Hi Everyone, My parents are in the process of purchasing new eyeglasses. It seems like so many places are just rip offs and coupons can be confusing - they always find ways to add on to the price. Where do all of you purchase eyeglasses? My dad went back to Wal-Mart where he purchased his last pair. They told him they would have to charge him more for the lenses if he didn't buy a frame too. That didn't sit too well with him especially since he's been a past customer. Any advice or experiences you'd like to share would be most appreciated!

-- Mel Carroll in N.C. (frank.a.carroll@worldnet.att.net), November 14, 2001

Answers

Even if they charge him more for the lenses, I don't think you can beat Walmart. Eagle

-- eagle (eagle@alpha1.net), November 14, 2001.

We did the math and figured that it was cheaper to add the cost of glasses to the flexible spending account for medical than to purchase a separate vision plan through work. When we had Kaiser (HMO) we would get the prescription through them, and then get the prescription filled wherever there was a coupon or two pair for the price of one.

Consumer Reports (try to find at your library) had an article not too long ago on purchasing eyeglasses from the big chains, and if I remember correctly, NONE of the places stood out as being really great.

I think it is terrible to have to buy new frames every time, but at least remember to either keep them as a spare pair, or if you can no longer use them to please donate them to an organization that can get them to someone who can.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), November 14, 2001.

I buy mine from my optometrist when I get a new prescription. I may pay a bit more but I know they'll be right and know I can get adjustments when I need them. If I ever have a problem I don't have to worry about getting a run around like you do with a computer problem (software people telling you it's your hardware; hardware people telling you it's software). It's one stop and it's done. Sometimes the cheapest isn't the best value and I can't imagine anyplace I'd rather not go cheap than with my vision.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), November 14, 2001.

I have used ShopKo for several years. I do believe ShopKo is only located in the upper midwestern states. Exam is $45 for regular and $60 for contacts. Glasses start at $99 packages. I have paid about $119 for single vision, decent frame, ultra violet protection, scratch resistant special material lenses (can't think of the name for them right now)with one year warranty. If I need new lenses I can just order those to go into my old frames. After the warranty, If I break a frame, I can just purchase the frame or one that my lenses will pop into. Lenses for me usually run $55 for the pair. Haven't had any problems in the 14 years I have gone there with my two children too. I have a friend that goes to Pearle Vision Centers and gets a great deal there too. She has had very good luck with the pricing and the service at Pearle.

-- JoAnn in SD (jonehls@excite.com), November 14, 2001.

Got my last ones at Walmart. I am so hard on frames that i need new ones each time. Also...my prescription hasn't changed much in the last 6 years. Stinks for people who arn't so hard on frames to have to buy them every time. I don't wear my glasses all the time. Just for far away stuff, driving etc.

-- Jenny (auntjenny6@aol.com), November 14, 2001.

I have to go with Wal-Mart. Been getting mine there for about 10 years now. I'm TOUGH on mine-have to wear them ALL the time. You can get a complete pair for $39, $69, $99, and up. I usually get the cheaper ones cause I am so rough, but have never had a problem-the frames usually go first anyway-never know when a critter is gonna slap you in the head!!! Also they have warrenties for a year against breakage. susie

-- susie yeager (susiemby@samlink.com), November 15, 2001.

What ever you decide to do, please remember to donate your old glasses to your local Lions Club. They accept all types of complete glasses, frames, lenses and sunglasses in any condition or state of disrepair, including children's glasses. Eye glass cases are also needed. I often see donation boxes at our bank, the drug store and other area businesses. The glasses are cleaned and/or repaired and donated to needy people. Please consider this.

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhill@eznet.net), November 15, 2001.

We have always used Wal-mart, I have heard that some Wal-marts do give folks a hard time, go to a different one and try them! Their eyeglass warranty covers ANY Wal-mart, you are not stuck with just one!

You can't beat their prices, and my husband is so hard on eye glasses he has gotten free replacements within the year warranty at least 5 times so far. Not many stores have such a "no hassle-no questions asked" warranty.

-- Annie Miller in SE OH (annie@1st.net), November 15, 2001.

I just purchased a new pair of glasses from WalMarts vision center. They cost me $250 but of course I have the no-line bifocals. I did not get the most expensive frames either, got the mid priced ones - $68. They told me it was going to be $70 for the lenses I got but it turned out being $85 per lense!!! I should have asked them the total price before I agreed to get them but I was not feeling well that day and was in somewhat of a hurry. I'm planning to take them back and see if they will do some adjustment on them. The piece that goes across your nose is crooked and the eye pads are cutting into my nose. It is the first pair of glasses I ever bought where they did not do any fitting or checking to see if they fit! Will I go back to WalMart next time? I doubt it.

-- ugly (here@home.com), November 15, 2001.

Wal-mart here too! We are there 1 a week so if I need adjustments it's right there.The cost is much cheaper than my former eye Dr. and get better service. My old Dr. would try like heck to get me to buy the most expensive pair. At walmart I've found the cheaper frames are heavier and last me longer. They did't charge more for new lens either.

-- Sandy(N.E.FL.) (REDNECKGIRL32@prodigy.net), November 15, 2001.

Take a look at the privately owned eyeglass shops in your area. one in my area offers competitive pricing that matches or beats Walmart and they have an standard one year warranty at no charge. Help out the little guy they have it hard enough.

-- Adam (possumdog@yahoo.com), November 15, 2001.

Hi All, I really appreciate all your responses. Mom and dad went to a couple different Wal-Mart's and ended up purchasing their glasses there. One upside about Wal-Mart is they are open more hours/days than your eye doctor. I know in the past dad has broken his glasses either on the weekend or after 5 p.m. and was able to run up to Wal- Mart and get them repaired same day - that can mean a lot on the farm. Once again, many thanks for sharing your experiences and advice. Take care!

-- Mel Carroll (frank.a.carroll@worldnet.att.net), November 16, 2001.

i work in the optical field... pretty much one is as good as the other...Sears will run coupons where you get no-line bifocals for 149.99, frame included and thats a heck of a bargain... check out how thier warranties work also... and PLEASE remember cheapest is NOT always the best...especially for your eyes..if you have any specific questions feel free to email me at anytime...... Doc

-- Doc (This isdoc@aol.com), November 16, 2001.

Doc, thanks for reminding me about Sears. Awhile back I had a problem with my wire frame glasses, and NO place else would fix them. I tried Sear, and they replaced the earpiece (it had broken near where it connects to the lens frame). The gentleman said he was sorry it didn't match, and didn't charge me to fix it. I told him how happy I was not to have to get new glasses just then and thanked him profusely!

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), November 16, 2001.

I went to Wal-Mart to get a pair of glasses. I found a really nice pair of beta titanium frames and got the Seiko lenses. I paid for the glasses on the 2nd and received them on the 7th. I took them back the same day to have my lenses re-cut because the optic center was WAY off. The lady at Wal-Mart vision said it would be the 18th before my glasses would be ready. I waited the eleven extra days and went to go pick up my glasses. The gentlemen working said that the lab messed up on my lenses again and had they had to send them off again. But he also said that they would come in the following day. I called about 3pm the next day and they said that the lenses came in that morning, but they still had to be cut…. They called me about 6pm and said that they were done. I went to go pick up my glasses for the 2nd time and they still seemed funny. Later that night I realized that the optic center was still way off. With the optic center out off place, my vision was blurry at long distances and my peripheral vision was distorted. In both cases I reminded them to set the optical center. And in both cases, I had to lift my glasses ½ of an inch off my nose to see properly. I’m going in tomorrow to refund my glasses and I will never buy glasses at Wal-Mart ever again. The quality of eye care at Wal-Mart vision is sub standard to use a genital term. The service I received was lousy to the point of being insulting. Don't make the same mistake I did. Goto a REAL eye care center that cuts the lenses on location. Service is swift and the quality is always beter.

-- Matthew Taraschke (snkfan@hotmail.com), March 20, 2002.