i have no idea why people like this Zenni optical so much!
the website is so un nice, and there is NO costumer service! its really interesting for me why do people full to the game of such blogger!
anyways, if you agree with me, just try once WWW.EYEBUYDIRECT.COM its waaaay better! same prices, more frames, and you have great costumer service...

There are probably better companies than Zenni Optical out there. They have over a month lag time on shipping and they are very lax on customer service. I am still not sure if they made my glasses wrong after a month. They are still on the way to China. I ordered from googles4u and seeing how that will work. Zenni Optical is not as good as it sounds and Clark should put up alternative sites.

....I had great luck with zenni..bought 5 spare pairs at $8...but....if my order did not come to me in 60 days..I would stop or put a hold on my credit card.....I take no chances....

May 2009: It took 4 weeks to receive my eyeglass purchase. Eyeglass profile: Prescription sunglasses, bifocal. My order was PERFECT and the price was grand! $45. I'm ordering a few more; one for each room!

Placed order mid May and received 4 out of 5 pairs today, a 3 week wait. I am currently waiting for the 5th pair to show up (obvious that 5 pairs wouldn't fit into their shipping envelope). These were children's glasses for my 10yo son. They emailed me on May 29th that my glasses were in transit and gave me 2 USPS tracking numbers to check the progress. I don't think these frames are quite as high quality as ones we have purchased from the optician. But at this price who cares! I am extremely happy with them and wow, what a bargain they were.

Zenni Optical promises 2 week delivery. I checked in after a week and after 2 weeks and both times I was given the same info "your glasses will be shipped from our lab to our office, then we will ship them to you and you should receive them in 2 weeks." That got confusing once I hit the 2.5 week mark after my initial order. Hadn't it already been 2 weeks?

I called and was told on the 22nd that my order had NOT YET been shipped from the lab, but would be soon. Like the other commenter, I magically received an e-mail timestamped the 23rd, dated the 22nd that said my glasses had been shipped from the lab on the 21st! That directly contradicted the person on the phone.

I hope the dates are just mixed up, but the contradictions are beginning to thoroughly worry me. That doesn't even begin to cover whether my shipment will ever arrive and the quality of the glasses at that point.

Not sure the stress is worth the discount.

I have now bought two pairs of eyeglasses from Zennioptical.com and am now thinking about ordering more. The prescription in the lenses is super! The first pair broke in the temple, but easily repaired them myself with a roll pin and some epoxy glue. I like the styles and prices - I will put up with the three week delivery and reduced customer service for a nice pair of $25 glasses. You must know how to input the Rx or the lenses and pupillary distance - maybe not easy for everyone. For the DIY kind of person - actually kind of fun.

Kept my fingers crossed after some of the comments here, but given the ridiculous price for the kind of eyeglasses I was seeking, I decided to take a chance with an online purchase. My last pair of eyeglasses cost nearly $450 even at Walmart!! (hi-refractive index [thin] lenses, progressive, photochromic, titanium frame). Looked though many internet sites, Zenni had best price, and I ws prepared to wait 4- 8 weeks, given the comments here. Glasses were ordered late March 09, arrived exactly 4 weeks later, and including 2 pairs of clip-on sunglasses which I added to the order, cost less than $100!! They are dead-accurate in terms of prescription, and the frame materials are much better quality than those of the $450 Walmart pair I bought a few yrs ago. Zenni even caught, and politely informed me of, an error I made in recording the prescription I sent them.

The only thing I would recommend to those with myopia -5.00 or worse, is that you consider their high-index refractive index limit of 1.57 for any progressive lenses they sell. This is thicker than the pair I got at Walmart, though still looks fine for me. My wife is looking at different venders, hopes to purchase progressive lenses with RI 1.61 or 1.67 (For single vision corrections, Zenni does offer higher index lenses of 1.61 and 1.67).

All in all, I am very satisfied with my glasses, had a great experience with Zenni.

PS- Make sure you are meticulous about measuring your currrent frames, pupillary distance, etc. I spent many hours getting it just right (after researching how to do it at various websites), and the results came out great- perfect fit, perfect vision, even with progressive lenses, which are particularly sensitive to errors in frame fit/alignment, pupillary distance measurement, etc.

Thanks Clark!!

Alhtough it is admirable that Clark Howard gives savings advise it should also be his responsibility to list the potential problems...some serious in nature. This is the case for the glasses he advocated perhaps to use as a second pair and that he has used them himself. Note that the fabrication of a spectacle correction should be a precise procedure taking into account the proper placement of bifocal segment heights (the lines). Improper placement of these segment heights can increase the risk of falling when an individual looking down at steps, curbs or rocky surfaces has the mutifocal line positioned so that the line is now in their direct line of sight. Vertical diplopia (objects viewed are separated into two objects vertically displaced)is a risk especially for the elderly who are already at greater risk for falls. A risk for individuals handling dangerous machinery capable of severing a finger or hand is also a real concern with misplacement of segments. Since this height properly positioned can only be done with the frame on an individual's face accurate positioning is severely limited when the fabricator has no such measurement that can be appropriately determined. A spectacle prescription written by a doctor without the frame available will have NO designated instruction for the segment height. Who will determine this Clark? Someone in China? Consumer beware also that a fabricated spectacle must be inspected for accuracy of the placement of the optical centers. Who will check out the accuracy? Misplaced optical centers may create sufficient undesirable prismatic error which may result in headaces or nausea while wearing the correction. Additionally, in this country we have ophthalmic lens safety guidelines (impact resistance)as well as guidelines for frame materials (flammability and toxicity)....has Clark determined if this overseas fabricator adheres to our country's standards for eyeglass safety? While watching his presentation today he only warned that some consumers had non existent customer services regarding their cheap frames and lenses. I can only hope that these comments will influence the producer and Clark to be responsible and thorough with warnings about what he suggests.

On 3/30/09, I ordered glasses at Zenni Optical, I'm still waiting for them. I have called abount 10 times, and got the voice mail. Leave a message, no one to help, and when you want to leave a message, the mail box is full. So after 10 emails! I'm still waiting for my glasses or someone to return my call. It wouldn't be so bad, if I had not broke my glasses and had to use a glue gun to keep them together.

They should say "order now get them in three months" or "what do you expect for 12 bucks".

Had no problem with getting my glasses. Takes a little time to get them but they did come and are working out just fine. I would order from them again for back up glasses. took about 4 wks to receive after ordering.

Ordered my glasses 3/6. On 3/30...No glasses. I called and got a recording that there are no reps available to take the call, but leave a message and they will return the call....except that the mailbox is full and you cant leave a message. I emailed them on 3/31 and got no response. I called them today 4/2 and
got the same no rep available recording.
I guess the old saying still holds... if it seems too good to be true, it usually
is!

I ordered two different styles of prescription glasses from them on December 24th, 2008..it's now March 3rd, 2009 and I still have not received my order. I called them several times towards the end of January and the month of February to check on the status of my order. The customer service rep was slightly rude and condescending. The last time I spoke with a rep, he told me my order had been seized by Customs and Zenni replaced it with a new set to be sent to me Express mail. It's been about 3 weeks and it never arrived. I've called them at the 800 # twice and both times, it went straight to voicemail. No callbacks. This company is a scam, a rip-off and I hope everyone involved there does time in prison for fraud!!!

I'm really loving all of the indignant comments from others who have had "bad" experiences with Zenni optical. These are eight to fifteen dollar glasses made in China people! For the love of sweet jesus, for what they are, they aren't bad. They're being shipped from halfway across the world! Of course they're going to take a while to reach you. Honestly, these things are LESS THAN TWENTY DOLLARS. They're GREAT for THAT PRICE. Get a grip! If waiting that long for EIGHT DOLLAR GLASSES is so appalling to you, next time go to a real optician.

I ordered single-vision sunglasses and like them now that they are finally here. It took six weeks from the middle of January to the end of February to arrive. In an email, they said something about the Chinese New Year causing delays. OK, if that is the truth, then why just not mention that on the Web site? I probably will order another pair or two, but I am not sure.

I ordered my glasses nearly 3 weeks ago and have not heard from Zenni yet. Their website claims most deliveries occur within 2 weeks. I have tried calling the number from my online Zenni receipt but I also keep getting a recording. Have we all been ripped off?

Is Zenni out of business? I ordered a pair of glasses on Dec 28 2008. After a month I tried to contact them on the 1 800 no. and it passes on to mail box and it was full. Tried the next week and the same thing. I called the direct line with area code and it says it is disconnected.
I have called my credit card co. and they have refunded my money.
Still looking on the internet for a good buty on a pair of glasses. Any ideas will be appreciated.

Ray Swinney

Like others here, I placed an order in early January and have received the same "stuck in customs" explanation of why they haven't arrived 3+ weeks after placing my order. I tried to call today to check up, but got put into voicemail then told voicemail was full and I couldn't leave a message. I suppose a customs issue is possible, but it seems a very tenuous business model if something out of their control could so easily throw a wrench in their business model.

this is the response that I recieved after emailing, faxing and calling numerous times today. I placed my order 12/23/08.

1.27.09

Re: Order 462027

Dear Mr. ######:

In fact, your glasses were produced and shipped from our overseas lab on the 30th of December. Since the Terrorism Act, shipments coming into and going out of the US may be held for random inspection by the government, at any time. The shipment in which your order is contained has been held for further inspection, and we expect release imminently.

Other than that, your frustrated attempts at contact are circumstantial. We are extremely busy with year end orders, holidays and flex spending accounts. We handle over 1000 calls a day at our service center, and if there are more than ten calls in the queue, at any time, the rollover puts you into voice mail, frequently full, but cleared daily. We apologize for the inconvenience.

The telephone number on the order confirmation copy is one we used prior to switching to T-1 lines, and reprogramming the website, to change the number, is not nearly as simple as one would think, unfortunately. It's a major programming task, not simply a matter of exchanging one set of ten numbers, for another.

We appreciate your patience, and hope that the glasses will ship shortly. When they leave our office, you will receive a tracking number by e.mail, and expect the glasses in 4-6 days subsequent to that time.

Thank you for your patience.

Zenni Optical Customer Service

i have ordered 5 pair of glasses from zenni. Happy customer for 6 yrs. no problems and good customer service.Best prices

My wife and I have used Zenni with great satisfaction until:

The last order was put in 2 months ago and has been charged to my account and not received. No one is answering the phones and their mailbox is full.....what's up doc?

I Love Zenni! Measure right. Put in the numbers right. If you do it right, no operator error on your part and you get a great pair of glasses for UNbelievable savings. Mine came in a few days. I have hingeless, rimless gold superlight frames and nice light featherweight lenses, UV, anti-glare, antiscratch coatings. They even came with a matching clip on set of sunglasses. All this for $39.95. My family and friends could not tell which pair was the original $400 Lens Crafters pair and which was the new cheap Zenni pair. I am SOLD on Zenni and am not going back.

I find this story somewhat puzzling, I first discovered Zenni on Clark's show, later updated to eyebuydirect.com as Zenni noted they are cheaper by a dime. That they are. Better selection too, nice websites, 100% refund policy, and virtual Imaging. As a matter of fact, the reason I am here today was to say thanks Clark, I just bought two AMAZING frames for $14.95!!

Slave Labor concerns aside, I can't believe, Clark would endorse a place that 40-50% of his listeners are complaining about.

Even the COMCAST has a higher aproval rating than these guys!!

I love Zenni optical and have purchased several pairs of glasses over the last several years; I would never return to the old expensive way. Their frames are every bit as fashionable and well made as anything you'd pay for at your local eyeglass places. I've compared them, and yes, my optometrist was very impressed with the quality of what I've purchased at Zenni. I'm hard on my glasses (I do a lot of yard work. Sorry to see so many negative experiences, I can only say give them a try and don't expect a miracle. They're great if you want to try a pair of sunglasses first and go from there (I left off the bifocal part as I knew I didn't need those measurements for the sunglasses, and it worked fine). My everyday frames are very feminine. I'm just thrilled with the whole package.

ZENNI folks are CROOKS, Clark how can I get even with them? I can't believe Clark is still using much less backing this jepjoint. I ordered glasses, they arrived and with the microscopic prescription I actually had to physically rotate my head left to use. I returned glasses for credit, they kept the returned glasses and NEVER issued a credit, what a bunch of crooks!!!! Everyone please STOP using this firm!

Zenni messed up my order. They said they could not do my prescription in a high index light weight lens. The funny thing is I was already wearing high index light weight lenses that the same prescription, so I know they were wrong. I had to cancel my order and buy them from goggles4u.com. goggles4u.com is better and less expensive.

I bought a pair of glasses with progressive lenses from Zenni and they were terrible. the presciprtion was way off and they started falling apart after two weeks. ended up tossing them and going to costco

I just placed my order with Zenni after much frustration. It kept getting refused, and I'm in very good standing with American Express, so there is no reason for the system to have rejected that form of payment. After four failed attempts, I didn't want to lose the whole shopping basket (again) so I paid w/ Visa and it went straight through. Has anyone paid with AmEx successfully, or also been rejected when trying that method?

My husband got his new glasses from Zenni and loves them! Says they are much better than the $300 plus pair he had last!! I plan on buying mine there now....hopefully will be as happy...oh yes, his are no line progressive lenses.

when my 11-year-old needed glasses and I saw the prices - even at Costco - I went to Zenni. I ordered seven pair for the two of us - and it came to $105 inc. shipping. The scripts are fine for single-vision lenses, we've had no problems. They are not the sturdiest - most have broken, been lost or bent - but that's also b/c both of us are careless w/ glasses - equally careless with the $100 pairs from Costco. Still, they lasted a year. Now she has a stronger script, and I'm ordering from Zenni again - we went retail and chose frames, and I ordered her one pair at Sears - $49 for kids' lenses, but the selection at Zenni is just as good.
We're about to order five more pair for her - so she'll always have a few around. So, Clark, Don't have a heart attack at the waste - kids lose glasses, and tweens love to change styles, and for $8-$20/pair, she can!
I tell everyone to buy from Zenni.

I took a chance and ordered glasses for me. I absolutely love them. I get compliments all the time on my glasses and have told many people obout Zenni. I now have also ordered my husband's glasses and he loves them too. I will order again from them anytime. I saved $150.00 plus by ordering thru Zenni.

The glasses are cheap because they are made with essentially slave labor. When China is free, I'll consider buying products from there. But when they have to pay a living wage, the glasses won't be so cheap will they?

...I have 13 spare pairs, at $8 each..they are great......my optomitrist was shocked at the high quality in the $8 spare pairs...she had never seen anything like this...she recommends ZENNI...this is at the VETERANS ADMINISTRATION.....but most people at ZENNI pay $70...that is their average purchase..all I wanted was spare pairs, over a 2 year period....I do not like the 700% markup eye docs rape their victims..er, customers....

I loved this story, it was hilarious and reminded me of my own situation with my wife and kids...usually over clothes however! My Daughter loves her Zenni's, actually like the process better because she got to (same as Stephi) sit down at my computer and choose her perfect frames. I had to adjust a bit to find ones where the measurements fit her face, but she loves them and all for 14.95!
Thanks for turning us on to Zenni, Clark!

I got a pair and love them. They are great - AND they're transitional bi-focal. Thank you Clark, for the info on this company.