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

Post by safanycom » Wed, Mar 06, 2019, 5:21 AM UTC

1996 wrote: post #269

wtallis wrote: post #245

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I recently purchased glasses online for the first time, from EyeBuyDirect. I got a pair specifically for computer use, with a weaker prescription, smaller pupil distance, and lower index of refraction to cut down on chromatic aberration. For $45 I'm fairly satisfied, even though I haven't quite got the frames adjusted for a perfect fit yet. The chromatic aberration is still noticeable when I look for it, but definite…

How did you adjust the correction to get focus at say 3 ft / 1 m for computer use? Why a smaller PD?? I thought it was fixed by your skull anatomy?

Post by d-sc » Wed, Mar 06, 2019, 6:12 AM UTC

leguminous wrote: post #275

sampo wrote: post #259

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Here's one almost 30 stories high apartment building in a place where the location and land don't have too much value as such (Atlantic City). 1,000 sq.ft. 2br condos seem to be priced from $160,000 to $250,000. https://www.zillow.com/b/bella-atlantic-city-nj-5Xjxz9/

That's a 30-year old building in Atlantic City, though. The building itself will have depreciated since then, and Atlantic City isn't a very desirable area any more. The current prices won't necessarily reflect the original construction costs. There are some actual numbers in this Fannie Mae commentary: http://www.fanniemae.com/resources/file/research/emma/pdf/MF... The average costs to build 1-3 and 4-7 story apartm…

Post by forkLding » Wed, Mar 06, 2019, 7:02 AM UTC

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?

Post by dredmorbius » Wed, Mar 06, 2019, 7:44 AM UTC

leguminous wrote: post #182

sampo wrote: post #113

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The land, on the other hand, costs more than that alone in major cities. You can build apartment buildings 5, 10, 20 or even 80 floors high. The cost of land per apartment can be made quite small by building higher.

As you build up, the construction costs (and ongoing maintenance costs) per square foot of livable space can increase significantly, though. You need more engineering, more expensive materials, fancy cranes, extra safety procedures, etc. Plus more of the potentially livable floor space is instead taken up by elevator shafts and machinery.

Post by dredmorbius » Wed, Mar 06, 2019, 8:17 AM UTC

whizzkid wrote: post #99

I think Luxottica CEO himself explained the whole situation in 1 second 7 years ago, and it is spot on (Not saying it is how it should be). Listen for yourself. https://youtu.be/VxPLGPO2q3E?t=749