Your Glasses Cost How Much?!

4 years ago I needed a new pair of glasses. I was pretty close to broke and looking for the best deal possible. I went to a couple of optical shops close to my work and nearly choked at the prices. Frames alone were $200+ for every pair that I liked. My prescription isn’t cheap either, so I was anticipating another $200 or so for the lenses. $400 or more for glasses was going to have me eating ramen for a month.

So I decided to see what I could find on the internet. And what I found was Optical4Less.  At the time, I could only find 2 reviews* of this company (admittedly both were positive) and the company was based on Hong Kong.  Normally,  I probably wouldn’t have taken a chance. But their  price for a pair of glasses was $29 (+$10) shipping. $39 vs. $400 was a huge delta and so I decided to take a chance.

3 weeks after I ordered, a brightly colored package arrived at my doorstep. Upon opening the package and inspecting my glasses I couldn’t have been more pleased. I got more compliments from people on that pair of glasses than on any pair I had owned previously. I told all of my glasses wearing friends about Optical4Less and  several of them ordered from them as well. All of them have been pleased with their purchase.

2 years ago I went hog wild and ordered 3 pairs of glasses. One pair of rimless glasses, one pair similar to the pair I had ordered previously and a pair of semi-rimless tinted pair for sunglasses. Total cost: $96. If I had purchased the same glasses from a local shop my total cost would have been in excess of $1500.  And all 3 pairs again exceeded my expectations.

Optical4Less has an affiliate program… but I won’t sign up for it. I’m such an evangelist for this company that I don’t want to cloud my enthusiasm with the perception I am somehow being compensated for my endorsement.

If you wear glasses I encourage you to check them out. The biggest objection I’ve heard from people about ordering glasses online is that they aren’t sure how they will look. I recommend finding a pair of glasses you like on the website and then visiting your local optical store to try on similar pairs. While you’re there, compare the price and I think you’ll find that the risk is minimal if you find a style that you like.

The added bonus to purchasing from Opical4Less is the look of amazement on the faces of your friends when they find out how much they cost. Or, if you’re like my Seattle friend the inner chuckle when you keep that little tidbit to yourself.

* These days you’ll find a lot more reviews for this company. I encourage you to check them out.