Zenni Optical

Pros and Cons

Pros

• All glasses include free anti-scratch coating and UV protection

• Standard single-vision 1.5 index lenses are included in each pair

• Glasses come with a case and a microfiber cleaning cloth

• Fantastic, detailed filtering options for searching inventory

  • filter by who you're shopping for (men's, women's, unisex or even kids)

  • type of frame (rimless, full-rim or half-rim)

  • shape (rectangle, round, aviator and oval)

  • frame size (small, medium or large, not the actual measured size)

  • price ($6.95, $9.95, $12.95, $15.95 or $19.00 up)

  • color, and there are 20 choices

• More than 3,000 frames available

• Coupons available

• Offers sunglasses, reading glasses and goggles for various sports

• The page for each option features complete dimensions including weight, a detailed description, a list of any variable options including special lenses like bifocals

• Along with photos of each product you can “try them on”; use the “Frame Fit” widget: this lets you upload a picture of your face and see how different frames look on you

• Special lens options include: anti-reflective lens coating, high-index single-vision lenses, polycarbonate lenses, polarized lenses, bifocals, hybrid polycarbonate photochromic lenses, tint color choices (but not sun-tint), tint darkness choices of 10%, 50% or 80%, and transitions lenses

• Clip on sunshades are available for most styles

Cons

• No 100-percent satisfaction guarantee is provided

• No brand-name frames here

• No trifocals available

• No expedited shipping offered

• No contact lenses

• No price match guarantee

Actual customer photo of Zenni Optical purchase found here

Basics

• Ordering

  • You can cancel your order within 24 hours of placing it without penalty

  • It takes between three and five days for them to make standard lenses, and up to one to two additional business days for specialty lenses

  • For most glasses you can get them between one and two weeks after your order to receive them

• Shipping

  • All orders receive standard mail shipping

  • Shipping cost is $4.95 no matter how many pairs you order

  • Orders over $50.00 receive free shipping

  • Will ship to Canada for $9.95 or $15.95 for expedited service

  • Shipping for all other countries is $38.95

• Warranties/Guarantees

  • Will correct defects in order fulfillment so long as you enclose a return authorization number, you pay for shipping

  • Must return in original case

  • If you return them because you just don't like them even though they were right they will refund 50%

  • Returns must happen within 30 days after delivery date

• Customer Service

  • A toll-free number is staffed every day.

  • Email support

  • Live chat assistance

  • Blog with customer feedback and shopping tips

  • Help guides on website

FramesDirect

Pros and Cons

Pros

• More than 100,000 frames available

• All glasses include free anti-scratch coating and UV protection

• Brand-name frames available

• Search by brand name (organized alphabetically), bestsellers and price

• Filtering options include price ranges, size and type of frame, color, frame material, prescription, type of use or shape

• You can order frames without lenses if you like

• Great detail on the page for each set of frames including dimensions, a detailed description, product reviews and testimonials from customers

• Price Match Guarantee ensures that whatever the listed price on the frames, it will be at or below all other options

• More than 500 name-brands available

• “Face Shape Guide” describes which frame types are best and worst for the size and shape of your face

• “FrameFinder” lets you upload a photo and virtually “try on” examples of hundreds of styles

• Special lens options include: anti-reflective lens coating, high-index single-vision lenses, polycarbonate lenses, polarized lenses, hybrid polycarbonate photochromic lenses, tint color choices (but not sun-tint), progressive lenses, bifocals, trifocals and transitions lenses

• More than 170 kinds of contact lenses and you can order as many as 20 boxes at a time

• For everything except contacts you get free overnight shipping for orders of more than $99.00.

Cons

• Website is only so-so for searching, filtering and browsing, and since there are more than 100,000 choices this can be a problem

• No 100-percent satisfaction guarantee is provided

Actual customer photo of FramesDirect purchase found here

Basics

• Ordering

  • You can cancel your order within 48 hours of placing it without penalty

  • It takes between two and four business days for your frames to be ready

  • It takes two to five additional business days to manufacture the lenses

  • Shipping ranges run between one and four days, so delivery times run between four and eleven days

• Shipping

  • Choose between first class mail, priority mail and overnight shipping

  • Shipping cost is $5.95 for glasses and $8.95 for contacts

  • Orders over $99.00 receive free shipping

  • Will ship anywhere in the world—price varies by destination

• Warranties/Guarantees

  • Will correct defects in order fulfillment, no charge for shipping, with original packaging included

  • If you return them because you just don't like them even though they were right they will refund 50%

  • Returns must happen within 30 days after delivery date

  • Free exchange or store credit for frames, sunglasses and unopened boxes of contacts so long as products are returned within 30 days of delivery

  • Glasses without lenses get exchange or credit only

  • Refunds are also available within 30 days of delivery for unopened boxes of contacts and frames without lenses for full amount minus a 10% restock charge

  • Refunds are also available within 30 days of delivery for frames with lenses for full amount of frames and 50% of lens costs minus a 10% restock charge

• Customer Service

  • A toll-free number is staffed every day except Sunday.

  • Email support

  • Company blog with tips

GlassesUSA

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Standard single-vision 1.5 index lenses are included in each pair

• 100% satisfaction guarantee

• Rigorous “5 stripes” inspection process enhances quality standards

• Polished lens edges, free case and polishing cost cloth come with every set of glasses

• Search By categories include shape, brand, material, prescription, size and brand

• “Try-It Mirror” lets you upload your photo to “try on” glasses

• Each single-vision, bifocals, trifocals and progressive lenses are available for all frames and reading glasses are available for some frames

• Numerous and varied discounts, coupons, clearance items and bulk discounts are available

• Fastest shipping times

Cons

• Anti-scratch, anti-glare and UV-protection coatings are available but none are free

• Various color tints but no polarized lenses are available

• No contact lenses

• No clip-on sunglasses

• Fewest customer service options

Actual customer photo of GlassesUSA purchase found here

Basics

• Ordering

  • It takes between three and six days to manufacture the lenses

  • Shipping ranges run between two and four days, so delivery times run between five and ten days

• Shipping

  • Choose between priority mail ($8.95) and courier shipping ($19.95)

  • Orders over $99.00 receive free shipping

  • Will ship anywhere in the world for no more than $24.95 courier delivery which takes three days

• Warranties/Guarantees

  • No questions asked return policy for full refund plus refund of shipping costs for 30 days after delivery with no restocking fee except for premium tagged frames (20% restocking fee applies)

  • 110% price guarantee states that if you find a lower price anywhere else they will refund 110% of the difference

• Customer Service

  • A toll-free number is staffed every weekday

The Roundup

Best lens enhancements that come included: Zenni Optical

Best selection of frames: FramesDirect

Best guarantee and return policy: GlassesUSA

Best website and filtering options: Zenni Optical

Best brand-name offerings: FramesDirect

Best international shipping options: GlassesUSA