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OT: Buying glasses on line.

hankjam

hankjam

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I would be interested to know if anyone in this group does this and what their experience / recommendations would be.

A pair of mine of gone to pieces and I've never been too taken with the choice at my opticians so thought I would do a bit of research.

Cheers

Hj
 
I did it once and the glasses were awful. Really thick lenses.I never wore them. I am quite short sighted, but I would rather pay a bit more and get thinner lenses.
But that was a few years ago, perhaps thinner lenses can be bought online now.
 
I bought some reading glasses on ebay they were dirt cheap but have quite fun frames.
Don't forget to get the measurements from your old ones so you have some idea of the fit (I probably don't need to tell you that). I'd give it a go.. although last time mine were from the opticians for "proper" specs because I wanted to recycle some lenses that I bought when I was heavy and the frames were too big.
 
Is it possible to buy some frames you like on-line and have the optician sort out the lenses and fit them in your new frames?

I have a friend who does that.
 
hankjam said:
I would be interested to know if anyone in this group does this and what their experience / recommendations would be.

A pair of mine of gone to pieces and I've never been too taken with the choice at my opticians so thought I would do a bit of research.

Cheers

Hj
Click to expand...

MrB and I have been doing this for a few years. Obviously, we still have our sight tests in the UK, but having sorted a decent photos (I detest being photographed) we can "try on" the frames before buying.

Critical things to know or consider are:
Ensure you have a full precription, in cluding any mid distance requirements, if your eyes are sensitive
Understand properly what size of frame you wear, really meaning the width of your face
Understand your bridge measurement
Understand the leg measurement (Of the frame, not you leg,..... ahem)
Understand your pupillary distance (the distance between the centre of your pupils
If you like sprung hinges. check the frame you choose has them
Upload your latest prescription onto the site, so that it is to hand.
Make a record of all of this, because you'll need it every time you order!

Whilst there are some ridiculously cheap options out there, to an extent you do get what you pay for. If your prescription calls for quite a high correction, it is worthwhile paying for lens upgrades to ensure they are thinner and lighter.

We've had fun prescriptions shades through to frameless titanium, all with varifocals, and some with photocromatic (or whatever they call them lenses).

The company we used are originally Chinese, but their workshops are in the US. They are usually in our hands 10-14 days after ordering, with (thus far!) not customs issues. Shipping is $9.95 for up to several pairs I think our biggest order has been 6 at any one time - posh, casual and sailing, wraparound shades, each. Orders are trackable.

That have an excellent support service, should you have any queries, pre-order or if you have an OSM (Oh s*&^ moment) after hitting the purchase button. If they look at your order and something doesn't quite look right (say the pupillary distance looks a bit odd, based on frame width; just an example), they contact you, rather than just blindly bang out to your order.

As we travel and sail a lot we have, in our time, both donated glasses to King Neptune, which is infuriating, but less infuriating at Chinese prices than UK. It does also mean they can be replaced immediately, by order for delivery to someone in the UK travelling out. So much easier than dealing with the High Street. MrB has done this several times, and as his glasses usually cost £400-500 (frameless titanium, varifocal, thin/light lenses, photochromatic), the savings have been significant, meaning we each have more than one pair of glasses on the go at any given time.

If your prescription is very complex, then you might want to try something very basic to start with to ensure you are content it could work for you.

Can you tell we're fans? If you want to know who we use, please let me know.
 
I have purchased glasses from a large online provider.

They were cheap, and guess what ? they fully lived up to that..................
 
I always do it and pay half the price of the high street. My prescription is fulsome therefore order thin lenses and follow prescription and measuring guidance carefully - never been disappointed.
 
I am sure if your need for spectacles is quite straightforward then buying online would be fine.
Agree with AndBreathe, that you do need to consider and take into account not just the prescription, but the other fratures she mentioned.
As I have had problems with various lenses provided at opticians, such as the coating on the lens, and the darkness of prescription sunglasses, which the optician has patiently adjusted, and kept on adjusting until I was satisfied they were correct, I will stick with buying from them. I don't think I would get the same attention to detail, or customer service buying online.
 
On the site we use, frames start at $6.95. Let's be fair; would you have any expectations of their quality, if you were offered a frame for around £5?

The first pair I had were a cheap Wayfarer style frame, with varifocal, reactions lenses, but no further upgrades (I rarely neeeeed thin and light lenses, unless in rimless). They were primarily as sunnies.

The lenses were absolutely fine (proved they could do my prescriptions fine), but after daily wear in the tropics the gram began to lose its shiny finish around my nose. I think that was helped along by personal "glowing", again on a daily basis.

By then, I was "over" clear red Wayfarers anyway and my research was done.

I've just checked back, and my last glasses were titanium, rimless frames, with strengthened, extra-thin, varifocal, reactions/photochromic lenses. Including deliver $120, including delivery. Total £97.

A similar pair from Specsavers would be £169 (frame inc single vision lenses) + £119 to swap for the equivalent varifocal lenses + £49 (for the light reactive coatings). Total £337.

When I went for my last sight test, I was wearing some Zenni specs. Of course, the optician always asks to have a look at your glasses (well, they do where I go!). We then had a little chat about buying online, but she couldn't pick any holes in my glasses or the quality or accuracy of my prescription in the Zennis. I was expecting a hard time, but didn't get one.
 
Pipp said:
I am sure if your need for spectacles is quite straightforward then buying online would be fine.
Agree with AndBreathe, that you do need to consider and take into account not just the prescription, but the other fratures she mentioned.
As I have had problems with various lenses provided at opticians, such as the coating on the lens, and the darkness of prescription sunglasses, which the optician has patiently adjusted, and kept on adjusting until I was satisfied they were correct, I will stick with buying from them. I don't think I would get the same attention to detail, or customer service buying online.
Click to expand...
Any error on the manufacturers part, they correct FOC. Any mistakes made by the purchaser, not discovered before manufacture (you receive an email telling you they are about to start, so check your order), they will take back and after to remake at a discounted price, or if the frame is all wrong (vile, doesn't fit or whatever), the replacement is 50%). OK, they have to be sent back, which would be a bind, but they still make those statement in their T&Cs.
 
I prefer the face to face contact when getting new glasses from my bricks and mortar optometrist.

I feel that getting them from off the net, you could be sold anything, then have problems getting them replaced or getting your money back.
 
I would like to thank all who responded to my OP.
I managed to burn my hands on Sunday night so not been able to do much on line.....
I think I will investigate further.
I've always been happy to pay for something if it is what I think I like. I am really looking for choice. In our local opticians all the frames seem to be variants on a small type, which I don't seem to go for. I have a "big head" and my "leg" measurements have always been a challenge.... keeping glasses on is the trick.

And to top it all my current main set have completely fallen apart...

Cheers

Hj
 
I buy from Glasses Direct. I've not had too many problems and when I had only the one pair with an erroneous prescription they took it back and fixed it with no issues.
 
hankjam said:
I would like to thank all who responded to my OP.
I managed to burn my hands on Sunday night so not been able to do much on line.....
I think I will investigate further.
I've always been happy to pay for something if it is what I think I like. I am really looking for choice. In our local opticians all the frames seem to be variants on a small type, which I don't seem to go for. I have a "big head" and my "leg" measurements have always been a challenge.... keeping glasses on is the trick.

And to top it all my current main set have completely fallen apart...

Cheers

Hj
Click to expand...
Hope your hands are not too sore, @hankjam .
If you are happy with the optician for the prescription lenses, perhaps but frames online and take to optician to have lenses fitted?

Others here seem happy enough to order completed spectacles on line. I have never tried that route, but only because I am very short sighted, and have astigmatism, and condition that gives difficulty with colour perception, which can get complicated. Some types of lenses if they have a coating on them also cause visual distortions. I think it would be somewhat problematic for me to get everything right without face to face consultation.
I do know of many people who are happy with online purchase of specs, though.
 
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