Zenni Optical causes Clark marital strife?! on clarkhoward.com

Clark's love of Zenni Optical -- the ultra-cheap online retailer of glasses -- recently caused a little marital discord between the penny-pincher and his wife.

When the couple's 9-year-old daughter Stephanie needed glasses, his wife Lane wanted to go to Costco. Clark nearly had a coronary as he looked at the frames Stephi liked -- they were $80! He quickly suggested Zenni, prompting Lane to blow her top and tell him not to be so cheap. (Editor's note: That's the clean version of her diatribe!)

So they reached a compromise: Stephi got the Costco frames, but also got a spare pair from Zenni for $19. It turns out that she likes the Zenni frames better than the Costco ones!

Listeners, however, haven't always embraced Zenni. The company grinds their glasses in communist China, starting at $8/pair with shipping costs of $4.95. Some listeners have been particularly upset that there's been no service after the sale. Zenni is all about the price -- not the customer service.

What others are saying

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Listeners, however, haven't always embraced Zenni. The company grinds their glasses in communist China, starting at $8/pair with shipping costs of $4.95. Some listeners havdfhs
By saying @ 10/12/09 03:54:13 AMreport abuse
Love my experience with Zenni
I ordered and received them in 15 days. The last pair I ordered in 12/07 are still working great. I generally get sturdy glasses to withstand falling asleep in. I don't have "nose piece" problems. Another thing I like...I can order whimsical colors and enjoy color coordinating with outfits. Sometimes I wear contact lenses and sometimes I wear cute glasses from Zenni.
By Brenda - Tx @ 08/21/09 07:22:22 PMreport abuse
Other Cheap Glasses
I've bought some great frames from Clearly Lenz, but their prices start at $30 something for prescription glasses. Shouldn't cause marital strife I would say.
By Jennifer @ 08/17/09 03:00:55 AMreport abuse
ZENNI Optical
I would have to give ZENNI a zero. Ordered my glasses, months go by..finally get them. There is an occular defect. I sent them back, months have gone by and no response.
I simply stated, fix em or send my ## back.
Clark, why dont you take another 'look' at this outfit. What I know is not good.
By Samuel Hay @ 08/10/09 10:16:01 PMreport abuse
DONT WASTE YOUR $$ ON ZENNI
This place is awful. The people are rude. The product is CRAP! The cheapest glasses I have ever seen. They all look like the $1.00 glasses..no joke! I sent mine back and after spending $20+ I received $4.00 refund, WTH? This place is a JOKE.
By Ruthie @ 06/19/09 04:37:46 PMreport abuse
I LOVE my Zenni's!
For the first time since I was in 8th grade, I've worn glasses... willingly... since I got these (May 8th). My eyes are probably thanking me for the break from contact lenses. Also, and for the first time EVER, my glasses haven't rubbed blisters on my nose nor my ears! I FINALLY have a comfortable pair of glasses! (incredible for someone with worse than -9.00 vision AND astigmatism).

Thank you Clark! I'm definitely happy!
By SnakeLady Greta @ 06/01/09 07:27:31 PMreport abuse
Cheap Glasses
You might think of these as disposable glasses if that helps. At the price you could throw out a half dozen pair and still come out cheaper than buying one pair locally in many cases.

Better still, they don't advertise this very clearly but you can (per their site) order a blank set of glasses and then tell them in the notes that they are "frame only" and you can get a replacement frame supplied with the tool to move over your old lenses if appropriate for HALF PRICE (they refund it back). You may not want to do this yourself with half-frames but it is possible to put those in yourself too (I have done it before) or pay someone locally a few bucks to change the lenses over.

Further, you can always order just plain glasses-- single vision (not progressives or sun glasses, and uncoated) for dirt cheap and in the same frame as before and just move over the frames, so you could replace frames on your $80 progressive photochromatic sunglasses for as little as $8 to $20-someting depending on the frame cost (or half that with the first, no-lens option).
By John Doe @ 05/19/09 03:01:08 PMreport abuse
zenni optical
Zenni optical is difficult to reach on the phone (keep hitting redial until you get on the list of 10 people waiting) - I ordered my glasses on Jan 12 - I was told they were mailed on the 22nd - I called again and there was a problem with customs and a new pair was being shipped express mail. They arrived 48 hrs later (Feb 5) and are EXACTLY what I wanted - the bottom line is if you are not in a hurry it is a wonderful place for glasses.
By terry @ 02/07/09 09:41:02 AMreport abuse
Delays in orders
HI Everyone - Like you i was getting concerned about excessive delays, but GOOD news - they didnt go bust, just a major order got pulled by customs and created delays - i spoke to them yesterday and they are trying to catch up.
My second order - first order was great - cheap and lasted well.
By Mike Pitt @ 01/30/09 09:09:16 AMreport abuse
zenni optical
2 pair broke on nose piece after just 3 months. Luckily I just need to read.
By David Williams @ 11/13/08 01:00:27 PMreport abuse
2 pair broke at nose piece in 3 months
I bought a pair in Jan 08 then after 3 months broke on nose piece. So I ordered another in June 08 and this pair broke, titanium! If you depend on glasses this is not the place. Luckily I just use them to read.
By David Williams @ 11/13/08 12:58:32 PMreport abuse
NOT Funny
not funny, another FAIL marketing tactics.
By Naizer @ 11/07/08 12:58:15 PMreport abuse
FUNNY
This was a great little story. Things like this happen everyday in life but once the couple decided what to do about the situation it all worked out very well.
By Terry / Lifeiseasy @ 11/01/08 08:33:01 PMreport abuse

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Oct 15, 2008 -- Zenni Optical causes Clark marital strife?!

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