Clothing, footwear, and eyeglasses

The three things that are not always easy to buy online. We've done all three, and we've been reasonably successful at it. And, we're happy enough with our purchases that we feel it's worth it to continue, especially when you're dealing with companies who really want to make you happy with your purchase.

Our most recent experience was with Firmoo Optical.

We had used Firmoo before, and had received eyewear that we've been very happy with for the last couple of years. I have one pair of glasses for reading and computer work, and one pair for watching movies on the laptop where the laptop is sitting a few feet away. Ruth only needed them for reading.

But as we age, ours eyes change. And I found that my distance vision was starting to deteriorate just a little bit. So we went to the optometrist in Mexico and got our eyes tested there.

Then, we ordered our glasses again from Firmoo. I like their motto "Our aim - Vision and fashion the frugal way".

I decided to spend the extra $36 to get progressive lenses. I figured that would allow me to just wear one pair of glasses, and wear them all the time.

They arrived in a nice case, with a cleaning cloth and screwdriver and repair kit.

Nice case with a map on it. Kind of suits us, doesn't it??

Kevin's new glasses!

When I first put them on, my eyes said "Whoa, that's different!" And to be honest, I didn't really like them that much. But they say that the progressive lenses take some time for your eyes to get used to them. And Ruth wasn't sure that her prescription was right and the frames kept slipping down her nose. But we wanted to give an accurate review, so we've been wearing our glasses for a few weeks in order to provide our eyes a chance to adapt to the new glasses.

So with mine, as much as I've tried, I cannot use them all the time. The prescription seems right...when I focus on something in the distance, it's clear as a bell. When I focus on the laptop, it's clear, but something in the progression of the lens gives the rest of the laptop a distortion that annoys me. And when I'm reading, the focus area is so close that I actually have to move my head as I'm reading. Again, it's not comfortable and I don't think it's right. I've never had progressive lenses, but I would have thought that I should be able to use them for reading a book. And I can't do that.

On the bright side, I like them for driving. The distance vision is perfect, and it's nice to be able to see the screen of the GPS or any of the dash gauges or dials clearly without squinting. And for going grocery shopping they're fine for having to read a quick label on something up close. It's if I have to read something that takes any length of time that it's annoying. So, having never had glasses like this I'm not sure if this is a problem with an "inexpensive" progressive lens, or if they're defective, or if it's just me. My old Firmoo glasses are still okay for reading, and the other pair for watching tv. I guess I'm stuck carrying around three pairs of glasses when we travel! Make that four pair...sunglasses too!

Now that she's been wearing them for a while, Ruth's prescription seems fine. But she's still annoyed that the fit isn't quite right. The frames she got are not adjustable and they slide down her nose. We've even tried putting band aid material taped on to the bridge section, but that doesn't work.

Fortunately, Firmoo has agreed to re-do Ruth's glasses, this time with specifications and measurements from a certain group of frame choices. We think that's pretty good of them, and we'll take them up on their offer.

So buying online with some things is easier than others. Often though, it's worth the cost savings. So we'll continue to do it in a lot of situations.