Since most vision insurance providers offer prescription eyewear at little to no additional costs, it may be more expensive to buy your glasses from stores like Zenni. This is not to say that Zenni has pricey wear; on the contrary, they have some of the most affordable frames on the market.
If the deductible on your insurance is high, and there are many costs to copay with your insurer for a new pair of glasses, then glasses from Zenni are a cheaper option. In summary, it all depends on your insurance coverage.
What Is Zenni?
You may have heard of the popular eyewear store Zenni Optical before now, but who is Zenni? Zenni is an online retailer for prescription eyewear and sunglasses. The company takes pride in running its store online; they believe this is the major reason they have been able to keep their costs low.
Eliminating overhead costs such as rent and electricity and supplying goods directly to the customers has been Zenni’s business approach since its establishment in 2003.
Pros And Cons Of Purchasing Glasses From Zenni
There are a ton of benefits associated with buying glasses from Zenni, and we highlighted a few of them below:
Low Cost
Zenni has glasses going for as low as $6.95; that’s a better deal than most stores would offer. Besides that, they also offer a ton of discounts to help shave off costs from the pricier options.
Thanks to their business model, they can keep their costs low – running an online store and supplying goods directly to the consumer makes it possible.
Variety
Zenni boasts a wide variety of glasses for its customers to select from. Glasses are categorized in more than genders, but even in age ranges. They are making it easier to find glasses for your pre-teen daughter or son who is a toddler.
Customers have also attested to this fact about Zenni, that they can find something that suits their taste and for the right price.
Glasses available at Zenni range from sunglasses, no-frame lenses, progressives, bifocals, and sunglasses. All glasses come with anti-scratch protection and UV protection at no additional cost. The company also offers blue light protection, but this is an additional cost.
Easy To Use
Customers love Zenni’s platform for its convenience; they praise it for being easy to use and loaded with useful features.
These features include a ruler that allows you to measure the distance between your eyes and a virtual try-on that lets you see what the glasses look like before purchasing them. Everything is aimed at making your purchases worthwhile.
Convenient
There’s a saying that there is a disadvantage; Zenni is no exemption. While they have lots of things we love about them, there are some dislikes as well:
Doesn’t Accept Insurance
This may stab a number of you in the heart. Sadly, Zenni Optical does not accept insurance as a form of payment. However, it’s not all bad, as they can help you get reimbursement from your insurer by providing you with a receipt or invoice.
Long Delivery Time
Sadly, it can take as long as three weeks to have your glasses delivered from Zenni. Usually, it takes about two weeks. We should mention that the time you get your glasses is highly dependent on what type of shipping you selected.
Pros And Cons Of Purchasing Glasses With Eye Insurance
There are advantages associated with getting your glasses from your insurer; we discussed a few below:
Access To Assistance
To order your glasses online, you need to know your prescription, PD, and some other things. It would be easier to get assistance at a physical store; the attendants there would be happy to help.
No Wait Time
When you go to the store to buy glasses, you skip waiting for your good to be delivered. Instead, you pay for your choice and get them instantly.
However, some disadvantages come with shopping for glasses in-store:
More Cost
Shopping in-store is inherently more expensive than shopping online; this is usually caused by the cost of transporting yourself to the store.
Less Effective Comparison Dropping
Online shopping allows you to shop through hundreds of glasses within a short range of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do I Need To Order From Zenni?
To order glasses on Zenni, you’ll need your prescription and your pupillary distance. Your distance should be written in your prescription, but you can measure it yourself if it isn’t.
To measure your PD, follow the steps highlighted below:
1. Stand in front of a mirror and place a ruler against your brow line
2. Place the start of the ruler at the center of one pupil and measure the distance to the next pupil
How Can I Order From Zenni?
All Zenni orders are initiated and processed online. Start with filling in the necessary information, such as your pupillary distance, lens prescription, etc.
The next step is to customize your glasses to your taste by selecting colors, frames, and materials. There’s also a 3D try-on tool that allows you to see what the glasses look like on you before you make the final purchase.
Once you’ve done that, you can select any additional coating, such as anti-reflective or oil-resistant coating.
What Is Zenni’s Return Policy?
Zenni has a 30-day return policy on all purchases, meaning you can return all purchases within 30 days. However, you will not get a full refund. The refund comes in two forms, and each one excludes shipping. You can request a 50% refund or a 100% store credit.
You’d have to contact a customer care agent to authorize a return for you. Note that Zenni does not offer repair services.
How Do I Get My Zenni Order?
Zenni uses UPS, FedEx, and USPS to dispatch goods from its factory in China to customers worldwide. The company estimates a delivery time of 2-3 weeks, and customers have said it is accurate. And that the company was able to stick with this estimate most times despite the lockdown.
Conclusion
Shopping from Zenni for eyewear is cheaper than most vision insurer packages; the major disadvantage you’d face is the wait time. To make your experience flawless, try to have all the necessary information handy and prepare to wait a bit for your delivery.
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