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GlassesUSA Coupon Codes:
Introduction: GlassesUSA is located in the US (New Jersey). Pricing in USD. They sell single-vision and bi-focal/progressive lenses. Methods of contact include a 1-800 number, mailing address, and a contact form on their site. Payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, AmEx, Discover, and PayPal. The BBB has GlassesUSA listed as "No Rating", with New York as the location.
Impressions: GlassesUSA has glasses starting at $18 without coatings. The site is well-designed and easy to use, although it lacks any form of a "try on" feature. They offer a "100% Satisfaction Guarantee" which is mentioned often on their website (referred to also as "100% Risk Free"). It basically states that if you aren't happy with your glasses for any reason you may return them for an exchange or full refund. However, there are many conditions that apply (shipping is not refunded, non-standard lenses and high-prescription lenses only receive a 50% refund on the lens price, etc), and it would be wise to read the "Terms and Conditions" on the site first if buying primarily because of the guarantee. Frame selection at the $18 price point is rather small - 5 frames with only 1 of them being in-stock at the time of this writing. In total there are 66 frames in the $18-36 price range, with the majority being in the $30-35 price range. An additional 140 frames are offered in the $36-$90 price range. Frames materials available are metal and plastic (with titanium offered in the higher price-range). Each frame is available in only 1 color. Total width isn't shown in the measurements, although this can be calculated manually. Basic lenses (no index mentioned) come free with the frames. Anti Scrach and UV coatings are $4.95 a piece with an AR coating adding $9.95. Optionally they have a package where you can get all 3 for $14.85. Thin (1.6), extra-thin (1.67), and Polycarbonate lenses are available. Transitions and Polarized lenses are available as well. Tint is not available - while a "Prescription Sunglasses" frame category is listed, the frames listed there simply use polarized lenses and are subsequently all around the $100 mark.
Website and Ordering: The website is well laid-out, and fairly easy to use/browse. Frames can be listed by category and then narrowed down by material, gender, lens type, or price. Frame pictures are decent with 3 different angles shown after a frame is selected, and mousing over the selected image gives a zoomed view with a little more clarity. "Learn More" links are available for each option throughout the ordering process. One area where GlassesUSA lacks is in the lack of a try-on feature. Information on how to take your own PD-measurement is given in the "How do I read my prescription" link, although it lacks any pictures. The ordering page is well designed. The lens options are well laid out, and making a lens selection automatically greys-out any options that aren't available for that particular lens (and vice-versa). A box can be selected to switch between a total PD and a left/right PD depending on which you have. As mentioned above, instructions for taking your own PD measurement are given in the "How do I read my prescription" link, although there is also a "PD is not on my prescription" link which simply states to leave the default value unless you're using bifocals/progressives. Presriptions can be entered on the site, or emailed/faxed. All the lens options are on the same page and once added to the cart, you may either register or check out as a guest, and everything is very step-by-step at that point. All-in-all the website and ordering experience is very well done. Aside from the lack of a try-on feature, and minimal information about taking the PD measurement, the process is simple and pretty well-done.
Pricing and Value: Pricing really varies. While a cheap backup-pair can be had for under $20, due to the few frames offered (and in stock) at that price, most will be looking around the $30 price range, give or take a few dollars. Changing lenses from the basic option quickly escalates the price however. Shipping is under $10 ($8.95 US/Canada/UK, $9.95 elsewhere) which is reasonable. Value is alright for a basic pair of single-vision lenses although it's worth noting that GlassesUSA doesn't include an anti-scratch coating for free (which most retailers do). As soon as you start bumping up to other lens materials or to bi-focal/progressives though, the price really goes up a fair bit. While prices are significantly better than most retail stores, they don't tend to be as competitive with other online retailers. While frames are available beginning at $18, selection at that price point is rather low. Therefore the $29.95 price point was chosen as a "happy-medium" for the larger selection available. Note for bi-focal wearers that there are only 4 frames available for bi-focals/progressives below the $34.95 price point at the time of this writing.
A basic pair of single-vision lenses comes to $38.90 shipped to the US/Canada/UK, or $39.90 shipped internationally. NOTE that single-vision wearers can subtract $11.95 from these prices if they go with the cheapest frames ($18.00 vs $29.95)
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