Earlier this year, 1-800 Contacts announced the debut of a new online frame and lens e-commerce platform, dubbed The Framery at 1-800 Contacts (The Framery).
The enticement factor for this: A simplified and personalized eyewear shopping experience.
First things first: 1-800 Contacts.
Referring to itself as the “original disruptor of the vision industry,” the American contact lens retailer was launched in 1995 and is headquartered in Draper, Utah.
Its purpose: Enabling customers to order prescription lenses online from leading manufacturers and brands, including:
- Alcon
- Bausch + Lomb
- CooperVision
- Johnson & Johnson
The largest U.S. contact lens retailer also provides ocular telehealth services, allowing customers to renew their prescriptions online via the virtual “ExpressExam.”
Now to The Framery—explain the concept.
The online shopping platform partners with leading manufacturers and designers to provide cost-effective, high-quality frames with polycarbonate lenses (plus other lens options).
Included in its digital offerings:
- A complimentary in-home try-on program (more on that later)
- Access to eyewear prescriptions (for existing 1-800 Contacts customers)
Let’s talk prescriptions.
The platform’s in-house lab makes lenses with the following ranges:
- Combined power (sphere + cylinder): – 12.00 to +6.00
- Cylinder range: –6.00 to +6.00
- Add power: + 0.25 to +3.50
What customers need to provide: Their glasses (not contact lens, take note) prescription and pupillary distance (PD).
- For patients whose optometrists do not provide their PD with their prescription, The Framery offers a free PD measurement tool online.
And what lens options are available?
Three options: Single vision and no prescription (included), as well as progressive / multifocal (available as an upgrade for a fee).
As for lens materials, the most popular is premium polycarbonate (available in all styles), and the best suited for stronger prescriptions (below -3.50 and above +3.50 total power) is the 1.67 high index.
And the lens types available extend to clear, blue light protection, polarized, and light-responsive.
Note:
- All types (including sunglasses) are equipped with an essential coating that provides:
- Ultraviolet protection
- Glare reduction
- Scratch resistance
- And for a select few lens types, deluxe coating is an optional upgrade, with the following features:
- Oil repellent (including smudges and fingerprints)
- Anti-static (warding off dust)
- Easy to clean (with a microfiber cloth)
Define how cost-effective these frames are.
Per the platform’s inventory of glasses and sunglasses, frame prices range from less than $80 (the cheapest we found were $56) to less than $150 (the most expensive we found were $91).
So what types of frames are available?
Ranging from standard eyeglasses to sunglasses, the frames vary in:
- Shape: Aviatory, cat eye, geometric, oval, rectangle, and round
- Frame material: Metal, plastic, and combination
- Features: Matte finish, keyhole bridge, and earth tones
- Colors
- Size
Talk more about this try-on program.
The unique service allows customers to try up to four frames (with demo lenses) over a 5-day period—all for free.
How it works:
- Customers pick four frame styles from The Framery’s inventory and add them to their “in-home try-on” cart
- The selected frames are shipped to the customer’s home in a try-on kit, during which they have 5 days (starting the day of arrival at their house) to try each style out
- Once the preferred frame style is chosen, the customer then orders the frames online
- At the end of the 5-day period, the try-on kit is then shipped back using a prepaid shipping label
Check out the men’s and women’s frames in inventory.
- And take note: This process can be repeated as many times as a customer would like if they want to try on more than four frame styles.
Is there also a virtual try-on option?
Yes! This is accessible via a “virtual try-on” button viewable when browsing the online inventory of frames.
Customers simply need to remove their current glasses and have their face scanned (using their smartphone). See here for more details on this process.
Nice! And how do returns work?
All orders (shipped free) are eligible for free returns for 60 days.
As a bonus: Customers receive a $25 reimbursement if their frames need to be adjusted at an in-person optical store.