Discount spec's?

Do not go to Stanton Optical. Price was not that great, service was horrible. I went in and their were plenty of workers standing around talking and only one customer and they were picking up glasses. Needed an eye exam and there's was about the going rate so waited about Ten minutes to get an exam which went pretty smooth. Then my wife and I looked around for glasses finding several that we liked, but it took like 20 minutes to get someone to actually help us. The person who took measurements and the order seemed to be bothered by the fact that she had to be taking my order, and wasted time trying to tell me all the great discounts she was giving me which like I said the prices weren't stellar so I don't know who would shop there without the discounts. A couple days later they called me to tell me I could pick up my glasses (I had ordered two pairs) I go to the store to pick them up they could only find 1 pair (in a box labeled 2 of 2) they told me they would call me when they found the other pair. Meanwhile I notice the pair that was ready had a finger print on the lens, that would not come off with regular cleaning solution). Two days later I call to check on my other pair of glasses, put on hold so long their system disconnected me. Called back was told they would call me back in 10 minutes, 45 minutes later I called again and was told that they had found them. Left my office a little bit later and got to their store about an hour after I had last called, and they had to look for my glasses (now they did fix the finger print on the first pair while I waited, but took 3 people and numerous chemicals to fix it). After about 15 minutes they indicated that my glasses had just been finished. From what I could tell the whole place was run by Idiots, I would pay double what I paid there anywhere else, luckily I know that their prices were not that great, and can easily be matched or beat elsewhere.

I've posted this before...

http://www.warbyparker.com/

$95 includes frames & lenses
Free Shipping
Try-on at home for free
and they give a pair to someone in need for every pair purchased.

I've also heard horror stories about Stanton so I avoided them when I needed my most recent eye exam.

I'm looking to replace lenses in a pair of glasses with prescription sunglasses and after calling all around town Eyemart had the lowest price so I decided to go there for my exam. Their sign says $30 exam but that doesn't include a contact lens exam so I ended up paying a total of $80 for my eye exam - pretty standard if you ask me. They were friendly and efficient. The optometrist was all business - almost to the point of being weird. I'm not used to having someone in that position not even attempt to make any small talk, the only words out of his mouth were related to eyes, I don't think he even said hello. The upside of that was that I was in and out in 15 minutes total.

I haven't purchased any glasses yet so I can't speak to that.

I'm a huge fan of http://www.warbyparker.com/, although I'm not sure if they do bifocals. Prescription glasses for $95 shipped, with cool frames. And for every pair of glasses you buy they donate a pair to third world countries! My mother-in-law to be bought glasses for myself, my fiance and her brother last Christmas and everybody was very happy with what they got.

You beat me to it, toledolen!

stay away from Eyeglass World as well. They're probably ok for very simple needs and possibly making the glasses, but get your exam somewhere else, their 'doctors' are terrible. Lots of bad reviews online...some from employees in other parts of the country...I wish I had seen before getting mixed up with them.

costco has really good prices on glasses( if you are a member). I tried eyeglass world once, low quality all around.

My mother swears by Costco, but until then used JCPenney and was very satisfied.

I've never had the guts to try it, but I've heard good things about http://www.39dollarglasses.com/ and http://goggles4u.com/.

The thought of buying eyeglasses without trying them on first gives me the heebie jeebies.

I'd never thought about Costco - and you pretty much need to walk right by the optical place when you walk in the door!

Thanks WRU... any idea of how much your mom paid?

nana - yes, I'd agree with you that Eyeglass World is good for purchasing an inexpensive pair of glasses, but the exam should be obtained somewhere else.

I got an eye exam there once a few years back, and it was the least thorough exam I've ever had. (I've had yearly eye exams since the 4th grade, so I have enough experience as a patient to know when I'm getting a "good" exam or not.)

However, you can get a good deal on a pair of glasses there. I've also gotten a good price on my disposable contact lenses through Eyeglass World as well.

I also purchased a pair of glasses from JcPenny Optical once - they had some affordable, fashionable styles and good customer service.

Never purchased from Costco, but have heard good reviews.

I don't shop at the discount eye shops anymore, because they don't tend to stock frames that fit me well. (My head is slightly wider than average from temple to temple, and the discount store frames tend to mostly stock "average sized" frames.)

I never had a quality issue with the frames or lenses though - just needed to go elsewhere to get a better fit in size.

I'll add myself to the Costco Bandwagon..I loved my glasses I got from them.

last time we bought glasses at costco my wife bought 1 pair with transitions tinting and I bought 2 pairs, our bill was a little under $300.00.

Just bought a pair from Costco. I had the following items:

Progressive bifocals/ transition gray / polycarbonate lenses: $129.99
Bullova Belfast frames: $59.99
Anti-glare: $29.99
Edge polish (frameless bottom): $9.99

With tax these new specs were $245.47. I am not sure if that matches your definition of "cheap," but it was about $30 less than I paid last time at JC Penney (both places had fine service).

that's cheap by my reckoning HM, mine cost between 300-400 for one pair no matter where I go, over 400 at Eyeglass World! I have multiple eye problems so I never should have tried them, now I know. reed Vision for everything from now on. Not cheap, but needed.

Yeah, I am nearsighted with amblyopia and astigmatism, nana, and my left eye is 20/600 without glasses, so I know where you are coming from.

@Billy, sorry so long to answer your question...I really don't know how much my mother spent on glasses. I know she wears bifocals, and I recall that she felt that she got a pretty decent deal and was pleased with the service.