eye buy direct: problem with strong prescription and plastic frames

[Sandy]

After ongoing difficulties with my order (I placed it exactly 1 month
ago), I finally canceled my order today and am wondering if anyone
else has had similar problems. I have a fairly strong prescription
(-8.25) and have bought glasses with plastic frames and a mid-index
(1.59) on 39dollarglasses before with no problem. Eyebuydirect told me
that it was not possible to make glasses with my Rx for those frames
("Villeneuve") and that I could only select full rimmed metal frames
with my Rx. After a protracted back-and-forth between customer
service and their lab, I was given the name of 1 pair of plastic
frames they would make for me -- but only with an index of 1.67 and
they are not even frames that I like! I finally was able to get out of
someone that there *might* be other frames that are possible, but that
I would have to submit a customer service request and wait for them to
check with the lab for each one (requests take a day at best, but I've
had voicemails go unanswered). This is clearly a ridiculous way to
shop for glasses and I know that I don't need an index that high. Has
anyone else ordered plastic frames from them with a similar Rx and had
any success? The only reason I am even interested in dealing with
them after this experience is that they have some frames that I like
that no one else seems to offer.

[Paul]

49mm is kind of wide for that kind of strength, though 1.59 index
lenses might do the trick. Goggles4U is always rotating in new frames
in limited quantity, so you might have some luck finding what you like
there.

[sage...@mindspring.com]

Hi Sandy,

I've ordered many pairs from 39dollarglasses, Eyebuydirect, and
several other online retailers.

I completely share your frustration with Eyebuydirect and those
retailers, who for various reasons and in various ways, steer
customers with higher prescriptions to more expensive options that
they may not really need or want.

The world of low-cost online glasses is a bit more complicated if you
have a strong prescription.

The optical industry has found it lucrative to try to intimidate us
with specious medical or technical arguments. Recent innovations in hi-
index materials and advanced coatings may be desirable, but virtually
none of them are truly necessary.

It all comes down to money -- of course!

To amplify on Paul's point about the 49mm width of the lenses for the
Villeneuve frame, Eyebuydirect has to pay more for larger stock lenses
in stronger prescriptions.

So in reality, Eyebuydirect is balking at filling your prescription at
the quoted price. It would be more ethical either to state up front
that the lowest prices for basic lenses only apply to weak
prescriptions, or simply to honor the quoted price.

The argument that it's not technically possible is false. The argument
that the lenses would be too thick to look good is beside the point --
that's the customer's choice, not theirs. All of it is a shabby
attempt to rationalize upselling you to the hi-profit, hi-index
option.

Eyebuydirect telling you you can only have full-rimmed metal frames
with your RX is rubbish. You can have metal, plastic, even rimless. I
have all those from other providers, to prove it. The only real
technical limit may be extremely curved plastic sunglass-style frames.
Sometimes the base curve of your RX is not compatible. Even with
those, there is a solution: you can have high-RX inserts installed
behind curved non-prescription sunglass lenses.

Again, it's all a question of money.

I also have a fairly strong prescription (OD -9.00), with astigmatism.
However, my left eye is different from my right (OS -4.50).

39dollarglasses has handled my unusual prescription perfectly and
without question every time, and has not refused any order for any
number of different styles and options.

Eyebuydirect and many of the others, on the other hand, frequently
tell me that what I want is technically not possible in my
prescription.

I have had many tedious and annoying phone conversations, online
chats, and email exchanges, with poorly-trained personnel who don't
even understand my prescription.

Occasionally I find them open to negotiation, but I completely agree
with you, waiting around for "customer service to check with the lab"
is no way to buy glasses.

Good luck, and thanks for sharing your experiences!

Eric