Finding the Best Deal on Designer Frames

One of the great things about "brand name" frames is that, often, you can try them on before you buy them. Whether you visit local stores to see what's out there or participate in Glasses.com's home try-on process, it's reassuring to know what you're buying before you order. Although going the designer route is almost* always more expensive than buying "house brand" frames from discount retailers such as Zenni, for some the designer specs are a better investment. Even if you pay $100-$200 for them online, it's frequently still a steal compared to traditional prices. So how do you find the designer frames you want online? 

1. Know the brand, the frame name/size, and the frame number (if applicable). Usually this information is printed on the inside of the frame, typically on the temple arm. Once you have this information, you can always just do a Google search if all else fails. 

2. Check the "big three" of the online vendors who carry discounted designer frames: Frames Direct, Glasses.com and Coastal. Although Coastal has a reputation for being the boss of big deals, I have actually found certain frames cheaper on Glasses.com once the lenses were configured and shipping was calculated. So do the due diligence and make sure you are getting the best deal if you find your frames at more than one store. 

3. Beware sketchy websites. Stick with the tried and true instead of trying to save an extra $5. If a site has no real or verifiable reputation online, stay away!

4. Be patient. Frames arrive on sites all the time. If you know you like a specific pair, add them to your favorites cart and then check in on them periodically. Prices fluctuate, and there are often sales and special offers available. Bide your time if you can, and it might save you a mint.      

*The "almost" refers, in this case, to options such as Coastal's First Pair Free promo.

MyOpticalShop.com Review (Rimless!)

For those of you who can't quite get behind the heavier (by comparison) plastic frames and adore the lightweight wonder that is a titanium rimless style, this post is for you. Myopticalshop.com may have a limited selection of styles, but they do rimless very, very well, and all for a pittance. I paid $67 for my glasses, with hi-index 1.61 lenses, A/R coating, and shipping included. For titanium, air-locked, rimless frames, that's unheard of. Luckily for you, now you've heard of it!

Tortoise & Blonde At-Home Try-On Review

I was very impressed by the frames I received from Tortoise & Blonde. All five pair felt great, none of them were stiff or creaky, and none were crooked or misshapen. Having now ordered from three of the start-up $100-ish retailers, I must say that T&B had the best dedicated women's frames. The Laurel and Lola were decidedly feminine, and the Melrose worked well as girly choice, too. The more ambiguous "unisex" frames were also great. Overall, very pleased. Just wish my order had arrived sooner!

  

Coastal.com Purchase Review

Much has already been said by bloggers (and others) about Coastal.com, and I wanted to see if my experience would go well as a "regular" buyer. I bought my glasses through the website like any other customer, and overall I have no complaints. I actually have a few raves. 

The glasses were delivered in five days. Yes, you read that correctly. FIVE.

I ordered them through the "First Pair Free" promo in which you only pay shipping, and they cost me a few cents shy of $15. For designer frames. And optically perfect lenses. 

Pardon me while I do a happy dance. Feel free to watch the video while you wait. 

Needless to say, I was pleased as punch with my Coastal experience. Obviously, the prices are much higher when purchasing frames that are not part of the free promo, but Coastal does seem to have sales and special offers on a regular basis, and the cost is still much lower than what you'd pay for designer frames elsewhere (in most cases). You can always do an online search for coupon codes, as well. 

If I have any small, nit-picky, vaguely negative thing to say about Coastal, it is that they did not send me an email confirmation when I ordered. They waited until my glasses were ready to ship to send me a shipping notification and a receipt. So I wasn't quite sure my order had gone through until I got that. Also, the place to enter your promo code is in the next-to-last step in the order process, after you have entered your address but before you enter payment info. That was kind of annoying.

If you are considering ordering from Coastal, here are a few tips:

1. Create an account and save all of the frames you like as "favorites." The free pair promo frames change, so just because the ones you like are not offered for free now does not mean they won't be in the future.

2. Use the stellar size-finding features on the lefthand menu. If you know you look good in 52-18-135 frames, Coastal lets you search for those by size. I love this feature. 

3. When it says "low stock," it means it. I lost out on a pair of frames because I figured they'd be there later. Coastal is WAY more popular than you realize, so if you know a pair is perfect for you, don't wait. 

4. If you find a pair of frames you like in a physical store but cannot afford them, make a note of the brand, style and size. If they are a major brand, you may seem them on Coastal at some point.  

  

Goggles 4 U Review

Having never ordered from Goggles 4 U, I wasn't sure what to expect. Although the site is not very user-friendly, I was able to fine a nice pair of rectangular red frames in the "free frames" section and selected grey photochromic lenses for them. I did an online search for a coupon code and found one for  10% off. My total, including shipping, was $28.30. The glasses arrived in 10 days and were well packaged. I was updated throughout the process, so communication was good. The glasses are quite nice, with a glossy acetate frame and spring hinges. The photochromic lenses work well (scroll down for photos), and the lenses are crisp and clear. Overall, it was a very good experience.

I'd very much like to see Goggles 4 U improve its website. If I fail to buy from them again, it will be because it is so difficult to find what I'm looking for on the site. I was impressed with the glasses, however, and the price was unbeatable.

Indoor Light 

After Exposure to Direct Sunlight for One Minute

Warby Parker At-Home Try-On Review

Although I was hoping to have frames from Benji Frank, Warby Parker, and Tortoise & Blonde all at the same time, that did not happen. Oh well! Here's what's covered in the video:

I ordered frames from Warby Parker on July 17 and received them July 25. The frames arrived via and must be returned via UPS (at no charge).

Pros: The box included an invoice to remind me which frames/colors I had ordered. The colors were great and unusual. The Sibley glasses were particularly fab.

Cons: It took more than a week to get the frames, the frame box was visibly dirty, a few pair were especially "cheap" feeling/creaky/stiff, one pair was very dirty.

Verdict: Warby parker gets style points, but overall the Benji Frank experience was much better.  

Benji Frank At-Home Try-On Review

It's Boutique Week here at Get Some Glasses! I decided to order try-on frames from several similar stores all at one time, in the hope that they'd all arrive together and I could do a compare and contrast of the frames. The frames from Benji Frank were the first to arrive, and I cover most of the material below in the video:
I ordered the frames on July 17 and immediately received an email confirmation of the order. I received an email with shipping confirmation for FedEx on July 18. The frames arrived on July 20. Needless to say, I was very impressed with how quickly they got here. 

The frames were packed in plastic bags and nestled in a standard but nicely branded box. There was no invoice included, but the frames are labeled with the name on the inside temple. The only drawback was that I couldn't recall which colors I had ordered, so I had to look them up. I received Buchanan in Blue Tortoise, Pierce in Amber, Harding in Tortoise and Black Purple, and Madison in Light Tortoise. 
You'll notice that I got two colors in Harding. That was not planned. I ordered Harrison but it was not sent. I did call Benji Frank to inquire about this, and got someone on the phone right away. He apologized for the mixup, saying that it was human error due to the frames being right next to each other on the shelf and the similarity of the names. (I myself have done something similar and understand how easily it can happen.) Without me asking he quickly offered to send me the Harrison frame by itself and let me return it with the others. Excellent customer service.

The frames appear to be of good quality. The acetate is well polished and bright, the frames are lightweight, and all were comfortable on the face. The temple arms have wire inside to make them more adjustable. None of the frames felt too stiff or creaky. The frames come with a clear lens but do have text on the left lower lens. 

Personally, I found the Benji Frank experience a pleasant one. The website is clean and easy to use, although a search feature and the ability to view all frames at once would be nice. 

The man I spoke to on the phone also informed me that Benji Frank works with a local lens lab so orders for prescription glasses are typically processed and shipped within 24 hours (provided the prescription is not very complicated). In other words, you're likely to get your specs in just a few days. If the rapid turnaround on my trial order is anything to go by, then they mean it.   

Rivet & Sway Review (Please note that this business has closed)

As of June 3, 2014, Rivet & Sway is no longer in business. 

Rivet & Sway belongs in the "boutique startup" category of the online eyeglasses retailer spectrum, but with some significant differences between it and peers such as Warby Parker and Benji Frank. Here are the major distinctions, according to me, at least.

• Rivet & Sway only offers frames for women. 
• Its prices are double those of similar retailers. 
• They offer standard 1.6 high-index lenses (vs. polycarbonate) with all the coatings and even say they'll automatically upgrade you for free to a higher index lens, if your prescription warrants it. 
• You may only select three frames for three days of at-home try-on (vs. five frames for five days or longer). 
• Rivet & Sway does not appear to be involved with a charitable organization.

A review of the at-home try-on experience is detailed in the video. If you want the nitty gritty, keep reading after the video.

My own personal experience with Rivet & Sway was not without its drawbacks. Bear in mind that reviews are solely my opinion and may not be at all indicative of anyone else's experience with the same retailer. I did NOT inform R&S that I was a blogger and purchased the frames through the website like any other customer, for whatever that's worth. 

The short version is that I ordered some at home try-on frames as well as one pair of prescription glasses. There was confusion over my order that delayed the trial frames, and the glasses were never delivered, for reasons unknown. R&S did communicate with me, and I received a refund. 

One other comment is that I have received promotional emails from R&S almost every day. There is no way to opt out of emails once you open an account with them, so be prepared for that.  

I think R&S has a nice frame selection for women, and there are positive reviews for them out there, but with such steep competition in products and price, I think they need to work out some kinks.
   
I wish my experience had gone more smoothly and hope, if you decide to order from them, that yours will be great!               

Zenni Review

Zenni Optical gets lotsa love from online shoppers looking for inexpensive frames, plenty of lens options, and reliable optical quality. I'm a fan because I've ordered from Zenni four times and always been satisfied with the result. The lenses have always been perfect from a prescription/PD standpoint, and the prices are great if you have a rapidly changing prescription or a less-than conscientious spectacle wearer (e.g., a child) for whom you are buying.

Here's what you need to know:

1. Take special care when choosing your frames so that you'll be pleased with what you get. Returning items isn't really a cost-effective option, and Zenni does not offer full refunds. Double check your measurements, use the virtual try-on feature for more success, and remember that you sometimes get what you pay for where the frames are concerned. 

2. It takes two weeks to get your glasses (in the USA). Don't expect them much sooner than that.

3. Zenni doesn't often have big, blowout sales, but if you sign up for the emails or "like" them on Facebook, you will occasionally receive notifications about free shipping or other discounts.
4. Don't rely entirely on the search options to find what you want. Zenni has a massive number of frames, and they aren't always categorized the way you think. I have found some real gems (which did not show up when I filtered my search options) by taking the time to go through ALL of the frames. (Yes, it was a bit tedious because the selection is freakishly large.)
5. Use the "add to favorites" option to keep track of your picks, otherwise you may never be able to find them again. 

Tidbits and Tips

Here are some good tips you should know, if you don't already, about shopping online for prescription glasses:

Most of the retailers offer regular sales.

If you sign up for emails from Zenni, you'll always know when they are offering free shipping, free tints, etc. They tend to do this during holidays, etc.

Goggles 4 U has sales and free frame offers, just check the "Special Offers" tab on their homepage. Same goes for GlassesUSA; just check the "Sales and Coupons" tab.

EyeBuyDirect has BOGO sales all the time. Really.

"Like" the retailers on Facebook. Almost ALL of them have a page, and they tend to post coupons and sale notices there. Some have giveaways, too.  

Looking for discounts?

Check the GlassyEyes homepage or RetailMeNot for your specific vendor, or just do a Google search.

Get an (almost) free pair.

Coastal, Firmoo and GlassesShop all offer "first pair free" promotions. Typically there is some associated fee (you pay shipping, etc.), but it still might be a way to get some great specs for less.

Keep an eye out for deals on your faves.

Most vendors have a "favorites" cart where you can save your favorite frames -- if you're signed in. Creating an account is free, so why not take advantage of this opportunity to keep an eye on the ones you like? In addition, Coastal adds new frames to its collection every Wednesday, so that is a great time to check in and see if they've gotten something new in your "size." With the addition of new frames, more frames are added to the "first pair free" promo, as well, so a little patience can pay off if you've got your eye on a specific pair.