When your eyeglasses break or need to be replaced, what do you do? If you're like most people, you go to your optometrist and get a prescription and then you head to an eyeglass store for the actual pair of eyeglasses. And those eyeglasses are really expensive, aren't they? Even going to an eyeglass store like Lens Crafters or Cohen Fashion Optical over at Kings Plaza can be expensive, with costs exceeding $100 for a single pair of basic glasses. However, there is a solution. There is a place with cheap eyeglasses that are just as good as what you'll find elsewhere. The place I'm talking about is Zenni Optical and their prices will blow you away.
Before we go any further, a disclaimer: this author has exactly zero relationship with Zenni optical other than being a satisfied customer. No money has been paid to him or Examiner.com for reviewing Zenni Optical and no goods were offered, nor was this review requested or in any way initiated by Zenni Optical or Examiner.com
Now, back to the review, which is what you want to know about anyway. Zenni sells full prescription eyeglasses starting at just $8 per pair. Yes, that's right, eight bucks. Talk about cheap prescription eyeglasses, huh? Their prices range up to around $40 and there is an extra charge if you want bifocals or thick lenses. They also charge extra for anti-glare coating (though it's $4.95 extra as opposed to around $50-$100 extra elsewhere). Shipping is just $4.95 no matter how many pairs you order, so it pays to order for the whole family at one time.
The way Zenni is able to offer their eyeglasses for so cheap is that they are manufactured overseas at a lab in China (though the quality is just as good as anything bought here) and that points up the biggest drawback with Zenni optical. They take a few weeks to send you your glasses, so if you simply must have them in an hour or two, you'll need to use someone local.
Another drawback is that there are no designer frames. Then again, if you were looking for designer frames, you'd probably be looking elsewhere anyway. One other major drawback is that you must provide them with your PD (pupilary distance) number. This is the distance between the black part of your eyes and it's used to calculate exactly how large the frame needs to be. While they tell you how to do it yourself, it pays to contact your eye doctor and ask for your PD number since the do it yourself method rarely produces accurate results. Your PD number will not be written down on a prescription, however your doctor will provide the number if you request it.
I've personally purchased all my glasses from Zenni for the past eight years or so and have never been disappointed with them. In this tough economy, it pays for all us Brooklynites to stick together and find ways of saving money. I strongly suggest dropping by Zenni to check them out at www.zennioptical.com.
One more note: For those truly suffering in this economy, there are also discounted eye exams available at Lutheran Medical Center, which range in cost from $15-$50 depending on income (bring three pay stubs, unemployment statements or some other proof of your income when you go).
Zenni Optical
www.zennioptical.com
Park Ridge Family Health Center of Lutheran Medical Center
6311 4th Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11220
718.492.8233
Comments
Come on, No Zenni anymore! There are so many online optical stores to choose from. I have bought from most of them. The greatest deal should be the one from www.GlassesShop.com. Strongly recommend it!
I am totally impressed with my new Zenni eyeglasses. If you are patient and can wait about three-four weeks, you can save about three hundred dollars easily!!!!
I bought a pair of progressive lenses in fashionable frames for $57 total including polycarbonate! Wal Mart wanted $187 on Walmart $9.00 frame. At Zenni, I had a larger selection of frames, the glasses arrived in a cheaper plastic eyeglass package -- but it did the job. You can pick up heavier ones if you want at the dollar store, or you may still have your old case.
They look good, and I can see perfectly!!!
Great Savings for us who go through glasses yearly and have others at home that wear them as well.
Don't do business with anyone who outsources jobs to China. Just plain stupid and self-destructive to do so.
@al-bob you my friend must live in a cave. I purchased a pair of glasses from my eye doctor and paid 450 for them regular lenses nothing fancy at all. Right on the frame it says made in china. Now whats the difference between buying from Zenni and being made in china or from my eye doctor. I support keeping jobs in my country like everyone else but why would I pay 5 times as much for something I'm buying from China no matter what.
My eye doctor still gets my business because I'm a lucky few with good eye insurance but for out of pocket stuff hell yea I purchase from Zenni. BTW I purchased a pair with transition lenses and all the add-ons from zenni for 160 my. Out of pocket with insurance from my eye doctor for the same thing is 320.
i would recommend www.EyeBuyDirect.com i bought from them more than 6 frames in the last two year--and never was i disapointed.
I agree with Nancy. eyebuydirect.com has never let me down and continues to provide incredible quality at an unbelievable price. Their website is far superior to Zenni's btw, check it out ppl.
eye buydirect sucks! I don't need great website! I need great products. My cousin is very satisfied with ZenniOptical.com eyeglasses. See the entire story here: colours-sounds.blogspot.com/2010/02/cheap-eyeglasses-at-zenni-optical.html.
If you think eyebuydirect sucks, stand clear of Zenni Optical. They don't stand behind their product. Try and find a warranty. They are rude and general poor business people.BTW their products simply don't hold up.
everybody has their own opinion: nyubi.com/2010/03/zenniopticalcom-come-with-high-quality.html
Zenni is no good.
I just recieved my first order from Zenni. It works really well!I didn't expect custom job at this price, but I was pleasantly suprised. The quality of the frame is incredible and seems to be the equal of any other frames I bought from Lens Crafters. Plan on ordering another pair.
I'm looking for a unique frame and in very light weight. because I am a fan of Harry Potter and John Denver, I ordered product # 4300 at www.zennioptical.com and I'm very satisfied. because, I received a very quick delivery from www.zennioptical.com. and i am planning on ordering another type for my glasses collection. because to obtain quality Eyeglasses for a low cost www.zennioptical.com only.
thanks for www.zennioptical.com
Zenni may appear to be good when you first order, but believe me if you have a problem they are rude ineffective, don't stand behind their merchandise and their glasses don't hold up.
Zenni is an absolutely amazing option!I purchased two pairs of glasses with high index lenses with clips for less than $100. Couldn't be more pleased with the results. They fit me well and do the job at an unbelieveable price. I've recommended their site to all my glasses wearing friends.
Look, Zenni is okay.
- They are definitely cheap.
- They are not a scam company --- they do consistently manufacture and ship glasses that are ordered and paid for.
- The value of the glasses for the price is quite good. Even though they are cheap they aren't junk.
BUT
- They say that glasses should be received in 10 days. I have made several orders and have never received the glasses in less than 40 days.
- Their support is generally pretty bad.
- They don't track orders or update you about the progress of your order very well. If your order gets delayed you will not hear about it. You will have to check in and probably get insulted and not get a straight answer about what the delay is/why there is a delay.
I don't mind seeing recommendations, but I wish people weren't so "THIS IS AMAZING" about Zenni. It's better to go into your order with realistic expectations. Then you can be pleasantly surprised if they actually meet their promises.
My experience was quite the opposite. When I called to check on the status of an order after two weeks, I was told there was a hold up with several shipments in Customs. They said that since they could not tell me when they would be released, they would make another order and ship them to me at no extra charge. Then, once the original order was released by Customs, it would be delivered to me, again, at no extra charge. Sure enough about a week later, I received my glasses (they work great, by the way). About another week after that, I received a second pair. So, I got 2 pairs for the price of one. That alone has kept me coming back to them.
can anyone tell me what credentials they must have in order to fill/sell these eyeglasses? thanks!
can anyone tell me what credentials they have to have in order to fill/sell these eyeglasses? thanks!!
I'm very disappointed from Zenni. Last week I have order two pairs of eyeglasses, I paid with my credit card and with hope after two days I receive e-mail that they decide to cancel my order because my country is risky for them :( com on.... I already pay, they have receive my money and after that they suddenly decide to return it. Why in the process of the purchasing simply I didn't receive message that is impossible to make that particular order???
Bought 3 pairs.Went to eye doctor today and found out that they aren't made to my prescription.Zenni told me ship them back and I'd get 50% credit on one pair.Stay away!
I agree that Zenni Optical has inexpencive glasses, but there is no service after the sale!! I screw fell out of the bow( a new pair) and I cannot find any optical center that has that kind of screw. I call Zenni...left a message a couple of weeks ago....nothing. So they are not so cheap as I can't wear them!!
It was one of my best online shopping experiences! I had been shopping for a pair of glasses for several weeks and finally zeroed in on this store because of the low price. I got a new pair of glasses with anti-glare coating. Very pleased with the quality and workmanship. I have been wearing the glasses for a week. The vision correction is flawless, and the anti-glare coating works great. I am so grateful that this website exists!
i would recommend www.GlassesShop.com i bought from them more than 12 frames in the last two year--and never was i disapointed.
I am a college students ,a lot of our classmates bought glasses online including myself.So I know Zennioptical ,Eyebuydirect and Glassesshop .
Zenni has so many frames with unbeatable price !Have to say it has changed US
eyewear market!
But It takes a really long time to receive your glasses from them!I bought twice from zenni ,and I received them in about three weeks .Some of my classesmates couldn't receive their order until 1 month past!
Eyebuydirect has a fancy web ,but the product is not fancy at all! Junk glasses and glasses case.
Glassesshop is not that price-competitive as Zenni .But We received orders mostly in 10 days.(That's fast since their glasses are from China too)
And their products are high quality compared to the price! Have to remind you ,it will cost you a little bit more.
So no one is perfect !
Help yourself with my info.
It would be great if you think it's helpful!
I have been so happy with Zenni Optical in the past, they are unbelievable. They have so many good looking frames and have made it possible for me to get glasses this cute for that cheap. I appreciate their diligence in finding my error and patience with my delayed response. And I have always been pleased with their excellent products and service. My old glasses that i ordered from Zenni Optical are still in perfect condition. I am profoundly grateful.
I love zenni and have been fairly loyal to them since I've been ordering glasses online. I have purchased basic $8 a pair glasses (as a spare set) as well as more expensive progressive bi-focals and have been more than satisfied with the price and the service I received. My eyesight is in the 20 / 400 range, and it’s amazing to get good-looking and good-fitting glasses for under $20. I've had the Zennis checked at a local lab. They're right on the money prescription-wise. I am very happy and will continue to use Zenni for our optical needs.
You will eventually be disappointed. I guarantee you if you ever have a complaint or issue they will not address it.
I can't thank Zenni Optical enough. I just got my glasses from Zenni and I love them. I entered the wrong prescription and soon got an email from them asking me to confirm my prescription. I appreciated that they checked first! My order took less than two weeks to arrive. I love the fast service, good looking frame and perfect vision lenses. I would like to be a return customer of Zennioptical because of the excellent products and service I have experienced.
Some of my friends order their glasses from Zenni Optical and I like those glasses very much. They look chic. And I ordered two pairs several days ago. I received them today, very pleased. The price is low, the quality is good, and it didn't take me a long time. I will be a regular customer.
I would like to recommend www.glassesshop.com for its unbeatable price and considerate service, besides, the delivery service is timely and sound. Glassesshop really worth a try.
I just received my new bifocals from Zenni Optical today and I am very happy with them. The frame is nice and they fit me perfectly. I am so glad to find a company offering such great deals on glasses. Their great deals saved me a large amount of money compared with my last pair I ordered from local. I love my new glasses so much that I decide to order another pair from them in the near future.
Thanks to Zenni's outstanding selection of frames, I chose 2 pair,each giving me a completely different look. I am so happy. I will surely order some more very soon!
This site is unreal. I am afraid to tell my friends as they will know how I always have a twist to my look with cool glasses. This is a great site and gives you an idea on how the big guys can advertise day and night. They must buy from them and mark it up big time.
Trying to find where they state they can make lens that will correct stigmatism. They do not mention it. Does anyone know if they do?
The stigmatism correction is written in your prescription. If you enter the correct details from your prescription they will know about it already.
do they make lens that correct stigmatism
Dear Janet! Zenni Optical uses very low quality lenses. They failed to make glasses with simple spherical lenses for me! Purchase glasses with American, Canadian, German lenses, but never order glasses with cheap and bad Chinese lenses, if you don't want to lose your vision, of course. The guy Eric who wrote this prepaid review is not optometrist. Look at his image - he even doesn't wear glasses!
Dear "Janet" and "Mikhail Lipin," Please don't make it so painfully obvious that you're the same person replying to yourself.
I've ordered two pairs of glasses in the past 14 months. The lenses in those glasses have managed to fix my astigmatism just fine.
Scratch that, you're not the same person.
Regardless, my glasses, that I bought 14 months ago, are still just as brand new. There is not a scratch on the lenses. I've been cleaning them everyday with a microfiber cloth. They have AR coating on them too.
Those who live in NYC can also check out www.SaveMoneyOnGlasses.com. Located right here in queens, nyc. The difference is you can actually get to try on the frames and they have all the name brand lenses such as Varilux, Kodak etc. They have the greatest selection of lenses on the internet at the cheapest prices. Zenni is ok but their lab is located overseas so it takes a while to get your glasses.
I have also used http://www.SaveMoneyOnGlasses.com and the guy came to my house with the frames I selected to try on before I purchase. I couldn't have been more pleased with the experience. I highly recommend that site to people who lives in NYC.
Eight dollar glasses lasted about a month before the frame broke.
Zenni has a good collection but this time I found another online Eyeglasses seller where Eyeglasses are really cheap... And the quality are fine as I have a personal experience.. The seller is http://www.globaleyeglasses.com/ it really offer Cheap eyeglasses.
Forgot to mention that I bought my Glasses From Global Eyeglasses last year and using it till today without any issue.
Just found Zenni updated their site dramatically! It looks awesome and I am able to search the amazing amount of frames easier. I love the new “try on frame fit” feature and especially prices went down from $8 to $6.95! Ordered a pair of glasses with progressive lenses and cannot wait to get them!
The quality of the lenses used by Zenni Optical is very, very low. The lenses distort image enormously, especially on peripheral side. The lenses are poorly polished - you can see hundreds of fine scratches beneath the anti-reflective coating. The person who wears glasses from Zenni loses of his/her vision. The return policy of Zenni is terrible - they refund 50% of the manufacturing cost, leaving other half plus shipping and handling on you! Not all plastic lenses are bad - the lenses which are used by Costco are perfect - no distortions, no scratches - no loss of vision. Dear Eric, you are not an optometrist. You don't even wear eyeglasses! Shame on you for your prepaid review!
Now that I'm seeing your ridiculous statements for the second time, "Mikhail Lipin," I can only conclude that your review is nothing but an attempt to destroy zenni because they're taking away business from your Costo store, which you probably work for. Could you be any more obvious?
A lot of people, A LOT, who've ordered from zenni will tell you that the quality of their lenses are just as good as those from your Costo and other brick and motar stores. Including me, and I have two pairs from them, 14 months old, and I just received my third pair. NO ONE IS GOING TO LOSE THEIR VISION BECAUSE OF GLASSES THEY BOUGHT FROM ZENNI OR ANY OTHER PLACE. That statement alone makes you, "Mikhail Lipin," an obvious troll.
The 50% refund policy is a risk all must take. I'm sure most are willing to take it considering you're paying $6 to $30 for frames that would cost you $200 to $800 at the local brick and motar store. You should be glad zenni offers any refund at all, considering their business model. Welcome to the world of online optical stores.
I've purchased 9-10 pairs of glasses in three different orders from Zenni Optical over last couple of years, and have been quite satisfied with the results. My wife has purchased several pairs of glasses with complex astigmatism and bifocal blended lenses and is very happy with all the glasses.
Love zenni’s new website. The new layout is great - love the upload-your-pic feature. I will surely order some more very soon!
I have used ReadingGlassWorld.com quite a few times. I have been very pleased with my glasses and the customer service.
Check them Out! ReadingGlassWorld.com
Before you order from Zenni, read the agreement you have to agree to it, which include the requirements that you have to defend them if they got suit by a third party!
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