When buying new eyeglasses you already know the first step to not getting ripped off - buy them online rather than at an offline retailer. But now, with so many online retail options, you need to know what to look for when you order glasses online, so that you gain optimal savings on your new optical investment.

Firstly, any site you visit should have a satisfaction guarantee which is clearly published on their homepage and linked to a thorough explanation of what this means. Ordering anything online comes with some level of risk but when you order prescription glasses, you are not simply ordering a toy, you are ordering a piece of stylish medical equipment that will stop your headaches and eye strain and allow you to see properly - you don’t want to take any chances and you don’t want to end up with cheap designer glasses! You need to know that if you’re not happy with what you receive, you have options that work in your favor.

Online reviews are also helpful when it comes to choosing a site to buy from. Whether you are looking to order reading glasses, multifocals or simple corrective specs, an online review is written by those who have come before you and purchased from those same sites. They can help steer you in the right direction and tell you which companies are golden and which companies are bogus. It will save you time and money in the long run.

Now, onto that small matter of price. Yes, you definitely want to order eyeglasses which are as cost effective as possible BUT you should always remember that cheap glasses may be just that - cheap! Although price is always a consideration, when you see a $7 pair of frames, you really should stop to think that these are not the quality of eye glasses that you’d like to be investing in. Remember the old saying "if it looks too good to be true, it probably is". Therefore, a credible site will always provide a price guarantee for its discount glasses, ensuring that for its level of quality, you will not find cheaper on the market.

Another must when you order glasses is to actually see how they will look on you. As this is impossible to do in person when you order glasses on line, you should always ensure that the site has a Virtual Mirror, allowing you to upload a photograph of yourself and spend time trying the variety of styles on offer so that when you eventually order your stylish new specs - you are convinced and confident that they suit you in all respects.

Now, probably the most important of all is how you choose to have your lenses manufactured.

Although the choices available are always optional extras, they almost always serve to enhance your glasses-wearing experience and preserve the longevity of your lenses. Therefore, although an anti-reflective coating can be skipped, an anti-scratch coating is highly recommended. You should look out for specials whereby a variety of coatings are included in one discounted price.

In addition, you should aways check out the company’s shipping policy. Do they offer free shipping in certain areas? How long are the delivery times? Does it seem normal or drawn out? Do they deliver to somewhere that suits YOU and not expect you to go out of your way to collect your new glasses?

Lastly, customer service is an important aspect when making any purchase. Before making a purchase you should be sure of the company’s customer care policy and be sure that they will be there to help you every step of the way - and a little beyond. Therefore, they should have all means of communication available, from telephone to chat and to email; be available at convenient hours; and they should also have an extensive Q&A section so that it’s easy for you to look up answers to simple questions.

Now you know it all - so happy shopping!