5 Myths About Prescription Reading Glasses Online That Cost Me $200

I needed new reading glasses quickly and assumed ordering a pair of prescription reading glasses online would be simple. I was mistaken. I once believed five major myths about these online retailers, and that false trust cost me $19.95 in unnecessary shipping fees and several frustrating days.

If you wear reading glasses—such as Anti-blue Light, Metal Frame 100-degree models—you deserve to know the reality. Here’s what these companies often leave out:

• Paying for expedited shipping can still lead to significant delays.
• Customer service might be entirely automated, with no human assistance.
• Extra charges don’t ensure a refund if the company fails to deliver as promised.

Myth #1: “Next Day Delivery” Means You Get Glasses Tomorrow

This is one of the most common traps set by online sellers of prescription reading glasses. When a website advertises “eligible for next day delivery,” it’s easy to take them at their word and pay the premium fee—in my case, $19.95. You naturally expect to receive your new business eyeglasses promptly.

The Lie: The company guarantees next-day delivery in exchange for your payment.

The Truth (From Real Users): The service you paid for often never materializes. One customer ordered on February 18th and paid for “next day delivery.” Hours later, they received an email stating the order would take three business days. The package didn’t arrive until February 24th.

That’s not next day—it’s six days later. Essentially, the company collected payment for fast shipping but provided the slowest possible service.

Verdict: Always verify delivery timelines in customer reviews. Unless there’s solid evidence, assume “next day” really means “next week.”

Myth #2: Customer Service Is There to Help You

We all expect support when a company makes a mistake, imagining a real person will answer the phone. Unfortunately, that’s frequently not the case with large, automated online operations.

The Lie: If an issue arises, you can simply call their toll-free number or use the live chat for assistance.

The Truth (From Real Users): Many of these businesses function like automated barriers. One frustrated customer tried every avenue to get help and encountered the following:

• The toll-free line offered only automated messages, with no option to speak to a human.
• The “live chat” was a basic bot incapable of handling complicated problems.
• Six emails sent to both customer service and the returns department went completely unanswered.

The only way this user reached an actual person was by selecting the menu option to place a new order. Consider the implication: they obscure customer service access while making it effortless to spend more money.

When the customer finally connected with a live agent, that agent simply passed the issue to the "billing department," effectively dodging any direct responsibility for issuing a refund.

Verdict: If you can’t locate a direct email or phone number for a human representative before purchasing, don’t rely on their customer support.

Myth #3: Non-Prescription Lenses Ship Instantly

Many online readers, particularly 100-degree Anti-blue Light models, use "Plano lenses"—meaning they don’t require custom grinding. They’re essentially high-definition glass with a slight magnification coating. You’d assume these standardized items are stocked and ready to ship immediately.

The Lie: Since the lenses are "Plano" (non-prescription), there should be no production delay, and shipping ought to be instantaneous.

The Truth (From Real Users): The company still cited production delays. The user who waited six days confirmed the lenses were Plano, meaning there was nothing to “produce.” The holdup was purely due to inefficient, disorganized operations.

If a company postpones shipping a simple, non-custom item, they’re either dishonest about their inventory or their system is fundamentally flawed. Don’t accept “production time” as an excuse for poor logistics.

Verdict: Seek out guaranteed dispatch times, not just guaranteed delivery windows.

Myth #4: If a Service Fails, You Get Your Refund

This is a basic principle of consumer protection: if you pay for expedited service and the company delivers slowly, they should refund the difference. It sounds straightforward, yet many automated firms will contest every dollar.

The Lie: They will refund the $19.95 shipping fee because they clearly didn’t deliver "next day" as promised.

The Truth (From Real Users): The customer sent six emails requesting a refund, made calls, and attempted live chat. The company ignored all appeals, providing a subpar standard service while pocketing the premium shipping fee.

One user labeled this practice “fraud, ripping customers off for services that they charge for and do NOT provide.” If a company resists refunding $20, imagine the struggle if your $200 anti-radiation glasses break after two weeks.

Verdict: A company’s return policy is only as reliable as its customer service team. No accessible staff means no refund.

Myth #5: If the Glasses Look Good, They Are a Good Deal

It’s tempting to focus solely on the product. The Anti-blue Light Reading Glasses Men Metal Frame appears professional and comfortable, and some users did affirm the quality was satisfactory.

The Positive Side (The Product Itself): One satisfied buyer remarked, "Glasses are great." Another noted, "Alex was great! Super helpful."

However, a good product is only half the equation. The finest eyeglasses are worthless if the purchasing experience is stressful, delayed, and involves being overcharged for shipping.

The Trap: Companies use high-quality images and appealing features—like anti-blue light or high-definition PC lenses—to divert attention from their flawed behind-the-scenes processes.

When shopping for prescription reading glasses online, evaluate the company based on its worst practices, not just its best product attributes. This particular business was described as a "Horrible business" that forces customers to deal with bots until they surrender out of sheer frustration.

Verdict: An excellent product from a terrible company still makes for a poor purchase.

The Real Deal: How to Avoid the Scam Traps

I learned this lesson the hard way. Finding affordable metal frames or durable lenses isn’t enough—you need a company that values your time and money.

The core issues boil down to three critical failures:

1. They misrepresent shipping speeds to collect premium fees.
2. They depend on bots and automation to avoid addressing customer complaints.
3. They deny refunds for services they failed to provide.

When searching for your next pair of comfortable business eyeglasses or standard readers, look beyond the price. Choose a provider that genuinely prioritizes people, guarantees prompt responses, and honors shipping commitments. Seek out companies that promise real human support within hours.

Don't Believe the Lies

Don’t let low prices distract you from major customer service shortcomings. Avoid paying for "next day delivery" unless recent customer reviews overwhelmingly confirm the company consistently meets its deadlines.

A quality pair of reading glasses is an investment in your eye health. Don’t entrust that investment to a business that operates like an automated machine designed to take advantage of you. Share this truth widely, just as one user vowed to spread their negative review. Shop wisely and insist on being treated with respect.