Tuesday 21 May 2013

A review: Entirely Solicited

The number of times you visit my blog  means that businesses are attracted to it to ask me to give them endorsement type publicity.  It's hugely flattering of course.  Until you read the whole email and realise they've never actually looked past the statsitics; some think that my food and cooking page readers, or those who read my gardening tips would benefit from their products.  So I don't say yes to many, and to be honest, I'm most attracted to the ones that allow or ask me to give something away.  However....this review turns out to be entirely in my own interest. Sorry.  And thank you.
 Get on with it.  As I would by now be shouting.
Firmoo.com offered me a pair of prescription glasses and a pair of non prescription sunglasses for a bit of publicity.  Well, you  know already that I have glasses on my workdesk, and in my handbag, and on my bedside table..because you know that I am a 'lady' of a certain age.  That age also makes me a bit cynical about these things, so I did actually do a bit of research before deciding that yes, I'd like to take part.  Firmoo.com  have a HUGE website.  Well, it's probably not HUGE, because it's perfectly navigable..but it shows hundred of pairs of frames in sensible classifications, and better still, they have this fun gadget which allows you to upload a photo of yourself to try the frames on!  Cool.  And very, very silly if you're me and Miss Dunnit.  Loved it.
 I can't pretend that getting my Optical prescription and entering the numbers was difficult; the website makes it all clear and makes allowances for international differences in Prescription (some offer two sets of digits as an answer to one of the questions, for example) so there was never any thought in my mind that I was entering any mis-information that might cost me in the long run.  Although I did stay dubious, I must be entirely honest.  I've never bought prescription anything on line.  Good grief, I've never even bought ahem, a bra lingerie on line for goodness sake, sizing etc being such a gamble.
I can't smile - there was too much else to think about!
So colour me surprised when the Firmoo.com delivery came within 5 days of my order submission.  All the way from America. I don't know why, I just assumed that perhaps the the glasses would come from a UK distributor on behalf of Firmoo.com, but no..they came super express from the States.  I mean, how cool does that make my eyewear!  
Here's one of the main points though:  the prescription glasses would have been about £40 and the sunglasses more, at about £45 because they're so damn trendy, excluding delivery.  I can't fault them in terms of the prescription and fit.  If you are aren't familiar with buying glasses, let me tell you that this price represents at least 150% less than I last paid on the High Street.  Wow.
Sorry, another miserable face...nice glasses though!
I'm delighted, pleased and most of all surprised by quite how pleased I am, which is a good thing, huh.  Currently Firmoo.com are offering free international shipping for orders over $55 and free USA shipping for orders over $39.   Check out the web site when you next need to update your eyewear.  And your desk could look as erm, trendy as mine with my casually discarded designer looking glasses! 




29 comments:

Lynn Holland said...

Lucky me can get ready specs from the £ shop Julia

Helen said...

Love the non-smiling pics, how serious do you look in your posh specs!!

Elf Designs said...

Nice specs, I love the photos =) Em x
p.s I am having a little giveaway over on my blog.

Almo said...

Nice bins Julia, shame about the face lol! only joking of course, you look very serious, quite funny really. I paid about £160 for my last pair of bins so these sound like a bargain. Hugs Mo x

voodoo vixen said...

Oooh, they suit you! I am uber impressed that you got the right prescription too... that bit would certainly worry me! Oh my to the price as well... my last two pairs came in at £900 !! Maybe I will be looking into these peeps for my next ones!

Ohhh Snap said...

OOOooooo! I would have done it also : D. Nice glasses! I'll be checking into that.

Annie said...

Oh you cool dude.....love them and love their price even more having just payed out £375 for a new pair!!! And no they really aren't gold lined!
Hugs,
A x

Eliza said...

Ah now I know what you look like, nice meeting you, love the specs. Shame I have just purchased my new specs x 2 so that is it for me for awhile.

Thanks for the review, you just never know I might need them one day.

Hugs Eliza

Hettie said...

Not sure I could buy these.....they would make me far too serious which is not me at all!
Only kidding!
I only order mine on line now having discovered an online place some time ago. Having been a glasses technician in my earlier days, this is totally against the grain but they just cost too darned much and if you want to change them to go with outfits etc, nigh on impossible!
Well done you!
xx

PS well done on getting a useful review to do. I only ever get digital scrapbook packages which I dont ever use! Dont they know I am a touchey-feely scrapbooker!

roffeycreations said...

Good on ya Julia - I am lucky that my health insurance covers my glasses every year - I wouldnt afford health insurance except that I work for them... nice to see a pic of you ... Mxx

Monica said...

For your information one company owns just about every company making glasses in the world. It is called Luminex, think that is how you spell it. Only a couple of stores carry glasses from elsewhere, one being Walmart. Luminex is located in Italy. It would be nice to think this is a lone company. I do not know how to find out but maybe it is a lone fighter able to offer us a price not controlled by Luminex,

Lizzie said...

Fun new specs Julia!
Not sure if I could buy my glasses online. I have varifocals... how could they be properly centred if the technician wasn't there to help?
Hoping I won't need a new prescription when I have my eye test this year...

Twiglet said...

What fab specs. I hate wearing mine so get by with just one contact lens for my distance viewing. Luckily I haven't had to buy reading glasses just yet but will think about Firmoo.com if anything changes. Jo x

Kirsty.A said...

They look really nice. Do they do kids' glasses?

Dianne said...

Smashing glasses, they look wonderful on you, I just got a new pair of glasses and payed over $400 Canadian, in Ontario there is only one distributors to all the glass places around, they get them for 30-40 dollars and charge us the extra. So I think ordering online is a fantastic idea and so much cheaper,thanks for sharing your story and sharing your pics, have a wonderful day. See you tomorrow..

Carmen said...

I'm wondering what drew them to the blog in the first place. You know what you have Julia... SPECS APPEAL :D :D (Sorry, sorry)

Brilliant review though and wow what a saving.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I recently broke my glasses and can't drive until I get new ones. How lucky for YOU!!

fairy thoughts said...

I must admit i would be a bit dubious about the fit. DD2 would kill me if I brought on line .... she works in an opticians
janet

fairy thoughts said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
misteejay said...

How fab to get a bargain.

I paid over £400 nearly 8 years ago for one pair. Luckily last year I managed to get a new pair and a set of contacts for half that.

Enjoy your new specs.

Toni xx

okienurse said...

Very nice! So the glasses came free...awesome! I get those bids from time to time but have never taken them up on anything. Congrats.

peggy aplSEEDS said...

great new glasses and lucky you to get them for free!

Neet said...

Oh WOW. If only I didn't need varifocals I would be there like a shot. And am duke next month for a new eye test and am pretty sure my eyes have changed (or should that be my sight has changed?)
Well done you - and nice to see you.
Hugs, Neet xx

sandra de said...

Ohhh Julia, I can't believe I have just bought a pair of prescription glasses for $400 after my health fund contribution. I thought I had a bargain then read your post!! Makes me realise how expensive everything is in our sunburnt country and Canada! Your glasses look lovely.
Sandra

Morti said...

Your glasses do feature quite highly in a lot of posts - now you'll have to remember to say that your firmoo glasses are on your desk.... ROFL

Deanna said...

Nice entry! I'm going to head over and look at that website! Thanks for blogging about it!

Brenda B said...

Oddly enough I found Firmoo before coming to England and have it bookmarked to try when I get round to having my eyes tested again, good to hear a positive review.

Hugs
Brenda

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Great post! I have a friend who bought eyeglasses on line. I was dubious because you know that part where they put glasses on you and draw dots on the lenses... how do you do that over the internet? He said it was easy. Since my prescriptions are easily $300 a pair I would love to try it, but am skeptical. I'm glad to hear about your experience though.

Anonymous said...

Terrific work! That is the type of information that are meant to
be shared across thee net. Disgrace on Google foor not positioning
this submit higher! Comee on over and seek advice from myy website .

Thanks =)

Here is my website; qvc shopping onlijne uk - ,