Kazuo Kawasaki Frames: New Lenses & Mounting - Whom to trust??

[AdamOnDemand]

I've just entered the online eyeglasses world with the breaking of the
lens on my Kazuo Kawasaki three-piece frameless rims (http://
www.italee.com/kawa/02_frame.htm). These frames cost about US$350 and
getting new lenses via retail optometrists in the NY City area costs
a minimum of about $170. That's because they all send them to the
Italee/Kawasaki lab in Florida where they use special tiny plastic
sleeves on the frame posts to ensure the proper fit/interface, and
lenses and frame pieces are all put into a special machine which
precisely aligns them for drilling and mounting. I got my last set of
lenses in Israel, where they did NOT use this mounting system, and
consequently the mount was a bit loose and not quite right -- and that
was their best effort, even after the second time they tried.

So, my lens recently broke (due to an unusual accident), and it was
time for a new prescription, so now it's time for new lenses. But, I
do not want to pay the high US Kawasaki prices.

Does anyone have any experience having Kawasaki frames mounted at any
of the online eyewear shops? This represents a higher risk, because I
would be sending them my US$350 frames. I've ordered a pair of
simple, plastic frames/lenses from Optical4Less, primarily because
they were one of the top recommendations on GlassyEyes, and I liked
the frame (not to mention the US$29 + 8 shipping price!) They claim
to be able to do this mounting (and for only US$35 plus $25
shipping!), but I wonder what method they'll use, and whether it's
worth the risk. If I were ordering only their frames I'd be out only
the cost, but now I'd be risking that plus the $350 cost of the
frames.

Anyone with insight on this specific issue, I'd love to hear from
you.

IF any of these online eyeglass companies can really do a good job
with Kawasakis, and provide a comparable mounting at their
dramatically reduced prices, then they should really promote it,
because I suspect they could get some significant new business.

[Fred Di]

If you think those frames are worth $350 you shouldn't be shoppoing on-
line for anything.
(Zenni sells similar ones for $20)

Go to a full service optical shop and have the work done there.
No online shop is going to have respect (and care for) lenses you
think are worth $350.

On Jan 3, 7:58 am, AdamOnDemand <adammrosenb...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I've just entered the online eyeglasses world with the breaking of the

> lens on my Kazuo Kawasaki three-piece frameless rims (http://www.italee.com/kawa/02_frame.htm).  These frames cost about US$350 and