Knirirr has come across a website that offers prescription eyeglasses for $8 USD a pair.
There seems to be some confusion, though. Is it just the frames going for $8, and the lenses cost another $15 or so?
I don't know, but it seems that the $8 is the whole schlemiel. Mind boggling though that is.
The thing that really blows my mind is how the company is based in California. At first I thought this was some sort of overseas firm, some place that could get away with paying their employees a box of Rice Crispies after they slaved away for 12 hours in a dangerously hot sweatshop. But it appears to be legit.
I think this would be perfect for families with active kids that need glasses. Purchase them by the score and you won't care if they break every week.
Comments (8)
looked at the sight looks like you need some very specific info on your perscription unlike the 1-800-contacts stuff it is more that a simple +- number.
Posted by Chris | January 15, 2008 1:03 AM
Posted on January 15, 2008 01:03
Also standard lenses are free with the glasses they only charge extra for bifocals and more complex lenses makes me wish I could get my hands on my file from the optomitrist.
Posted by Chris | January 15, 2008 9:45 AM
Posted on January 15, 2008 09:45
How much more for bifocals, I wonder...I made sure I got my prescription from my opt. :)
Posted by April | January 15, 2008 4:36 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 16:36
I buy my contacts and have my exams done locally at America's Best, but although they advertise two pair for $69.95, they won't honor that for my prescription: ~ -7.50
I've been very happy with globaleyeglasses.com and eyebuydirect.com. Both of them delivered a pair of eyeglasses of equivalent quality to any retail joint's low end price leader for $22 delivered to my door.
I just ordered 2 pair from zenni optical for $21 shipped (shipping was a flat $4.95 for both pair)a metal frame and a plastic frame.
I'll try and remember to follow up when I get them and post back with a review.
If your optometrist won't release your prescription, raise holy hell. Under Federal Trade Commission CFR456 they must release to the patient: "the written specifications for ophthalmic lenses which are derived from an eye examination. The prescription shall contain all of the information necessary to permit the buyer to obtain the necessary ophthalmic goods from the seller of his choice. In the case of a prescription for contact lenses, the refractionist must include in the prescription only those measurements and directions which would be included in a prescription for spectacle lenses. All prescriptions shall include all the information specified by state law, if any."
Remind him that violators have been hit with $10,000 fines.
Joe
Posted by Joe Allen | January 15, 2008 6:06 PM
Posted on January 15, 2008 18:06
I've ordered from Zenni before, and got a well-made pair of glasses for about $30. They're my backup pair.
While the company is in California, the work is done in Pakistan.
Posted by -dsr- | January 18, 2008 11:15 AM
Posted on January 18, 2008 11:15
I ordered two pair of glasses - same scrip - on Tuesday, January 15th. I recieved them Friday, January 25th. They were packaged in a padded envelope and delivered via First Class mail. Each pair of glasses was $8 and shipping was $4.95 for the whole order, bringing the total to $20.95 for two (2) complete pair of eyeglasses.
Each pair came with a hard plastic clamshell case and a polishing cloth - amenities that I've only recieved from internet optical shops. Never from B&M discount shops.
Both are absolutely equivalent in quality with cheap WalMart glasses, or America's Best "2 for $69.95" glasses. The prescription appears to be spot on, which I have had a problem with at WalMart. Neither pair of glasses is going to stand up to hard use, but as bedside, glovebox or rangebag backups, they more than fit the task.
As these are strictly for backup to contacts, I ordered them with absolutely no options - just plain glass lenses. Try that in a retail store and spend an hour convincing them not to add on all the extra crap. Zenni offers it - at a reasonable price too - but it's not a hassle to get plain old bone stock glasses.
Zenni also doesn't upcharge for strong prescriptions until you reach a sphere of -8.5/+6.25, and then the additional fee is only $9. The last time I tried to buy "2 pair for $69" from America's Best, I was told that, due to my "extreme prescription" of -7.5: for a frame selected from the $69 offerings, with no options, the best they could do would be $192 for one pair of eyeglasses.
I would recommend Zenni without reservation to anyone looking for low cost emergency eyeglasses. Based on my experience so far, I would even go out on a limb and try them myself, or recommend them, to someone looking for premium eyewear. At their prices, even if the top end product wasn't up to par, you'd be out less than the loss leader junk at local B&M stores.
Joe
Posted by Joe Allen | January 27, 2008 11:35 AM
Posted on January 27, 2008 11:35
"The whole schlemiel"? I think you mean "the whole schmear."
Posted by Jurjen S. | February 2, 2008 6:34 AM
Posted on February 2, 2008 06:34
After reading this post, I poked around the internet, and decided to order a couple pairs:
http://sevesteen.blogspot.com/2008/03/zenni-optical-review.html
I made a poor choice for one of my frames (of course, the one pair with a more expensive lens) and the clip-on sunshades are marginal at best, but the glasses themselves seem to be accurate. I'll probably keep ordering from them in the future.
Posted by Sevesteen | March 3, 2008 9:10 PM
Posted on March 3, 2008 21:10