Eyeglass store Buying Guide

Getting started

A new pair of specs can run you a pretty penny, even if you skip the designer frames and avoid coatings or other add-ons you don't need. Can you save money and still get a really great pair of eyeglasses?

Yes, according to more than 30,000 bespectacled readers whom we recently surveyed about their last eyeglass purchase. Costco emerged at the top of our Ratings of eyeglass retailers, including large chains, independent local optical shops, and private doctors' offices.

And it did so at a significantly lower cost--a median of $157 per pair compared with $211 at independent shops and $212 at eye doctors' offices.

In fact, Costco Optical earned the highest score for overall satisfaction among chains. It also was the only retailer that we surveyed that stood out in another area: lack of problems, such as loose lenses, distorted or blurred vision, or damaged frames, in the first few weeks after purchase.

That's good news for shoppers looking for a deal without sacrificing good vision correction. Unfortunately, many other chains didn't stack up nearly as well. And if you're not a Costco shopper, you might do better getting your specs at a doctor's office or independent optical boutique; those typically scored high marks across the board, particularly when it came to employee know-how, service, and the quality of the finished glasses. You might even spend less than you would at some high-profile chains.

Our survey included 31,059 Consumer Reports readers who responded to our 2009 Annual Questionnaire of subscribers and who had purchased a new pair of eyeglasses (lenses and frames) between January 2007 and June 2009. Here are some of the key findings we gleaned from their experiences.

A chain doesn't always equal cheap

Respondents had one overarching reason for choosing to get their glasses at a chain store: price. But the most frequented chain in our survey, LensCrafters, charged a higher median price per pair of glasses, $244, than doctors' offices and local shops, even with discount coupons, which some 60 percent of LensCrafters customers said they used. (Its customers enjoyed faster service and above-average follow-up, though.) Customers at Pearle Vision, which is owned by the same company as LensCrafters, also paid more than those who shopped at an independent shop or doctor's office.

For a great frame selection, go indie

Eighty-three percent of readers who got their glasses at an independent local optical boutique were highly satisfied with the variety of frames available, compared with 69 percent at the big retailers.

Some retailers were subpar

Three eyewear chains--Visionworks, America's Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, and JCPenney Optical--stood out for below-average Ratings in most purchase factors. Among readers' gripes: inferior-quality frames and subpar service during and after the purchase. Readers who patronized those stores still reported pretty high satisfaction overall, but as the Ratings show, there are better choices.

Know who excels at what

The best place to shop depends in part on your needs and preferences. If you need glasses right away--you lost them in the ocean or dropped them in the garbage disposal--indie shops, Empire Vision Centers, and, though it's expensive, LensCrafters, are the better options. If quality, service, and selection are paramount, and you don't mind spending a little more than $200, go to a doctor's office or independent boutique. Otherwise, go to Costco or one of the other higher-rated chains. Consult the Ratings for details. We didn't ask about buying glasses online in this survey because so few readers in our previous survey reported using that option. If you do buy online, consider doing so just for frames and then go to a walk-in store where an optician can fit the lenses and adjust the frame if necessary. No matter which option you choose, find out what follow-up service is provided and what recourse there is if you have problems, such as a faulty prescription or frames that break.

Spring for only what you need

Glasses come in a dizzying array of lens types and coatings, and you could end up shelling out for some of them even if you don't need them. Familiarize yourself with the major options and don't hesitate to ask lots of questions at the store. If an employee doesn't seem to know the answers, consider shopping elsewhere.

Don't be a slave to brand names

You can spend hundreds of extra dollars on frames from high-end designers such as Chanel, Prada, and Gucci. But designer frames usually aren't made by those designers. They're made by manufacturers that license the brand names. And such licensing fees can translate into higher prices for consumers. The companies that make designer specs, such as Luxotica, Safilo, and Marcolin, also make high-quality nondesigner frames, some of which are similar to the designer versions (minus the fancy logo on the side). Those frames can have the same style for a fraction of the designer price.

Look for coupons

One-third of readers who visited an optical chain used coupons to get a deal on their new glasses, and at chains such as JCPenney Optical and LensCrafters, as many as 62 percent of respondents had used one. Check with your health-insurance provider, too, because some insurers will cover a portion of your eyeglass purchase. About 43 percent of respondents to our survey said at least part of their purchase was covered by insurance, and one-quarter said insurance covered at least half.