The Netflix of Prescription Glasses: My Warby Parker Adventure

When I first heard about Warby Parker, I couldn’t help but be intrigued. They claimed to be the Netflix of prescription glasses, and that definitely caught my attention. So, I decided to give them a try and see if they lived up to the hype. Here’s my personal review of my Warby Parker adventure.

First things first, I have to say that the concept behind Warby Parker is pretty revolutionary. Just like Netflix, they offer a wide range of options that you can browse through from the comfort of your own home. Gone are the days of heading to a physical store and trying on dozens of frames just to find the perfect one. With Warby Parker, everything is brought to you through their simple and user-friendly website.

The process is straightforward. You start by taking their quiz, which asks you a series of questions to help narrow down the selection based on your personal style and preferences. It’s like having your very own personal stylist, but for glasses! I found the quiz to be quite accurate in understanding my taste and needs.

One thing that impressed me was the virtual try-on feature. You can upload a picture of yourself and virtually “try on” different frames to see how they would look on you. It was almost like being in a real store, but without the hassle of traveling or dealing with pushy salespeople. Plus, you can show the options to your friends and family to get their opinions, making it a fun and collaborative experience.

Once you’ve made your selections, Warby Parker sends you five frames to try on at home for free. This was a game-changer for me. I always felt rushed when trying on glasses in a store, but with Warby Parker, I had the luxury of taking my time and really getting a feel for each frame. It was like having a personal fitting session in the comfort of my own space.

Now, let’s talk about the quality of the glasses. I was pleasantly surprised by the craftsmanship and attention to detail. Each frame felt sturdy and well-made, and the lenses were crystal clear. The fact that all their glasses are designed in-house and made from high-quality materials is evident in their product.

Another aspect that sets Warby Parker apart is their commitment to giving back. For every pair of glasses sold, they donate a pair to someone in need. I truly appreciate companies that prioritize social responsibility, and Warby Parker definitely earns brownie points in that department.

And finally, let’s not forget about the price. Warby Parker offers prescription glasses at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional retailers. Their direct-to-consumer model allows them to cut out the middleman and pass the savings onto the customers. It’s a win-win situation.

In conclusion, my Warby Parker adventure exceeded my expectations. The convenience, variety, and quality of their glasses, combined with their commitment to social responsibility, make them a force to be reckoned with in the eyewear industry. If you’re in the market for new prescription glasses, I highly recommend giving Warby Parker a try. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!

Once I had entered all my information, I bought two pairs of prescription glasses: the Clement eyeglasses and the Felton sunglasses. While the company offers several options starting at $95, the Clement cost me $145 and the Felton was $150.

A couple of days later, I received my glasses and eagerly opened the packages to try them on. My old glasses, which were eight years old, had become scratched, and I was excited to wear glasses with clear, fresh lenses. However, something was off. If you regularly wear prescription glasses, you know the feeling when you try on a pair that just doesn’t have the right prescription. Everything seems sharper compared to not wearing glasses, but there’s a strange, barely noticeable flaw that leads to eye strain, headaches, and even nausea.

My “new” prescription was only slightly different from my old one. I couldn’t figure out if Warby Parker had made a mistake while making the glasses, if I had entered the prescription information incorrectly when ordering, or if the original prescription was inaccurate. So, I went back to my doctor to find out. After examining both my old and new glasses, the doctor discovered that the initial scan of my old glasses had produced incorrect prescription information due to some irregularity in the old lenses. The glasses made by Warby Parker were made to the right specifications, but those specifications were wrong.

I Can See Clearly Now

Now armed with the correct prescription, I returned home and hesitantly called Warby Parker to ask about returning the glasses and updating the prescription. When I dialed their number, it only rang twice before a friendly woman’s voice on the other end said, “Thanks for calling Warby Parker, this is [I forget her name so I’ll call her Alice] Alice. How can I assist you?” Just like in that Chase credit card commercial, I was slightly shocked and couldn’t respond right away. I had expected to go through automated systems before speaking to an actual person.

Once I gathered my thoughts, I explained the prescription mix-up to Alice. She immediately apologized for the inconvenience, assured me that everything would be taken care of, and asked me to email her my new prescription information. A few days later, my new glasses arrived, and I received pre-paid return labels via email for the first pairs with the incorrect prescription. It was an incredibly easy process, one that is extremely rare in today’s business environment of cutting corners and disregarding customer satisfaction.

I’m happy to say that my new pairs of glasses fit perfectly and I’ve been enjoying their new style and scratch-free lenses for about a week now. Each pair I ordered came well-packaged with a carrying case and lens cloth. The quality of the glasses is really good and matches that of store-bought glasses I’ve had in the past.

The Comparison

But how does Warby Parker compare to a traditional eyeglass store? I wanted to find that out for myself. When I went back to my doctor to fix the prescription issue, I decided that I wanted a second pair of glasses. I wear them all the time and since I hadn’t gotten any new glasses in 8 years, I thought it would be nice to have an extra pair (one that I could keep in the car or at the office, for example).

So, I went to the eyeglass store connected to my doctor’s office and picked out a nice pair. After adding the option for anti-reflective lenses (something Warby Parker includes as standard), the total cost came to around $250. However, since this wasn’t LensCrafters, I had to wait about a week for the glasses to be ready. Interestingly enough, the store called me to let me know they were ready on the same day that UPS delivered my replacement pairs from Warby Parker. So, at least in my case, there was no time advantage to going to the store compared to ordering online.

The store-bought glasses are definitely nice, but it’s possible that they’re not worth the extra $100 compared to the Warby Parker pair. Another great thing about Warby Parker that I haven’t mentioned yet is their charitable mission to “do good.”

When you buy a pair of glasses from Warby Parker, you’re not just getting a stylish accessory. You’re also making a difference in someone’s life. That’s because, as one of our core values, for every pair of glasses sold, we donate a pair to someone in need through our “buy a pair, give a pair” program. So far, we’re proud to say that we’ve already donated over 500,000 glasses.

Now, let’s pause for a moment and think about the impact of that number. Over half a million people who can now see more clearly, who can now experience the world with sharper vision. It’s truly remarkable.

And that’s why choosing to shop with Warby Parker is a no-brainer. Not only do you get high-quality glasses that make you look great, but you’re also helping someone in need see the world in a whole new way.

So, the next time you’re in the market for a new pair of glasses, remember the difference you can make. Remember that every purchase with Warby Parker is a small act of kindness, a step towards a more inclusive and equal society.

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