Well, there’s a lot of buzz on the internet about ZenniOptical, famous for their $8 eyeglasses.  If you’ve been a long-time reader here, you’ve seen me write about them a couple of times.  Part of the new-wave of discount eyeglasses, their prices start at $8 for a basic prescription, and go up from there. However, even their highest priced glasses are well below the cost of a pair from your local optician.

I just had my eyes re-examined a month or so ago, and they are pretty close to where they were two years ago.  However, I plan on ordering a couple of ‘back-up’ glasses from ZenniOptical.  I’d also like to get my husband’s eyes tested.  It’s been over 20 years since he last went to see an optometrist!!  I think he could use glasses, at least for driving.

In any case, you’ll run into good reviews of Zennis, and bad reviews.  Folks are either delighted or downright mad.  I figure it’s a worthwhile chance to take at only $8/pair when my last glasses cost $300.

Consumer advocate Clark Howard tested the glasses for himself in 2007.  There is a wide variety of consumer reviews left in the comments section of his show notes, so you can head on over there to see for yourself if you’re curious if the risk is worth it for your family or not.

And at $8/pair you can mix it up a bit.  I like some different looks in my glasses, I really love coloured frames.  My current pair are a deep metallic purple.  Something like this might be pretty too:

A past reader shared her experiences with Zenni glasses, saying she really enjoyed them.  Have you purchased?  Are you a happy consumer, or a disgruntled one?  There seems to be little middle ground on this one!