Save big on eyewear

If you're like many of our readers, you're buying prescription glasses from your eye doctor's office or an independent shop, and you're happy with the results.

But you're probably paying much more than you would if you comparison shopped at different types of eyewear stores, including discounters such as Costco and online retailers. Doing just that, we were able to shave more than 40 percent off the prices of frames and lenses. And that's good news considering that a pair of eyeglasses with just basic prescription lenses can cost you hundreds.

The almost 19,500 readers who responded to a recent Consumer Reports survey spent a median of $244 out-of-pocket on their last pair of prescription specs. Perhaps not surprisingly, they gave one of the least expensive retailers, Costco, the highest overall satisfaction score among chains and other discounters, including BJ's Optical, LensCrafters, and Pearle Vision. Costco's score was on a par with independent shops and doctors' offices.

One reason glasses cost a lot is they are part fashion accessory. You may even think paying more will improve not just the view you'll see but the image you'll project. And there are so many choices for lenses and coatings, it's easy to be confused about what's worth buying.

Check our Ratings of eyeglass stores.

It doesn't help that the industry is dominated by just a couple of players, including Italy-based Luxottica, which owns LensCrafters and Pearl Vision, the vision centers at Sears and Target, and vision insurance provider EyeMed. It also licenses many popular eyewear brands and owns Ray-Ban, Oakley, and others.

Another is California-based VSP Global, which owns, among other eyewear-­related enterprises, VSP Vision Care, the nation's largest vision insurance plan; and Marchon Eyewear, producer of eyewear labels such as Calvin Klein, Fendi, and Flexon.

The best place to shop depends on your needs and preferences. Your options include:

Eye doctors and independent shops. If money's no object or you have a generous vision plan, you might consider buying from either of those sellers, both of which received top marks from readers for merchandise quality and customer service.

Chain retailers. Readers were essentially pleased with their purchase experience at retailers like Eye Masters, Pearle Vision, and Sears Optical, but results were mixed. LensCrafters was singled out as the place to get eyewear fastest—almost half of readers who shopped there had their glasses the same or next day.

Discount stores. When it came to cost and just about everything else, readers gave Costco high marks, with BJ's Optical, Sam's Club, and Walmart close behind.

During a recent trip to Costco, we found a Fendi women's frame for $110—$120 to $250 less than at other retailers. Add lenses at Costco's rock-bottom prices and you'd be all set. But readers weren't that impressed by Costco's selection of frames. And you may have to wait a week or more for your glasses. Some discounters accept few, if any, insurance plans, so you might have to pay up front and seek reimbursement if your plan allows it.

Online shops. If you can't find a suitable frame at a discounter, try online shops, where the selection often is huge and the prices low. Many eyeglass sites have lots of general information about selecting the right frames, lenses, and coatings. You might even be able to upload your photo and try on frames virtually.

A new segment of online shop, including Zenni Optical, Warby Parker, and Classic Specs, offers a complete single-vision pair of glasses for less than $100. Depending on the site, frames can be mailed to you to try on at no charge. But most of those sites sell only their own brands, so you're unlikely to find that designer frame you fell for elsewhere.

That's not the case at most online shops, where we had success finding the same frames we saw in walk-in stores, and at cut-rate prices. For example, a men's Polo frame priced at $207 at LensCrafters was available at LensesRx Online Optical for $120. When we added single-vision polycarbonate lenses and a basic antireflective coating, the online total came to $195, almost $300 off LensCrafter's price. After taking into account a 30 percent discount LensCrafters had at the time, we still were ahead by $146.

But there are things to consider when using eyeglass websites. And because only 2 percent of our survey respondents have shopped online, we don't have a lot of data on customer satisfaction—although eight of 10 readers who shopped for glasses on the Web said they would do so again.

Another concern is that buying online means having to wait for your glasses to arrive in the mail and shipping them back if there's a problem. And online retailers can't give you the in-person service you'd get at a walk-in store, a problem if your frames need adjusting, for example.

Many online eyeglass stores offer prescription lenses; you simply enter the measurements on your prescription into an online form. But if you have a complex prescription requiring additional measurements, ordering online isn't the best choice, says Jeffrey Rohlf, instructing optician at the Ohio State University College of Optometry and president of the state board that licenses opticians in Ohio.

One option is to buy only the frames online and order the lenses locally. Walmart charges $10 to add lenses to frames you bring in; Costco's fee is $18. (Of course, you'll also pay for the cost of the lenses.) But don't expect an online shop to take your vision insurance, though you may be able to obtain reimbursement from your provider.

Same frames, different prices

We comparison shopped for the Polo PH2015 men's frame (shown below) online and at a walk-in retailer. After adding polycarbonate lenses and antireflective coating, we saved 43 percent online, despite LensCrafter's 30 percent discount at the time. Online orders qualify for free shipping.

1. Some prices are promotional. 2. Total after 30 percent discount. 3. Total after $30 discount.

Research online. Even if you plan to buy locally, consider reading the how-to information on such websites as Eyeglasses.com and LensesRx Online Optical. Knowing something about the types of frames, lenses, and coatings can help you understand your options and sense whether a store or website is trying to sell you more than you need. When we ordered glasses with a simple, single-vision prescription, one online shop automatically checked the box for $40 polycarbonate lenses, when $10 CR-39 lenses were just fine. And the site auto-selected a $19 extended warranty, which we don't recommend. Also, check whether the Better Business Bureau has a report on the store or website where you plan to make your purchase. Some of the lowest-priced retailers we found also had F ratings at the BBB, including the online shops Go-Optic and EZContacts.

Get your doctor's recommendation. If your current prescription is more than a year old, have an optometrist or ophthalmologist check your eyes before you order new glasses. Ask your eye doctor for advice on the types of lenses you should choose. Also request that the doctor measure and record your pupillary distance, which you'll need if you order lenses online.

Try frames on in person. Nothing beats seeing and feeling the frames on your face. Keep in mind that the strength of your prescription can affect which frame and lenses you should select, something a professional can help you with. If you plan to comparison shop, record the frame brand, model, and size, marked on the frame's temples.

Ask about your benefits. Find out whether the retailer accepts your vision insurance. If not, ask your plan administrator whether you can use an out-of-network provider and, if so, how that affects your coverage. Ask what proof of purchase you'll need to be reimbursed, and verify that the retailer can provide it.

Look for promotions. Walk-in stores and websites often have special deals, but check the fine print. You may not be eligible if you're using insurance or not buying both frames and lenses.

Negotiate. Don't hesitate to try dickering on price, especially if you're not using insurance. If you tried on frames locally and found them online for less, it's only fair to give the walk-in store a chance to match or at least come close to your best online price. Remember that a walk-in shop can provide frame adjustments and other post-purchase service that can be difficult or impossible to get online, so it may be worth paying extra.

Check our Ratings of eyeglass stores.

Check warranties and return policies. A good retailer should have at least a one-year warranty against defects in frames. For instance, Eyeglasses.com says most of its frames are covered by the manufacturer for one or two years and that it will process claims on the customer's behalf. We found some walk-in stores and websites with much shorter time limits.

Even if your glasses aren't defective, you may decide you don't like them. Many retailers have a certain return period, even if you ordered lenses. LensCrafters will replace frames and lenses or provide a refund within 90 days. SimplyEyeglasses.com will let you choose a new pair once within seven days. Eyeglasses.com and FramesDirect.com give you 30 days to return frames. If you also ordered lenses, you'll get a credit of 50 percent of the cost.

Check out your new specs. Report any problem with your glasses to the retailer immediately. If you bought them online and have a problem with the lenses, have your eye doctor verify that they match your prescription. If they don't, the retailer should remake the lenses at no cost.

If the frames need adjusting, as they did for 17 percent of our survey respondents, your local eyeglass shop may be willing to do it for you, especially if you bought your lenses there. But there could be a charge. Eyeglasses.com has instructions for adjusting fit yourself, though that could be risky. Classic Specs offers to reimburse you for whatever an optical shop charges to perform a post-purchase adjustment.

Buy another pair. If you found a good deal, consider getting an extra pair in case your primary glasses get lost or damaged. Then you won't have to pay a premium for a rush job at a retailer.

Check our Ratings of eyeglass stores.