Amazon alternative November 17, 2018, 09:43:26 am If you don't care for amazon or all looking for a competitor here is a link to the world's largest mail order web site. Upside - very inexpensive stuffDownside - you'll be waiting 20 or more days for the inexpensive stuffAliExpress
Re: Amazon alternative Reply #1 – November 17, 2018, 10:44:28 am AliExpress is Mandarin for Amazon. Usually the Chinese government pays the shipping charges which helps keep seller and buyer costs down. Returns are on your nickel.Joel
Re: Amazon alternative Reply #2 – November 17, 2018, 11:07:24 am My wife's best friend is trying to get this up and running. They donate a certain amount of profits to charity of your choice.ziggie 1 Likes
Re: Amazon alternative Reply #3 – November 17, 2018, 02:01:37 pm Their version of Prime shipping is to get the item at all - let alone in 2-3 weeks :-)I've bought there a few times. It's great for those items that you don't need in a hurry or won't use frequently, such as certain types of tools. It's like the Harbor Freight of Harbor Freight!I'v only not received something once on maybe 10 orders.Don't get me started on the inexpensive eyeglass places. DIY optometry, anyone?
Re: Amazon alternative Reply #4 – November 17, 2018, 03:11:58 pm "Don't get me started on the inexpensive eyeglass places."At risk of "getting you started" ... ;-) I've been buying glasses from Zenni Optical for almost ten years now, and have never had a complaint or problem. Large selection, very reasonable prices.I get "memory titanium" frames--almost unbreakable, with no plating to wear off--for $23.95 including lenses, plus a few bucks for shipping. I have my eyes examined locally, then input the prescriptions on Zenni's website. Glasses show up in a couple of weeks, with hard case and microfiber cleaning cloth. 1 Likes
Re: Amazon alternative Reply #5 – November 17, 2018, 03:27:11 pm No doubt about it - these eyeglass places are a great thing. When doing some of it though it is perilous. For instance, measuring IPD. I think the eye docs intentionally keep this off the scrip so that you have to rely on them for something. And things change. Then when I ordered contacts from another DIY place - deciding on which ones to get and which parameters to use without the benefit of an expert left me wondering if the risks justified the benefit. Another peril is the quality. One order I got was downright wrong and they tried to blame me.I like to get a professional set of glasses every couple years or so but the extras for camping or motorcycling, plus an extra sunglasses or two - is outstanding if you get the right set.All in - on several sets ordered from Zenni (the best overall thus far), Goggles4u and now Firmoo, I've probably paid less than one pair from a local optometrist. I suspect optometrists disapprove.
Re: Amazon alternative Reply #6 – November 17, 2018, 05:14:53 pm "For instance, measuring IPD. I think the eye docs intentionally keep this off the scrip so that you have to rely on them for something."Could be. I initially measured mine using calipers--just held them in front of my eyes, looked in a mirror and adjusted. Turned out I was correct within a millimeter. Zenni now sends out a little plastic template that you can use to measure interpupillary distance if your optometrist is unwilling.Bear in mind that IPD is different for distance vision glasses and reading or computer glasses (it's a few mm smaller for the latter). On one of my early orders, Zenni noticed that I had used the same measurement for both, and emailed me about it. Good service!"I like to get a professional set of glasses every couple years or so but the extras for camping or motorcycling"Same here. Since my prescription doesn't change much over time, I keep the older glasses as spares.
Re: Amazon alternative Reply #7 – November 22, 2018, 08:43:47 am Quote from: Andy Baird - November 17, 2018, 03:11:58 pmI've been buying glasses from Zenni Optical for almost ten years now, and have never had a complaint or problem. Large selection, very reasonable prices.I'm also buying my glasses since 10 or more years from Zenni. Apart from occasionally falling off nose pads (the glasses come with replacements) no complaints here either.