Has your optician cautioned you against buying eyewear online? You may be wondering why exactly they said that.
Buying from an optician and from online eyewear retailers like EZContacts can both be good options. I’m here to break it all down to help you decide where to buy your eyewear with minimal stress and maximum savings.
Why Some Opticians Say Ordering Online is a Bad Idea
You’re sitting in the optician’s chair, completing your eye test, and your pulse is racing as you realize you very well may need glasses. Once the test is over, your optician explains your options. They sound good, but you’re feeling the pressure to say yes and buy one of the first glasses you try on.
The optician might even go as far as to say shopping for eyewear online is a bad idea. Of course, if you buy your eyewear directly from your opticians, they receive a percentage of profit from the markup. So it’s in their interests to convince you to buy from them.
But the truth is that either option (in-store or online) can be smart. It depends on how you prefer to shop, your budget, and your brand preferences.
Trying On Your Glasses
In-store or at your local optician’s, you can easily try on eyewear to find the best fit for you. It’s true you can’t physically try on a pair with online stores. But EZContacts does offer a way to virtually try on glasses.
Virtual try-on feature
On the EZContacts website, you can virtually try on a wide selection of eyeglasses and sunglasses. There’s a filter on the left-hand side so you can search by what’s available to try on virtually.
You can simply upload a photo of yourself or take a picture using the feature. You can then take a screenshot of the image so you can compare how you look in each pair side by side. That’s something you can’t even do in the store!
This feature saves you time and energy. No driving to the store or opticians and waiting for a sales associate to help you decide, or rather, talking you into something you may not want.
If you buy eyewear from your optician, you might feel pressure to pick a pair on the spot. But it’s always best to run through major considerations such as fit, feel, and style.
The Hidden Markup
Opticians can charge a premium for eyewear because, like any business, they want to make a profit. However, some opticians may charge more than others; it can depend on factors such as overheads and location.
If you live in a place where goods and services generally cost more, say New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco, you could find yourself paying more for the same eyewear your friend bought in Minnesota. But if you order online at EZContacts, shipping is free across the U.S. (check t’c and c’s). And the eyewear costs the same regardless of where you live in the States.
Why is this?
Well, EZContacts doesn’t have the same overheads as local opticians, such as bills and rent, since the retailer operates only online. EZContacts then passes on the savings directly to customers. That’s why you can find styles from the classic Ray-Ban Wayfarer sunglasses to Celine glasses at discounted prices.
Making Sure What You Buy Online Is Legit
Your optician might warn you that shopping for eyewear online is risky because of scam websites selling fake branded glasses.
While it’s true that some online sites sell dupes and fakes, EZContacts is legit. Our eyewear comes in its original packaging with manufacturer-issued authenticity or warranty cards and accessories, such as a cleaning cloth.
There are a few ways you can check that designer glasses are real. But in general, it’s better to buy from a reputable retailer. The same goes for your opticians; you can always check reviews for stores, whether they’re online or physical.
Returns Are Simple
You might think it’s easier to return eyewear from the store, but again, it depends on the circumstances. If your optician is close by, then returns can be straightforward. However, if you have to travel far to reach them, it can be highly inconvenient. And that’s exactly how people get stuck with glasses they don’t want, by forgetting about the return policy and running out of time.
At EZContacts, returns are simple: contact lenses must be unopened, and eyeglasses and sunglasses must be returned in their original condition with accessories. You have 30 days from the order delivery date to return your items for a full refund or exchange your purchase for something more suitable. Check the full t’c and c’s here.
Getting Eyewear Advice In Store
Finally, you might prefer shopping in-store for the customer service experience. This makes sense, since shopping for eyewear is very personal. While your optician may provide great advice on your eye health, they might not be up to date on eyewear trends.
At EZContacts, you can browse a wide selection of blogs with expert style advice to help you choose the perfect pair for your personality, face shape, and fashion sense. There’s also the customer gallery, where you can browse styles and see how they look on real people.
For more specific advice on the technical aspects of your eyewear or any other questions, you can contact the dedicated U.S.-based customer service team.
TL;DR
While your optician may provide expert eye care advice, you can browse for eyewear online once you have your prescription.
- Some opticians may tell you that shopping for eyewear online is a bad idea. But where and how you shop depends on a few factors, such as your location, budget, and shopping preferences.
- While being in a store or at an optician’s lets you try on eyewear, EZContacts now offers a virtual try-on feature to compare styles.
- Opticians make a profit from selling eyewear (like any business). You may notice a markup because they have overheads such as rent and bills, which EZContacts, as an online retailer, doesn’t have.
- So you may find the same eyewear models online for less.
- Some opticians might warn you about getting scammed when shopping online for eyewear. But at trusted retailers like EZContacts, you can check thousands of customer reviews to see that’s not the case.
- There are also easy online returns and a dedicated U.S.-based customer service team to give you advice.
