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EyeBuyDirect.com Strengths:
Introduction: EyeBuyDirect appears to be located in the US. Pricing in USD. They sell single-vision and bi-focal/progressive lenses. They offer a mailing address, toll-free number, direct line, email address, and an online form as methods of contact. Payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, Discover, Google Checkout, and Paypal. They are BBB accredited, and have an "A-" rating, with a total of 3 complaints, all of which were resolved.
Impressions: The EyeBuyDirect website is quite well done. Selection is good, it's very customer-friendly, and it's easy to navigate and move through to purchase. One of the first things I noticed though was that they make it very visible that glasses start at $7.95. However the selection at that price point is quite small. I'll go into a little more detail in the next section. They also have a "Loyalty Program" where you get points for making purchases, as well as for referring friends. Every 10 points gets you $1 towards a purchase. I won't go into too many details here, but you get about $1.50 or $2.50 worth of points when referring a friend who makes a puchase (I read conflicting information on the amount of points you get). For every order you place between $7-100, you're looking at between $1-$2 worth of points. The points can be used towards future purchases. As mentioned above, while glasses start at $7.95, there really aren't many frames offered at that price. More realistic numbers for a basic set of glasses tend to start at $17.95 with $24.95/$34.95 being the prices you're more likely to see. That said, someone looking for a cheap backup pair will probably be quite thrilled getting prescription glasses for $7.95 plus shipping. The frame selection overall is quite good, and most types (aside from Designer) can be found for under $50 - most being well spread out in the $25-40 price range. This includes metal, plastic, rimless, sport, flexlite, titanium, etc. Frames are each listed in 1 color. Where they have multiple colors offered for a frame, the frame is simply listed more than once. Single-vision lenses come free with the frames. Bifocals add $19 and Progressives add $39 to the price tag. You can select indexes anywhere from the free standard of 1.5 up to 1.74 in most cases. 3 tint colors, and Photochromic lens options are available as well. Anti-scratch is free, but AR and UV coatings cost extra.
Website and Ordering: The EyeBuyDirect website is really quite mature. It's very easy to use, has a lot of easily accessible information (mouse-over popups on all the lens options for example), and has a new-user-friendly feel to it. Images of frames are very clear. The website has "EyeTry Now" feature, although it's a little hidden away - it allows you to upload your own picture and see what the glasses might look like on you. It unfortunately requires your image size to be "about right" already, as the scaling tool only makes the image slightly bigger/smaller. It also doesn't show default images in case you don't happen to have your own, but all in all, it's a lot more polished and has a better feel to it than most of the other tools that let you use your own image. Aside from the image tool being a little hidden away and not having "default" images, the only other thing that really seemed to be lacking were instructions to take your own PD measurement during the ordering process (although they do mention how in the FAQ) - a minor thing I know, but the fact is a lot of first time customers don't know what it is or have any idea how to measure theirs and this is something a lot of other sites provide a little more fully. The ordering process is very straightforward. It's particularly easy to see all the options all at once - if you want transitions lenses but choose an index that's incompatible - the option simply greys out until you choose an index that is. It's very step-by-step, all the pricing is laid out quite clearly, and it's a quick comfortable process in general.
Pricing and Value: It's difficult to pick a price to throw in the chart since they vary quite a bit, so I'll break it down like this - hopefully it'll be the most helpful... Value-wise, EyeBuyDirect looks to be very good. If you like one of the $7.95 frames offered (or simply want them for a backup pair, and don't need AR/UV coatings, you're looking at just under $13 shipped within the US. That's a heck of a price for prescription glasses. Even the $17.95 glasses remain very competitive with other retailers at just under $23 shipped within the US. Adding AR/UV coatings or shipping internationally however start to bring the price up a fair bit.
Click here to go to the EyeBuyDirect purchase review
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