Warby Parker FAQ

Updated for 2018! 

Walking around town the other day, I had four separate people ask me about my new pair of Warby Parker glasses.  After being berated with questions, I decided to compile a Warby Parker FAQ with the questions I get asked the most. 

Savings

This is a question I get a lot.  Everyone is looking for an affordable, great-looking pair of glasses.  Based on my experience, the average consumer can save at least $100 over purchasing a pair from most optical shops. 

For example, last time I visited my optometrist for an eye exam, I was perusing their latest frames, and the cheapest option I could find for a pair I wanted to wearwas $300.  And that was just for the frames themselves! 

Most Warby Parker eyeglasses are between $95-$145 each including prescription lenses (single-vision). 

Q: If I have vision insurance, won’t I spend less at my local optical shop by using my plan’s in-network benefits than purchasing from Warby Parker and getting reimbursed for out-of-network benefits? 

Not necessarily.  Most in-network benefits include a max allowance for frames, a percentage discount for anything over the allowance, and then some coverage amount for your lenses. 

Let’s assume a generous in-network benefit from your insurance plan of $135 allowance for frames, 20% off anything over that amount, and a $25 copay for lenses. 

For a $300 pair of frames at your optician’s store, your total out-of-pocket cost would still be around $157 after all allowances and discounts:

$300 Frames -$135 Allowance = $165

$165 -$33 (20% discount off remaining balance) = $132

$132 +25 Lenses CoPay = $157

If your out-of-network benefits cover up to $65 for frames and up to $25 for lenses, your total out-of-pocket cost for a pair of Warby Parker glasses could be as low as $5-$50. 

Free Home Trial

Q: What is the Home Try-On program? 

My ultimate favorite thing about Warby Parker: Their Home Try-On program lets you choose five frames from a wide selection of frames.  They ship them to your home for free, and you get five days to test drive them. 

Return the frames, shipping is again free, and let Warby Parker know which you would like to order.  If you didn’t like any of them, you are not on the hook for anything! 

Q: I live in Canada.  Am I eligible for free shipping and the Home Try-On program? 

Most frames on the site are available for Home Try-On.  If you want to be sure you’re only choosing from the frames that can be mailed to you for the free trial, make sure to turn the “Available for Home Try-On” option on. 

If you’re near one of their retail locations, you can also stop in and see if any frame that isn’t available online is in-store. 

Q: Can you select more than one color of a specific frame for Home Try-On? 

Yep!  As long as the specific frame/color you want to try on is available (sometimes inventory is low and they are temporarily unavailable), you can select multiple colors of the same frame in your free trial order. 

Q: Can you place more than one 5-pair Home Try-On order? 

You can only have one 5-pair trial out at any one time.  If you want to try another set of 5 frames on, you’ll need to return your first set or place an order from that set before another is sent to you. 

Q: How long does it take to get your 5 frames?  When does the 5-day trial period begin? 

It takes about 5 business days from when you place your order through their Home Try-On program to receive your frames.  The 5-day trial begins when you receive the package.  A prepaid return label is included so you can just pack them up and drop them in the mail when you’re finished. 

Q: Can I use my flexible spending account to purchase Warby Parker glasses? 

Yes!  You can use your FSA or HSA to purchase Warby Parker prescription eyewear (including prescription sunglasses and progressive lenses), as well as for exams, granted your FSA/HSA card is affiliated with a major credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, etc.). 

If you would like to use your FSA or HSA to pay for only a portion of your order and pay the rest with a different credit card, call Warby Parker at 888.492.7297, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET. 

Q: When I use my FSA to purchase Warby Parker prescription glasses, do I need any additional info when I order? 

Warby Parker Lens Quality and Fit

It turns out that this question is more complicated than it seems.  The material that makes up Warby Parker frames, acetate, comes from a small, family-owned Italian manufacturer.  They send the frames and their components to China, where they are assembled together to make your glasses. 

The next step has the frames sent to the Warby Parker lab in the U.S., where they then custom-cut prescription lenses.  The last step is when they send them to you! 

Q: What type of lenses does Warby Parker offer and how much do they cost? 

The most popular Warby Parker FAQ: how much do they cost and how are the lenses?  There are 4 overall types of lenses: Optical, Non-prescription Sunglasses, Prescription Sunglasses, and Progressives (i.e. no-line bifocals)

Optical sub-types:

Polycarbonate Lenses: Free with $95 frames

Thin and light plastic lenses

Anti-scratch and anti-glare coating included

Provide 100% UV protection

1.67 High-Index Lenses: +$30

Thinner lenses designed for stronger prescriptions

Anti-scratch and anti-glare coating included

Provide 100% UV protection

1.74 High-Index Lenses: +$130

Even thinner lenses designed for very strong prescriptions

Anti-scratch and anti-glare coating included

Provide 100% UV protection

Non-prescription Sunglasses

Polarized CR-39 lenses: Free with sunglasses frames

Thin and light plastic lenses

Polarized to reduce glare

Provide 100% UV protection

Prescription sun

Polarized polycarbonate lenses: +$80

Thin and light plastic lenses

Polarized to reduce glare

Provide 100% UV protection

Progressives (available in optical and sunwear)

Polycarbonate Lenses: +$200

Thin and light plastic lenses

Anti-scratch and anti-glare coating included

Provide 100% UV protection

Polarized polycarbonate lenses: +$280

Thin and light plastic lenses

Polarized to reduce glare

Provide 100% UV protection

Q: Where can I find my frame’s measurements? 

On each product page, the frame measurements are listed as three numbers.  The first number refers to the width of one lens in millimeters, the second number to the width of the bridge, and the third to the length of one of the temple arms.  These can all be found on the arms of Warby Parker frames. 

Q: What if my new glasses don’t fit well? 

You have a few options available if you find that your new frames don’t fit perfectly.  If you live near a retail location, you can stop in and they will make adjustments for free. 

If you don’t live near one of their stores, you can have them adjusted by any optical shop and get reimbursed up to $50:

Lastly, if you’re just not happy with your purchase, you can return them for a full refund within 30 days. 

Q: What is my pupillary distance (PD)? 

Pupillary distance is simply the distance between your two pupils measured in millimeters.  There are two ways to get your PD for your Warby Parker glasses:

1.  Ask your optometrist

When you get your eyes tested for your prescription, your optometrist won’t usually provide the PD, but all you really need to do is ask! 

2.  Measure your pupillary distance (PD)

Warby Parker has found an easy way to measure your PD from the comfort of your home.  Simply find a well-lit area with a clean background wall. 

Hold up any card with a magnetic strip (student ID, gift card, or library card) below your nose and take a photo using the Warby Parker interface.  After you finish, Warby Parker will determine your PD for you and email you once they’ve applied it to your order. 

Warby Parker Returns and Warranty Policy

Q: What is Warby Parker’s return policy? 

There is a 30-day, absolutely no-questions-asked return and exchange policy for each and every pair of eyewear that Warby Parker sells.  If you are dissatisfied with the pair you bought from them, they will pay for return shipping and refund your money quickly and painlessly. 

If you need to return or exchange your glasses, call 888.492.7297, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET, or email them at help@warbyparker.com

Q: If I am past the 1-year warranty, how do I get a lens replacement? 

Again, if your lenses are scratched within the first year, they will be replaced at no cost.  If at any time your prescription changes, the company will replace your lenses for a fee, based on your prescription and the lenses you’ve selected.  Give them a call at 888.492.7297, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET, or email them at help@warbyparker.com to set up a lens replacement. 

Shipping

Our Warby Parker FAQ found that the shipping time depends on a few different factors: the type of eyewear ordered, if you correctly entered your prescription or PD (pupillary distance), and when you placed the order. 

No matter what though, the shipping is totally free. 

Here’s what you can expect:

Order type

Estimated delivery time

Single-vision glasses and sunglasses:

7-10 business days

Progressives (glasses and sunglasses) and high-index sunglasses:

10-12 business days

Non-prescription glasses:

5-7 business days

Non-prescription sunglasses:

5 business days

Home Try-On:

5 business days

Gift cards:

5 business days

E-gift cards:

Within an hour of ordering.  E-gift cards scheduled for future delivery will be sent on the morning of the requested date. 

Please note: Orders shipping outside the continental U.S. can take a few extra days to arrive. 

If you need to get your glasses faster, you can always call Warby Parker at 888.492.7297, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m. ET, to talk about speeding up your order at the manufacturing labs for an extra $30.  Unfortunately, they cannot expedite orders for progressive glasses and progressive sunglasses. 

Warby Parker Retail Stores & Eye Exams

You can order frames online through their website or their highly-rated iOS app.  The company ships to anywhere in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and military APO/DPO/FPO addresses.  They also have international shipping options to those in Canada. 

Additionally, there are several retail store locations throughout the U.S. and Toronto, Canada, with many more locations opening soon.  If you live near one of the areas below, you can visit in person! 

About Us

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