers.
These trends continue despite a 37% import duty on eyewear in the Indian market. According to industry experts, gross margins in India are very low, at around 25% to 35%, two to three times lower than in more advanced markets. So, a product selling in Europe for US$200 would sell in India for US$70 (inclusive of margins and import duties). Many retailers are banking on the mass market expanding."
Astra 04 Mar 2012, 04:23
Re: Revolver 27 Feb 2012, 13:17
Does anyone here familiar about the Optical industry in Asia ?
I wonder how is the optical industry in India.
"Fashion accessories in India are currently enjoying a quiet boom, as consumers try to become a little more different from each other. There is an overall trend towards westernisation influenced by the availability of international products and spurred by satellite television. With growing consumer awareness about global fashion brands, coupled with rapidly growing income levels, the Indian consumers demand for high quality premium branded products has increased. The marketability of fashion accessories is becoming increasingly noticeable. As consumers need for fashion accessories become more and more individualised, the market is changing towards a large number of different products & towards a short product cycle.
In the eyewear industry, it is estimated that 35 per cent of Indias population, i.e. approximately 350 million people, are in need of vision correction, which may be done by surgery, laser therapy, spectacles or contact lenses. However, only about 25% of people have their vision corrected.
In India, eyewear is at the forefront compared to the global markets where vision care has a strong presence. A near stagnant market has been converted into one of the fastest growing industries recording a 20% growth annually. Nevertheless, in global terms the industry in India remains underdeveloped even today. The Indian markets account for about 1% of the worlds consumption.
Spectacles and sunglasses are used by over 1/3rd of Indias population & a wide range is available to cater to the variety of the consumers. With the increase in the level of the self-awareness among the consumers, the emphasis is more on the look of the glasses and the image the customer seeks to create. There has been a noticeable shift in consumer purchases for eyewear from form and function to form and fashion.
In past few years, the awareness of consumer towards branded eyewear products and eye care have been increasing and people are ready to spend on premium brands. In fact sunglasses are now being looked at, more as a fashion device rather than a protective device with the entry of international brands like Ray Ban, Benetton, Gucci, Police etc.
The sunglasses and spectacle frames business in India has great potential with only a few organised players like Luxott-ica (with their Ray-Ban products), Safilo and Colorsoft. New entrants also getting into the fray and some of the old distributors, who operated throu-gh the grey market, are now also getting more organised in their approach and dealings. The unorganised sector (grey market) exists in a big way & almost all international brands are available..
"
Soundmanpt 01 Mar 2012, 20:58
Potential GOC'er
Not real sure where the best place to get contacts on-line without a written prescription, I know there are some but I don't recall which ones. Glasses I would suggest using zennioptical.com as they are international and you can order whatever rx you want up to -20.00 in 1.57 lenses and up to -8.00 in 1.50 lenses.
Good luck and have fun with doing GOC
GL 01 Mar 2012, 12:23
If you want really thick glasses, then go to greateyeglasses.com
You can't go wrong!
I've had glasses made up to -12 in large frames without a squeak of complaint from them about how thick they'll be. Two pairs I got last year were 15mm thick!
I have another two pairs on order.
And, no I am not a stooge for the company. I'm a very happy customer. Well, I will be when I receive my latest order.
When I receive my latest order, I will have 'fun'.
Potential GOCer 29 Feb 2012, 15:56
Hi
Can anyone recommend any online retailers (UK or shipping easily to UK) which sell + contacts without providing a prescription? Likewise, the best retailers for selling glasses without prescription.
Help would be appreciated
Thanks
PG
Revolver 27 Feb 2012, 13:17
O.K., there was discussion on Seen On The Web about the cost of eyewear at optical shops vis a vis online companies and Asian countries. Soundman correctly raised the point that ECP's are well aware of it. And it is of great concern and there is getting to be a bunch of push back, or at least as much as can be done under the law.
About 6 months ago, a highly respected nationally known ECP who writes a monthly article in one of the 3 major monthly optical publications wrote an article on this very topic. The ECP is a clever writer and the piece was entertaining enough but did contain some vitriol. Will try to paraphrase some of the key points below.
The article was entitled "Price List for ECP Service, and at the very start in bold letters as if on a poster said "$35.00 to take a PD, $50.00 to select a frame, $50.00 to verify an RX, $65.00 to adjust a frame". Starts off by an ECP assisting someone who comes into the store, shows lots of frames, and at the end the person just says he's only shopping and asks the ECP to write everything down and give him the PD.
Here's a direct quote from the article, that when the person asks for a PD it's like saying "Zenni Optical is my optician, Sucka".
The article then discusses if you have a price list how many customers you would lose, and cites a Consumer Reports article telling people to shop around for all things and then buy online. And of course, the ECP cites overhead to run a brick and mortar store such as maintaining a paid for inventory, wages for employees, taxes, insurance, heat, and other utilities.
This isn't the first or only article raising these issues, but was very eyecatching because of the skill of the writer. Again, Soundman, of course ECP's are aware of the online situation and are fighting it however they can because it is their bread and butter and their investment is seriously threatened.
Soundmanpt 18 Feb 2012, 12:04
hoax
I tried to go on-line to "opticallive.com" and it kept coming up "try again" I could not get any of the different versions to open. It kinda looks like they went out of business and that another company may have taken over.
Not sure what type of glasses they offer as I had never even known of them. I will tell you that I have ordered hundreds of glasses over the past 9 years from zennioptical.com with perfect results. Their prices are very good and the quality is excelant. I even have many opticians and doctors getting their own glasses from them. Recently they now are doing a promotion that if you buy 2 pairs a 3rd one is free. I also checked and the 3 pairs can be in 3 different prescriptions.
hoax 18 Feb 2012, 11:24
Anyone knows what's up with Opticallive? My order from 7 weeks ago didn't arrive and now their page is down :/
Soundmanpt 14 Feb 2012, 18:56
Stingray
Here in the states it is 2 weeks. I have only had it take longer twice and both times it was due to customs. The good thing is when that happens Zenni will put in a duplicate order at no charge to you and you end up with a double order. In both cases it ended up only being about 3 weeks and the 2 orders came in a couple days apart.
If your in a different country it may take up to 3 weeks.
Stingray 14 Feb 2012, 15:43
Does anyone know the turn around time for Zenni Optical? I've been waiting 2 weeks now and all they say is that they were manufactured.
Euro Traveller 22 Jan 2012, 13:25
Does anyone have experience of online reglazing services with particular reference to edge polishing? From reading posts here Cilliary Blue seem to have a good reputation but has anyone used them and specifically requested polihed edges? If so what was the result? if anyone has other suggestions (preferably UK and/or European) I would be glad to hear them.
Thanks in advance.
guest 18 Jan 2012, 08:53
I need to order some contacts and I don't have a current RX. Where can I order online without a RX.
22 Jul 2011, 08:22
Darn...missed an opportunity...An optical store was closing down. I decided to give them a call and ask if the lens grinding machine was for sale...they said yes but was already sold. :(
Soundmanpt 09 Jul 2011, 10:45
gasman
I recommend first checking with your eye doctor before doing that. Just to be safe.
09 Jul 2011, 09:14
sofy = soft (sorry)
gasman 09 Jul 2011, 09:13
I wear sofy contacts about 60% of the time, the other glasses. My Rx is -6. I am cntemplating of ordering rigid hard contact lenses...is there anything in particular that I need to know? Any help or advise would be much appreciated
07 Jul 2011, 09:38
Specs4ever
You are correct 3.0mm
specs4ever 07 Jul 2011, 06:51
I believe that the maximum thickness for CR39 safety lenses is 3.0mm.
I, Glasses 06 Jul 2011, 15:13
What would be the maximum center thickness for lens blanks of any material, whether CR-39, industrial strength material, etc.?
Cactus Jack 03 Dec 2010, 16:31
Helen.
For maximum thickness, order the LOWEST index possible. CR-39 has an index of about 1.49. Many online retailers offer polycarbonate lenses with a slightly higher index as their standard lens material. Aspheric lenses would not be useful with your Rx.
No matter what the lens material, your lenses will not be very thick.
C.
Helen 03 Dec 2010, 14:14
I am about to order online. I know if I went to an optician they would recommend CR35 at my prescription but if I want them to look as strong as possible should I order high index or aspheric lenses?
Helen 01 Dec 2010, 06:34
Thank you Cactus Jack.
I recently looked out my prescription which is from 2009 and both eyes are not the same as I thought.
OS -1.75
OD -1.50
I will order from a cheap online store first
Cactus Jack 01 Dec 2010, 06:09
Helen,
Astigmatism correction, if it is not exactly what you need, can make a big difference in the wearability of a prescription because there is no possible way for you to compensate for it. You can compensate for glasses that have a little too much minus in sphere, but that ability depends on how flexible your crystaline lenses are and the strength of your ciliary muscles. Flexibility of your crystaline lenses is determined by your genes and your age.
I often suggest -1 or even -2 over as a starting place for over correction in late teens and 20s, but for people approaching 40, I suggest a less aggressive approach until their ciliary muscles get conditioned to being slightly over corrected. That is why I suggested starting at -0.25 over.
The only way to find out if you can deal with being over corrected is to actually try it for a week or so in a real world visual environment. That is why I suggested ordering some very inexpensive (about US$7.00 plus shipping) glasses with -0.25 sphere over from Zenni to see if you can manage it before having your existing frames reglazed with a higher Rx that you would have difficulty wearing. You might be able to go a little higher, but the potential for having reading problems increases with the additional minus.
As we get older, dealing with being over corrected becomes more of an experiment than a certainty so we have to approach it slowly and carefully.
One thing I do need to assist further is your complete, most recent Rx.
C.
Helen 01 Dec 2010, 04:56
Thanks EyeTri and Cactus Jack
Over the weekend I got to try a friend's prescription she says she is -0.50 higher than me with -.50 of astigmatism. I found them a bit too strong and she thought it could be the extra astigmatism correction which I don't have. Is that likely to be the reason?
EyeTri 27 Nov 2010, 18:23
Helen,
In answer to your question about getting a frame reglazed, I have had good results from www.eyeglasslensdirect.com and www.lensesrx.com
Cactus Jack 27 Nov 2010, 17:25
Helen,
You might be able to tolerate a slightly stronger distance Rx, say -0.25 or maybe -0.50 more. However, it will not be too long until you will need a reading add unless you read with your glasses off. If you have your complete Rx, you can experiment at low cost by ordering what ever Rx you want from an on line retailer such as Zenni.
Wearing a slightly stronger Rx will not have any significant long term effect at your age and if you can tolerate the over correction it may help keep your ciliary muscles in condition. It depends very much on your available accommodation range.
If you want to try some a little stronger, I would try -0.25 over on the sphere. Do not change the cylinder or axis. If you need help measuring your PD, let us know.
If you tolerate the -0.25 increase, after a month or so, you might try -0.50. If you use the same frame style for both, no one will be the wiser.
C.
Helen 27 Nov 2010, 16:17
Thank you Cactus Jack.
I would like a slightly stronger prescription but my prescription has been stable for a number of years. My husband wears -2.75 and -3 fulltime but his glasses are a little too strong for me. At 48 I realise most people are getting reading glasses not distance glasses! Is there anything to gain by persevering with something currently too strong in the hope that my eyes will accept it after a while?
Cactus Jack 27 Nov 2010, 15:33
Helen,
Vision is an incredibly personal thing and no has the right to tell any other person that his uncorrected vision does not deserve to be corrected. It is in some ways like telling someone that they should not bother with shoes that fit comfortably because they are only a little too small or telling someone that their favorite dish should not be eaten because they don't happen to like it.
Seriousness, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. -1.50 means that anything beyond 66 cm or 26 inches is increasingly blurry. I think the inability to see small text or objects beyond that distance is indeed serious. Usually, it is people who wear higher Rx than the Rx in question think that the Rx is not "serious". I personally think -0.25 is worth correction and -0.50 absolutely so. -0.50 means that everything beyond 2 meters (6.5 feet) is increasingly blurry and vision in low light conditions is seriously compromised.
If you read some of the posts by people who got low Rx, first glasses, you will hear of their amazement at how crisp and vivid everything is. I don't ever recall seeing any post where they wish they had not bothered unless extreme vanity was a factor.
C.
Helen 27 Nov 2010, 14:55
I am looking to get a frame reglazed. Any recommendations please?
Cactus Jack: I saw your post to Nick. What do you consider to be a 'serious rx'? I ask because I wear -1.50, do you consider that to be serious?
Nick 24 Sep 2010, 07:32
@ Cactus jack
I ordered my new glasses with prescription
-2.00, -.50, 90
-1.00, -2.50, 150
while my real prescription is
-1.50, -.50, 90
-0.50, -2.50, 150.
i asked local optician for 5 D bo prism. but he was not aware of prism correction.. and i was also nervous so finally ordered as above.
Cactus Jack 22 Sep 2010, 13:39
Nick,
It is highly unlikely that 5 BO in each eye will cause any strabismus problems UNLESS you actually have some latent strabismus. That amount is like reading at arms length. It will increase the edge thickness.
Many people want thicker lenses because they are reluctant to wear glasses that look like they do not really need them.
Your current Rx is a "serious" Rx. Your sphere correction for you right eye means that you cannot see anything beyond 1 meter clearly and the cylinder correction means that nothing is really clear at any distance. The sphere correction in your left eye means that nothing beyond 40 cm is clear and the small amount of cylinder makes that even worse.
Remember, no one knows what you see with or without your glasses but you. You do not wear vision correction for other people, you wear it for your benefit.
Some people like being slightly overcorrected because of the super sharp vivid vision it provides.
I can not make any decision for you, you must do that.
Let me know how I can help.
C.
Nick 22 Sep 2010, 12:12
i m not able to decide where to start ??
well in india.. its not necessary to hv Rx by doctor.
and what will be the effect of base out prism on vision.. will i get strabism in my eyes ?
Cactus Jack 22 Sep 2010, 06:54
Nick,
Do you need an "official" Rx from an Eye Care Professional to order glasses in India or can you order glasses from a Rx that is just written on piece of paper?
One possibility I didn't mention is asking that the glasses be make from a very think blank. The glasses would be pretty heavy.
Another thing you could do is increase your sphere Rx by the same amount in each eye, but do not change the cylinder or axis. At your age, you should be able to accommodate several diopters of increase, but I would start with -1.00 and get used to that before going higher.
Herer is your Rx with a -1.00 diopter increase. If you want to try some prism just add 5 BO to the Rx as I have shown below
R. -2.25, -1.00, 90 5 BO prisms
L. -3.50, -0.50, 180 5 BO prisms
Have you decided what you want to do?
C.
Nick 22 Sep 2010, 01:22
@ cactus Jack
R. -1.25, -1.00, 90
L. -2.50, -0.50, 180
my age is 24.
Cactus Jack 21 Sep 2010, 16:11
1, Glasses,
Base curve can affect edge thickness because the power in the lens is actually developed by the difference in the curve of the front of the lens and the curve of the back of the lens. Most low minus lenses have a + base curve in the front and a minus curve in the back and the Rx is the algebraic difference between the curves. At low Rx it won't make all that much difference.
I was reluctant to suggest that he ask that the glasses be made from a very thick blank because they would be very heavy, but it would work. As long as the curves are correct, it does not matter how thick the blank is to get the Rx right. Some years ago, I think O4L made some glasses on special order that were something like -2.00 and about 15 or 20 mm thick.
C.
I, Glasses 21 Sep 2010, 11:21
Cactus Jack,
I thought I had read somewhere that the base curve of a lens could also affect its edge thickness. Did I misunderstand that?
Cactus Jack 21 Sep 2010, 09:00
Nick,
Overall lens thickness is determined by two things, the Rx itself and the center thickness of the lens. Optically, the material at the optical center of a minus lens only needs to thick enough to not break in normal handling, say 1 mm. The edge thickness is then determined by the power of the lens and the size of the lens. The higher the Rx and the bigger the lens, the thicker the edges. The problem with such a lens it that it might be OK to wear, but would not protect your eyes from anything hitting the lens. For example a rock might hit your glasses, break the lens, and damage your eye.
The solution is to make the center of the lens thicker which directly translates to the edge thickness. If you make the center of the lens thicker by say 2 mm, the edge will also be 2 mm thicker.
There are a couple of ways to make your glasses thicker.
1. Request safety glasses. They are automatically made thicker to protect your eyes.
2. Depending on your age, you might be able to deal with a small increase in the sphere portion of your prescription. That will make the edge thicker.
3. Use frames with large lenses.
4. Consider adding 5 diopters of Base Out prism to each eye. You should be able to handle that easily. That will increase the outer edge of the lens by about 5 mm.
If you can tell us your age and complete Rx we may be able to offer specific suggestions.
specs4ever 21 Sep 2010, 08:53
Hi Nick: Here in the USA, the standard center thickness of a lens in a pair of prescription glasses is 2.2mm. For years, a lens was available that was 3.2mm thick at the center, and these were called safety glasses. With the advent of polycarbonate lenses I no longer know if there is a standard lens available with the increased center thickness, as polycarbonate lenses have been advertised as unbreakable. You might be able to ask for the thicker center thickness, but unfortunately most of the labs that do lens grinding are pretty well set up to do standard things. Good luck.
Nick 21 Sep 2010, 02:45
My no. is -2.5 D Cyl some (approx)
i m from India.. online shopping is not in trend. so i went to local optician. i ordered cr 39 glasses with antireflection coating..
my question is
i want to make my glasses look thicker. what should i say to optician,,
i hv seen some communication before,, people say ask optician to make them thicker from center.. what does it mean? how can i make my glasses look thicker.. i want thickkest looking glasses.
pls suggest me something
Katie 25 Feb 2010, 15:55
My Rx is in region of -3.5/-4 with a lot of astigmatism. I had an anti reflective coating on my previous rimless specs and will do so again because it does make a real difference for driving/computing. I don't think the edges were well enough polished though and therefore the slight whiteness iritated me. From what you all say I have no reason to belive that zenni's rimless glasses would not be well polished and finished to a good standard. I suspect going for a higher index lens with a thinner edge would help too? I want some glasses that I hardly know I am wearing but also look really good.
Thanks for the advice!
K
Eye Tri 25 Feb 2010, 15:28
Cactus Jack & Katie
Zenni does charge for AR coating, but only $4.95. I've had good results from Zenni. I'm waiting for a pair of glasses from them now.
Cactus Jack 25 Feb 2010, 08:06
Katie,
I believe an anti-reflective coating is included on Zenni's glasses. I don't recall your Rx, but an AR coating may help with the internal reflections in the rimless glasses.
C.
Crystal Veil 25 Feb 2010, 06:59
During the past six months I ordered some 40 pairs at Zenni's. I am doing a series of photo shoots with models wearing glasses from my "history" collection, more or less matching the model's own Rx. Near the end of each photo shoot I make portraits of the model in new Zenni glasses (Rx -8.00) bought especially for these photo shoots. If the model likes a certain Zenni frame from my collection, I order the same frame in her own Rx as payment for the model.
So far, about a dozen Zenni glasses are used in daily life by my models and they are all quite happy with them. I also ordered a couple of Zenni glasses for myself and they are good quality.
One model could not be helped in a satisfatory way because she needs multifocal lenses and her Rx is 1-2 diopters above -10.00 which is Zenni's upper limit for bifocal and multifocal lenses. I solved this problem by ordering a pair of Zenni glasses of 1.67 index (single view only) and adding a "Stick on Lens" to upgrade her glasses into bifocals. She has them only as backup in case something happens to her own multifocal glasses.
I have nothing but praise for Zenni. They deliver the glasses within two weeks and so far, all the glasses are OK. The models and the Zenni glasses can be seen on my weblog "Ladies behind crystal veil" (nine models so far, some 300 glasses used, 1600 portraits).
No guarantee, but I hope this information is of some use to you.
Ric 25 Feb 2010, 04:26
Time ago i ordered a semi rimless frame from Zennioptical. Thik they were good.
Katie 25 Feb 2010, 02:47
Hi
Has anyone ordered rimless glasses from zenni optical? Can anyone vouch for their quality? I want to get a couple of pairs of new glasses which are not expensive and was going to order from zenni for the first time. I once had a rimless pair but did not warm to them much, the light reflection from the edges was rather distracting however since I like the way they look and the fact they can be very light I am planning to try again. Are the zenni rimless well polished around the edges? Has anyone bought them with the standard 1.5 lenses or is it definitely worth upgrading to the 1.6 poly lenses?
Thanks!
K
Sydneycider 22 Feb 2010, 23:16
Thanks Brian, thats a good one to know! I ended up going with quite a nice frame from O4L. Hope they turn out well.
Thanks again.
Bwian 09 Feb 2010, 20:59
Just got my new glasses from simplyeyeglasses.com I have 6D of prism each eye and live in Australia. I was very impressed with their product and service.
Cactus Jack 09 Feb 2010, 16:05
Sydneycider,
You might try www.eyeglassfactoryoutlet.com/ located in Florida.
C.
Sydneycider 09 Feb 2010, 15:50
Thanks again! Is anyone aware of an online company that does prism other than O4L? There frame selection is not what it used to be.
Regards.
gwgs 09 Feb 2010, 01:29
Yep, well done Sydney, some of these big companies do try it on but as you've found - if you try at a different time or a different day - and be strong the result can often be in your favour
Julian 08 Feb 2010, 05:08
Well done, sydneycider!
SGS 08 Feb 2010, 04:24
For custom made thick glasses contact mail creephighway@hotmail.com
Wreite your prescription needed and advise with frame preferrd.
Price can be much cheaper than making in western countries. As I list -25D glasses on ebay only round 30GBP
Sydneycider 08 Feb 2010, 02:08
Thanks guys, I actually went back in today and threw quite an impressive tanty. The manager of the store was out for the day and his replacement gave me a total refund. The result, back with no glasses for a few weeks. 8-( But I am proud that I stood my ground!
russell 07 Feb 2010, 14:30
Julian: I agree with you. A private optician most probably takes more care in making lenses than a large chain does. But I do know that in the US, unless a business posts in writing their policy that a certain service may not yield expected results, then they must stand behind shoddy work and make it good. That's one reason we have small claims courts.
Julian 06 Feb 2010, 10:26
Sydneycier, Russell: it seems to me that this is the sort of job that 'private' opticians do better than chains. That may just be my prejudice; but last year, or rather the year before, I bought a set of Adidas frames, wire ovals, very cheaply on eBay. When my test showed that no change was needed, I asked for them to be reglazed as a spare, and in a few days they came back fitted with Rodenstock progressive lenses. Though they're not 100% comfortable, they are serviceable, and I can see better with them than with my previous Rx.
Bub 06 Feb 2010, 02:23
Does anyone know the name of a good glasses website where I can order a large pair of very thick myopic glasses from?
russell 05 Feb 2010, 10:30
Did the people at SpecSavers give you a written policy that they are not responsible for lenses put in frames not bought at their store? If not, then you may have a good small claims court case. And if you mention that to the manager, he or she may replace your lenses free of charge. Most business people don't want the hassle of going to court. (In the US, small claims court cases usually cost very little to file; I'm sure in other countries, there are similar options.)
Sydneycier 05 Feb 2010, 05:13
Any advice on how I handle my latest Specsavers nightmare?
Ordered some new lenses, multifocal with some prism in a pair of frames I ordered online.
When they arrived instore, they were adjusted without being heated up, resulting in one of the lenses being chipped. I was told it was because I had bought in frames that weren't theirs.
I was then told to wear them over the Xmas period then they would replace it, which I did and they did.
Cost so far $250. I went in to pick them up today, they adjusted them and the other lense chipped.
I was informed that my "poor lack of lense choice" was the issue. And was offered 1.6 index lenses to be replaced at 1/2 price.. so goodbye to the $250 that i'd just spent.
Any suggestions? Since ordering them I have been without correction for nearly a month!
Morton 07 May 2009, 04:17
I am going to Chicago for a 5 days business trip next week. As I always come back with gifts for my wife and kids, I thought of buying a new pair of glasses for my wife (she now has about 12 different pairs, to match her outfits). Any idea of where I could order and get glasses quickly, with a copy of her prescription with me?
DWV 11 Mar 2009, 00:30
Sears optical in Canada is advertising what is usually a real sale on glasses. If it's the same deal as it was last year, it was cheaper than buying online for the same frames and lenses. (The deal then was $150 total for any frame priced under $200 complete with single vision, bifocal, trifocal or progressive lenses in polycarbonate. 1/2 price on any enhancements, like photogray or supersizing to 8x35 trifocal.)
The ad I saw said something like "selected" frames, so maybe they've changed it so you can only get the frames that make you look like a sex offender unless you want to pay more.
Eustace 25 Feb 2009, 19:32
Superduty:
Is your son really terribly self-conscious about wearing thick glasses? If not, I cannot see spending all that extra money for high index lenses. Besides, at his age, I suspect that his Rx changes almost every year. As you probably know from reading the various threads in Eyescene, many of us wish we had thicker glasses and are attracted to people who have really thick lenses. I note that you say that you prefer thicker glasses. By the way, how old was your son when he first began wearing glasses?
Brian 16 24 Feb 2009, 05:10
Hello mysuperduty.From what I have learned here optical4less is okay.They do have high index 1.9 up tp -25.0.
After I graduate college I plan to order from them.My local Lenscrafters indicated to me that they would only grind lenses up to 18.75. Also does your 18 year old have 20/20 vision? My rx is around -15 plus astigmatism and prism correction and tri-focals.I can get 20/25 in one eye and 20/30 the other.
mysuperduty 23 Feb 2009, 14:10
HI! I usually like to have thicker glasses, but this is directed more for my son. He wears a -22 and a -23.50. He is 18 now and I want to get him the thinnest lenses possible without going to a myodisc. I know Optical 4 less has good prices. That is some of a concern. I think the way to go is the 1.74 lens? Help me out here guys. THX! my direct email is mysuperduty@yahoo.com
Trent 22 Feb 2009, 08:49
Why should I be punished financially because I have a high myopia? Recently, the cost of purchasing eyewear has skyrocketed. Traditional brick & mortar optical stores are so insanely expensive? A pair of high index progressives in a respectable frame can cost as much as $1000. The mark-ups on these products must be 400%! How can these jokers justify charging so much? Do you want to bet that I could fly to Asia and get a pair of same quality glasses cheaper than down at the corner optical store. Does that make sense?
The most affordable specs that I have found are at COSTCO. Other than that on-line vendors provide the best deals.
Sorry for the wining, below is a link to a cute myope who also found glasses to be expensive.
http://rinaz.net/2008/02/glasses/
07 Feb 2009, 17:40
I WOULD SUGGEST GIARRE.COM. LOADS OF FASHIONABLE SPECS ON THERE.
Trent 07 Feb 2009, 11:03
I'm in the market for a new pair of glasses and wonder what the latest trend is for eyewear. From what I have seen so far those square frames are on the way out and more rounder shapes are coming in.
Can someone please post some good links to fashion websites that show what's hot for 2009?
19 Jan 2009, 22:21
Sorry, Clair not Clare
Emily 19 Jan 2009, 22:21
Clare -- not too professional, was she. I'm glad the opticians I use are more discreet.
Clair 19 Jan 2009, 17:48
Saturday I had my yearly eye doc appointment. So I am shown to the exam room by a girl maybe 18 years telling me it's her first week. Sitting in the chair she leans in and removes my -11 glasses. Her first comment was that "I never have seen such strong lenses yet but they are very light". After the questions about headaches, alergies, etc she was about to leave and said "your eyes look so natural for someone with glasses like yours" I responded that I wish they were worse. Unfortunately I have no idea whet her reaction was sitting there bare eyed.
Cactus Jack 19 Jan 2009, 09:19
Thanks for the suggestions.
I asked him to do some very crude tests with some +1.50 readers and got results that lead me to believe he is actually just a little hyperopic, maybe +0.50. If he is and goes in with myopic complaints, I doubt he will have much success. If the above is true and he complains of headaches, he might get very lucky, perhaps on the first try.
The first step on any journey is to know where you are. He may be young enough to be able to wear minus glasses and perhaps reverse the hyperopia some. If not there is always GOC.
Thanks again, I really appreciate it.
C.
Aubrac 19 Jan 2009, 06:44
Cactus Jack
I think most of the UK optical chains, e.g. Vision Express, Dolland & Aitcheson, etc, will be pleased to prescribe even for a very low scrip.
UK charges are currently £15 for a sight test and providing money is not a problem, anyone can book examinations with as many different stores as they like until they strike lucky.
Smudgeur 19 Jan 2009, 05:46
I'd recommend Specsavers, I understand that their opticians are on commission for glasses, a bit of an incentive to give someone a prescription!
Make sure he/she tells the optician about some symptoms (if they're myopic then say reading roadsigns at night when driving, if hyperopic then headaches after reading)
Cactus Jack 19 Jan 2009, 00:49
Can anyone in the UK suggest where a new O-O who has a VERY strong desire for glasses, but with low actual need at this time, could go and get an exam and be likely to get a first Rx. I would like to know is his actual sphere and cylinder, if any, so I can guide him towards quality GOC or perhaps inducing some myopia. I don't know exactly where he lives so perhaps a large chain or a very friendly optician might be a good suggestion.
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Please feel free to contact me at cactusjack1928@hotmail.com if you don't want to post it here.
C.
Galileo 16 Jan 2009, 09:46
Hi Jill - its a lens with a flat front instead of a curve.
Jill 15 Jan 2009, 10:32
What are plano fronts
Jennifer 15 Jan 2009, 08:53
crafter, I went to Lenscrafters with a fake prescription on a Sunday and they filled it with no calls to the eye doctor listed on the prescription pad. But I did get very nervous when the girl took my rx and said she needed to make a copy of the sheet of paper. She returned, handed me my rx and said they had no problem doing the glasses in one hour. It was the most exciting hour of anticipation I had. Good luck!
Aubrac 15 Jan 2009, 02:59
Does any one know if there are any reactolite lenses that do not go dark in very cold weather?
My wife does not usually wear her glasses out walking but had them on the other day, it was a dull grey day, and very cold and windy. After a short while the lenses went quite dark and so she took her glasses off - shame!
Can anyone help?
crafter 15 Jan 2009, 00:51
does anyone know if the infamous lenscrafters call doctors to verify prescriptions?
it would seem that this isn't possible with one-hour or even over-the-weekend service.
DWV 15 Jan 2009, 00:40
I suspect they can't make progressive lenses with plano fronts, since the front surface is molded with the progressive part. The back is ground to your prescription. According to a Sola lens availability document, they make some progressive lenses with nominal base curves of 1 or 1.5, which is not that far from flat.
I figured the change in base curve might have some impact, maybe affecting the vision through periphery of the lenses more than the center.
Jennifer 14 Jan 2009, 11:52
Likes Lenses, can we see a picture of the glasses? I would love to see how they look. I would secretly be very excited if someone made a comment that my eyes seemed to be getting worse. I can see why everyone is so excited about what you did!
BrooklynBoy 14 Jan 2009, 05:06
As soon as I saw the posting from Like Lenses, I couldn't resist the urge to try it as well, my prescription is around -5 now and when I ordered, I did write on the comment box for them to make the lenses as thick as possible and no one called so later on that day (monday) I used they online chat to chekc on my order and I asked them is they saw the note and the customer service guy said that the lab people would take care of it. I cant wait to see it, I received an e-mail yesterday stating that the eyeglasses are on they way, on which makes their service very fast. I'll keep you guys posted.
Katy 14 Jan 2009, 03:31
Like Lenses - that sounds fantastic! Everyone will be trying that now :-)
Like Lenses 13 Jan 2009, 23:15
russell,
I am not sure about how your slight plus or progressives would work out.
It was in the comments box that I had put the request in, and they did not question it. I think that they just used lens blanks that would be used in a higher prescription, and ground all the power in on the back surfaces.They are about three times thicker than a previous pair with the same Rx.
A few friends commented that my eyes must have gotten much worse.
DWV,
There is no distortion , and I actually think that I see better through them than another pair with the same Rx.
russell 13 Jan 2009, 11:39
Like lenses: I'm intrigued by your post about Globaleyeglasses. Did you just put your request in the "comments" box on the order? They didn't question you about this? Also, my prescription in both eyes is right around sph +.50 axis -1.50 with a 2.50 add. Would they be able to do my progressive lenses like you ordered, with flat front and thick edges? And would the slight plus make them look different from your minus lenses?
DWV 13 Jan 2009, 00:44
Regarding "flat and thick as possible". Next time I'm shopping for glasses and the salescritter tries to push higher-index lenses and expensive coatings on me, I'll tell them I want thicker glasses with lots of reflections. The trifocal segments should be more obvious on a plano base curve, too.
Do you notice more distortion with the flat lenses?
Guest 12 Jan 2009, 22:58
Has anyone used a reglazing company in the UK with good results? I have a pair of glasses I want to change the lenses in but am a little wary about selecting from the internet so personal recommendation would be helpful. Thanks
Like Lenses 11 Jan 2009, 17:54
I had ordered a pair of glasses from Globaleyeglasses, with a request to make the lenses as thick, and as flat front as possible.
My RX is only -1.50 with -1.50 cyl. per eye, but they look like aprox. -6.00
Friend 09 Jan 2009, 21:16
Use their first priority service to speed up the whole process. Your glasses will arrive in less than one week.
Johnny 08 Jan 2009, 22:22
I just ordered a pair of black wire frames with Myothin glass lenses: R:-35, L:-32, from Optical4Less. The confirmation email said they process within 24 hrs, and shipping takes 7-14days. Anyone in the US know if that's true - that glasses usually arrive within 2 weeks? I used PayPal to pay, and I think if it's more than a month then the merchant can't refund all charges.
I also used a 12% off coupon, bringing my total down from $275 to $242. Coupon code was: road_to_2009, and is apparently valid until 2/21/2009 (http://www.optical4less.com/?mode=coupon).
J.
prism eating eyes 05 Aug 2008, 23:36
jared
nope, not a question or anything...but maybe it is because i live in switzerland...
Jared 05 Aug 2008, 14:52
prism eating eyes
I noticed on eyeglassesfactoryoutlet it asks for your Doctor's name and phone number. Was wondering if you supplied it and if he was contacted
prism eating eyes 05 Aug 2008, 04:46
today i got my glasses....quality is very good, although not perfect. one glass seems to be thicker than the other one and the edges weren't polished although i specifically said so...nevertheless, they were very forthcoming with my special order (31 prisms is not that easy to make) and i can see perfect....
i can only recommend eyeglassesfactoryoutlet!
mercury 03 Aug 2008, 12:19
quicksilver,
I've dealt with eyeglassfactoryoutlet.
They are excellent.
prism eating eyes 02 Aug 2008, 08:26
quicksilver, about two weeks ago i ordered from http://www.eyeglassfactoryoutlet.com/
my new glasses are going to have 31 prims in total (15,5 in each eye). I'll report back as soon as I have them.
Quicksilver 01 Aug 2008, 17:30
Now that 04L is pretty much stuffed has anyone found another vender for high prisms?
sourgrapes 31 Jul 2008, 12:58
let us know how it goes, any interesting bits
lazysiow 30 Jul 2008, 20:54
Guess who just got a part time "job" in an optical store! moi! it's only on Friday afternoons but my god I can't believe I did it. Found it walking along the street too. It's just a sales job but my gosh :D :D :D
DWV 11 Mar 2008, 18:43
Sears Optical in Canada has that "any pair/any lenses" for $149 deal sale right now. ("any" frame means under $150, but you can get more expensive frames by paying the difference.) ("any" lens includes single vision, bifocal, trifocal (7x28 and 8x35). Worth looking into, unless you live in Winnipeg or Quebec.
http://www.canadianoptical.ca/
The frame selection as usual sucked, but I found some made-in-Italy Ray Ban frames (model 6018), similar but different to the last pair, and ordered 8x35 trifocals. And for another $55 I'm getting the photo-grey Transitions lenses. That's a pretty sweet deal considering that Opticallabdirect wants $204.75 for the same lenses.
I just hope the lab puts the lenses in moderately level this time... if they aren't, I hope they're so bad that the lab is forced to redo 'em, not just a hair under the 2 degrees that the ANSI standard specifies.
O^O 29 Feb 2008, 21:39
didn't know where to post but this is cool http://www.wonderhowto.com/diet-health/hearing-vision-video/how-to-fastest-way-to-fix-broken-eyeglasses-135445/
Rainis 31 Dec 2007, 13:26
When I worked at an optical store some clients refused checking their eyes although our eyetest was free.
And we used to make glasses according to clients' saying. Without warranty, of course.
Welcome to Russia!
Smudgeur 16 Jun 2007, 15:12
I chanced across a posting on another optical board where a (disgruntled) Specsavers optometrist says:
"I got a letter explaining that from now on I would be paid £190 for a weekday and £210 for a saturday or sunday, plus 10% of spectacle sales that I generated in excess of £850.
Strange how the "sales" that I "generate" never seem to amount to very much. Perhaps because the computer that's supposed to record them doesn't seem to notice some of the sales. I wonder why not. Also it only applies to sales that I "generate" on the actual day - if Mrs Jones wishes to come back the next day with her husband to choose her glasses I don't get my commission."
I was intrigued by this and so did a bit of a search and came up with the following quotes:
"I didn't wear glasses until today... As far as I was concerned I didn't need glasses..." (got prescribed at Specsavers)
"I've made the comment that SpecSavers are money grabbing: alongside this story runs the equally unhappy story of my daughter's experience with them - we both had appointments at the same time. In her case, I had a very strong suspicion that they prescribed glasses she didn't need. That's another story, but I had the feeling they would do almost anything to secure a sale"
"I know many people, especially students and others who are entitled to free health care, that have had theirs eyes checked at Specsavers Opticians. When I consider their experiences and mine I have noticed one particular thing, almost every single one has come out with glasses, some of which have never had them.
I have two friends in particular who have been given glasses, not knowing that that they need them, and later discovering after going to a different opticians, that they didn't need them at all!"
I know where I'm sending my wife for her next eye test!!!
Hansel 12 Jun 2007, 14:15
Suggestions from the cognoscenti please!
Mrs Hansel gets an eye test from a mainstream optical chain, but gets the prescription filled elsewhere.
Lenses are varifocal.
Optician writes the script by reducing -0.50 to -0.25 in the leading eye so as not to alter the +1.25 add.
Mrs Hansel mow feels distance vision is compromised, she has always been precise in her liking for clarity, which the optician would have known.
Clearly at near £400 this is an expensive mistake.
Problem: the dispensing optician has filled the prescription she has given. The prescribing optician has done what was asked of her in providing a new prescription?
What course of action would people advise?
Freejay 05 Jun 2007, 16:30
Capper.
I'm very interested in what you had to say about getting glasses cheaply in China. Can you send me the info to:
freejay89@yahoo.co.uk
Thanks.
Jay
Ed 16 May 2007, 04:09
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuOdBnTKrk8
lazysiow 15 May 2007, 10:49
Definitely sounds like heaven :)
capper 15 May 2007, 03:13
I have spent a fair amount of time in both China and Korea. It astounds me at how quickly and efficiently they make specs. A complete pair of quality prescription glasses can be ready for you in less than half an hour - and that includes the eye test!
The price of a pair of specs is less than the price of an eye test in the UK.
I know my way around, and also have chinese friends that know the best places to go, and how to bargain the frame sellers into submission - so granted i get them for tonnes less than your everage tourist and I also know good opticians that i can trust.
Last time i wet I bough 5 pairs of glasses (inc. 1 vary tint, 1 light tint and 1 full sunglass tint) and a new made to measure suit. This easily paid for the entire trip, making a saving of over a £1000 (flight was £350)
If you fancy a short holiday in Beijing, I can put you in touch with a translator who speaks almost perfect english, is a killer bargainer and can take you to the best framers, opticians and suits/dress makers in Beijing.
DWV 12 Apr 2007, 01:27
Leon:
About bevelled/faceted glasses, the best thing is to just ask; Eyeglass Factory Outlet seems like a good bet since they do a wide range of frames and lens styles. Labs that do replacement lenses like Wohloptics or Opticallabdirect would also be a good bet, if you have a suitable rimless frame to use. You could also try places that sell Shuron frames; Shuron still makes a big rimless droptemple frame that would be a natural for facets (if it doesn't come that way already).
Gino:
See my previous comments on Japan back in Janurary. There was one glasses shop right outside the Akiba station; you can't miss it.
If your wife isn't coming with you, you'd need her prescription, with the pupillary distance. Or if you had a spare pair of her glasses, they could measure the prescription and PD from those.
Leon 11 Apr 2007, 04:25
Does anyone know of an (online) optical shop that sells faceted (or beveled) eyeglasses?
Gino 25 Mar 2007, 13:50
I am travelling to Japan - Nagoya - in April; read somewhere that you could buy glasses really cheap in Japan. I'd like to buy some spare glasses for my wife. Do I need a prescription? where should I go and how much can I expect to pay? She's -4.5L and -4.0R.
Thanks!.
Random_eye 23 Mar 2007, 09:21
Smudgeur
how are things going w/ ur wife?
Glasseslover 16 Mar 2007, 05:58
Hi Smudgeur
I'm exactly in the same position: My wife wears her glasses a few times a year. She has a prescription very close to your wife's, nearly the same. The trouble is that she's still accomodating very well at 33 years of age. She does sometimes wear +1 readers for reading small print complaining she has trouble with tiny letters, but still can manage with efforts. When doing so her left eye goes a little inward and I do love that. But wearing glasses on daily basis...is still a dream and a fantasm for me... May be one day...If ever you have any way out to help a GWG lover mate....I'd be very grateful.
Leon 16 Mar 2007, 04:32
In a couple of weeks I have about 7 hours to spend at JFK International Airport in NYC. Is it possible to do some glasses shopping there? (Lenses are a bit cheaper in the USA, compared to The Netherlands).
Thanks!
Smudgeur 17 Feb 2007, 13:38
My wife goes through bouts of threatening to not wear her glasses anymore as she "can see perfectly well without them".
She wears them full time for me, but I'm not sure how much longer she will do this for (she's had them about 3-4 years now and so is well used to them"
Her prescription is:
r: +0.50 -0.50 080
l: +0.75 -0.25 078
I have tried to explain to her about hyperopia and eyestrain etc. but I am fighting a losing battle as she still has enough accommodation (aged 39) to cope with such a small error.
My question is this - my final throw of the dice before she discards the specs will be to get her to go for an eye test and get a professional opinion. Being involved in the medical profession herself I reckon she will agree to that.
Do you consider that she is more likely to get prescribed glasses by a big chain of opticians (Dolland & Aitchison, Specsavers etc) or at a small one-man-band?
I am veering towards the latter as if I was a one-man-band optician I would prescribe for borderline patients (which my wife undoubtedly is) on the basis that I might get a purchase of glasses out of it too and so extra profits. Can't see that the chainstore opticians have got anything to gain - an incentive scheme would surely be unethical, wouldn't it?
What are your thoughts to assist this slightly depressed OO?
Wurm 09 Feb 2007, 10:31
Glasses contain a frame and a lens.
I pick the old guy to take him in ten.
(Apologies to Muhammad Ali)
Ted 09 Feb 2007, 04:58
How would you like to be a patient at this shop.http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_7675.aspx
DWV 07 Feb 2007, 20:31
Just found this: an optical store in Akiba that is staffed by girls in maid costumes:
http://www.akibaangels.com/articles/11_2006/candyopt.php
http://blog.livedoor.jp/moe_megane/
Circlebox 28 Jan 2007, 20:40
Does anyone have a really good copy of a blank RX? I want to get glasses at an Optical Shop rather than online so I know that they will look good but am really leary about taking a fake RX sheet there. I thought about just buying the frames and having the lenses put in through an online source but am not comfortable as I don't know what the people at the optical shop will say or ask me.
DWV 21 Jan 2007, 09:08
There's also "Express Glass" at Narita airport, terminal 1. Two prices, around $84 and $126, for an autorefraction, glasses, and case. Time: 20 minutes.
http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/rest_shop/shop/floor_list/shop_page/t1_5_45_express.html
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2638/2673/1600/P1020371.jpg
Frame styles were similar to those at the other places in Tokyo: colourful, funky, youthful.
DWV 16 Jan 2007, 07:20
About Tokyo:
I didn't buy any glasses there, but there's several chains of stores with prices for complete glasses starting at around 5200 yen (about $50 US), then 7200, 9200, etc (and more for designer brand frames). The frame styles ranged from conservative wire rims to very hip and colourful metals and plastics. I think the price even included an autorefraction (if you didn't bring a prescription).
If you walk down any major shopping street or mall you should run into some of these stores, or just go to Akihabara and you'll see one directly outside the JR station.
And, if you're prowling around Akibara, watch out for the sign for DVD4649... the top floor of the store had a couple of shelves of maid porn DVDs with the girls wearing glasses, maid outfits, and, uh, fluffy cat ears. http://www.dvd4649.com/
The "Akiba Maid Deli" had a couple of cute waitresses with glasses.
http://www.akibamaiddeli.com/index.html
08 Jan 2007, 09:10
http://www.nytimes.com/library/politics/camp/061000wh-bush.html
russell 07 Jan 2007, 10:29
Is it possible that no one has an answer for my previous question? Or are you just distracted by the posts that have come after it?
-14 05 Jan 2007, 14:51
Recently there was an earthquake south of Taiwan which resulted in the damage to the fiber optic cable network which serves the far east. Both internet and phone service is effected which may be the reason accessing O4L has been difficult.
Wurm 05 Jan 2007, 12:59
Looks like the O4L outage is just a domain problem. See the post at http://eyescene.net/cgi-bin/read_thread.cgi?33
Random_eye 05 Jan 2007, 11:31
Crap! I hope O4L is not gone. I was just getting ready to order from them soon...
Anyone know whats going on?
Mac 05 Jan 2007, 08:23
Bwian,
These people do lenses with prism:-
www.eyeglassesinternational.com
Bwian 05 Jan 2007, 05:34
Anybody know what has happened to Optical4Less? They have dissapeared off the net. I have purchased over 15 pairs of glasses off them and they were great. Does anyone know of another online optical site which does prism correction?
DWV 04 Jan 2007, 04:11
Me too... I'm going to Tokyo and Yokohama next week.
russell 03 Jan 2007, 13:31
Once more--has anybody bought glasses in Tokyo or Indonesia? Any advice...shops, prices?
Leon 30 Dec 2006, 14:10
Hi aviator, I'm an Eye Scene oldtimer and yes, I'm from The Netherlands.
Russell 30 Dec 2006, 13:35
I will be visiting Tokyo and Indonesia in the spring of the coming year. Has anybody bought glasses in either place? Any suggestions? Price? Quality?
aviator -oo- 11 Nov 2006, 09:25
For anyone visiting Amsterdam, make sure you go to the 'Brilmuseum' which is a glasses museum and shop. Details at: http://www.brilmuseumamsterdam.nl
Their web site only has written info, but having just visited the actual museum, I can not only recommend the exhibits, but also the female staff. One of these, a lovely brunette, not only wears glasses (I would guess around minus 4) but also has a wonderful figure in tight blue jeans.
There is an ordinary optician shop on the corner of the same street which can be visited immediately afterwards. Are there any regular contributors to this site from The Netherands?
Smudgeur 30 May 2006, 08:17
Maxine
I have found just the place for you!
It's a specialist opticians in Covent Garden, London called "Opera Opera"
Check out their website and their range of NHS copies:
http://www.operaopera.net/page13.htm
They even have a picture up of one of those boards demonstrating the old standard NHS specs you could get!
Mzindbender 29 May 2006, 07:14
In the past 2 years I have ordered 4 pair of glasses and all have been great! I have multifocal with prisims and every pair has been perfect. My son turned me on to them when he wanted to order a pair and wanted me to order, too, for free shipping. In the US my glasses cost about $400 US at a minimum. I get 2 pair for under $300 when I order from optical4less. I'm getting ready to order 2 more pair soon.
DWV 29 Apr 2006, 21:56
Maxine:
Yes, but they probably keep them in a drawer or stored away in dusty boxes. Telephone a large number of optical stores on some weekday morning when they aren't too busy to help you and ask.
Maxine 29 Apr 2006, 17:23
Hi There
Are there any optical shops in the UK who do the old style British NHS issue metal frame, not quite round like Harry Potter's but similar. They were mostly made for children, and came with pink, blue or brown plastic covering the metal legs, they also had springy wire earpieces, (the Americans call them cable temples) and were standard 1950-60s issue for kids, although adult sizes were made as well. I find it strange that was so common only 45-50 years ago can be so hard to find these days,
Maxine
Slit 29 Apr 2006, 06:29
In sri lanka, you can get a pair of glasses at about 20 US Dollars,
Only uncommon prescriptions will cost you about 100 US dollars.
Come to sri lanka, shop for glasses!
PerfectPete 28 Apr 2006, 23:09
I was in Malaysia last year and glasses are REALLY cheap there. Complete lens and frames for most "normal" prescriptions start at 140MYR (Ringits) > Thats only $50AUD. The cheapest you can get glasses complete here in AU is 250/300 > and thats with fairly ordinary frames. I got 2 pairs, Distance tinted and Rimless multi focals > total cost about 600MYR (so about 220AUD)! They eye test for free as well > bonus!
PP
Clare 28 Apr 2006, 14:33
Aviator - I was in HK a few years back, but not since. But I wasn't there for buying glasses. I have Shanghai on my wish list so I'll bear it in mind!
aviator -oo- 28 Apr 2006, 14:03
Katy and Clare
Have either of you ever visited China? If you are ever going to that part of the world, have a read of the postings I made below. The opticians there are quick and much cheaper.
Clare 28 Apr 2006, 11:13
Opticians must be making a fortune here in the UK!! I was called to make an appointment for a test and they couldn't fit me in till 13 May. What is going on?
ehpc 14 Apr 2006, 02:41
Cool:)
Sick of EHPC 13 Apr 2006, 23:33
Pete we know what you like by now. You have told us in every second post of yours for the past 5 years. Consider us advised!
ehpc 13 Apr 2006, 12:53
Hey.............red plasic frames:) Rectangular with wide sides I hope:)))))))))) Pete
Katy 13 Apr 2006, 12:40
I just got some new glasses form Specsavers - what a nightmare! The frames were really expensive (£125) but I really loved the shape and colour (red plastic) so saved up and bought them. When I went to collect them, they had stretched the frame beyond all recognition by forcing the wrong shape lenses in. I asked them to do them again, so they cut the lenses down and put them in new frames, but left a gap at one edge, cut one lens smaller than the other, and scratched one lens. I took them back again, and they reluctantly remade them with new lenses. I'm just waiting for them to fall to bits. Never again! :-(
aviator -oo- 12 Mar 2006, 12:40
No 'useful contacts' to name - it is simply a matter of checking the optical outlets in the town or city you may be visiting in China (or wlesehwere in the world). Has anyone else here been to China?
Guest 12 Mar 2006, 06:32
Aviator, great to hear you had a nice trip to China. Did you collect any useful contacts from whom we can buy glasses?
aviator -oo- 12 Mar 2006, 06:30
(continued from previous posting)
There is at least one manufacturer producing several styles of metal frames made with pre-fitted lenses. We are all used to this concept for reading glasses, but in China the same range is also available in minus values up to 6, in half diopter intervals. These cost around Y60 a pair (£4.30) and can be found in a variety of shops, not just opticians. In fact, many opticians do not put these glasses on prominent display, as I guess they make less money from them. The frame styles of which there are about six are available in gold or black, with graduated brown or grey tints, or none. They have the quality of mass-produced sunglasses and are not as well finished as custom-made glasses, but who can complain at that price!
My second discovery was more curious. All the opticians have a section devoted to rimless and semi-rimless frames. I was surprised to find a couple of outlets offering these with prescription lenses already fitted often with light tints. Unlike the mass-produced ready-made glasses mentioned above, these were one-offs. The prescriptions were un-stated but in the range of 1 to 4. The opticians were quite happy to sell me on the basis that I had tried them on, and liked them. Despite language difficulties, there was no attempt to check that the prescription was right for me! I have a weakness for rimless glasses in colourful tints and found examples with pink, yellow and green tints. At around £8 per frame with lenses, I found it difficult not to buy up the entire stock! The wackiest pair I bought is a large oval-ish rimless style with a graduated tint starting purple at the top and ending green at the base!
I have formed some theories as to why these glasses are on sale: one is that the frames were made for a specific customer who then failed to collect this seems unlikely given that there was about 8-12 made-up frames in each of the stores I found. A second theory is that these made to order by a customer who then found fault or changed his/her mind, forcing the original frames/lenses to be treated as damaged stock, to be sold off cheap. The only other theory is that these rimless frames are made up with prescription lenses on spec, to encourage customers to try them on in a prescripton close to their own. Has anyone else come across instances of this?
Needless to say, I returned from China with several dozen extra frames for my collection.
aviator -oo- 12 Mar 2006, 06:30
Ive just returned from a trip to China. For those of us who collect frames with or without prescription lenses, the opportunities are considerable, and the costs can be a fraction of what you would expect to pay in the west.
I found that the cities now have very smart optical shops which are almost indistinguishable from those in Europe or the USA. They have expensive designer frames, as well as cheaper ones, but these are not the places to find bargains. You need to go to the optical outlets in the smaller towns, or the more down market optical shops in the big citites.
These are willing to fit prescription lenses to any frames you buy or provide yourself, to any value you state. They have glass lenses, CR39 as well as higher index types. They will try to persuade you to go for plastic lenses on the grounds of impact-resistance, and high index for a high prescription. The price of two CR39 lenses, fitted, is around Y80 (about £5.75p) although this can be negotiated down if you are ordering several pairs.
The styles of frames on offer are similar to those in the west, although there is possibly a greater emphasis given to heavy plastic frames, with roughly rectangular windows which are wide but not very deep. These seem to be very popular with younger Chinese girls. Frame prices start from around Y60 (£4.30), although some of the high end designer models still cost as much as Y800 (£60). That said, the lower cost frames include some very nice styles, they are not just crude and basic varieties.
I made two interesting discoveries.... (see second posting)
woodframes 07 Oct 2005, 21:28
Good day,
I am a maker of hand carved wooden glasses, each being specific in design and construction to the desires of the customer. I personally pick all my woods to ensure uniqueness and quality. If anyone is interested in a one in a kind pair of eyewear, feel free to contact me as we could discuss further the possibilities of custom wooden frames.
Scott Urban
8hhhhhhhh8@gmail.com
DWV 28 Sep 2005, 22:36
Here's another site that might be related to Eyeglass Factory Outlet (very similar pricing, Florida address, but worse selection of frames): http://www.eyeglassesoutlet.com
Eye Tri 28 Sep 2005, 15:52
tony:
Got to eyeglassfactoryoutlet.com. Good people to deal with. They just did some work for a few weeks ago.
tony 28 Sep 2005, 02:29
Anyone know what has happened to The Eyeglass Factory. I am based in UK and have a strong Rx including lots of prism. Dr Meyer and his wife Andi were so helpful and understanding. I have not been able to get any repsonse from them or their website. I fear the worst !!! - Can anyone help with some alternatives, please.
Stuart 19 Sep 2005, 15:58
Patrick B
Well the second pair arrived. I am more than satisfied with them. The lenses are exactly as ordered and the frames slightly darker than anticipated - but that is my fault in the ordering.
It is great to have a pair of glasses for close work that look, feel and function effectively - not like the old "monsters". Everbody at work noticed and said that they look great and thought that my eyesight might have improved as they are so much thinner.
As for my idea of wearing them to client vists without swapping from my distance myos it a vain hope. I have experimented and it would probably work except that I couldn't see facial expressions clearly and that is crucial when you are trying to win business and present to clients to gauge their.
In summary a real bargain!!
Stuart 19 Sep 2005, 15:34
Danny
Definitely Optical4less. I have just received a second pair of myodiscs to usde as readers from them and am quite happy re quality and very happy re price. Possibly also try the company that Brian mentioned in the last post. They are in Pakistan.
Also look at the GOC thread on this site and in recent postings you will find a link to a site where optical4less display some of their special orders. It will give you an idea of the range, scope and look of their work.
Good luck let us know how you succeed.
Brian-16 19 Sep 2005, 15:25
Patrick B - Yes thanks for the correction. I guess I was thinking of goggles4u.com.I should stay off this computer and study!
Patrick B 19 Sep 2005, 14:59
Danny,
I'm a high minus with a prescription over -20 and have myodiscs. Luckily, no need for prism correction.
The optical store which specializes in high prescriptions is actually called Optical4Less, not Optical 4 U, as Brian wrote in his recent post. You should check out their website. While they carry 1.9 lenses, I don't think they do bifocals in 1.9 unless, perhaps, it is a special order. But do check them out. They have a special order section as well.
Good luck and let us know how you solve this problem. I haven't got a bifocal choice with myodiscs and simply use a pair with a weaker prescription when I have to see up close for any length of time.
Cactus Jack 19 Sep 2005, 11:59
Danny -- The problem may be the +3.50 Add. The highest normal add is +3.25 and that is probably the highest stock lens blank available. +3.25 focuses at 31cm (12.2in) and a +3.50 would focus at 29cm or (11.4in) - hardly enough to make a difference. Plastic bifocal lens blanks are moulded with the add in the front surface. If you absolutely have to have a +3.50 bifocal in a very high minus lens you will probably have to have custom lenses made so hang on to your hat when you get the price.
Is there any strong reason they need to be +3.50 biocals.
C.
Brian-16 19 Sep 2005, 11:07
Danny-Sounds like some of the chain optical shops in the USA.Try optical4u.com. It seems they can do almost any rx and tell them you want flat top bi-focals rather than the "progressives of varilux". Albert Poon or Fiona at optical4u.com will work with you.By the way what is vision level with your high rx?
Danny 19 Sep 2005, 10:09
I'm having trouble ordering a new pair of glasses in my prescription.
My new numbers are:
Right -18.50 -1.50 095 8 base out +3.50 add
Left -17.25 -1.00 090 8 base out +3.50 add
I've spent almost an hour this afternoon sitting in an opticians store whilst they phone up the lens suppliers to see if I have have bifocals.
The answer is no. I can have single vision 1.9 glass lenses, I might be able to get varifocals (not my ideal choice and i note the word MIGHT!)
So does anyone here have any suggestions as to where I can go to get bifocals?
At the moment, i think that I'll have to spend a fortune on the 1.9 glass lenses, then order some of those stick on bifocals. But that doesn't sound like a great idea!
Brian-16 16 Sep 2005, 14:00
kd-What is your rx?
kd 16 Sep 2005, 11:01
I forgot to write that the lenses on my glasses are so heavy and thick I can't wear them -- no one makes such a high script out of glass anymore and that is what I received.
K
kd 16 Sep 2005, 11:00
I ordered glasses from goggle4u and was very happy with the frame quality but the lenses were not what I wanted. I have a strong script and needed progressive bifocals - on their site it says that hi index is included (meaning they thin the lens for those of us who are almost blind). Well I received my glasses in about 12 days in a very strange package -- I didn't realize they were in Pakistan -- and I am trying to get a response to my question/complaints. I got one standard e-mail and nothing since. No way to contact them otherwise and no one to resolve the problem. I will not ever ever order from them again - and may need to just suck up the lost money and try and report them.
K
Wei 06 Sep 2005, 00:58
Yes Philosifer i believe there more to optical industy than meet eye! Indeed yes glasses can look very nice i like glasses very much if not over thick and heavy but is optical industry expoliting us? People here like glasses but many other rather have good eyesight i fear but optical industry price glasses very high and also I believe glasses for myopic eye not help myopic progression. I read of vision training and other technique which i believe help low myopic more than is stronger, stronger glasses many time. Yes many like glasses include everyone here but some not and I fear for expolition with high eyeglass prices.
Philosifer 05 Sep 2005, 17:08
Googled on "Eyeglass Industry Profit Margins" - Look what came up !
It came from Association for Asian Research 9/21/2004
Eyeglasses
According to statistics, more than 300 million people throughout China wear glasses and the number keeps rising. People in urban areas generally replace their glasses every 3-4 years and in major cities people replace them about every 2-2.5 years. Due to the high demand for eyeglasses, the industry is highly profitable. Approximately 50 million pairs of glasses are sold each year including sunglasses, bifocals, and protective lenses.
Many consumers complain about the high cost of glasses. The actual cost of the lens is not even 10% of the cost that the glasses are sold for. While the cost of glasses is about 20 yuan ($2.41) they are sold for 200 yuan ($24.15). Salespersons average about a 50% profit for each pair sold. No wonder many people exclaim: glasses are money in my eyes!
Wei 04 Aug 2005, 11:34
Patrick B, I look at site Optical4Less and will buy I think. Optomologist say that I should not, my glasses must be fitted precisely, but I do not think this matter for spare glasses maybe. He say vertex must be exact and measurement must be perfect. But I sorry that he not been very helpful with lens advice so I will buy anyway.
Patrick B 04 Aug 2005, 10:17
Wei,
I don't know if you live in Asia, but one online store that many have used is Optical4Less which is located in Hong Kong. They specialize in the highest of prescriptions and even stock myodisc lenses that go up to -40! Their prices are much less than in the US (by half. You might want to check out their website.
Wei 04 Aug 2005, 10:12
Can I have recomedation for on line purchase of myodisc? I order from optomogist but I want spare glasses. I wonder if only normal lens can be puchase on line. Any recomedation for quick delivery please. Many thanks from Wei.
jay23 03 Aug 2005, 07:06
Smedgeur there are planty of online glasses supliers in the Uk such as http://www.spexmaniac.co.uk/product/product.php?p=6&ft;=bd
much cheaper and easlier to telephone when you need to talk to someone
Shoe 30 Apr 2005, 11:57
I recently ordered a pair from goggles4u.com. Mine were good quality frames from a California label, quality lenses and coatings, free shipping, all for the standard price of $24. I received them in the US in 4 weeks. I get more compliments from friends and strangers - no one ever comments about my $180 glasses that I bought locally.
Brian-16 30 Apr 2005, 11:31
Smudgeur-
Thanks for the info.I have checked out their website..
Smudgeur 30 Apr 2005, 10:59
They are based in Pakistan and I am in the UK.
My original order was placed on 18th February and using their (free) standard shipping arrived on 11th March.
My 2nd order was placed on 1st April and this time I paid extra ($10) to have the glasses shipped with DHL. They arrived on 7th April.
The quality of the glasses is really high and as I said before, so is their customer service.
Brian-16 30 Apr 2005, 06:48
Smudgeur-
How long did it take to get the glasses from them?
Smudgeur 30 Apr 2005, 04:05
I recently ordered a second pair from www.goggles4u.com
The glasses arrived with the wrong prsescription in (they had transposed a + to a - ) however their customer service is brilliant and they are replacing them free of charge. I'd recommend them to anyone.
Shopper 29 Apr 2005, 23:14
I haven't heard anyone complain about Optical4Less lately... I guess that means they've shapen up an become honest (ha!), or no one is buying from them.
(I'm one of those who got taken... they never shipped the order, and when they refunded my $$, it was less 5% or whatever Paypal charges them!).
Filthy McNasty 28 Mar 2005, 16:33
Many online retailers.
Frannie 28 Mar 2005, 16:20
Yard Sale
Want to buy glasses 28 Mar 2005, 16:05
Can somebody tell me a website where I can buy glasses even though I don't a prescription???
thank you
daffy 06 Mar 2005, 14:20
opps ... that was me.
06 Mar 2005, 14:19
I do it all the time. I buy the frames online (sometimes ebay) and go to (after pricing around) an optical shop to fill the lenses in. They have never asked me anything, so no need to lie. The only thing that they do inform you is that there is always a chance that the frames could get damaged and that they will not be liable. It is a risk, however small.
Russell 04 Mar 2005, 10:39
Say, "I got these online and need lenses for them." Any optical shop that wants to make money will not bat an eye at the request. A sale is a sale!
Leon 04 Mar 2005, 06:13
Best thing to do is probably to go to an optical place that sells Silhouette and tell them that you bought the frames abroad: 'When I was in Amsterdam...' ;-)
Filthy McNasty 03 Mar 2005, 21:27
Except that Silhouette frames, at least their rimless designs, require different skills to assemble than other frames do.
DWV 03 Mar 2005, 20:58
Jake: It might be more diplomatic to go to an optician who doesn't sell Silhouette.
Leon 03 Mar 2005, 08:55
Jake: yes, no problem at all. Or send it to an online retailer who provides a lens replacement service.
Jake 03 Mar 2005, 07:13
I purchased some Silhouette rimless frames on ebay, a while back. I would like to have lenses put in them. One of my local opticians is a Silhouette retailer. Is it generally kosher to fill a prescription in drill mount, when you provide the frames?
satchie 28 Feb 2005, 00:24
In reply to rosy101 I am in the UK (see my previous post) and I threatened O4L with allsorts incl. contacting the Embassy but they will not respond to me if you've any ideas how to take this further, i'm with you! We need anyone else with bad experiences from this company to post here I think.
K 20 Feb 2005, 00:23
I bought some glasses from Lenscrafters, about 2 weeks ago and they just don't work for me. (Everything's fine, technically. I found an almost identical pair at a mom and pop's shop for about 1/2 of the price.) In general, how hassle-free is their "30-day - No ifs, ands, or buts!" return policy?
Julian 17 Feb 2005, 11:50
...and what's more, this thread is meant to be about the kind of optical shops where you walk in and physically try the frames on before you decide to buy.
Curt 17 Feb 2005, 11:27
norm: You don't need to post your message to multiple threads. Most of us read all of them....
norm 17 Feb 2005, 09:57
Well here it is six weeks after placing my order with Optical4Less and I still don't have glasses.
My glasses should have included progressive, transition type lens in the HL007 frame with -2.00 and -1.75, with +2.25 adjustment for old eyes, a simple order, nothing complicated.
After a bit of time passed and I did not see a change in "status order" screen I emailed then three times to get feedback. I got no bounced emails, so assume they got them.
It was a month later when I tried to cancel the order in a fourth email I finally got a response.
They claimed they had sent out an email to me three days after I ordered to question the order. I will give them a plus for finding a mistake in the order. However when they heard nothing from me they did nothing even though I had given them my phone number in the "comments" section of the order in case they needed it.
Their excuse was that they had had server problems.
One would have thought knowing this, that they would have resent the emails out, but no, they did nothing.
If they had had server problems I should have gotten bounced emails, so I question their excuse.
Then they promised the glasses would ship in another week, so I waited and cut them some slack, but cancelled the order 24 hours after the second ship date passed and there was no change in order status. I tried to fax them to cancel as well, but got no pick up after many times of trying.
I sent out two other emails when I saw no change in status, one a "cancel email" and two days after the second drop dead date I got an email saying they were closed for the week for vacation and that the order had shipped as scheduled, even though there was no change in status.
When checking the "mail order tracking button" which is supplied by them, the order shipped 8 days later than the second drop dead date, so she lied in the email. So even though I cancelled the order, they shipped the glasses anyway.
Needless to say I have contacted my credit card company to dispute the order, so should not be billed.
I placed another order with another company 48 hours after the drop dead date and hope I have better luck with them.
Stay away from this company. With no phone number, you have no way of knowing what is happening with your order.
This is the first time I have placed an order with an on line company and so far have been unimpressed.
Gus 11 Feb 2005, 22:21
radioman:
I've bought form eyeglassinternational and dealt with Melissa a few months ago. I have to say that I was treated very well by her. Even got an upgrade to a nicer frame for free because they were out of the ones I ordered online. Keep trying the email, as that was the way she and I communicated through the entire process. Good luck!
Me 11 Feb 2005, 19:04
Radioman,
I have personally bought from Optical 4 less and was very happy with there service!
11 Feb 2005, 17:09
Wurm 01 May 2004, 15:33
Here's a thread to discuss experiences with and post questions about brick and mortar optical retailers such as Lenscrafters, Specsavers, or the friendly optician around the corner.
radioman 11 Feb 2005, 05:18
ME-I was charged back in Jan.27th.Thats why I contacted the cc company.To me this outfit sounds like a fly-by night joint just like Zenni Optical.You even take your chances with Optical 4 less as I have noticed from the postings here.
me 11 Feb 2005, 04:18
Radioman, Did your credit card get charged? Maybe she is on vacation.
radioman 10 Feb 2005, 06:09
To all ES surfers-Another poor (maybe gone) on-line eyeglass place is eyeglassesinternational.com.They are located in Parkland,FL.Over 2 weeks ago
I ordered glasses and have heard nothing.Their 800 number goes to voice-mail, and contact info never gets thru on the website.Someone by the name of "Melissa" is the one to contact via e-mail but your mail is sent back to you saying her e-mail box is over quota.Any suggestions?
rosy101 27 Jan 2005, 20:19
Optical4less in Hong Kong are very bad operators. Sent me broken glasses, I processed a return with them to repair, sent back my glasses and that's the last I have heard from them. They will not reply to my emails. I would like to organize enough of us in the USA who have been ripped off to try to petition the chinese embassy in Washington DC to participate with us in an effort to get our money back. Anyone interested in going after these crooks??? I'll watch for posts. Thank you
Rosy101
DWV 23 Jan 2005, 02:23
I did order glasses from Goggles4U. They came from a country a long way away, in very unusual packaging. The frames weren't the ones I'd ordered (one model number off), and the frames were asymmetrical (I've noticed that with frames from other online retailers, though). The lens prescription seemed fine.
Smudgeur 19 Jan 2005, 12:09
Has anyone ordered from www.goggles4u.com ?
They seem extremely reasonable and offer free shipping worldwide.
satchie 19 Jan 2005, 06:09
Optical4less sent me broken glasses and have never replaced them, they will not reply to my e-mails and don't have a contact phone number on there site so be aware!
optifan 14 Jan 2005, 07:39
Did anyone read the article in yesterdays Daily Mail re prices for glasses.
The article says that the market for eye wear is increasing year on year.
However the most important thing was that the average cost of frames to them inc so called designer frames was around £7 and a similar price for lenses.
Welcome to rip off Britain !!!!
I use a local optical laborotary used by independent opticians and he only charges £25 for most single vision lenses so you can imagine what profit your retailer is making.
optifan 14 Jan 2005, 07:30
Christy 27 Oct 2004, 12:48
Just got some Rx sunglasses for the first time ever. Before, I used to manage with a tinted grey clip over my lenses. I picked out one of my early frames (one I always liked), and a clip of the tint I like best, and toddled on down to the optician. I just asked them to put my current prescription in the old frame, and match the tint on the clip, and the whole thing was done in four days even though they had to send everything away to the lab. At first sight I thought the tint was more brown than grey, but that was just the impression gained by seeing the specs lying on the wooden counter at the shop. They were exactly the right tint I wanted. I think I'll always prefer to do specs business this way - face to face - in a shop setting.
Four Yeux 27 Oct 2004, 12:43
I'm thinking of ordering a pair of 1.9 lenticulars in a rimless frame from Optical4less.My RX is -19 approx.Can anyone tell me is this practicable?
Four Yeux 27 Oct 2004, 12:38
Clare 07 Oct 2004, 14:43
" ...makes we value the service " errr, I think I meant 'us' but guess you'll have worked that out already.
Clare 07 Oct 2004, 14:42
Julian - petinent observations. Here are mine: patient = someone who requires medical attention, but has no choice; customer = someone who chooses your service and accordingly products/pricing; client = someone who commits to a relationship with you based on the service you provide.
Me, I'll go where someone values my custom, demonstrates their expertise and makes we value the service they provide. And I travel every day by train - we're allegedly in my 'customers' category, yet we have NO choice. Inflated prices, irregular service, rude staff ... why do we do it?
Julian 07 Oct 2004, 14:23
"...a valued customer". Is that what I am to the optometrist who checks my vision and/or the optician who dispenses the Rx? I thnk the NHS would like them to think of me as a 'patient'; but there is a 'customer' element about it. Is 'client' the golden mean? This has been aired on ES before - but there seem to me to be too many customers around. A few years ago when we travelled by train we were 'passengers' but now...
Love and kisses, Jules.
Clare 07 Oct 2004, 14:15
Hi Helen, I'd been put off Specsavers a while ago after I had a pair of glasses with antireflective coating that came off. I presumed it was their fault. Last time I had a test at Boots I was disappointed that they got my prescription wrong (said it was stronger than it needed to be) and tried to get me to carry on with the order for the glasses though I'd said I felt the prescription was wrong. And the optician admitted she was in a hurry, had another patient waiting. Not the greatest customer service.
My mother went to a Specsavers where the staff were really helpful and we found a great pair of glasses (stylish and trendy). So nice she bought them in two colours - retired persons' discount too. They arranged to send them to her local store too. I might try them. Boots hardly make me feel like a valued customer ...!
Helen 06 Oct 2004, 23:45
Clare,
I have been going to Boots for my eye exams and spectacles. Last August, I went to Specsavers and was very pleased with the results. I got two pairs of spectacles; a designer FCUK pair and a pair of prescription sunspecs.
Clare 05 Oct 2004, 13:32
I'm prepared to change my view on Specsavers based on recent experience. I went to a store with my mother and not only were the people there completely charming, they gave her the 'retired persons' discount despite it being a weekend, delivered the finished glasses to a store 250 miles away, and when they recognised they'd made a mistake in frame colour, were able to change it within 10'. The level of service and attitude belie a brand that appears to focus on price. Obviously value doesn't appear to impact service. A friend of mine using a London store had a good experience too. I'm thinking I might switch from Boots when my next exam is due in December - it's only convenience that keeps me going there.
SS 05 Oct 2004, 13:10
I had an eye test at Specsavers and have to say it was the most thorough I have ever had, and I came away with my first glasses. I'm pleased even though they're -0.5 each eye!! At least I got glasses. The choice of frames there is amazing, I came out with 3 different pairs, and spent a bit! Not as their name suggest
NJ 05 Oct 2004, 10:59
I emailed ZenniOptical, which is just up the road from me, but I never heard back from them.
Lurker 05 Sep 2004, 23:51
This was supposed to to be 'a thread to discuss experiences with and post questions about brick and mortar optical retailers such as Lenscrafters, Specsavers, or the friendly optician around the corner' (Wurm, 1 May 2004) - so why are we discussing online suppliers here?
05 Sep 2004, 17:42
What about zenni optics? Any one have god luck bad luck with them?
-14 05 Sep 2004, 09:00
I just read Laura's Aug 14 posting. I have purchased 2 pair of drilled rimless from Optical4less and found the quality to be excellent at an extremely competetive price and the service superb. I plan to make future purchases.
Smudgeur 15 Aug 2004, 01:25
I've ordered frames from Optical4less for both my wife and myself. They are good quality and a great price. Don't know what you're talking about Laura.
JJ 14 Aug 2004, 20:37
I purchased two pair of eyeglasses from Optical4less and found them to be the same quality as the $500.00 rimless eyeglasses I purchased from Lenscrafters. I will happily buy from Optical4less again.
Laura 14 Aug 2004, 18:50
Don't buy from Optical4less.com, they are fraud.
D-W-V 07 May 2004, 23:41
Here's some entertaining consumer complaints about optical retailers: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/eyeglasses/index.html
http://www.badbusinessbureau.com/results.asp?q1=1037&submit2;=Search%21
http://www.badbusinessbureau.com/results.asp?q1=86&submit2;=Search%21
Wurm 01 May 2004, 15:33
Here's a thread to discuss experiences with and post questions about brick and mortar optical retailers such as Lenscrafters, Specsavers, or the friendly optician around the corner.