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FORBES - EyeBuyDirect Introduces Social Eyeglasses Shopping

11/12/2007 Back

EyeBuyDirect Introduces Social Eyeglasses Shopping

Publication date: November 12, 2007

SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 12  -- EyeBuyDirect (https://www.eyebuydirect.com/ ), the Internet's home of high-quality, fashionable prescription eyeglasses for about $20, announced today a new interactive feature that revolutionizes the way people can shop for the frames. Dubbed "The Wall of Frames", the online social shopping site allows an individual to receive instant feedback prior to selecting their frames, making choosing eyeglasses online easier and more fun than ever before.

The Wall of Frames works together with the company's exclusive EyeTry tool, which allows people to try on multiple pairs of eyeglasses virtually then send images to friends and family via email or by posting them publicly on the site. The Wall of Frames adds a Web 2.0 component by allowing EyeTry users to enlist the opinions of registered users from around the globe.

Eyeglasses are an outward reflection of the person behind them, therefore choosing a pair can feel overwhelming. With The Wall of Fame and Eye Try, people can take the time to enlist many opinions while also enjoy seeing themselves in a variety of looks onscreen prior to purchase.

"While choosing the right pair of glasses is a question of personal taste, the opinions of friends, family, and even strangers certainly can help make the final choice much easier," said EyeBuyDirect CEO Roy Hessel. "The Web makes it possible to hear the opinions of the people we value most and the general public, which can feel much more genuine than the feedback of an in- store salesperson."

Over the past year, websites like Kaboodle (http://www.kaboodle.com/), StyleHive (http://www.stylehive.com/) and ThisNext (http://www.thisnext.com/) have proven that social shopping is an idea that is catching on with consumers. EyeBuyDirect is one of the first online retailers to apply this concept to a single product, albeit a product that nearly 300 million people use worldwide.

"At EyeBuyDirect, we are always thinking about how to help our customers choose the glasses that suit them best," said Sina Farzaneh, vice president of marketing for EyeBuyDirect. "By combining EyeTry and the Wall of Frames with a broad selection of great looking prescription frames for around $20, it's an exciting time to buy a new pair of glasses."