Frames Direct vs. 39DollarGlasses
Benefits
Frames Direct is a one-stop shop for everything eyewear-related. From a variety of contact lens options to hundreds of designer glasses on offer, you’re truly spoilt for choice. The customer service team is made up of qualified opticians and always on hand to help. Also, for every pair of eyeglasses bought, the company will donate a pair to someone who needs them.
39DollarGlasses offer stylish yet affordable frames for men, women and kids. Starting at $39, they’re currently one of the cheapest online eyewear retailers around. All their glasses are crafted in the USA, which means your order will be delivered quickly if you’re US-based, and they have a 100% worry-free guarantee.
Drawbacks
The site has a very basic Face Shape Guide and Glasses Size Guide. There’s no way of telling whether your chosen pair of specs will suit you until they arrive at your doorstep and you’ve tried them on. Plus the Frames Direct standard shipping times can vary depending on what you’ve ordered and where you’re located.
The company have an extensive FAQs section of their site where they discuss how to choose your frames and measure your Pupillary Distance, but it would help if these resources are a little more interactive. They do supposedly have an ExactFit try-on feature, but this is nowhere to be found. Plus, if you want a full refund for whatever reason, you have to cover the shipping costs.
Our Verdict
Frames Direct offer an abundance of fashion-forward designer brands at incredible discounted prices. You can tell that they’re part of a company that has been in the business for a long time and know what they’re doing, just by how informative and extensive their website is. There’s no doubt about it: Frames Direct is an eyewear innovator.
39DollarGlasses provide fashion-forward, designer-inspired glasses at a fraction of the price. They have a wide range of styles currently available on the site in different colours and designs for all the family. They also offer free domestic shipping, which is a great bonus, with international shipping costing only $12.95. However, it’s a shame that their “Help” section isn’t more interactive, and their ExactFit try-on virtual resource isn’t visible on the site. In addition, having their customers cover the shipping costs to receive a full refund doesn’t seem very fair.