Gothamist: Glasses on the Cheap

dealfinder

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 13:25:56 -0500

This is a late post, but Cohen's is having an amazing deal right now - If you purchase a frame and lenses worth more than $200, you get $100 off AND a completely free pair. I just got two nice pairs of prescription for a total of $140. Make sure to bring the coupon that's on their website

Mr MIcheal Dunock

Thu, 03 Nov 2005 12:33:08 -0500

We need 3000 pcs opticals frames.

joe gatti

Wed, 12 Oct 2005 23:07:15 -0500

Politician for sale: Gerald Esposito - Brooklyn's CB1 District Manager

htb

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 15:01:15 -0500

Lenscrafters is terribly overpriced -- the only reason to ever go there is if you break your only pair of glasses and need a new pair "in about an hour."

christine

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 13:51:08 -0500

I'm really proud of my eyeglasses scam: I don't need a very strong prescription, to so I got a pair of "vanity" frames with clear lenses for $8 at the Sock Man on St. Mark's and took them to an optician in morningside heights to get my prescription lenses put in them. I had to take the risk that it might not work and I'd be out $32, the cost of my lenses, but it worked fine. If you don't need thick lenses and don't mind a bit of risk, just buy some frames at a place like that.

robin.g

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 10:01:10 -0500

eyeglass.com has frames as low as $40. -rg

sunny

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 09:35:20 -0500

i've too been on the hunt for cheap frames (i second the recommendations for going to an optometry school for lenses) and came up with the following: White Cat Vision - 1475 2nd Av. (77th St.), 212-472-3030 "If you want to go to a place that specializes in eyewear then head over to White Cat Vision. This trio of discount eye shops offer a wide selection of glasses for $30. Designers include Gucci, Norma Kamali, Alain Mikli and others." White Cat Vision - 1475 2nd Av. (77th St.), 212-472-3030 Also, "supposed discounts on glasses, decent selection", but a recent visit sort of countered the 'decent selection' claim... Chelsee Eyes 20 W. 20th St., Suite 804 (Chelsea) near Fifth Ave. 212-242-4823

k

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 09:12:57 -0500

costco - its true. i wouldn't count on a stylish selection of frames there, but if you purchase frames elsewhere and bring them in they will put in the lenses for you at a very affordable rate. depending on what you need in a lens of course, but mine were definitely under $100. you do have to pay the usual $40 membership fee, but this will also enable you to get comically sized tubs of butter and boxes of trash bags for the remainder of the year.

Mister Magoo

Tue, 14 Jun 2005 08:55:59 -0500

Does anyone know where ya can get a deal on progressives? Varilux lenses run nearly $500. I could use a break.

cheap girl

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 22:52:26 -0500

Watch for coupons-- I'm a cheap little Midwestern-raised coupon clipper living in the city, and they save you some bucks. Cohens has them once in a while, and theirs are the best in my opinion-- no catches or hidden minimums-- just $75 bucks or so off. That said, it'll still cost $150 for a good looking pair and new lenses.

lila cabir

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 21:22:15 -0500

I don't know how reputable these sites are but check out this forum post I found Cheap Prescription Glasses Thread (as low as $19) Some people who have used them reply in that thread.

Erin

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 16:53:42 -0500

Beware of the contacts, though. My contacts prescription is pricey. I actually recently switched to wearing glasses full time because I couldn't swing the cost of the exam and two boxes of lenses (one for each eye, different prescription).

anna

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 16:11:37 -0500

I had a pretty good experience for glasses at the Cohens Fashion Optical on 86th and 3rd, the frames look pretty stylish (in my opinion) and the doctor was good. Exam and glasses for $99. I did their contact lenses deal too, but that backfired. You get an exam and 6 pairs for $99, but you can only buy your contact lenses from them afterwards! Because contact prescriptions are brand-specific, Cohens gives you the deal on their house brand, and then jacks up the price when you refill your Rx. Pay the money for a regular exam and you can do 800-Contacts from there on, it's cheaper.

J

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 16:06:47 -0500

Chinatown-Try canal street vision center @ 6 1/2 Elizabeth street. Good customer service, nice, fast, decent assortment of designer frames and CHEAP.

Karen

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 15:32:51 -0500

I second Ellen's recommendation--the SUNY College of Optometry on 42nd St. This is a large teaching facility and all the work is double-checked by the optometry professors. Although the prices aren't dirt cheap, they are extremely competitive for the quality of work you'd receive. (If you call, I'm sure they could give you a price quote.) I have had negative experiences at the large chains, i.e. Cohens Fashion Optical and Lenscrafters. These individual stores can vary considerably in their diagnostic ability. However, these places are okay if you're mainly interested in designer frames.

Leah

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 15:09:45 -0500

Fabulous Fanny's - yes! I think its on 8th, though, between 1st and 2nd. I just got a pair of frames there for $100 and they are amazing. For cheap lenses, go to Optical 88 on Mott and Hester. I just got 4 sets of lenses for $260 total and it only took two days.

JC

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 15:09:24 -0500

I second Jose's Fabulous Fanny's recommendation. Affordable and tres chic. And the guys who work there are so nice and helpful. Viva la vintage!

brooke

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 15:08:53 -0500

If you can get yourself to a Costco, my mother swears by them. Says they are very well priced and high quality and always offering discounts.

Jose

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 14:39:53 -0500

Check out Fabulous Fanny's on 9th Street btwn 1st and 2nd Avenues for affordable vintage and antique frames. For affordable lenses go to East Side Vision on 10th Street and 1st Avenue. The doctor there makes deals.

Lydia

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 14:38:00 -0500

Beware For Eyes! If you've got a bad prescription (I'm a 7/7.5) they may encourage you to pay more money for thinner lenses because otherwise you'll end up with really thick lenses which can't even fit into two-thirds of the frames that are eligible for the deal.

marcus

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 14:33:55 -0500

39dollarglasses.com is great...

rikomatic

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 14:33:01 -0500

I have always had good experiences buying glasses in Chinatown on Mott Street. There are a couple of eyeglass purveyors that have all the chic-est frames, onsite examinations for $10, and fast service. I broke my glasses on Thursday night and had a new pair in a couple of hours on Friday morning. Rates depend on how bad your prescription is and how upmarket you want your frames to be. You could get away with $150 for frames and lenses if you aren't too picky.

Ellen

Mon, 13 Jun 2005 14:00:11 -0500

Try SUNY College of Optometry on 42nd Street.