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Quick notes:

  • Glasses available in sub-$20 range. Very large selection of frames at the $4.95 & under price mark (add $6.94 for basic single-vision lenses)
  • BBB-accredited with an A- rating
  • Allow Paypal checkout.
  • Offerings are AR-heavy when you go beyond the basic lenses. If you’re looking for an AR coating, this will probably please you. If you specifically do not want an AR-coating, you might have a little trouble *not* getting it.
  • Advertise a “re-lensing” service for those who have frames they like but simply need new lenses
  • Not new-user friendly during the prescription/order process – no mouse-over popups to explain options.

 

Goggles4u video purchase review

In the video, I order glasses from Goggles4u, track the shiping time, inspect the glasses, run them through the hot water test, and provide some observations. If you would like to see the full write-up with pictures instead of a video, head to the Goggles4u review page.

 

Introduction:

Goggles4u is now based in the US, although I believe they still manufacture (and probably ship to some degree) from Pakistan. Pricing in USD & CAD via localized sites. They sell both single-vision and bi-focal/varifocal (regular and progressive) lenses. Methods of contact include a toll-free 24-hour number, live chat, a callback feature (available in “over 20 countries”), a website form, and fax (US, UK, and Germany numbers). Payment methods include Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AmEx, Diner’s Club, JCB, and Paypal. Goggles4u is listed by the BBB with an “A-” rating.

 

Impressions:

In the past, Goggles4u was well-known for flexibility in their customer service, being quick to send replacement parts without hassle if somebody had a problem. I haven’t had enough recent reader-input to ascertain whether or not this still holds true, but complaint levels have remained extremely low regardless, and maintaining their BBB status leads me to believe that customer service is still strong.

Goggles4u has abandoned their previous model where near every pair of standard single-vision glasses came out to $30 with free coatings and shipping. Instead, frames are now offered at various price-points (primarily at $4.95), with lenses starting at $6.94, and shipping being extra.

Personally, I preferred the “old” pricing method, as a standard $30-gets-you-everything was not only something that made Goggles4u unique, but was also very simple and straightforward for customers. There’s something to be said for knowing *exactly* how much glasses will cost right from the get-go. That said, the new effective prices come out even cheaper than before. I understand where Goggles4u may have been coming from when they made the change. Different price-points offer them more flexibility in terms of frame selection, and advertising frames for “$4.95″ looks more attractive than advertising complete glasses for $29.99, particularly when most of the competition is advertising for under $10 (despite generally coming out to much more than that once lenses, coatings & shipping are added).

That said, Goggles4u still offers free coatings with most lenses, and their shipping is a very reasonable $4.95 within the US. They’re also very clear and up-front with a chart in their “Pricing” page, giving all the checkout-prices you would expect for every lens based on a $4.95 frame.

Just about all of their discount frames are the same price at $4.95, though periodically the prices are discounted even further.

Lenses start at $6.94. 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 “Help Center” section on their site and visit the “Lowest Prices Online” area). Last I checked, there were a few small inconsistencies, but it’s generally close and gives you a good baseline idea as to what price you’re in for. Single-vision lenses are offered in indexes from 1.57 to 1.71 with plastic, glass, or polycarbonate lenses depending on the index. Bifocals and progressives are offered as well, also starting at 1.57 and capping at 1.67. All-in-all, there’s a very adequate lens selection offered.

 

Website and Ordering:

Their website is clean and quite easy to navigate, although a “chat” window tends to pop up which annoyingly floats across the screen (you must mouse-over it to stop the floating and then close it if you’re not interested in chatting with them).

As mentioned earlier, there aren’t mouseover pop-ups during the order process. So if somebody is not sure how to read their prescription, how to take a PD measurement, etc., this is the point where they’ll probably start to feel a little anxious (and by now they’ve probably managed to close the floating chat window!). Info is provided in their “Help Center”, but unless the shopper had the forethought to read it beforehand, I question how many people will be willing to browse away from the frames they finally liked/chose to head over to that section. This won’t be an issue for veteran buyers, mind you.

One excellent decision they’ve made is to put the coupon code entry & shipping estimator in the cart *before* the checkout. I wish every retailer would do this – as a customer I hate it when I have to start entering my billing information before I know for certain how much shipping will be or whether my coupon code will be accepted. Goggles4u has this all up-front, the way it should be.

 

Pricing and Value:

In short, for a basic pair of frames shipped within the US, you’re looking at $4.95 frames, $6.94 basic lenses, and $4.95 shipping for a total of about $16.84. This is extremely competitive, particularly since it applies to the vast majority of their frames.

 Single vision  Bifocal  Progressive
1.57 index  +$6.94
1.56 index (bi-focal/progressive)  +$25.00  +$33.95
1.57 index premium with EMI  +$20
1.59 index polycarbonate  +$15.95 (free AR)
1.61 high index  +$26.95 (free AR)  +$100.00
1.67 high index  +$41.95 (free AR)  +$135.00
1.71 high index (mineral glass)  +$41.95 (free AR)
Photochromic 1.56 (grey or brown)  +$25.95 (free AR)    +$60.95
Photochromic 1.56 (blue or yellow)  +$77.00    
UV protection & Anti-scratch  free  +$4.95  free
UV protection & Anti-scratch & Hydrophobic coating  +$9.99
Anti-reflective (AR) – (if not included above)  +$4.95  +$4.95
Anti-reflective (AR) – (if not included above) & Hydrophobic  +$14.99
Tint (black, brown, blue, green, grey, yellow, rose)  +$9.99  +$9.99  
Gradient Tint (black, brown, blue, green, grey, yellow, rose)  +$14.99 (price not listed on order page?)  +$14.99 (price not listed on order page?)

US/Canada Shipping adds about $5. Other locations worldwide tend to hit about $10.

Note: price charts are created by hand. Contact me if you notice an error.

 

To sum it up, Goggles4u is inexpensive all-around. Where some other retailers sell the frames for cheap and make up for it by gouging when it comes to coatings & lens upgrades, Goggles4u throws free coatings in most of the lenses, has competitive lens upgrade prices, and has competitive shipping. For the very price-conscious who are looking to get AR/AS/UV coatings with their pair, Goggles4u is certainly worth a look.

 

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Curious as to how things have changed since 2006?
Here is the original writeup from many years ago…


Goggles4u
“Discount Eyeglasses Superstore”

 

Introduction

Goggles4u has set up an office in Miami. They ship orders from both their US office, as well as their production facility located in Pakistan. Pricing in USD. They sell single-vision and bi-focal/varifocal (regular and progressive) lenses. Their only means of communication seems to be a contact form on their website. Payment is done through CCNow, where you can pay by Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Paypal, Discover, Diner’s Club, and JCB.

 

Impressions

A few neat things about Goggles4u… first of all, they’re one of the few retailers to allow payment with Paypal. Nothing ground breaking, but nice nonetheless. Second, FREE SHIPPING Worldwide unless you want to use DHL Express, in which case it’ll cost you $12USD. Third, all the glasses seem to come with a free
“multi-coating” which is “Free Antiglare, UV and Scratch Free Coating”. Finally, almost every one of their frames are the same price of $12.99. Lenses start at $13. Note that while tint is free, it may not include the UV coating, so that may be something to inquire about if you plan on wearing your tinted lenses in the sun. However, as far as I know, all the non-tinted lenses do have the UV coating.

Single-Vision glasses come to $25.99USD ($12.99 frames + $13 lenses). Bi-focals come to $47.99 ($12.99 frames + $35 lenses).

Goggles4u represents great value for anyone who can use the free worldwide shipping and wants an AR coating on an inexpensive pair of glasses, or those simply looking for a backup pair. Apparently, the packing material is some sort of interesting sewn-together cloth.

 

Pricing

All Frames $12.99
.
Single Vision Clear Lenses (Distance or Reading)
CR39 Material High Index Lenses with antiglare, UV, and Scratch Free Coating $13.00
Glass Material High Index Lenses with antiglare, UV, and Scratch Free Coating $13.00
.
Single Vision Transitional Lenses (Distance or Reading)
Glass Material High Index with Transition Brown (Free Antiglare, UV and Scratch Free Coating) $17.00
Glass Material High Index with Transition Grey (Free Antiglare, UV and Scratch Free Coating) $17.00
CR39 Material High Index with Transition Brown (Free Antiglare, UV and Scratch Free Coating) $49.00
CR39 Material High Index with Transition Grey (Free Antiglare, UV and Scratch Free Coating) $49.00
.
Bifocal/Varifocal Clear Lenses
CR39 Material Lined Simple Bifocal/Varifocal High Index Lenses $35.00
CR39 Material No-Line Progressive Bifocal/Varifocal with Short Corridor High Index Lenses $49.00
.
Bifocal/Varifocal Transitional Lenses
Glass Material No Line Progressive Bifocal/Varifocal Lenses with Transition Brown (Short Corridor, Hi Index) $84.00
Glass Material No Line Progressive Bifocal/Varifocal Lenses with Transition Grey (Short Corridor, Hi Index) $84.00
CR39 Material No Line Progressive Bifocal/Varifocal Lenses with Transition Brown (Short Corridor, Hi Index) $125.00
CR39 Material No Line Progressive Bifocal/Varifocal Lenses with Transition Grey (Short Corridor, Hi Index) $125.00
.
Tint FREE
.
Shipping
Standard Worldwide FREE
DHL Express $12.00

A pair of single vision lenses (free AR) without any add-ons is only $25.99USD after free Worldwide shipping.
A pair of bi-focal lenses (free AR) without any add-ons is $47.99USD after free Worldwide shipping.

 

Website Ratings

Category Rating Details
Website Good The website is easy to navigate. The only real issue is that if a frame is offered in 4 different colors, it is shown 4 different times, once in each color. This can make browsing for a frame time consuming. Aside from that, the website is complete, and the ordering process is relatively easy.
Selection Great Despite having the same frame show up multiple times but in different colors, the selection is actually pretty good. There was some nice variety and I came across quite a few stylish, unique frames.
Frame Info Good Dimensions, color, and whether or not the frame had spring hinges were given. Some of the descriptors were vague. For example, “Material: Light Metal” – “Temple: Normal” – “Weight: Light”. It would have been nice to at least get some numbers in there for the Temple Length and maybe even the Weight.
Lens Options Acceptable Clear or Transitions, Glass or CR39. That about sums it up. Tint could be manually entered in (no additional cost).
Value Excellent Free AR and free worldwide shipping.

 

Click here to go to the Goggles4u purchase review

 

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