MeGustaSuVino

Thanks for this AmA! This is great because I only started wearing glasses a few months ago and still feel very uninformed.

The first place I went to after my appointment was the eyeglasses shop attached to my optometrists office, the cheapest frames I saw there started around $250. The clerk there gave me the impression all of the frames on the floor were the physical frames you would purchase and not demo frames, and once a pair of frames is sold it was unlikely for them to get those same frames back on the shelf (is this true or just a marketing approach to make the customer feel like they are getting a more individualized, unique pair of glasses than they would at a cheaper shop? Or was all of this just an attempt to make a quick sale?).

Was my experience an accurate representation of shops? Do they have trouble replacing the same frame once it's sold? Are most shops just selling their floor models or are the floor models just for trying on?

I initially had not considered shopping online because I assumed online optical retailers were more interested in undercutting to provide cheap eyewear (in cost and quality). After doing some research and talking to some coworkers, I ended up taking the plunge and ordering from Warby Parker. I got my pair of glasses for $130 before shipping, which made me happy because it was well within my price range and for every pair purchased, they donate a pair of glasses to someone in need. I think I am extremely happy with them, but like I said earlier, I have no other experience purchasing glasses to compare them to.

What are your thoughts on online retailers like Warby Parker?

I'm surprised that you said a high astigmatism is -1.00, is that the cylinder of the eye? My cylinder value is -.75 and the site I got my glasses from says they can't fill above -4.00, I assumed that was high. https://www.warbyparker.com/help (2/3rds of the way down)