Today you can buy almost everything on the internet. Good quality prescription glasses is not an exclusion. There is no doubt that one of the reasons people shop online is that they are trying to save some money; And when it comes to prescription glasses, the savings are very significant.
Some online retailers are publicly criticising local street shops for huge mark ups and that is how they attract customers to their online stores. I completely disagree with such approach, there are always some pros and cons in every option you choose. It is also important to understand that a street shop will never be able to compete on price with an online store. The reasons are simple: First, the high overheads (rent, staff, other bills & expenses); Second, a local shop can only sell to the local market.
The advantage of buying at a real store though is their personalization of the service – Direct interaction between the shop assistant and the customer; Ability to try a new frame on before you buy it; And the convenience of getting your prescription and the glasses on the same spot.
When you shop for your glasses online however, you should have obtained your prescription in advance from your local optometrist. Remember that your eyeglasses prescription is only valid for two years, after this period you should check your vision again and obtain new prescription. The main concern people have when they buy their glasses online is the size of the frame and how it will fit/suit their face. There are some solutions to this issue already, like virtual try on system where you can upload your photo on to the website and then drag the image of a selected frame over it to see how it will look on your face. The simplest method is to know your current frame measurement (usually written on the frame) so you can order your new frame with the same dimensions.
Some online optical stores are offering a complete money refund policy. So if you do not like(for any reason) the frame you have purchased, they will refund you 100% of the amount you have paid, and the only thing you lose is time you spent on ordering. One of the stores that offers prescription glasses online in Australia with 30 day money back guarantee is Glasses Point.
Many customers are concerned about the private health insurance refunds, when they buy their glasses online. There is nothing to worry about. Most of the online optical stores are registered providers with major health funds. However it is always better to double check with your health insurance company if they will accept a claim from a particular store.
In conclusion, I have to say that the current highly competitive market, in nearly every industry you can think of, is very beneficial for consumers. More competition means more choice, more options and ability to save some money. So keep your eyes open and you can get the best deal possible for anything you buy, and of course that includes your prescription glasses. Thank you for taking your time to read this article. We hope that it has answered some of the questions you may have had about buying new glasses online.