You know that first answer from us is going to be obvious: Support local business, of course!
Now for the rest. First, we will address online contact lens orders.
- Is the online order entered in properly? There are no exchanges for customer error.
- Your optometrist has connections through their vendors, and in turn they can offer rebates for almost every brand that they carry -- some up to $100!
- If your insurance does cover a portion of your contact lens fitting exam and/or lenses, you cannot use that benefit toward online purchases.
About purchasing glasses online:
- You need an accurate PD (Papillary Distance) measurement, down to the millimeter.
- Even if you have the correct PD, there could be lab errors. Then you have to send your order back and wait.
- Accurate order entry of your prescription takes your time and energy. Refunds or exchanges are only offered for lab errors -- not for customer errors.
- Speaking of time, energy, (and money), our labs have spent all of that developing the most accurate, high-tech add-ons for your lenses. They back up their product. Will an online lab do the same?
- Online eyewear shipping takes an average of 14 days. We are usually able to dispense your order in far less time.
- Online eyewear can be misrepresented in color, shape, and quality. Will you like the fit and finish of your glasses? Temple length? Bridge? Will the lenses sit properly, especially if you wear a bifocal or progressive lens? If not, expect some mailing back and forth until you are satisfied.
- Adjustment: most frames initially need a little squeeze or loosening, a little tweak here, a little there, and sometimes again in the future. Your computer isn't willing to do that for you when you buy online.
- Is your online payment secure?
- Finally, it's all about the human experience. We have professional opticians to measure and fit the technical piece of your lenses, and who will offer you assistance in selecting the right frame for your face structure. There is nothing harder for an optician to witness than a poor fitting pair of glasses, so they will work hard to make you happy with your decision. Glasses are part of your daily "outfit," and we want you to feel good about what you are wearing to complement your accurate vision. A good pair of glasses will cost some money, but they are something that most of us depend on using every single day. We depend on our cars most every day too, and we pay a lot more for those!
Clearly, these frames are wrong for him. We would not have recommended that he purchase these. Well... unless he insisted!
We don't just want to sell you a great pair of glasses or contacts. We want our patients to have a complete eye care experience at our practice, answering all of your questions from the exam to the retail purchase. While good, cool, functional eyewear is important, we also want our patients to have healthy eyes and correct vision no matter where you decide to buy your eyewear.
