$39 glasses

About a year ago, I had to have new glasses - my prescription had changed. I went and got the eye exam, and paid the $79. Then I went into the store, convientley right next door (this was LensCrafters), and started looking at glasses. Bottom line was this - to get something half-way stylish and and to buy the lenses was going to cost over $300.

I'm sorry, that's way too much. My brother-in-law works for a lab here in Rochester that makes glasses - like LensCrafters does - for private optometry practices. He is a manager and also buys the actual frames and lenses that make the glasses. Not surprisingly, they all come from China. I asked him what kind of mark-up the frames were (they are just some small pieces of metal!) - and he wouldn't tell me, but said the percentage would blow my mind. I don't doubt it. They probably cost the retailer $15, and they sell them for $150. These places in the mall have to charge high retail to pay the rental costs of the store.

I walked out. I wasn't going to get ripped off again. I knew somebody out there had to sell for cheaper, alot cheaper. So, i picked out a style I liked, and marked down the brand and model number. Then I went home and surfed the net.

That's when I came across 39dollarglasses.com .

That's right, a whole pair of glasses for $39 - lenses included. You couldn't get a glasses case for that much at LensCrafters, Pearle Vision or the like.

So, I looked thru their well-done website, and found a pair just like the ones I was looking at in the store! These were $59, with lenses! Of course, I looked over the information on the site to see if there were any hidden costs - there was none. Shipping was $6, and they claimed a two-day turn-around time. Not bad. You could also "see" what the glasses look like on different facial shapes - round, oval, rectangele - male or female. Awesome.

So I placed the order. I think it came to like $69 with the shipping and tax. In any case, MUCH better than the $300+ the mall store wanted ( i don't have optical insurance).

I ordered on a Tuesday, and had them Friday. I was apprehensive - I'll admit it - I figured they would be junky. I put them on, and....awesome! The prescription was perfect, and they looked great - and fit great.

About two weeks later, I ordered a pair of prescription sunglasses - which were actually less money, as I recall - for a Florida trip, and they too have been great. I still have both pair, and they have held up wonderfully - even though I'm not as kind to glasses as I should be.

If you need a new pair of glasses, try these guys, please - you won't be dissapointed. I have a link right below. Yes, I get a commission - and I'm sure you won't mind; I put quite a bit of time into this website.