Zenni Optical

I am impressed.
Ordered Nov 1st, delivered by FedEx from China today 9th.
Note they state "samples" on the documents - so maybe someone else could be caught for VAT/duty.

Quality seems good - time will tell. My Specsavers pairs have both lost screws or dropped lenses by now after less than 18 months.

These are light and fit well. I measured the width of an old pair I have that are very comfortable and made sure the Zenni ones were similar.

Total cost was $46.80 - about €34.
That was for 2 x $15.95 frames of different styles, and one with extra reflection coating (4.95), plus shipping.

I got one set of reading glasses and one for computer work.
Zenni say the computer ones should use just half the "add" figure from the prescription and I think they are right.
I put a printed sheet with small text about 24 inches from my face and I could not read it without glasses (text too small) nor with the reading glasses (text larger but blurry) - with the "computer" glasses they were just right. I am looking forward to working on computer (laptop) screens with these - using ordinary "reading" glasses always seemed a bit "in your face"!

Reading a book with the "reading" glasses was excellent.

Note Zenni also recommend reducing the PD by 3mm when ordering purely reading glasses - seems we naturally scrunch our eyes a bit closer when reading books.

My only disappointment is that one of the sets is not quite as "cool" as I thought it would be - guess that's one advantage of being able to try on various frames in a shop.

All in all - very pleased. Thanks, OP.

Jewel Faint Spanish wrote: »

Sorry to drag up an old thread!
Do you have to pay customs duty on glasses bought from these guys seeing as they're coming from outside the EU?

I've never had to pay, most of the time my glasses are about €28 including delivery (3 pairs) so just about over the limit....

I have gotten more expensive ones though and not been stung either, in theory you do (as far as i know) but I've never had to.

Is there anyone who's bought glasses from both Zenni and Goggles4u and could comment on the difference in build quality (if any)?

I've had a good few pairs from G4u over the years but the last couple weren't great (the frames, I mean). Might try a change...

docjewel wrote: »

I have bought a few pairs from Goggles4you,I have always found the frames very light & break very easily,I would suggest having a look at this Irish Company Buy New Specs ,very reasonable prices,delivery in a few days,quality of frames & lenses far superior,keeps you updated on progress of order & is contactable by phone if the need be.I have no connection with this company but I am a very satisfied customer of them.:)

prices for basic frames and lenses seems ok, but i just received 3 pairs from zenni promotion for around 65 euro delivered so i doubt there is any chance for me buying more glasses untill 2014

go onto you tube and look up zenni optical fitting and there's a few good videos showing you what to do and how to avoid choosing too wide frames. Also measure your frame width of the frames you already have.

Can I just ask those in the know ,can one go to an optician and get a eye test and walk out with just the prescription from that test,or are you obliged to purchase a pair of glasses from them.

Has anyone used other sites to buy glasses such as smartbuyglasses.ie or 2for1glasses.co.uk ?

Thumbs up from me for Zenni Optical, hummed and hawed about it for months, finally bit the bullet and uploaded my most recent prescription and chose bog standard frames and no frills lenses just in case it turned out to be a waste of money.

Current prescription did not have pupillary distance but have all my old prescriptions and several older ones had the PD in it. Probably included it before people realised they could buy glasses cheaper online!

Ordered Friday 15th June, order dispatched 19th June, received 21st June. 3 pairs of glasses for €50 (incl postage) and I have no complaints. Slight mismatch on one pair between the online image and actual frames but that's to be expected with online purchasing occasionally, especially if it's own brand generic stuff.

I'm delighted and I think if you don't have a complicated prescription then something like this is a godsend.

peckerhead wrote: »

Is there anyone who's bought glasses from both Zenni and Goggles4u and could comment on the difference in build quality (if any)?

I've had a good few pairs from G4u over the years but the last couple weren't great (the frames, I mean). Might try a change...

I found goggles for you to be rubbish to be honest. Even though my perscription was correct they still sent me glassess that weren't made properly and were unwearable. Got glassess from Zenni recently and they are perfect.

Have any of you bought the prescription sunglasses?

I've only just bought new glasses recently, but prescription sunglasses would be useful...

If so, what tint did you get? Any pics greatly appreciated.

Qwerty? wrote: »

Specsavers are running an offer for an eyetest for €10. (and get €22 back on your PRSI). They even handed me my printed prescription without having to ask:D

I got a printed prescription from SS a few months ago, and it didn't have pupil distance on it. The guy had to write the PD at the bottom of the printout. Not sure if this has changed since....