Hey. What's Everyone Spending Their Eyeglasses Savings On?

Posted by Ira at Saturday, January 13, 2007

We Americans aren't exactly known for our prowess with saving money, heck our entire economy is built upon us spending everything we have and more.

I'm curious what people have bought with money they'd earmarked for overly expensive eyeglasses.

Me? To give some perspective, I've purchased five pairs of eyeglasses for a grand total of $206 -- easily less than half of what I'd have spent on one pair had I not searched for a better way. That's more than a guy needs, but I'm still researching this thing.

I was able to stay closer to budget over the holidays.

Anyone bought anything neat? Given to charity? Added or started a savings account?

Tell us your story.

7 comments:

At January 14, 2007 at 9:43 PM kdub_nyc said...: I looked at a pair of stylish red DKNY glasses at Lenscrafter, sat down with a salesperson and found out the grand total for my prescription would be $400. Thanks to your blog, I ordered stylish red glasses from Goggles4u.com, which cost me $26 dollars. I just got them in the mail last night. What am I going to spend my $374 in savings on? Let's just say our next house is going to need a shoe closet.
At January 15, 2007 at 3:42 AM Unknown said...: I don't know how I found out about glassy eyes but it's been a huge eye opener :) I've purchased 2 glasses in the past 10years because they're so expensive at the local optometrist but after I found out I could get them online I've purchased one sunglasses and one transitional within a month. I would never have been able to afford them before. Next pair will be some trendy rimless I think. So what have I been spending with my savings? More glasses :)
At January 15, 2007 at 7:02 PM Unknown said...: I'll probably buy a second pair. I just, today, got back from my mailbox downtown and picked up my new glasses from 39DollarEyeglasses. A bit spendy compared to some of the examples, but I need the high-index lenses and ar-coating. Still cheaper than my typical co-pay, by $100. It also frees me to think about getting prescription sunglasses, since I could actually afford them now. Thanks much to your blog (and to BoingBoing for linking to it).
At January 26, 2007 at 12:25 AM Anonymous said...: Pair 1: Drill Mount Memory Titanium eye glasses Zenni Optical:
Estimated Lenscrafters Cost= $300 (conservative considering the cost of just lenses would be approx.$200 (SV poly carb AR coat))
Actual Cost= $48 (Including shipping and AR coat)

Pair 2: Plain Black Acrylic eye glasses Zenni Optical:
Estimated Lenscrafters Cost= $375 (estimate based on a similar style of frame and lens factors stated above)
Actual Cost= $28 (Including shipping and AR coat)

Net savings= $599

Items purchased with said $599:
-new iPod
-beer
-a couple of nice dinners
-savings account (not exactly a purchase)
At February 6, 2007 at 6:59 AM Wil Redmond said...: I'm a college student at a private university (one of the nation's best) and I must say the best advice I've gotten in my 3 years here thus far has been from glasseyes.com. I ordered a pair of rimless frames, with transition lenses from Zenni Optical. They cost $78.52, which is alot for a college student but pennies when compared to the $350 pair of frames (almost exactly identical to the ones I got) would have cost. It did take quite a while to get here (they were subject to customs checks) but they arrived yesterday and I'm incredibly happy. They're extremely light and everyone thinks I paid hundreds on them. But my girlfriend knows I didnt so the savings are probably going to a great Valentines day gift. THANKS GLASSY EYES!!!
At May 30, 2007 at 8:07 PM Anonymous said...: Just purchased my first pair of eyeglasses from Zenni. Ordering was easy, liked the selection and received them within 11 days! I couldn't be happier. I had spent a few minutes looking at the glasses in my eye doctors office and realized I couldn't afford to fork that kind of money over! For the prices its worth the risk to try them out. I love being able to order different glasses to fit my mood and style which I could never do paying 200.00 and up at the local places. I did make sure when getting my eye checkup to ask them to measure my pupil distance which they were more then happy to do. Then I got my script, came home and ordered! thank you for this blog!
At January 21, 2008 at 9:31 PM Anonymous said...: I purchased 3 pair of glasses from Zenni Optical in mid NOVEMBER!!!! Still don't have my glasses - I'ticked. I'll phone them one more time tomorrow and try to get a customer service person who won't give me the runaround. My next call will be to my credit card company, then on to thge BBB.