Firstly, NZ optimitrists can be reluctant to hand over your prescription - have heard of some people who have had to demand that they hand it over. But it is something they cannot hold from you.

Tzoi: Do clearly do lenses that counter astigmatism as well?

dejadeadnz: 
So far, the only people willing to give transparent (and sane) quotes on the spot (or are willing to assist by e-mail) are Albany Optometrists, Visique Milford, Visique Henderson, and Visique Silverdale.

jonathan18:

I was interested enough after reading this to check out their site; I've created an account, found some interesting frames and then... haven't been able to upload a photo to 'try them on'. I've tried via Chrome, Firefox and IE on my laptop - on all browsers the link from the first page to add one's photo (https://www.zennioptical.com/myAccount/myAccountFrameFit?_requestid=3784125) is blank other than its logo and a black bar across the top of the screen. I've tried on Safari on the iPad - got to the point of uploading a photo, but it won't go past the point where one is supposed to move the crosshairs to line up with the pupils (can't move the crosshairs, nor accept the computer-set location of them).

Has anyone else had the same problems, and does anyone who has successfully navigated the site got any tips? (I emailed the site yesterday to ask for help but expect any response, if any arrives, will take some time from such a siite).

Alternatively, what other mail-order sites offering similar "value for money" but ok quality glasesses have other users ordered from? My sisters used one Chinese-based site that was apparently ok, but I can't recall its name... Given the possible low cost these sites offer, it'll be useful to get spare pairs of both glasses and prescrition sunnies based on a current script (eg, so I can leave a pair of sunglasses in the car).

Cheers
Jonathan

(Edited for grammar and spelling)

farcus: I've uploaded a number of photos to Zenni and haven't had to do anything special. It has just worked very straight forward.

If you can't get it to work you could just use http://www.ezyglasses.co.nz/ that someone else linked to earlier. They appear to sell exactly the same product as Zenni (even right down to having the same product description) but just at a slightly higher price point.

tchart:
Funniest thing I had regarding quotes was from Visique in Porirua for my sons glasses.

Conversation went something like this.

Me: Whats the price on these frames with this prescription?
Them: $200
Me: Ok, what's the price if you just put new lenses in his existing frames? (bear in mind the old frames came from Visique)
Them: Oh that'll be $300

Needless to say we went to SpecSavers for the eye test and ordered from Clearly.

jonathan18:
Cheers for confirming that. Is there any chance you could try to do so again in your own account to see if it's a general problem or just a problem affecting me? Would be much appreciated! I find it strange that it would affect only me given I've had problems on three different devices and four different browsers.

farcus:

jonathan18:
Cheers for confirming that. Is there any chance you could try to do so again in your own account to see if it's a general problem or just a problem affecting me? Would be much appreciated! I find it strange that it would affect only me given I've had problems on three different devices and four different browsers.

Just gave it a  spin. Seems to be working fine.
Logged into my account and uploaded image, positioned etc.
Using Firefox 29 on openSUSE (Linux)

SteveON: In my case I have only ever seen smaller private stores. I am glad I no longer need glasses, contacts are king. Being neg 15.75 in both eyes makes my glasses like bottle caps.