My optometrist was angry because I bought my glasses at walmart. Where should I buy my next pair?

Question

Lens Crafters? Pearl Vision? I just need a list of reliable/experienced/professional eyeglass makers (and any discount info if possible)

Answer 1

Did she or he tell you where to buy them? I can think of two possibilities.

One, she may have a kick-back scheme with a local maker. This is pretty common but usually the doctor will tell you where to get them. I had a physician who handed me a prescription and told me I could get it at a certain pharmacy nearby which I later found was partially owned by my doctor.

Or two, your optometrist may hate WalMart and think it is destroying America and the world. Again, this is pretty common and I encounter this all the time.
In either case, if you like the glasses you should ignore her. Unless she gives you a special price reduction for you agreeing to shop at a certain store you don't owe her anything.
If she won't let up, don't go back. You might even tell her why.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

My experiences with Wal Mart's vision center were not positive -- everything from them ordering the wrong special lenses to breaking the correct ones and then lying about it. And when I complained, the manager's attitude was, "Too bad, that's life."

I've gone to Lens Crafters since then and never had a problem. Your best bet is to wait for a special -- buy one pair, get the other pair half price (or free.) Once you're on their mailing list, you'll also get fliers with special discount coupons.

But your best bet might be to do a little research and go to a smaller vision center. For example, one doctor here in town offers free glasses to senior citizens and diabetics. Also, see if your insurance will pick up part of the cost if you've got a health condition that may cause your vision to change frequently.

All in all, though, I can still recommend Lens Crafters. They do a good job, there's a good selection of frames and packages, they're fast. . .and they stand by what they sell. If there's a problem down the line, they will do what they can to correct it.

Answer 4

Your optometrist was probably mad because you didn't use their partner company. Optometrists often are partnered up with a place that sells glasses and get part of the profit, by going to Wal-Mart your Dr. didn't get that profit. But it's your choice to buy glasses where you want, at a price that works for you. Often the places that Optometrists get profits from charge a lot. Buy your glasses wherever you want, and think about getting a new optometrist.

Answer 5

As long as you make sure you get the correct prescription, get your glasses where ever it's cheapest. Lens crafters usually has pretty good prices, but I would suggest just looking around/ price shopping the next time you need to buy glasses. Again, there's nothing wrong with going to Walmart for your glasses -- as long as you are sure that you are getting the right prescription!

Answer 6

If you have a BJ's wholesale near you that has an optical shop, you will save LOADS on designer frames, AND specialty prescription lenses, i.e.tri focals. What you spend on the annual membership you will save two or three fold on your glasses, not to mention other purchases you might make over the year. Your optometrist should be fired, and you should tell him why. Boneheads like that need to get with the program.

Answer 7

Why would he/she care that you bought them at Walmart? Just because it's less expensive than the other places doesn't mean it's defective. The eye glass shop there isn't even Walmart's; it's a doctor's independant store that happens tpo be located at Walmart. he/she should already know that. Maybe the doctor has other issues with the doctoe who runs the Walmart eye center. Other than that, I can't see any reason why those glasses would be any worse than any other glasses. Does he/she have eye glasses available at his own store? If he does, then maybe he just wants to coerce you into buying it from him.
Be careful. This protest seems fishy.

Answer 8

Never electronics at Walmart. Best Buy is not bad. I would look for an H.H. Gregg, you'll be happy. Yes, the quality is the same, but Walmart will not work with you if something goes wrong with the camera after 30 days. Best buy will and so will H.H. Gregg.

Answer 9

Lenscrafters is really great. But not if your on a budget, because it's really expensive. I just spent $500 on one pair of glasses there. Last time, I got my glasses from my optometrist, and got 2 pairs for $500.

Anyways, it's totally up to you where you purchase your glasses. Your optometrist will be upset no matter what unless you purchase them from him.

Answer 10

I buy mine from Zenni Optical at http://zennioptical.com/cart/home.php. They have complete glasses for as cheap as $9. Shipping is very reasonable. Glasses are nice and come with a hard case to keep them in. For only $4-5 extra they will even tint them for you. I have a pair of prescription sunglasses from them that I am very happy with. This is the cheapest place I have found. Good luck to you.