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How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all

latimes.com

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Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all

#31

Post by newnewpdro »

jasode wrote: post #8

I was able to slash my eyeglasses expenditures in both the exams and the frames: eye exams: I used to pay the optometrist $153 ($117 refraction + $36 dilation). I later found out that Costco often has an optometrist on site in a tiny office and will charge just $59 (and add +$20 for dilation). That's less than half the cost of most other optometrists. frames: switched to Zenni online to avoid the LensCrafters/Pearle/…

I bought a pair of Zennis after reading good things in another HN thread on this subject, and have been quite happy with the results for $32.90 shipped.

Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all

#32

Post by RosanaAnaDana »

How reasonable would it be to the prescription process; for example, a kiosk in the mall where I sit in a booth and click (better/worse) while looking into some-kind of a vision testing device.

The whole thing is so procedural and really, not very difficult to administer. It seems like extremely low hanging fruit for automation.

Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all

#33

Post by eberkund »

jerf wrote: post #27

It's articles like this that make me wonder how much of our middle class burden comes from hidden rent seeking parasites like this. I honestly don't know. I'm not trying to imply any particular thing. I honestly wonder. These sorts of things can stack up through the layers of companies that make things. And where does this money go? What does it end up doing?

> And where does this money go? What does it end up doing?

Some of it goes to providing jobs to those same middle class people.

Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all

#34

Post by ams6110 »

jasode wrote: post #8

I was able to slash my eyeglasses expenditures in both the exams and the frames: eye exams: I used to pay the optometrist $153 ($117 refraction + $36 dilation). I later found out that Costco often has an optometrist on site in a tiny office and will charge just $59 (and add +$20 for dilation). That's less than half the cost of most other optometrists. frames: switched to Zenni online to avoid the LensCrafters/Pearle/…

I ordered Zenni frames and lenses last time I bought glasses. Optically, no complaints, but the frames broke in less than a year and the anti-glare coating developed a cracked/crazed spot in the middle of one lens. Probably won't be a repeat customer.

Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all

#35

Post by spyspy »

beering wrote: post #18
jasode wrote: post #8

I was able to slash my eyeglasses expenditures in both the exams and the frames: eye exams: I used to pay the optometrist $153 ($117 refraction + $36 dilation). I later found out that Costco often has an optometrist on site in a tiny office and will charge just $59 (and add +$20 for dilation). That's less than half the cost of most other optometrists. frames: switched to Zenni online to avoid the LensCrafters/Pearle/…

I ended up with Warby Parker after decent experiences with Zenni. Warby Parker offers a home try-on service for free, where they ship you a pack of frames for you to try on (without prescription lenses). They also have a few retail stores. They still came out to be cheaper than Luxottica, and for something that I use for years, it ended up being worth it.

I've also had good experiences with WP and have referred several friends to them when they mentioned needing new glasses.

Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all

#36

Post by tylermac1 »

beering wrote: post #18
jasode wrote: post #8

I was able to slash my eyeglasses expenditures in both the exams and the frames: eye exams: I used to pay the optometrist $153 ($117 refraction + $36 dilation). I later found out that Costco often has an optometrist on site in a tiny office and will charge just $59 (and add +$20 for dilation). That's less than half the cost of most other optometrists. frames: switched to Zenni online to avoid the LensCrafters/Pearle/…

I ended up with Warby Parker after decent experiences with Zenni. Warby Parker offers a home try-on service for free, where they ship you a pack of frames for you to try on (without prescription lenses). They also have a few retail stores. They still came out to be cheaper than Luxottica, and for something that I use for years, it ended up being worth it.

I wore the same pair of Warby Parker glasses daily for 6 years before my son broke them. They are very good for the price.

Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all

#37

Post by bigdubs »

eberkund wrote: post #33
jerf wrote: post #27

It's articles like this that make me wonder how much of our middle class burden comes from hidden rent seeking parasites like this. I honestly don't know. I'm not trying to imply any particular thing. I honestly wonder. These sorts of things can stack up through the layers of companies that make things. And where does this money go? What does it end up doing?

> And where does this money go? What does it end up doing? Some of it goes to providing jobs to those same middle class people.

The share of incomes from private businesses (especially luxury businesses) isn't flat and benefits mostly the executives and directors and shareholders.

Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all

#38

Post by Someone1234 »

eberkund wrote: post #33
jerf wrote: post #27

It's articles like this that make me wonder how much of our middle class burden comes from hidden rent seeking parasites like this. I honestly don't know. I'm not trying to imply any particular thing. I honestly wonder. These sorts of things can stack up through the layers of companies that make things. And where does this money go? What does it end up doing?

> And where does this money go? What does it end up doing? Some of it goes to providing jobs to those same middle class people.

Considering their profits, I don't believe that is where it is going:

http://www.luxottica.com/en/record-2017-net-profits-and-free...

Using a monopolistic position to overcharge doesn't generate more jobs, just profits.

Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all

#39

Post by bdamm »

jerf wrote: post #27

It's articles like this that make me wonder how much of our middle class burden comes from hidden rent seeking parasites like this. I honestly don't know. I'm not trying to imply any particular thing. I honestly wonder. These sorts of things can stack up through the layers of companies that make things. And where does this money go? What does it end up doing?

Right, it's almost a collective statement on our health and priorities that allows parasites like this to thrive. What I mean is that obviously, in general, we can afford $800 glasses even though we may hate it. But it isn't, for most people, coming at the expense of food, cars, rent, etc. It is not good free market operating, though, and should be forcibly interrupted.

Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all

#40

Post by yread »

jowdones wrote: post #25

An optician mentors an apprentice on how to sell glasses. "You look in client's eyes and say 'That'll be 100 bucks'." "If he doesn't blink you continue '... for the eye frame. The glasses will cost another hundred bucks'" "If you see that he still doesn't panic, you conclude: '... a piece'".

And that's why it's important to deliver the quote in person
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