On line Eyewear...

[edmontonsubbie]

I just got my eyes checked and new prescription. After managing to extract myself without making the purchase of glasses at the optician's house....I am left with finding a new set of eyewear for myself. That's kind of difficult as I'm basically blind without glasses....so it's kind of difficult to see what's going to look good on me when I'm trying on the new ones. But, there are programs to load my pic and snap them on....so I'll try it that way.

The doctor was cool....we had a bit of a chat about the "online" ordering. He, of course, attempted to dissuade me as there is no back up nor warranty nor local service if required. While all that is true....it still seems a significant saving.

I asked him what his glasses were and if I could get a frame set like that from here...he laughed and said "no, these are Tag Heuers". I inquired if I might try them on, he agreed and said...."yes, those look good on you" Well, thanks. So, much like listening to a premium set of speakers or driving a finely made vehicle....I'll not settle for less than a pair of Tags.

I have found one site that dispenses Tags.... it is smartbuyglasses dot ca....so my plan is to head down to an optician with Tags here in town, choose the frame that makes sense, record the number and do some comparison shopping. If it's not a 20% saving, I won't bother....I prefer the notion of dealing local.

In any event and to the roundabout point....anyone here have any experience with these online clowns? I have heard reasonably good things from "friends of friends" who have done exactly this...but first hand knowledge is better.

kindest,

eddie.

 

[mercyshooter]

Did they get your focal points exactly right? Each frame has different lengths and each lens has different arc depending on your prescription!

 

[Restless]

I don't know about buying online. I've never tried.

But if you do buy locally I have to put in a good word for Lens Crafters. I've bought several pairs of glasses from them over the last few years. I've always been happy with their quality and service. I'm not really sure how they compare pricewise, because I have to admit to being rather poor at searching for the best price.

The reason I do recommend them relates to my experience with one particular pair of glasses. I had been wearing them for over a year when I somehow managed to spill some semi-opaque resin on both lenses. I returned to the store to see whether they might be able to buff the problem away. Their technicians had a look and said it could not be done. The store manager then said that they were only past the warranty period by a few months so they "would just go ahead and replace both lenses at no cost". I walked out an hour later, a very satisfied customer.

Since I'm the type of person who always makes sure to tell all my friends about bad service, I think it behooves me to let everyone know of top notch service.

 

[edmontonsubbie]

Thanks for the info....I'll take the online plunge on my own. I'm with Nina Two Shoes on this actually. It would be very bad form to "use" a bricks and mortar retailer to refine my online purchase. Overheads are completely different, hence the cost difference. It would be a bad example to set for not only myself, but my wee ones. I'll heed that correction and thank you for it.

The onliners provide facilities and means to check the focal point width, and a "mirror" to try the different frames on with your own photo. Given that I'm not a hunka hunka burnin love nor overly vain about the final look being "just so"....I will take the plunge with the devices provided online. I have already settled on a set of Phat Farm lenses from clearly contacts dot see eh. It's kind of cool, you order, they ship, you receive and approve, then you pay. It works out to $185....if they aren't exactly right...c'est ca la vie...I can always use another spare pair of eyewear.

respectfully,

eddie.

 

[oppai]

I only ever buy online if I simply can't buy in person (due to it not being available locally or just extremely unreasonable or something simple like a battery for laptop etc). For clothes, accessories I always want to be able to look at/touch and feel/try on. I also prefer in person as you TEND to get better customer service....this is not a given but I prefer hands on, in person.

 

[scooter953]

There is too much involved with fitting glasses properly. You can buy frames, and have lenses put in locally, but that is about as far as I would take it. It also depends on how complicated your perscription is.

 

[dikfreezin]

googles4u.com

 

[sweetiepie1]

since you asked

...get the in person. They have to be fitted to you exactly or else they're just not going to feel right. Plus, any good store will have staff that can tell what looks good on you. You won't get anything online that you can't get at Costco or lenscrafters. Going online IMHO will be a case of "penny wise pound foolish." since you asked...