Hello everyone,

Things have been a bit quiet around here for the past few months and there are a number of reasons why.

First, I've been busy with client work. This is a good thing. The economy seems to be headed on a positive course and it's been filling my hours with opportunity.

Secondly, the State of Minnesota has enacted a new Internet taxation policy that effectively shuts me and any other affiliate income funded blogs and websites down. I could move I suppose, but there are too many things to love in this state. If you don't already live here, it's a cold, horrible place to live, you'd be much happier in Wisconsin. ;-)

I'm not against internet taxation, I just hope that the Federal government can come up with a tenable plan that works for states and internet retailers. I'm not optimistic this will happen soon.

So where does that take us? I'm not shutting things down at this point -- expenses are paid for the rest of the year. I am potentially looking for a buyer in a state that has no personal income taxes -- this is the safest bet long term.

I'll look into the possibility of adding traditional advertising to help offset costs. The effect of that is likely to be more posts and broader content to justify and increase the value of the simpler flat-rate ads.

I'm still wearing glasses and am still excited about the market shift that has happened in this field over the past nearly seven years. I talk to more and more people wearing affordable, online, eyeglasses. They're enthusiastic and so am I.

Hope you're having a wonderful summer -- don't forget the sunglasses!

- Ira

The EyeBuyDirect BUY ONE, GET ONE FREE Sale is back!

Effective Monday, February 18th and running through Thursday, February 28th, you can find high quality prescription eyeglasses starting at $14.95, lenses included, and get 2 FOR THE PRICE of 1.

Use code: 'B1G1' 

Ed. Note: Yes, they have better looking glasses than in the ad above.

Only three days left in EyeBuyDirect's Buy One Get One sale. Check out the new lines they're carrying and get your Spring started right with a new look.

Use code "B1G1" to get the deal.

Ends January 31st.

EyeBuyDirect makes a habit of the Buy One Get Free sale and it's a good thing. They've updated their selection with some very trendy, retro styles which should entice many of you to order up a couple pairs for a low, low price.

Use code 'B1G1' to take advantage of this sale.

As always conditions apply so check out the site for details.

Ends January 31st.

I'll be on the Colin McEnroe show this afternoon on Connecticut Public Radio WNPR talking about the eyeglasses industry and how online options have begun to change it. You should be able to listen online here: http://www.cpbn.org/listen-live

 We'll probably also hit on Luxottica -- a hot topic since Leslie Stahl's lazy (and late to the party) report on 60 Minutes at the beginning of the month.

Take a look at that here: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7424700n

It's October, so it's time for another EyeBuyDirect Buy One Get One sale! This one lasts (almost) to the end of the month.

This is their signature sale, and as always the sooner you order the faster you'll get your specs. The lower the sun gets in the sky the more I find myself reaching for my sunglasses in the car. Get yourself a pair or three.

EyeBuyDirect has been a leader in this market for years now. Their guarantee is one of the best around. Order with confidence!

Sale ends October 29th.

Restrictions apply, so take a look at the site.

Goggles4U has a Clearance Sale going with FREE frames from their home brand selection. Over 3000 frames are included in this sale. 

Time is running out (or has run out if you're arriving after Monday) to get in on one of the best sales of the year for online eyeglasses.

EyeBuyDirect has added new frame styles throughout the sale so if you looked last week and didn't see anything you wanted, now is the time to pop back in and check.

Click here to take a look.

Forgiving the ridiculously excessive language ("legend" really?), Goggles4U is having a decent sale for the next few days.

Save up to 75% on all home brand (here we go again) frames with premium lens coatings INCLUDED.

A good deal for the father (or mother or neighbor) in your life.

Click here to take a look.

Included the terms to help you make better buying decisions.

Click here to see what they have!

EyeBuyDirect is known for these. No one does a sale like them.

This is probably the tenth one of these I've covered in the past 5 and a half years. They always sell a ton of glasses and deliver on their excellent mission and return policy.

Over the past year or so, they've also expanded their lineup with some more stylish and bold frames -- even at their lower price points.

This sale runs through June 25th. 

Take advantage early for quickest turnaround.

Click HERE to access the deals!

Again with the "Home-Brand" frame sale, but this one includes all the coatings for free.

A very-low-risk, good deal to be sure.

 Ends Memorial Day. 

Click here to take advantage!

I've never written about a product other than glasses on the ol' Glassyeyes blog, but this is just such a great deal (and idea) on another unreasonably expensive item, that I couldn't resist.

If you haven't seen the viral video for DollarShaveClub.com, you really ought to do so now. You'll laugh and then think, yeah, why the hell are those blades so expensive, and then you'll do like I did and sign up -- unless you use an electric razor or are somehow naturally hairless.

Anyway, take it for what it's worth. I'm impressed.

They probably mean "house-brand", but regardless of the adjective, this is a really great deal.

This deal ends some time on Friday -- so hurry!

Click here for more.

Two weeks of their biggest sale ends tomorrow.

Click here to take a look.

I've been doing some work on catching up with the site over the holidays and I came across a bit of a rant in the forums from what I can only guess is an optician or the mom of an optician.

Here it is:

Free advice? Bad advice.

If you only wear glasses at night, if you only use glasses for a computer or you can buy your glasses from walgreens then by all means buy them online. But if it's a prescription, for the love of god, get it filled by someone who is knowledgeable about the trade. If you don't heed this advice also do us a favor and don't bother going to a local optician to have your frames fit or to trouble shoot your problems; you already had your hand in putting him out of business, don't also insult him by asking for his time and expertise for free.

My response to this tripe:

We've had a couple of our better ongoing deals go dark over the past few weeks.

They're baaack!

After a bit of housekeeping yesterday and helping a couple people get their orders straightened out, I got in touch with 39DollarGlasses and EyeBuyDirect about renewing their exclusive long-term discounts.

Both were more than happy to do it.

As you see over to the left, they're back in their rightful places. For those of you reading this on a smart phone, you'll need to click the "View Web Version" link at the bottom of the page to see.

Here they are...

I always love this sale. Getting a dollar for fifty-cents is always a good deal, and this one is better because the prices are so low and there are no headaches associated with whether or not thin or tinted lenses are included in the sale.

These are the final days of the sale. Take a look!

Holiday Gift Vouchers 50% OFF - spend $20 for a $40 voucher at EyeBuyDirect.com!

ENDS SATURDAY!

Is it December already?