39dollarglasses.com

Full review
We get regular checkups and visit the dentist every six months but we disregarded our eyeballs. Busy lives, insurance changes, and other flimsy excuses helped us to ignore our vision care. Over three years since our last examination, this past July we finally got ourselves to the eye doctor.

Our eye exams were done at Lens Crafters. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable. The exam went smoothly. The doctor gave us our forms with prescriptions and lens information and set us on our merry way into the store’s waiting room. We perused the racks of frames. We eventually found frames that we liked. The salesgirl wrote up the details and determined lens properties then gave us the bottom line: our glasses totaled close to $300 each.

$600 for a couple of glasses? I don’t think so.

Neither one of us needs any special lenses or bifocals. We figured the high price must come from making their lenses in an hour. We thanked the friendly employees and scooted our butts out of there. We walked over to another lens place in the mall and tried on some of their frames. We each made a selection and got the information to take with us. These were half the price of Lens Crafter but still more than we had anticipated.

As I lamented our story to my sister, she asked “Why don’t you try 39dollarglasses.com?” She explained that she and her husband bought theirs from them and were fairly well satisfied. So I checked them out – on Epinions. Well, the reviews were so-so. Then I read Patty’s review on Zenni Optical. That sounded great but I was unsure which site I wanted to shop from. I decided to try them both.

It is easy enough to navigate 39 Dollar Glasses Online Store. There are tabs on the top for eyeglasses, product information, help, and an international button to switch to another country’s currency. The different types of glasses are listed under the tabs as well and in the middle of the page too. They are divided into various types of frames such as metal or plastic and they are also listed by lens types like bifocals or progressives. Under the picture icons of the different glasses are logos for lenses, payment, security, and a BBB seal. After that there is information about the company presented in a question and answer format with links to more information and testimonials.

They have the following paragraph following the abbreviated questions and answer section:

100% Online Quality Guarantee

Prior to shipping, each pair of eyeglasses or prescription sunglasses are inspected by a certified technician to ensure the accuracy of the prescription and proper alignment of the frame. Further, they are packaged in an attractive, durable hard case for protection. We unconditionally guarantee all our frames and lenses to be delivered exactly as they were ordered and free of defects.

Upon further exploration under the HELP menu, I found the FAQ link. The “complete” version of their online guarantee is written as:

“What is your guarantee policy?

Prior to shipping, each pair of eyeglasses is inspected by a certified technician to ensure the accuracy of the prescription and proper alignment of the frame. Further, they are packaged in an attractive hard case for protection. In the unlikely event that your glasses arrive with a defect, we will replace them completely free of charge.

In the unlikely event your new glasses need to be remade for reasons beyond our control (e.g. your doctor changes your prescription, you would like to select a different style, or if you accidentally enter incorrect prescription information), we will gladly do so for only $14.95 plus shipping/packaging (plus 50% of the purchase price above $39.00 if applicable). We do this only to ensure our ability to continue to provide the public with the lowest-priced, high-quality prescription glasses anywhere.

This made me a little leery but decided to give the company a shot anyway. Screen shopping for new glasses wasn’t bad. I think it would have been more difficult if we hadn’t already obtained the general style and size we wanted from our prior brick and mortar adventure. I’ll give 39 Dollar Glasses credit though for their SmartFit System. It lets you customize a pair of glasses as well as print out an actual picture of the size. I like that when you click on a pair of glasses, you can see them on various peoples’ faces to get a better idea of how they appear on different facial shapes.

Ordering is straightforward. Select a frame then choose the frame’s color (if applicable). Next you’re taken to step three of deciding a lens package. Single-vision lenses start at $39.99, bifocals and progressives are a lot more expensive. You’ll need your prescription information and PD number for the second part of this step. PD is your pupil distance. The site explains what this is and how to obtain it. Hubby and I measured each other’s with little aggravation.

After entering the required numbers, you are taken to an extensive section offering lens package details. Here you can choose to add sunglass tint and other options. You can also upgrade your free hard clamshell case if so desired. The bottom of the page keeps a current total so you’ll know how much your glasses are. After clicking on the “BUY NOW” button you are taken to another page offering anti-reflective coating for $25. Once you accept or decline this you finally get to the secure checkout page.

I ordered two pairs of glasses with the special coating. Both of them cost $63.95 for a total of $115.11. USPS First Class shipping with delivery confirmation is $4.95 for one pair or free for two pairs or an order over $100. Glasses should be received within 3-7 business days following a 2-3 day timeframe to make the glasses. Special lenses take a couple more days to complete.

I promptly received a confirmation email. I ordered the glasses on Sunday, July 22 and received a notice of shipping email on Thursday, July 26. I was pleasantly surprised when DHL delivered them the next day. They arrived safe and secure inside a padded envelope. Both of the glasses arrived in a silky pouch inside a clamshell case. They had a business card detailing care instruction on one side and RX info on the other. Well, there is a chart for it but neither of the cards was filled in. This proved to be a bit trying as both of our black metal frames were similar in style and size. I eventually figured it out by squinting to read the frames’ names on the inside.

So how are they?

Well, we are split. Hubby has no issues with his new glasses. They are sturdy and look good. Mine have a lens that has popped out three times. I called about it but sending it back involves spending money for shipping and their response on fixing it was vague. I would rather spend another $8.00 or so at Zenni Optical instead. The glasses we ordered from them are terrific and cost A LOT less. I wear the glasses from 39 dollars around the house only. They don’t look bad but the chintzy feel and iffy lens stability leaves me little choice. I don’t want to be caught driving around with a pair of faulty glasses failing on me.

I probably won’t buy from 39 Dollar Glasses Online Store again. It wasn’t too bad but not great. If I were to give them a grade, I would say they earned a C-. Zenni Optical however, has them beat. Their glasses cost less, look great, and are well built. Hubby prefers them too so I’ll be purchasing from them instead.

I will keep our two-year eye exam though. No more excuses.