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Warby Parker (or, Finding Broken Systems That Are Full of Money)

thinkhard-ly.com

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Re: Warby Parker (or, Finding Broken Systems That Are Full of Money)

#11

Post by simonsarris »

Huh that's funny. I just ordered 5 pairs from them to try on, they came yesterday. (http://imgur.com/a/ZRTKi if you're interested in offering an opinion)

I'm really impressed with the build of them. They feel a lot better than my zenni optical pair (which were only 30 dollars, not 95). Hopefully the lens quality is better too (mostly anti-glare I'm concerned about), but I'll have to wait and see.

Also, if you missed their april fools site, it is extremely adorable and well done: http://www.warbybarker.com/

Every pair of glasses has a dog modeling it, ie: http://www.warbybarker.com/sunwear/aldous/

Re: Warby Parker (or, Finding Broken Systems That Are Full of Money)

#12

Post by dhastings »

pbreit wrote: post #9
streptomycin wrote: post #5

I've been using Zenni Optical, which I guess is disrupting the broken system of Warby Parker by undercutting their prices by yet another factor of 5, just like Warby Parker did to brick and mortar stores.

How is the product quality? Those are pretty low prices. I'm not sure it's a great comparison as WP is delivering on several other levels beyond price. The Zenni buying experience is decidedly inferior.

I've bought three pairs of glasses from Zenni. The arm snapped off of my last pair. After that I bought two pair. At $30 each shipped, it's still worth it. The current pair I wear are comfortable and fairly strong (they withstand the beating my twin daughters give them).

The issue with Zenni (and others where the lenses are produced outside the country) is they don't have the stringent quality control standards for lenses you find in the US, Canada and Europe.

If you have a fairly common and simple prescription, go for it. If you need progressives or bifocals, you should probably avoid buying online.

Re: Warby Parker (or, Finding Broken Systems That Are Full of Money)

#13

Post by creamyhorror »

streptomycin wrote: post #5

I've been using Zenni Optical, which I guess is disrupting the broken system of Warby Parker by undercutting their prices by yet another factor of 5, just like Warby Parker did to brick and mortar stores.

I think Zenni and other discount etailers have been around much longer than WB has. I was browsing their sites in '06 or so, and the prices were low as mentioned. I guess WB took the game to a new level with much more intense marketing and branding, aided by the use of snazzy design and curated (ugh) glasses styles.

Nowadays lots of people know about WB but not about Zenni and the other mass-market retailers, which speaks to the success of WB's marketing efforts.

Re: Warby Parker (or, Finding Broken Systems That Are Full of Money)

#15

Post by dsr_ »

pbreit wrote: post #9
streptomycin wrote: post #5

I've been using Zenni Optical, which I guess is disrupting the broken system of Warby Parker by undercutting their prices by yet another factor of 5, just like Warby Parker did to brick and mortar stores.

How is the product quality? Those are pretty low prices. I'm not sure it's a great comparison as WP is delivering on several other levels beyond price. The Zenni buying experience is decidedly inferior.

Product quality for Zenni, Goggles4U, and similar have all been excellent for me. I have titanium-flex half-rim glasses that look an awful lot like a pair one of my salescritters wears. Mine cost under $40. His... didn't.

If you have a normal range of eye correction and your face isn't too oddly shaped, I highly recommend these stores.

Re: Warby Parker (or, Finding Broken Systems That Are Full of Money)

#18

Post by dangrossman »

keithpeter wrote: post #16

Who does the eye tests in the US? In UK eye tests are often done through local opticians. Disclaimer: not using specs at present but probably will be soon, I'm having to hold the books with small print further and further away...

You can go directly to an optometrist's own office, and they'll usually have a selection of frames they can sell you, or you can just get the prescription and take it to another store. Chain stores like Lenscrafters have office space for an optometrist in the back of each building which they lease to one or more doctors; they don't work directly for the store, but they work at the store and the store books appointments with them for its customers.

Re: Warby Parker (or, Finding Broken Systems That Are Full of Money)

#20

Post by blacksmith_tb »

dhastings wrote: post #12
pbreit wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How is the product quality? Those are pretty low prices. I'm not sure it's a great comparison as WP is delivering on several other levels beyond price. The Zenni buying experience is decidedly inferior.

I've bought three pairs of glasses from Zenni. The arm snapped off of my last pair. After that I bought two pair. At $30 each shipped, it's still worth it. The current pair I wear are comfortable and fairly strong (they withstand the beating my twin daughters give them). The issue with Zenni (and others where the lenses are produced outside the country) is they don't have the stringent quality control standards for l…

I agree, and I generally get a couple of pairs from Zenni whenever I order for that reason (my toddler and my cat both like to knock the glasses off my face for a laugh). I haven't noticed that the quality of Zenni's lenses is worse than, say, Lenscrafters or any of the other "1-hour" shops here in the US. I like the try before you buy idea of WP, but they really don't have a lot of options (dig the monocle, though).
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