I had a reader approach me with this guest post. Ken Brownstein often visits personal finance blogs. Following are some of Ken’s frugal tips about shopping for eyewear.
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I am probably like you. I read personal finance blogs, and am constantly searching for frugal tips, looking for ways that I can improve my personal finances. I’m always on the lookout for ways to save more money for myself and for my family. One of the main points I have taken from reading personal finance blogs is that the best way to begin saving money is not by cutting back on small items, but by cutting back on your large costs. One of the larger expenses I have is from eating out, so I personally control that by dining out less; but money is still tight for me as I am trying to help out my mother with her finances. At the end of the day, I’m hoping to grow my savings in a high interest savings account — a goal I’m striving to achieve this year.
Recently I had another big win and was able to cut back on a large expense of mine. It began last month, when I went to the eye doctor and learned that I needed a higher prescription, and therefore, new glasses. A new pair of eyeglasses can easily cost me $300.
This was hard for me at the time. That night though, I thought about how I buy so many items online and I asked myself, why hadn’t I looked at purchasing glasses online?
That’s when the light went off in my head; here was another large cost that I could reduce! So allow me to share with you how I went about buying my glasses off the web, for a price much cheaper than I would have gotten through my doctor.
How To Buy Cheap Eyeglasses Online
I did some research online and discovered that I could buy the exact same pair of eyeglasses online for less than half the price of glasses I had been checking out in malls and stores. In fact, according to the New York Times, an eyeglasses frame that costs less than $25 to make in Italy can retail for at least $150 at an optical shop in the United States.
I couldn’t believe it.
Here’s what The New York Times tells us:
“If ever there was a market ripe for the intervention of the Internet (which allowed consumers to find discounts on best-selling novels, digital cameras or Hawaiian vacations), eyeglasses would be it.”
Honestly, when I began looking online, I was pretty nervous. I didn’t know if I needed a doctor’s permission or verification to be able to pick up glasses this way, or if the quality of the lenses was going to be high. After searching online though, I realized that there was a lot of information out there; in fact, I was surprised that I hadn’t heard about purchasing glasses online much earlier. There is actually a really well read blog, GlassyEyes, that is dedicated solely to helping users shop for glasses on the Internet.
From reading about this on the web, I found out that you can get a current prescription from a licensed optometrist or ophthalmologist by finding out your “Pupil Distance measurement”. I called my eye doctor for this and the next day I ordered the glasses off the web. The glasses came after 2 business days, and they are exactly like my current specs; I am actually pretty satisfied with the quality.
Looking back, I see that purchasing glasses online was not only able to lower my costs, but it has also become quite convenient for me. I now buy my contacts online as well. In case you didn’t know, you can also buy contact lenses online for a significant discount. The most popular website is 1800contacts.com, but there are other websites as well. I estimate that I pay approximately half the amount for my contacts online that I used to buy at my eye doctors’. For those of you who enjoy the sun, particularly in California, you can also purchase sunglasses on the Internet. Now I cannot believe that last summer, I spent over $200 on a pair of Ray Ban sunglasses at the Sunglass Hut!
I hope this information has helped those of you who are looking for ways to lower costs. As I mentioned earlier, I believe that the best piece of advice I have read on personal finance is to always look for those big wins. That is where you are going to see the most benefit.
Where To Buy Cheap Eyewear
If you are interested in purchasing eyewear online, here is a list of websites and resources I use for shopping for glasses, and where I’ve been able to get helpful information:
- FramesDirect.com: An eyewear online store.
- Eyeglasses.com: An eyeglasses online retailer that has received an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
- Goggles4U.com: A popular website for glasses.
- 1800contacts.com: Where to purchase contacts.
- Article from Slate.com about purchasing glasses online.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
The last two times I needed new glasses I got an exam done at Sam’s Club ($50) and then bought them at zennioptical.com. Three years ago I bought the $8 pair, but last year I splurged and got a $10 pair AND prescription sunglasses.
I looked at the sites listed above too (Goggles4U, etc.) and what it came down to was who had the cheapest frames that I liked well enough to wear in public, and which would pass the wife acceptance factor.
They’ve been great for me so far…
I ordered several pairs of glasses from Goggles4U and am really happy with them. The only issue is that they don’t have designer frames.
More recently, I bought a pair of Rayban Rx eyeglasses from Amazon and had the lenses installed at a local eyeglass shop for an additional $100! The lenses would have been only $40 if I had bought them online.
Why didn’t you post this 1 month earlier!! Great post.
glassyeyes.com does a great job of letting readers know about discounts and promotions from these online merchants. I’ve had great luck with zennioptical.com, goggles4u.com and 39dollarglasses.com.
One usually does not pay too much attentionto eyeglasses because medical aid covers the expense, but with more and more people unable to afford medical cover it is gratifying to see that there is such big savings to be had by going direct. It is actually quite scary when you realise just what huge markups are being made, and how the system has been abused in the past.
I’ve had good luck with zenni optical / 19 dollar eye glasses online. I’ve been using them since 2005. They have an extensive selection of frames. My lenses are not fancy so I got 3 pairs (different designs) for $60 shipped.
Investing extra time and energy on the web can definitely help you find the best deals and steals on eyeglasses. Here’s another great resource I came across: BestBuyEyeglasses.com – a discount site for designer sunglasses, eyeglasses, frames and lenses.
I’ve bookmarked this page bc I knew I was getting new glasses soon. Too bad the glasses I liked in my optometrist’s office (ByWP brand) isn’t sold in any of those online resellers. I could only find them on eBay and they were slightly more expensive there. I guess I can stick to the old fashion way then
I looked at the sites listed above too (Goggles4U, etc.) and what it came down to was who had the cheapest frames that I liked well enough to wear in public, and which would pass the wife acceptance factor.
It is actually quite scary when you realize just what huge markups are being made, and how the system has been abused in the past.