Policies Are Just Too Confusing, Shipping Costs Are Well Hidden. I'll Pass.
A Pair of Shades
Every once in a while I want a new pair of shades. I usually don't order sunglasses via the internet because I really like to try on the glasses before purchasing but I knew the style I was looking for and wanted a better price than I had seen around so I checked the net. I found that A Pair of Shades had the sunglasses I wanted at a somewhat lower price than my local merchants so I went with them for the purchase.
What the Site Sells
Shades, of course. Sunglasses, that is, not window shades. They sell name brand and designer sunglasses for men and women as well as designer frames, prescription glasses, contact lenses, designer watches, and binoculars.
Variety
Lots! Many brand names are represented in all categories and there are quite a few items to choose from site wide.
Navigation
The site is simple with the categories I mentioned above across the top and a listing of name brands down the left side. You can do a search for exactly what you want or pick a category, then a name brand, and you will be shown thumbnails of all the items in that range. You can click on the thumbnail to see a large photo and get the pricing information.
They don't have anything like a 3D imager or various views so a first time shopper may have a little trouble actually visualizing the particular glasses or frames on themselves. For that reason, it's probably better to have already tried on the glasses and know what you like, then visit the site, if you want to make a purchase from them.
Once you find what you like, click to add to your cart. You can have prescription lenses put into the frames for an additional cost. I did not get prescription lenses so I am not quite sure how that process works but it is available to you.
Once you have finished shopping, head off to the checkout area.
You must register or have an account to continue. I really don't like to be forced to register with a site but they're going to get the same info to send me the items anyway, so I went ahead and registered with my personal info and email address as well as picking a user name and password. You can mail or fax your information instead of completing your transaction online.
Here is where I got a little leery. I couldn't find shipping costs anywhere. There is a map telling you how fast your glasses will arrive. There is a chart for expedited shipping with prices but no standard shipping cost chart anywhere. To find out, I had to register with my credit card number. THAT is not the way it should be on a website. I want to know what shipping charges are before I hand over my credit card details. I may not want to do business with a site if their shipping charges are too high. But, alas, I did enter the info to find out the magical shipping charge. For one pair of sunglasses it was $7.95 UPS Ground. Tax was also added. To be honest, by the time the shipping and tax were added, the glasses were not that much cheaper than the ones I had tried on locally. But I went ahead because I had come that far.
If everything is as it should be, you will be verified and will receive an order number and confirmation email. The glasses came super fast, just three days and were fine. They were packed well and I have no complaints about the actual product.
My Experience
As I mentioned, I didn't have a problem with my order. I knew the name and style of sunglasses I wanted and did a search for them. They came up with several tints to choose from at a price that was lower than I had seen locally.
I clicked and added them to my cart but was dismayed that I had to enter all my info, including credit card details, before I could find out what my shipping cost was. I almost didn't go ahead with the purchase because of this and because, with shipping and tax, the shades weren't all the much cheaper (I try to shop where they don't charge tax since that's a whopping 8% here. This site charged me tax as well.).
The order went through fine and my glasses arrived quickly.
Still, after reading all the small print on the site about returns and, after having to give up my credit card details to get the shipping costs for an item, I was soured on the site and won't go back there. Their prices certainly are not super low and I can find the same things elsewhere online or off for a compatible price.
Shipping and Returns Policy
Shipping varies according to price or weight or whatever way the wind blows apparently because you can't find out what your shipping cost will be until you enter your information included payment details. BAD POLICY. I don't like that at all. Even if they need your zip code to calculate UPS charges, forcing someone to input their credit card number just to see shipping costs made this site one I won't revisit despite a decent experience.
You can opt for expedited shipping but must call them to set that up. You can't do it right on the checkout form.
Their returns policy seems decent but is confusing. They have a 30 day return policy where they refund your money less shipping. But if you spend more than $300.00 or send back three or more pairs of glasses, there is a restocking fee of 10% (You know how hard it is to restock a few pairs of sunglasses!). If you order eyeglasses, they will refund 100% of the frame and 50% of the lens. Prescription sunglasses are NON refundable but you can swap out a frame within 30 days but you will be charged the extra for more expensive frames and there is so much gobblygook after that, that you should call your lawyer to look over the policy before ordering because I can't figure it out.
Watches, binoculars, and contacts lenses have a 30 day return policy minus shipping. But you must return contact lenses unopened so why would you even order them then not open them then send them back? Double speak.
They have a price guarantee that is too confusing to detail here so I won't. I doubt anyone could understand it enough to enforce it.
Contact Info
You can call them between the hours of 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. M-F and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays EST. However, I called them at 6 p.m. EST on a Thursday and I got a voice mail message telling me they were closed so I would be leery of these times.
Toll Free Phone: 888-742-3370
International Calls: Country Code(1) 845-987-7760
Fax: 845-986-9040 or 888-928-2442
Address:
A Pair of Shades
P.O. Box 1055
Warwick, NY 10990
Email: katman@apairofshades.com
Conclusion
Although I had a relatively pain free experience, I most definitely would not return to A Pair of Shades again. Eyewear, especially the expensive designer stuff, is best tried on and bought locally unless you are 100% sure of the site you are shopping with. This site has a strange way of letting you know what your shipping charges are, they have a very confusing returns policy, and they don't answer their phones during times they claim to be open.
While they have a large variety of high priced designer frames that are slightly cheaper than some retail outlets, once you add shipping on and the hassle of possibly having to return them at your expense and deal with losing your original shipping plus a possible restocking fee...Nah. Not worth it.
And don't even get me started on how confusing the whole prescription glasses returns policy is. I'll go to Wal-Mart or Lenscrafters, thankyouverymuch. At least I don't have to worry as much about restocking fees and partial credits and the like.
My order went through OK. I did not have a problem with the quality or the authenticity.
But I am rating this site a very generous 3 stars because their policies are surely going to cause trouble for people who need to return a product. Plus, shipping charges should not be held captive until you register your credit card details with any company.
Recommended:
No
