Last Tuesday, I was typing away at my favorite coffee shop, enjoying a latte, when a woman leaned over with a huge smile. "Where did you get those?" she asked.
She was pointing at my new glasses—a pair of those bold, fantastic 2023 Women's Cat Eye Frames. They look expensive and feel incredibly trendy. For a moment, I felt a rush of pride. I had finally found a stylish pair.
But the story behind these glasses isn't so simple. It's a tale about trying to save money, ultimately losing some, and learning that the cheapest deal can sometimes cost you the most.
My old glasses were falling apart, and I knew I needed a new pair. When I checked prices at local stores, I was nearly floored. They quoted me over $500 just for the lenses! Since I needed progressives (lenses with three different powers), they explained the process was complex and costly.
I thought, "No way." I decided to shop smarter. I'd heard buying glasses online was much cheaper—I could get the same frames for a fraction of the price. It sounded like the perfect plan for my budget.
My goal was straightforward:
I began searching online. With thousands of sites selling frames, I focused on finding that sharp cat-eye shape I loved. I finally found the perfect pair—the kind manufactured in China for a very low cost.
I discovered the supplier through a site called Cinily Direct. The frames themselves were around $20. I entered my complicated prescription, paid for the complete package—frames and lenses—for under $100, and felt like I'd won the shopping lottery.
Verdict: It's easy to find inexpensive frames online, but be very cautious about cheap lenses.
Two weeks later, the glasses arrived. I tore open the box, put them on, and immediately felt unwell. Everything was blurry—not just slightly off, but completely wrong. I could barely read my phone.
I contacted customer service, and that's when the real nightmare began. They were polite but ultimately unhelpful.
They offered me a store credit. They even promised 110% credit if I returned the glasses and reordered. That sounds generous, right? It's a trap.