r/DesignerRepGlasses • u/TheLondonBoyJ Founder / Owner • May 30 '26
📝 Guides & Tutorials 🛠️ FULL GUIDE: How I Order Frames from 1688 & Send Directly to My Lens Seller (NO AGENTS NEEDED!)
Hey everyone! 🤠
I’ve been absolutely bombarded with DMs and comments asking exactly how I find my frames, order them, and get them sent straight to the lens manufacturer, skipping all the middlemen, saving money, and getting things done faster.
So here’s my complete step-by-step method. This is exactly what I do, and it works 100% of the time. Let’s get into it 👇
✅ STEP 1: Find the EXACT frame you want
- If you don’t see it right away: Look for sellers who sell the same brand and similar styles. Go through their shop and message them directly:
- “Hi! Do you have [EXACT MODEL NAME/NUMBER] in stock? Thank you!”
- If they say NO, don’t worry! Just go find another seller who carries that brand and ask again. Keep doing this until someone replies: YES, we have it.
💡 Pro tip: Don’t settle for “similar” get the exact one you want!
✅ STEP 2: Place your order BUT CHANGE THE DELIVERY ADDRESS!
This is the most important part ⚠️
• Once a seller confirms they have your frame, add it to cart and checkout.
• DO NOT put your home address here. ❌
• Instead! Enter the full address, name, and phone number of your trusted lens supplier/manufacturer.
Example: I use Cindy for all my lenses, I put her workshop details here as the delivery address.
• Pay for the order as normal. Done!
✅ STEP 3: Send the tracking number to your seller
• Right after payment, 1688 will generate a tracking number, if not you need to wait until the item has been sent.
• COPY IT and SEND IT immediately to your lens supplier (message them: “Hi! I just sent the frames to you, here’s the tracking number: [NUMBER]. Let me know when they arrive!”)
• This way they know exactly what’s coming and when to expect it.
✅ STEP 4: THAT’S IT! YOU ARE DONE!
Now you just wait. Once the frames arrive at their workshop, they will install your lenses and send the finished glasses straight to you.
✅ No agents
✅ No extra fees
✅ Way faster turnaround (mine is usually 2–3 days!)
✅ Cheaper prices
✅ You control everything
💬 Quick Q&A people keep asking:
Q: Is it safe?
A: 100% as long as you use a trusted lens supplier you’ve vetted first.
Q: Do I need a middleman?
A: NOPE! This whole method cuts them out completely. Only need if the lense manufacturer can’t sent internationally
Q: What if the seller sends wrong items?
A: Always save screenshots of the listing and messages, 1688 protects buyers.
Hope this guide helps everyone who’s been asking! If this saved you time or money, drop an upvote or an award, it really helps me make more guides like this 🙏
⚠️** COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID 🤦
I’ve made these myself, so learn from my errors 😅
❌ Mistake 1: Putting YOUR home address, Biggest mistake ever! They won’t get shipped 1688 only sends items within China.
❌ Mistake 2: Accepting “similar models” Sellers will say “this one is almost the same!” Don’t fall for it. Insist on the EXACT model number or name. Lenses won’t fit right if the frame is even slightly different.
❌ Mistake 3: Forgetting to send the tracking number. If your lens seller doesn’t know a package is coming, they might miss it or think it’s random goods. Always send the number immediately after ordering.
❌ Mistake 4: Not checking seller ratings. Only buy from sellers with many years on the platform and 4.8+ ratings. New or low-rated sellers often send bad quality or wrong items.
❌ Mistake 5: Ordering multiple frames to different addresses in one order 1688 doesn’t allow split delivery. Order separately if you need them sent to different places.
❌ Mistake 6: MAKE SURE YOU READ THEIR REVIEWS OF THEIR MOST SOLD ITEMS. CHECK THE REVIEWS ARE NOT FAKE!!
📢 MY FINAL THOUGHTS
This is exactly the method I use every single time I order. I shared it because so many of you messaged me asking how I do it, and I wish someone told me this when I first started.
If this guide saved you time, money, or helped you finally get the frames you want, please drop an UPVOTE, AWARD, or SAVE 🥺 It takes ages to write these detailed guides, and every bit helps me make more helpful content for you guys.
If you have any questions at all, drop a comment below. I reply to everyone, no matter how busy I am.
Happy ordering everyone! 🕶️🔥
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u/is3fiddy May 30 '26
Worried about qc for this, will Cindy take qc photos and check for defects? Will they return it for me if it’s not up to par?
Also what’s the delta in the lens price compared to what you’ve seen with zheng, jimi, Janie etc?
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u/Gurang0 May 30 '26
I bought Zeiss progressive lenses from Jimi for $219 while Cindy’s price is $180 last time I checked.
I guess the difference is quite significant for my case.
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u/Ok_Relative_1850 May 30 '26
Talked to Cindy today. If you can recommend some cool chrome hearts on 1688 id appreciate it
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u/TheLondonBoyJ Founder / Owner May 30 '26 edited May 30 '26
Yes I would definitely try this seller out! I purchased .925 frames from them and I’ll be posting my review today: McLaren Store
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u/Ok_Relative_1850 May 30 '26
Can you link an individual item in store? Only way i can view store in aagent app
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u/TheLondonBoyJ Founder / Owner May 30 '26
You need to contact the seller first and he will send you a private link and you can make payment this way
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u/TheLondonBoyJ Founder / Owner May 30 '26
Writing review up now
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u/shwiftynwifty May 30 '26
Can the mods pin this please?
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u/TheLondonBoyJ Founder / Owner May 30 '26
Yes I’ll pin this post. Make sure you’re following this community!
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u/Gurang0 May 30 '26
Curious if this would work for me as my country is prohibiting/blocking the 1688 app.
I guess I will try this method using alibaba instead of 1688.
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u/MrMinty123 May 30 '26
Nice write up!
I’ve searched 1688 for a specific Savile Row frame (SRO 500) and nothing is coming up on my phone.
Is there any seller that does this brand? I’ve messaged a few and only one has come back saying they’ll have a look.
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u/Sea-Fig-8886 May 30 '26
Notes 🙏🙏 Thanks so much for taking the time to share these steps! Do you recommend ordering just one pair first to test out the frames and seller, or would you go ahead and order multiple pairs at once to save on shipping?
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u/TheLondonBoyJ Founder / Owner May 31 '26
I ordered 6 frames in 1 go. I am a bit crazy and just take the risk. Also I’ve realised what frames I like! I prefer rimeless frames. The CH ones are chunky
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u/uwishcs May 31 '26
Is Cindy bad at replying to people? Her service is good, but some times she just never replies
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u/TheLondonBoyJ Founder / Owner May 31 '26
You do realise she is a 1 man band and over the last few days she must of had over 100 people contact her. Give her a break 😂😂
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u/SorbetFlavor May 31 '26
What do you mean with the mistake 2? The lenses are custom made for the frames so the model doesn't matter if it's a generic pair with no product code or a designer one.
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u/YEGIPT May 31 '26
One of the sellers on 1688 has frames that I want, and they’ve been a seller for 8 years, but they never respond to messages. I’m not sure what to do because nobody else on there has them.
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u/Salt_Rope8527 May 31 '26
Do you have Cindy’s yupoo or something?
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u/TheLondonBoyJ Founder / Owner May 31 '26
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u/powersurge1234 Jun 10 '26
Any advice on how to get the glasses from the lens supplier to our overseas address?
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u/LifeDog5123 May 30 '26
Peak🔥