SAN ANTONIO – Buying glasses online has never been easier, but should you take the plunge? How do you know if they’ll fit? What about the quality?
Pamela Shelby has eight pairs of glasses. They’re kind of her thing.
“I work virtually, so it’s my only statement piece,” she said.
Shelby hasn’t spent a fortune making a statement because she buys her glasses online. She pays less than $70 a pair.
“In our ratings, prominent online retailers such as Eyebuydirect, Warby Parker, and Zenni Optical received high marks from our members when it came to price. At Zenni Optical, members reported paying a median of just $87after insurance,” said Consumer Reports’ Catherine Roberts. “In addition, research suggests that the quality of glasses from online retailers has markedly improved.”
Some retailers will let you exchange frames that you don’t like for little or no cost.
But online shopping can have drawbacks, particularly once prescriptions get more complicated. If that’s you, it’s probably best to buy in person.
Consumer Reports members report the median price at a doctor’s office after insurance was $262 and at independent glasses stores, $346.
But there are still ways to save when shopping in person.
Consumer Reports members said when they bought glasses from warehouse clubs like Sam’s and Costco, and superstores like Walmart and Target, they paid anywhere from $150 to a little more than $200.
Some glasses come with special coatings as part of the standard price. But if you want to add scratch resistance, anti-reflection, or UV protection, that will cost you more — anywhere from $10 to $150.
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