Name Brand eyeglasses or inexpensive eye glasses?

**PinkWolf** · 01-02-2007, 07:44 PM

Hello everyone,

I have an eye appointment because I seriously need some glasses. I was wondering if I should buy the cheaper glasses (like no more then $20.00) or the name brand glasses (like $100.00 and up)? I was told the name brand glasses last longer and have a warrenty plus the lenses are scratch resistant. Any information you all can provide me would be great. I'm a first time buyer.

Thanks again everyone.

**cherrie79** · 01-02-2007, 08:39 PM

When I go to Lenscrafters, I choose the frame (by style) and then get to add whatever lenes I want (light weight/scratch resistant) and also can add a warrenty on the glasses (if I choose for alittle extra). I have had cheap glasses and expensive ones. Some of the cheap ones lasted longer then the expensive ones and vise versa. But with the warrenty, if anything happens to them I only have to pay half price to replace the whole glasses(frames and lenses). I wouldn't trust the expensive more then the cheap. Expensive could be worse then cheap.

I don't know if I helped or not.... But good luck making a decision.

**couponchic** · 01-02-2007, 10:22 PM

Well, I have always gotten the scratch resistant on my glasses & I don't think it helps as they seem to scratch pretty easily regardless. As for frames, I just pick out some that suit my face & luckily, they have always ended up being the cheaper frames as opposed to the expensive frames. I seem to have more trouble with the lenses instead of the frames.

**tigo** · 01-03-2007, 10:00 AM

We all wear glasses and have tried almost all the options out there. When the kids were younger, we went with LensCrafters (always seem to have a coupon or special) and purchased the replacement warrenty. Came in very handy. Now that they are teens, we go to whomever is having a sale (Sears, Walmart, LensCrafters, etc.) The thing is getting frames you like, that fit and making sure the place offers free adjustments during the year. Anytime I go to Walmart, I can have them realign the frames ( I still don't know how they get bent when they are on my face or on the night stand - lol) for free.

**PinkWolf** · 01-03-2007, 12:12 PM

Thank you so much for your help. Now I have an idea.

**Felisha** · 01-03-2007, 01:09 PM

Wow this is truly great advice. I'm thinking of buying glasses soon for myself and was wondering this very same question a few days ago. Great post.

**chatterweb** · 01-06-2007, 12:31 AM

I bought mine at Costco Optical. Cheaper than Walmart.

At Walmart I paid over 300.00 for 2 pairs and the frames for 1 pair were free.
I got a cheap back up pair and a polarized nicer pair.

3 years later- last year...
At Costco Optical, I bought Cynthia Rowley designer I guess, but I liked the style and not the name.
They are plastic frames but the ears are metal and have flexibility.
I also got the scratch protection and glare reducer and polarized too.
For the back up pair I bought some plastic cheap clear glasses.
I had a coupon for 60.00 off too.
My total came to 159.00 for 2 pairs.
Costco is preety reasonable IMO!

**chatterweb** · 01-06-2007, 12:31 AM

I bought mine at Costco Optical. Cheaper than Walmart.

At Walmart I paid over 300.00 for 2 pairs and the frames for 1 pair were free.
I got a cheap back up pair and a polarized nicer pair.

3 years later- last year...
At Costco Optical, I bought Cynthia Rowley designer I guess, but I liked the style and not the name.
They are plastic frames but the ears are metal and have flexibility.
I also got the scratch protection and glare reducer and polarized too.
For the back up pair I bought some plastic cheap clear glasses.
I had a coupon for 60.00 off too.
My total came to 159.00 for 2 pairs.
Costco is pretty reasonable IMO!

**lohrewok** · 01-10-2007, 06:20 PM

Hi everyone! I joined just to respond to this thread. I am going to get my next pair online. I read an article about getting them much cheaper this way so I'm pretty excited to try it. I don't know if I can post links...also not affiliated with this company in any way.

ok. Well I can't until I have 15 posts. Probably spamming issues. Anyway, check into it. a good way to save some $$.

**pkellyc** · 01-10-2007, 08:58 PM

I buy them by style. I have worn glasses all my life and have not seen that much difference in the quality.

**i.m.cheap** · 01-11-2007, 12:19 AM

I bought my last pair at Sears with a coupon. Only $99 for frames and lenses, no-line bifocals included. I thought this was a very good deal. I am happy with my new glasses.

**YankeeMom** · 01-11-2007, 08:01 AM

I've always been able to get the scratch resistant lenses in the non-name brand frames. But I haven't seen $20 frames in a looooong time. The cheapest I see anymore are $40 and look like something my grandmother used to wear (read: HUGE).

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**Pianolady** · 04-03-2010, 05:08 PM

I have purchased $250 glasses on down to $25 glasses online. Not one of them have broken no matter the cost.

Once my prescription required high index lenses, I switched to buying online. You wouldn't believe the markup for special lenses like that in a retail store. I could buy 5 pairs online for the price of one at the typical retail store. The retail "specials" are usually only good for a basic single-vision plastic lens, which I can't use.

Online buying is a bit more challenging, as you must know your P.D. I was lucky enough to have my last retailer willing to share this information, some optometrists won't. They say you can measure it yourself, but I wasn't comfortable with that.

Knowing the size of frame can be a challenge if ordering online. I'd window shop and try a bunch on in a retail store and learn what shape and style of frames you like, and what size of frame fits your face. Make a mental note of the lens size, bridge, and temple lengths, they're usually printed on the temple of the frame.

**krbshappy71** · 04-03-2010, 06:57 PM

I alternate for my daughter's glasses. Every other year she can choose from the "more expensive" selection. If she breaks the "expensive" ones (they cost $50 out of pocket) she has to then choose from the free selection. (one free pair per year) Sometimes she chooses from the free selection because they had a color or style she preferred. I have had both types break. This most recently broken pair was the $50 set and the arm broke off. It was going to be $39 just to repair the arm so she chose a new set from the free selection.

Kinda reminds me of shoes, you can get a great pair every now and then for $20 and then the next time you kick yourself for not spending a little more because the $20 pair died in a few months.