We all want a good deal. When my old glasses broke, I decided to find a truly great deal and buy cheap prescription glasses online. I thought I was smart. I was wrong.
Over the last year and a half, I bought three pairs of "bargain" glasses. Each one failed fast. The lenses were bad. The frames snapped. I spent $150 on glasses that ended up in the trash. Plus, I wasted countless hours emailing customer service that never replied. That money could have bought one amazing pair.
Here is what I learned the hard way. Do not repeat my mistakes.
When you see a pair of frames for $15, you think you found a steal. You didn't. You bought a huge problem. Super cheap frames are made of thin plastic or weak metal alloys. They are not built to last.
My first cheap pair lasted exactly two months. The small screw holding the arm in place kept falling out. I tried tightening it, but the metal had stripped. The frame itself snapped near the nose bridge while I was cleaning the lenses.
I learned that cheap frames always mean cheap materials. If they do not list the frame material clearly, assume it is junk that will break.
Action Step: Check the hinges first. If they look thin or plastic, walk away. Look for sturdy materials like quality acetate or stainless steel, not just basic plastic.
The pictures online look perfect. The model has a great face and the glasses look stylish and correctly sized. When my second pair arrived, they were tiny. They squeezed my temples and looked ridiculous.
I realized that most sites selling super cheap glasses fake their size data. They give you vague measurements. They do not help you confirm your Pupil Distance (PD). If your PD is wrong, the lenses feel wrong, even if your prescription is correct.
One low-star review I saw later confirmed my issue: "The PD was totally off. I tried to save $50, but I got constant headaches. The company would not fix it."
To avoid this pain, you must become a measuring expert yourself. You cannot trust the photo.
Action Step: