For most people, there is little doubt that the economy is swiftly changing and it’s negatively affecting almost everyone. As a result, most people today are forced to operate on very tight budgets. But, there are some items that always need to be purchased, despite the tough economic times; one example is eyeglasses. The trick is in finding cheap eyeglasses without compromising on quality.
With that in mind, here are some points to consider that will help you find low priced eyewear without necessarily sacrificing quality.
Stay away from the designer brands
It’s important to understand that some products are costly, not because the product is of high quality, but because of the company’s name. It’s no secret that big name companies have developed a tendency of selling their products at an abnormally high price simply because they already have a well-established market — but that doesn’t always mean you can’t easily find the same quality products from other manufacturers at lower prices.
Use the Internet
Today, the internet has made shopping for glasses easier than ever. So there’s no reason to get in your car and go shopping, using up your gas in the process. And maybe even paying for parking! Buying discount eyeglasses online is simple and, best of all, you can have them delivered right to your doorstep.
Take advantage of coupons and other discounts
If you’re looking to shop online for cheap eyeglasses, then you should be seeking to find websites that are giving discounts to their clients. The best way to do this is by using search engines to check for online coupons and promotional codes.
Take your time and compare
The odds are the very first website you may not be the best. Taking time to read reviews and shop around will, in the long run, be worth the time you devote to it in terms of price and quality.
Watch for hidden costs
When shopping online, be sure to read and understand all the terms that apply. It can be very easy to find a website selling its eyewear at extremely low prices. However, watch for websites that charge high shipping costs. Otherwise, you may pay more than what you would have paid at a different store. This is true even though their prices appeared to be slightly higher.
Remember, no matter what kind of glasses you’re looking for, it’s very easy to find the perfect eyewear for you and your loved ones. You can let your style and personality shine through and save a lot of cash at the same time.
Photo Credit: stock photos
I got my eyeglasses on sale, which I feel I was lucky because I saved more than 50 percent of the original price, though it’s not branded. I think there are really good eyeglasses. What others need to do is to take time finding the right eyeglasses for them.
As with all purchases, there are some other considerations than just price when it comes to purchasing eye wear. This is particularly the case when it comes to purchasing eye wear online.
Take the case of one of my fellow employees. She purchased glasses online saving a ton of money. When she received them, they were extremely large for her head. Also, the lenses were of low quality with aberrations due to the cheap material with which the lenses were made causing poor quality vision and even dizziness when turning her head.
With glasses purchased online, any special coatings are suspect due to the inexpensive materials and methods that are used to process them. In the case of anti-reflective coating, lesser quality coatings will scratch easily, begin to separate from the lens, and need to be replaced within a few months.
One could argue that there are warranties and money back guarantees to cover such instances. But, the cost of having to ship back defective glasses, choose another style, the hassle of dealing with customer service, and other factors involved can end up costing you time and money in the long run.
My recommendation would be to go to a brick and mortar eye wear professional to choose your glasses in person, make sure they fit properly and are adjusted to your face, make sure your measurements are performed by an experienced professional rather than doing it yourself with online tools that are not accurate, and verify that the materials you are purchasing are quality materials with valid warranties. All of this, of course, at a reasonable price that is within your budget.
I got my prescription glasses from Zenni Optical – it is by far the cheapest site I have found. It cost me about $25 including shipping and the glasses are of pretty good quality. I have dropped my glasses a few times and have found them to be sturdy. Would I buy again from Zenni Optical? Absolutely yes!
One thing you need to know when you order prescription glasses online is what is called pupil distance (PD).
Thanks for sharing. Very motivational.
Cheers
MrRicket
Are there any online sites that offer discount contact lenses?
FWIW, I buy my contacts at 1-800-Contacts. They promise to beat any other competitor’s price.
I like to be able to choose my glasses and have them fitted. Walmart has some pretty good prices and you can try on as many pairs as you like and get a good fit. I brought my elderly Mother in to have her eyes checked (Walmart Riverdale, NJ) and they did not even charge her for the exam and were extraordinarily kind and tactful with a real nasty battle axe of a patient. Can’t say enough nice things about Walmart eyeglass department and no, I don’t work there and sadly don’t have Walmart stock.
I go to Walmart too for my frames. My experience is they provide friendly and competent service and their frame prices are excellent.
We have used Glasses USA several times and been very happy with them.
Eyeglass lenses are one area where the government needs to step in and break up what appears to be a monopoly (collusion, or something…). While frames prices are very competitive, lenses on the other hand are very pricey regardless of where you buy them, especially if one needs high index progressive lenses with any type of surface treatment.
Lens prices have always been high. Generally prices come down over time, not so for lenses.
Reuse your frames. I bought eyeglasses about a decade ago. Whenever I need new lenses, I take my frames to where I purchased them, and they will replace the lenses only at very low cost comparatively. It was an inexpensive way to move to bifocals. Also, Walmart does have a great eyewear department.