note: while believed to be accurate at the time it was written, information provided is not updated regularly & may be out of date
Goggles4u
"Discount Glasses Online"
http://www.goggles4u.com
Strengths:
Introduction:
Goggles4u is now based in the US, although they ship from Pakistan. Pricing in USD, CAD, and Euros. They sell both single-vision and bi-focal/varifocal (regular and progressive) lenses. Methods of contact include email, a website form, fax (US, UK, and Germany numbers), as well as a live chat feature on their website. Payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AmEx, Diner's Club, JCB, and Paypal. Credit card orders are processed through CCNow and appear to be offered in 14 different currencies. As far as the BBB is concerned, they're listed 3 times. 2 of the listings appear to be from a Florida office, before they became BBB-accredited, and have poor (F) ratings with a total of 2 resolved and 6 unresolved complaints. Since becoming BBB accredited (in Jan 2008 according to the BBB with a California location), they've obtained a A- rating with 9 complaints, all of which were resolved.
Impressions:
A few things stand out about Goggles4u. Anti-glare (AR), Anti-scratch, and UV come free with all their single-vision lenses. They also offer free worldwide shipping. Tint is free if you want it, and comes in 5 possible colors, 3 intensities (light, medium or "dark as sunglasses"). Repeat customers get a 10% discount on future orders. While this typically amounts to only a $3 savings per order, it can add up relatively quickly when buying multiple pairs.
Just about all of their frames (although not quite all of them) are the same price at $9.99. This includes metal, plastic, rimmed, half-rim, and rimless. They have a pretty large selection of frames - around 2000 at the time of this writing. They have a search/sort feature that can help you find what you're looking for based on the frame type (fullrim/half-rim/rimless), color, material (metal/plastic), etc. The search/sort also has options to show different dimensions/sizes which should be helpful for those who tend to have trouble finding glasses that fit their head - you can set a minimum total width, set the arm length, and more. They've got a few instructions to help in that area as well. If you can find frames you like that fit any restrictions you put in place, you'll probably be quite content with the offerings they have. The largest issue I can see is that Goggles4u has a massive selection, but you can't choose any color for any frame - on the other hand other places tend to have smaller selections, but you can get each frame in whatever color you want. It's a trade-off. Whether it's better or worse overall will depend on your preference.
Lenses start at $20. They have a quick price chart on their site that may help people to compare the cost based on the lens type they're after (click on the "Pricing" section when in their site). Single-vision lenses are offered in indexes from 1.56 to 1.71 with CR-39 (plastic), glass, or polycarbonate lenses depending on the index. Bi-focals are offered in lined or progressive versions. Photochromic lenses are offered for specific indexes for both single-vision and bi-focals in either Grey or Brown. All-in-all, there's a very adequate lens selection offered.
Website and Ordering:
Their website has improved significantly over the years. It's fairly easy to use/navigate. There is a lot of information about each frame (particularly sizes and measurements, and there's a good deal of information to help people along the way (for example a link during ordering with instructions on how to take your own PD measurement). Images of glasses can be rotated 360 degrees to get a better look at them, and they have a "Try Online" feature that allows you to see how the glasses might look on someone - there are a couple included faces and you're able to upload your own picture.
A note about the International-versions of the site... There are some oddities. The first one is that depending on what site you go through, you're either paying $29.99 USD, $29.99 CAD, or $29.99 Euros. Right now, $29.99 CAD is about $24 USD, and $29,99 Euros is about $38 USD. So buy from the Canadian site (if you can read french), and you get a deal. Buy from a UK version and you get a little ripped off. This in itself is great because it means everyone can jet to the Canadian site and save some money. I checked this and went all the way to the payment page, and it was indeed going to charge me only $22 USD because I'd gone through the Canadian site (being processed through Lunettes4u France). It may or may not be intended to be that cheap. (appears to have been fixed - now shows the USD amount throughout the order process). Finally, some of the images aren't quite right (it says 29,99 euros on the main page of the Canadian site), and the Canadian site is in full-french (Canada has 2 official languages - most speak english and not everyone speaks french). It's certainly a great idea on the part of Goggles4u, but it still needs a little work.
The ordering process is very straightforward. They do require you to create an account with your email address before going through the ordering process, although it only takes a second or two. You can type in your prescription info, use prescription info saved in your account, or upload an image of your prescription (either scanned or taken with a camera). They give a link here if you're taking your own PD measurement and need some help/instructions. It's all very straightforward and wizard-like and overall I'd rate it pretty high. When it comes to payment time, orders are processed through CCNow, and appear to support converting to, and being charged in up to 14 different currencies (USD being the default).
Pricing and Value:
Single-vision glasses come to $29.99 complete with free coatings. Bi-focals come to $47.99 ($61.99 for progressives) but without free coatings. Both single vision and bi-focals include free shipping.
Goggles4u offers good value all-in-all. Free coatings (on single-vision), and free shipping means that most people can look at their prices as "this is what I'll be paying" as opposed to "this is what it costs before I add everything I want and get it shipped". Pricing is very competitive whether you're looking for a low-cost main pair, or a back-up pair of glasses.
| All Frames | $9.99 | metal/plastic - full-rim/half-rim/rimless |
| Lenses (single vision) | |
|
| 1.56 CR39 | $20.00 | FREE AR, anti-scratch, UV |
| 1.56 Mineral Glass | $20.00 | FREE AR, anti-scratch, UV |
| 1.59 Polycarbonate | $33.00 | FREE AR, anti-scratch, UV + EMI |
| 1.61 High-Index Plastic | $38.00 | FREE AR, anti-scratch, UV + EMI |
| 1.67 High-Index Plastic | $48.00 | FREE AR, anti-scratch, UV + EMI |
| 1.71 Super High-Index Glass |
$48.00 | FREE AR, anti-scratch, UV |
| 1.56 Glass Photochromic | $26.00 | grey or brown - FREE AR, anti-scratch, UV |
| 1.56 CR39 Photochromic | $57.00 | grey or brown - FREE AR, anti-scratch, UV |
| Lenses (bi-focal - lined) | |
|
| 1.56 CR39 | $38.00 | no coatings |
| 1.56 CR39 + coatings | $48.00 | anti-scratch + UV |
| 1.56 CR39 Photochromic + coatings | $88.00 | anti-scratch + UV |
| Varifocals (progressive - no-lines) | |
|
| 1.56 CR39 | $52.00 | no coatings |
| 1.56 CR39 + coatings | $80.00 | AR, anti-scratch, UV |
| 1.56 CR39 Photochromic | $128.00 | UV |
| 1.56 CR39 Photochromic + coatings | $180.00 | grey or brown - AR, anti-scratch, UV |
| Tint (optional) | ||
| black, grey, brown, rose, green | FREE | light, medium, or dark |
| Shipping | ||
| Worldwide | FREE | |
| Express (optional) | +$12.00 |
Click here to go to the Goggles4u purchase review
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