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On my way home from work yesterday, I was listening to The Clark Howard Show, which has become a bit of a daily ritual. If you read my blog regularly, you know I’m a huge fan of saving money and getting the best things I can for the lowest prices. He was talking about a couple of places online where you could buy eyeglasses for around $8. I assumed he meant just the frames, but I rushed to look up those sites when I got home nevertheless.
Sure enough, there are websites that sell eyeglasses for $8, including a prescription lens, anti-scratch coating, full UV protection, 1.57 index lens, hard eyeglass case, and a cleaning cloth. I thought they would all be hideous, and some of them are, but different frames fit different people, so I was happy to see such a wide variety. The shipping on one site is a flat $4.95, no matter how many pairs you order. After reading SEVERAL reviews, the only disadvantages I can see are the wait time (generally 2-4 weeks to ship), and not getting to try something on before you buy it. But, c’mon. For 8 bucks, is that really something to complain about?
One such site is EyeBuyDirect, which has frames starting at $7.95. Not a lot of selection, though. However, the one I’m really excited about is a place called ZenniOptical, which has, when you add the different color combos to the frame choices, hundreds to choose from for $8. See the picture above? $8 Zenni specs, and trust me: I am getting some of those! What do you think, though: brown, or black? For $8, I can get both!
Another problem I thought I would have was similar to when The Boyfriend went to a local place that did glasses for $24.95. For a prescription as strong as mine, then with reduced thickness lenses, etc., it would have been over $250 for me to get any from that “discount” place. However, Zenni offers up to a -8 (which is what my left eye is) in their basic price. I am getting more and more excited about trying these out as I await getting my prescription and measurements from my optometrist on Monday (he seemed pretty excited about the sweet deal, as well).
As far as the quality goes, I’m not expecting designer frames for my money. However, my current glasses are Armani (they were legally free, but that’s another blog), and from what I can tell, plastic is plastic. Reviews have been positive regarding the quality of both the frames and the lenses. I watched a guy on YouTube, who had bought a pair of titanium glasses from Lens Crafters for $315. “And here is my pair from Zenni…as you can see, they look exactly the same. Actually, I can see a little bit better out of the Zennis.” He paid $55 for 2 pairs.
So, I am planning on ordering a pair or four and will give you a follow-up. But since I was so excited to hear about this, I thought others would be, too. Don’t waste your money if you don’t have to, right?
Thanks, Clark!
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Thanks for the post on this. I usually listen to Clark’s podcast, but I must have missed this little tip.
I have placed two pairs on order for myself. Maybe we can compare how they turn out. All in all though I ordered two pairs for a grand total (with shipping) of $39.40 from Zenni.
Oh, and also not sure if he would jive with your tastes, but I find Dave Ramsey to be enjoyable now and then. He is more geared toward getting and living debt free, but can also have some interesting tips like this. That is if you can put up with the gruff older guy tone that can come across from him on his shows when dealing with dumb callers.
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Jebbica Reply:
July 18th, 2009 at 10:00 am
@Puppeto, cool! You’ll have to let me know how they come out. I have to wait until Monday to get my prescription from my eye doctor…don’t know why he didn’t just give it to me over the phone! As for the grumpy guy, I will have to check him out. I would be the same way with stupid callers. In my younger days, I was a fan of the Motley Fool radio show, but does that even come on around here anymore?
Thanks for the comment.
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Hello,
I spent alot of time to chose the company where to buy eyeglasses, finaly I found great deal on Dolce gabbana Eyeglasses. They also have very strong lens recommender. The specialty of I Zannie Optical is that you can get $ 8 Rx eyeglasses online. Zannie Optical Is Great source for kids eyeglasses.
This is great post.
Thanks
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Jebbica Reply:
July 18th, 2009 at 10:02 am
@Moon, I checked out your site, and they want 200 for fake frames! And yes, any ya-hoo can spot fake D&G frames when there’s no “&” on them and look like they, instead, say “Dollar General”. Now, don’t get me wrong. My favorite pair of sunglasses are a pair of “DG not D&G” sunglasses, and I love them to death. I also paid $0.99 for them. If you are going to advertise knockoff frames, they better be at knockoff prices!
Thanks for your comment, Moon.
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Loved the post very imformative
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