GlassesUSA.com has been in business for over a decade now (launched in 2006) and it has become one of the most popular sites on the internet to buy prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses at discount prices. They offer a huge selection of name brand frames at prices of up to 70% off when compared to other regular brick and mortar retail stores. GlassesUSA keep their prices low by having minimal operational costs and by cutting out the middle men. They keep the frames in stock and their laboratories create high quality prescription lenses, with all production is done in-house. The lenses which GlassesUSA uses exceed FDA requirements and every pair is tested with GlassesUSA "5-stripe" process prior to shipment. This process ensures the accuracy of the lenses prescription and frame alignment. All types of lenses are available including reading, multifocal, RX. sunglasses, and even non-prescription lenses.
Frames
GlassesUSA has over a 1000 different frames and stock over 50 brands. Brands include companies like Ray-Ban, Nike, Oakley, and Calvin Klein. Shopping for your new frames is simple as GlassesUSA has an easy to use search page that allows you to select what type of frames you like. You can browse frames by choosing the type, the frame shape, the lens type needed, color, size, brand, and material type. You can also include a range of measurements by using the easy graphical slider tool. The search page allows you to select as many frame attributes as you want and returns results that include a picture of the frame, the name of it, and the cost (including lens). With some results you can also select to see different colors right on the search page. Each search result also allows you to view larger pictures of the frames from multiple angles. You can view all of the frames on a model of your choice or even upload your own picture. With the model pictures (men and women) you can also rotate it to see how the glasses look from a number of angles. You can also sort the search results by a number of criteria including how popular the frames are, and price. You can also add one or more frames to your My Picks list which allows you to easily find any frames you liked later on.
Virtual Optician
A neat feature called the "Virtual Optrician" is also available on the GlassesUSA website. It is a wizard which can replace the search page that asks you a series of questions. It allows you find your ideal frame by either features, measurements, or your personality. Once you have answered the questions you are then shown the search results. From there you can then either look through all the frames, fine tune your results, or start over.
Lenses
Once you have picked your frames you then choose what the glasses are for. Your options are Distance Vision, Near Vision, Progressive, Bifocal with Line, or Fashion. Based on your selection you then have to enter your prescription information. You can either do this online (and save it so you don't have to re-enter the information) or email/fax it in. GlassesUSA has a handy faq page which shows you how to read your prescription and enter the numbers need on the form. Chatting with an expert at GlassesUSA is also just a click away if you get stuck.
Once your prescription is entered you can then choose what lens package you would like. There are 4 options that include: Value, Standard, Super, and Premium. They range in price from free to about $100. The different packages include different options. Some of these include:
- Thickness of lens (for example the Premium lenses are 35% thinner than the Value lenses)
- Scratch Resistant Coating
- UV Protective Coating
- Anti-Reflective Coating
For a large number of frames you also have sunglasses lenses options which include Tint Color, Polarized Lenses, Photochromic Lenses, and Transitions
Warranty
For a small additional charge you can purchase a 20/20 Enhanced Coverage 1 year warranty. This covers the glasses against accidental breakage, wear and tear, and prescription changes. If any of these things happen within the year you will receive a new pair of glasses when you exchange the old ones.
Guarantees
GlassesUSA.com has 2 main guarantees. They are:
Satisfaction Guarantee
If you are not completely satisfied with your order you can return your glasses within 14 days of your purchase. GlassesUSA will pay for the return postage and give you 100% of the cost in store credit.
110% Price Guarantee
If you find a price on your glasses that is lower after your purchase (up to 10 days after) GlassesUSA will refund the difference based on 110% of your purchase price. To receive the refund you must include a link to the webpage that includes the exact same product with the same additions, frames, lenses, etc. The product also must not be out of stock. This guarantee does not apply to Premium tagged brands.
Vision Insurance
GlassesUSA is an out-of-network provider for most insurance plans. This means you pay GlassesUSA for your glasses and then you submit your claim directly to your insurance provider which will then reimburse you. GlassesUSA provides benefits reimbursement forms for a number of popular providers (including Advantica, Davis Vision, Eyemed, VSP) and also a generic form for the rest. When you download the form it is also automatically filled out which means you just need to print it off and add any additional information that is required. You then include the form and your itemized receipt and mail it to your provider.
Costs
With the entire production in house you can expect to save up to 70% when compared to your local store and eye doctor office. The cost listed on the GlassesUSA search results include the frames and lenses with the basic Value lens package. The Standard package is an extra $29, the Super package is $59 more, and the Premium package is $98 (in USD). The differences in lens packages deal with coatings and thickness of the lenses. For sunglasses you can expect to add anywhere from $29 to $149 for Transitions. On average you can expect to pay between $40 and $100 for a regular pair of eyeglasses. For premium brands expect to pay more (but a lot less than other stores). For Rx. sunglasses the average price is a little higher at $50 to $125.
You can purchase your glasses in the following currencies: USD, CAD, GBP, AUD, and EUR
Shipping
Once you have completed your order you can expect it delivered to your home within 6 to 16 business days and slightly longer for U.K. and other international orders. Depending on the complexity of the prescription, processing your order will take 3 business days for single vision lenses (Regular Rx.) or up to 6 business days for MultiFocal lenses. After processing, your eyeglasses is then shipped which can take 3-5 business days for US Express Shipping, 7 to 10 days for USA/Canada standard shipping (which is free), and international shipping can take up to 14 business days.
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