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Lenscrafters

post #1 of 57
8/27/08 at 3:51pm
Thread Starter 
A year and a half after losing my health insurance my whole body is falling apart. Latest symptom: my eyes are getting worse. Need new glasses.

I used to have vision insurance, so I'm spoiled because I would go to expensive optometrists and get fancy glasses. Now I have no coverage and am poor. I'm thinking of doing Lenscrafters but big chains make me nervous. Have you guys had any experiences with Lenscrafters?
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post #2 of 57
8/27/08 at 3:54pm
Expensive as all hell. Wait for a sale or you are screwed.
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post #3 of 57
8/27/08 at 3:55pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf View Post
A year and a half after losing my health insurance my whole body is falling apart. Latest symptom: my eyes are getting worse. Need new glasses.

I used to have vision insurance, so I'm spoiled because I would go to expensive optometrists and get fancy glasses. Now I have no coverage and am poor. I'm thinking of doing Lenscrafters but big chains make me nervous. Have you guys had any experiences with Lenscrafters?
I did lenscrafters once years ago they were ok. I now get a friend to hook me up for free, or a traid, now. Do work on his computers every now and then, for eye care.
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post #4 of 57
8/27/08 at 3:55pm
My dad swears by them. He sees the expensive optometrist then just takes the prescription down to Lenscrafters and gets a few pairs of nice frames at a time for next to nothing.

I would recommend seeing a pair of optometrists for the prescription, if you can find a couple fairly cheap ones (typically they are, it's the frames they screw you on) and make sure the prescriptions are the same. I recently did this to find out my primary optometrist screwed my prescription and likely has caused a lot of my headache/sight problems the last couple years.

But just getting the lenses and frames from Lenscrafters? You'll be fine.

The other option is to get your script, then search online and buy your glasses online on the cheap. Google for ordering prescription glasses online, and you'll find articles detailing all the info you need to get from your optometrist. Probably what I'm doing on my next go round.
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post #5 of 57
8/27/08 at 3:55pm
I used them a couple of years ago. The service was acceptable and it is a good place for a decent set of eyewear.
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post #6 of 57
8/27/08 at 3:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jay f View Post
Expensive as all hell. Wait for a sale or you are screwed.
They have free lenses with frames costing more than 170 right now. Although honestly, I'd like to just get new lenses in my existing frames.
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post #7 of 57
8/27/08 at 3:56pm
Oh and keep tabs on ads for coupons.
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post #8 of 57
8/27/08 at 3:58pm
Honestly, they're fine. I'm planning to over to my local one just to get contacts at some point.

I mean even Target and Wal-Mart have eye-care centers now.
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post #9 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:00pm
I bought a pair of glasses online a few years ago and popped in my old lenses. Make sure you get the sizing correct, I hear some girls are bigger than others.
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post #10 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:07pm
America's Best seems to have been consistently cheaper for me, if you don't mind wearing the frames that look like versaces, as opposed to actual versaces. You can get two pairs for 99 bucks, and the quality seems fine to me,though I wear contacts for the bulk of the day, so my wear and tear may be lower.
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post #11 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:08pm
Costco is your friend. A smaller selection of styles than Lenscrafters but the prices cannot be beat. We get all of our glasses and contacts at Costco.
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post #12 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EdHocken View Post
Honestly, they're fine. I'm planning to over to my local one just to get contacts at some point.

I mean even Target and Wal-Mart have eye-care centers now.
I actually got an exam and contacts at Wal-Mart once, and it wasn't as horrible an experience as you would think.
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post #13 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Richard Dickson View Post
I actually got an exam and contacts at Wal-Mart once, and it wasn't as horrible an experience as you would think.
Seriously, give Wal-Mart a try if there is one close to you Dev. I got the exam, a year's worth of contacts and glasses with clip-on sunglass lenses for $200.
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post #14 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:22pm
Thread Starter 
That's never going to happen.
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post #15 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:23pm
Understood. Just trying to help.
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post #16 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:24pm
I go to Lenscrafters about once a year or so, get a new pair of monthly contact lenses, and wear them for about a year or so. Repeat.
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post #17 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:24pm
Enough with the Wal-Mart, guys. Devin said he's poor, not poor poor.

To the original point, I've found Lenscrafters to be quite good. Never had a problem with either their staff or their products.
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post #18 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brad_Lohan View Post
I go to Lenscrafters about once a year or so, get a new pair of monthly contact lenses, and wear them for about a year or so. Repeat.
I can't wear contacts at the computer. They kill me. And I spend all day on the computer. Real bitch.
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post #19 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:26pm
Same here. I tried wearing contacts at work. Just can't do it.
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post #20 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:28pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf View Post
I can't wear contacts at the computer. They kill me. And I spend all day on the computer. Real bitch.
Is this bad luck or generally true for most people? I've been considering making the switch to contacts, but I'm sporting a monitor tan myself.
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post #21 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:29pm
Another guy at work is able to do it. But frankly I just can't. But I only wear contacts when I go out anyway.
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post #22 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Brasky View Post
Enough with the Wal-Mart, guys. Devin said he's poor, not poor poor.

And pass up free clip-on sunglasses?

I went to a Lenscrafters a few years ago, and they did competent work.
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post #23 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:30pm
I find that I'm fine with either contacts or glasses in front of a screen.
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post #24 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf View Post
They have free lenses with frames costing more than 170 right now. Although honestly, I'd like to just get new lenses in my existing frames.
There might be restrictions on what lens types are eligible for the sale. This matters if you have a special prescription. I have astigmatism in both eyes.

I got my last pair of glasses at Costco and I recommend them over Wal-Mart or any big-box stores. Stylish and cheap.
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post #25 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Trav McGee View Post
Is this bad luck or generally true for most people? I've been considering making the switch to contacts, but I'm sporting a monitor tan myself.
Definitely not true for all people. I wear contacts and sit at a computer all day with little to no problem. But, yeah, there are some who can't do it. Probably depends on your prescription, how far you sit from your monitor (super important, incidentally), and all kinds of other factors.
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post #26 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:32pm
Thread Starter 
I love you guys, but Lenscrafters is as low as I'm going with this one. You dudes know I'm a snob, but I'm really a glasses snob. My last frames cost 300 bucks WITH my insurance.
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post #27 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JudgeSmails View Post
Costco is your friend. A smaller selection of styles than Lenscrafters but the prices cannot be beat. We get all of our glasses and contacts at Costco.
Same here.
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post #28 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by EdHocken View Post
Same here. I tried wearing contacts at work. Just can't do it.
Just curious, what is the problem? I wear mostly contacts, but sometimes switch to glasses in the evenings if it's been a long day, and I've never noticed problems with contacts at a computer screen? Does it just give you a headache?

Back to the original topic... I've been to about 8 different places to get my actual prescriptions and my glasses/contacts. A couple higher priced independent doctors, a few cheap ass places in other stores (like Costco), random places in malls.

Honestly, I've noticed almost no difference between the places (except price), although I have had one person I just didn't really like, and I didn't think they were listening to me. Honestly, though, it seems pretty hard to mess up prescriptions... although BillyG provides a counterpoint to that.
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post #29 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:34pm
I lost my pair of progessive vision lenses last week and had to get a pair of single vision glasses to wear until the progressive lenses came in. That's 2 pair of glasses in a week and $200 each. And that's not even with a new presciption. I know they are something you use everyday so the value is there but, man, they are expensive.
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post #30 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf View Post
I love you guys, but Lenscrafters is as low as I'm going with this one. You dudes know I'm a snob, but I'm really a glasses snob. My last frames cost 300 bucks WITH my insurance.
You could get a pair for every day of the week with that kind of cash at Wal-Mart. That's pimp.
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post #31 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:35pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kungfumonkeyMike View Post
Just curious, what is the problem? I wear mostly contacts, but sometimes switch to glasses in the evenings if it's been a long day, and I've never noticed problems with contacts at a computer screen? Does it just give you a headache?
Headache yes. And also because the contact lens perscription isn't as precise as the eyeglass prescription so I have to focus harder and that creates further problems.

Mind you I only did it once and I was really tired that day. That certainly didn't help.
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post #32 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:35pm
On the plus side, I paid through the nose when I got a pair of glasses at Lenscrafters, but htey lasted the better part of a decade. Sat, slept on them countless times. Also flew off my face many times during gigs. I had to replace them once the coating became impossible to see through clearly.
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post #33 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:37pm
If there's one thing that you don't chintz on in my ind. It's eyeglasses.

Now sunglasses mind you. $120 for Raybans? Bullshit on that.
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post #34 of 57
8/27/08 at 4:48pm
Wrong answer, Hocken. Ray-Bans are indestructible, which comes in handy since a lot of their designs are timeless. I wouldn't spend a lot on trendy sunglasses, but a pair of wayfarers or aviator ray-bans with a quality lens will last you forever.

Devin, I know you're not a driver, but if you know anyone who has a Triple A membership, they get 30% off at Lenscrafters (or, they used to).
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post #35 of 57
8/27/08 at 5:26pm
Lenscrafters does some seriously good work. I've had to use them for contacts, general prescription work, and emergencies--they've rocked every one. I usually do my optometry work through the military, but Lenscrafters caught a flaw in my prescription which was minor, but big enough to cut down on vision problems like headaches and whatnot.
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post #36 of 57
8/27/08 at 5:42pm
I go to the Wal-Mart eye center and they are fantastic. Never had one problem from them and their prices are reasonable.
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post #37 of 57
8/27/08 at 5:51pm
Lenscrafters worked out fine for me a couple of years ago. I'm sure it may be a little cheaper at Wal-Mart or Costco, but I understand being leery of going there.
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post #38 of 57
8/27/08 at 5:54pm
my wife works at Pearle Vision.. and I get all my contacts and glasses and sunglasses for free.

They have sales just as good as Lenscrafters and if you find a locally owned Pearle Vision, you will probably get better attention and service.
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post #39 of 57
8/27/08 at 5:56pm
Thread Starter 
There are no Pearles near me. They were everywhere in NYC.
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post #40 of 57
8/27/08 at 6:01pm
I used them a bunch before, and they were more than fine. Not really expensive and everything went as good as your normal eye doctor. There doctors will differ form area to area (not exactly a shocker), but everyone I been too I had good service (from eye doctor to the person helping with the glasses). Its a good choice.
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post #41 of 57
8/27/08 at 6:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by The LD View Post
Wrong answer, Hocken. Ray-Bans are indestructible, which comes in handy since a lot of their designs are timeless. I wouldn't spend a lot on trendy sunglasses, but a pair of wayfarers or aviator ray-bans with a quality lens will last you forever.
True, but I just saw $180 for tortsie(sp?)-shell Wayfarers. Come on now.

And Pearle Vision doesn't exist in this town. That's like asking for Duane Ready.
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post #42 of 57
8/27/08 at 6:46pm
I used Lenscrafters for my last pair of glasses. They were okay. Cost me $500.
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post #43 of 57
8/27/08 at 9:50pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by JudgeSmails View Post
Costco is your friend. A smaller selection of styles than Lenscrafters but the prices cannot be beat. We get all of our glasses and contacts at Costco.

I'll second Costco. They do a great job. I picked up a backup pair from them and the backup works better than the primary.
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post #44 of 57
8/27/08 at 11:18pm
opticals4less.com...as long as you can read your prescription it's a great site.
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post #45 of 57
8/28/08 at 8:56am
Yo Devin, check this article on Slate: save money on glasses by buying online.

From the article:

Quote:
By the time she'd run through all the options, I was looking at spending close to $600. This is how it goes when you buy glasses. I'd made the mistake of visiting a swank designer place, but even at the ubiquitous one-hour chain shops, shopping for eyewear is like buying a used car. The prices are kept deliberately obscure; the options are various and extravagant; and by the time you're done with the whole process, you feel drained and fleeced.
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post #46 of 57
8/28/08 at 1:07pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by devincf View Post
There are no Pearles near me. They were everywhere in NYC.
I was going to say there is one in Westminster mail, but they are closed.


MISSION VIEJO look like it it, now.
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post #47 of 57
8/28/08 at 1:10pm
Funny you mention, Mission Viejo. I might be driving down there this weekend. But that's a bitch of a distance just to get glasses.
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post #48 of 57
8/28/08 at 5:07pm
After going through that Slate piece, I grabbed a few links and am going to try the online thing finally. $60 for the eye exam next week, and I picked out a pair of regular glasses and sunglasses. Total with expedited shipping is going to run like $200, including the eye exam. My glasses on my head now ran me $600.
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post #49 of 57
8/28/08 at 5:09pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, I'm going to try the online thing as well, see how it goes.
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post #50 of 57
8/28/08 at 5:25pm
I guess the online thing could work well if you could get a brick-and-mortar store employee who was willing/stupid enough to tell you the name of a particular frame you tried on and liked so you could buy it off the 'net. But otherwise I'd need to actually see a frame on my face before I go ahead and order it, no matter how loose the return policy.
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