I used to take online ads at face value, believing I could get high-quality glasses for next to nothing. I thought I was being savvy by saving money. I couldn't have been more mistaken.
I ended up wasting hundreds of dollars and weeks of my time, only to receive glasses that gave me blurry vision and terrible headaches. Companies selling budget progressive reader sunglasses are masters of deception. They hide the true costs and make promises about speed they have no intention of keeping. Let me set the record straight. Here’s what they won’t tell you:
Countless online retailers boast about incredibly fast production and shipping times. You’ll see bold claims like "Made in 6 days!" or "Ships within one week." This is among the most common falsehoods in the eyewear business.
The truth is, a large portion of these products are manufactured overseas. They require production lead time, quality control (if you're fortunate), and lengthy international shipping. That promised six-day timeline can easily stretch to six weeks or longer.
Here’s what disappointed buyers say:
These sellers know you need your glasses soon. They use unrealistic promises to get you to click 'buy now,' leaving you in a perpetual waiting game.
Verdict: Always assume custom glasses will take three to five weeks to arrive, no matter what the advertisement claims. If you need them for a specific event or trip, place your order at least two months in advance.
You spot an enticing ad: "Glasses from $95!" Feeling excited, you click on a frame you like, and it shows $95. Then you begin customizing the lenses. That's when the real cost reveals itself.
The rock-bottom price almost always applies only to the frame or the most basic single-vision lens option. Progressive lenses—which allow you to see clearly at distance, intermediate, and near ranges—are expensive to manufacture correctly. The price skyrockets as soon as you select them.
Here’s the hidden charge truth:
That's a $200 increase for the lenses alone. This often doesn't include essential add-ons like anti-scratch coating, UV protection, or the tinting required to turn them into proper progressive reader sunglasses.
Action Step: Always configure your complete order—including progressive lenses and all necessary coatings—before checking the final price. Never trust the headline price. You must see the total in your cart.