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Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

latimes.com

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Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#171

Post by dwighttk »

Someone1234 wrote: post #22

No doubt discussion will turn to online optics (as it always does). The problem with online optics is the same as clothing: trying things on is important, and adjustments can only be done in person. Last time we purchased Zenni Optical glasses we had issues, but none of which are Zenni's fault but rather inherent problems with buying glasses online. The first issue was that the frames simply didn't look right/fit rig…

I guess I'm just not picky. The very first pair I got off Zenni (for $5 shipped) were a little irritating to wear because the frames didn't have spring temple arms. Now I just make sure and sort those frames out and I've had zero issues with them.

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#172

Post by enraged_camel »

blackbrokkoli wrote: post #40

Title correction: Why are glasses so expensive in the US? The American eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry. Please stop using the US as the "that's how it is"-standard. In Germany, you pay a very reasonable (from my layman perspective) price for the lenses, maybe about 40$ plus another 30$ if you want to have non-reflective glasses or product from big name producers and stuff like that. Like every fashion pr…

>>Please stop using the US as the "that's how it is"-standard.

The US is the standard for the overwhelming majority of things that are commonly discussed day-to-day on this site. I'm not sure why anyone would take issue with this, other than having had their pride scratched.

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#173

Post by joering2 »

rootusrootus wrote: post #94
blackbrokkoli wrote: post #40

Title correction: Why are glasses so expensive in the US? The American eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry. Please stop using the US as the "that's how it is"-standard. In Germany, you pay a very reasonable (from my layman perspective) price for the lenses, maybe about 40$ plus another 30$ if you want to have non-reflective glasses or product from big name producers and stuff like that. Like every fashion pr…

The original article too long for you to get through? ;-) The company that basically owns the entire eyewear industry top-to-bottom is Italian. Just merged with a French company. I know it's popular on HN to talk about how crappy the US is, but in this case you jumped to the wrong conclusion.

Serious question: how can one "own" the whole industry? What stops me from opening my own eye glass store and sell my own made-at-the-back of the store glasses ??

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#174

Post by lowercased »

hindsightbias wrote: post #150
lowercased wrote: post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

i've been using bose qc20 for a few years for the noise cancelling. I'm curious about the 'hearphones' - to know if the effect is similar to the qc20 'pass through' mode - which still muffles some background noise but opens up to allow voice frequencies through. can't get any clarification if the effect is similar or something radically new, and don't want to spend that much $ to find out. :)

I learned you can't assume anything when you buy an expensive set of noise-canceling headphones and then spend an international flight with two people behind you prattling. It just made their conversation clearer. Also nearly jumped out of my seat in a terminal when a gate announcement was made. Guy across from me pulled out his IEM and said "you know airports increased the volumes on their announcements because peop…

QC20 are 'in-ear' not 'over the ear', with their molded rubbery ear plug things to help block out leakage. they're not perfect, and on their own, yes, noise cancelling can just make voice somewhat clearer. I always pipe a bit of grey noise through the ears to mask that (unless I'm piping music through).

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#176

Post by [deleted] »

pugworthy wrote: post #19

You want to know what's outrageously expensive, yet equally important for basic ability to function in the workplace and other situations? Hearing aids. Hearing aids are glasses for your ears. But compared to them, glasses are unbelievably dirt cheap, and basically fully covered by a lot of decent company insurance plans. Hearing aids? Not the case. Imagine if glasses cost $2-3000 per lens. PER LENS. And your company…

[deleted]

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#177

Post by tombert »

sftwds wrote: post #75
jawns wrote: post #15

Reminder, if you're in the US, the FTC says your eye doctor must give you your prescription after your exam. If a doctor refuses to do so, they can face legal action and penalties. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2016/05/buying-prescriptio... That said, I don't think the FTC stipulates what information must appear on the prescription. Many docs leave off your PD (pupillary distance), which is a necessary measuremen…

It doesn't hurt to ask! The last time I got my eyes examined was at some cheap lenscrafters-type store which had a promotion for 2 pairs of glasses and an eye exam for ~$60. The PD wasn't on the prescription, but the doctor made the measurement after I asked about it. There was a very limited selection of glasses that were available for the 2-for-$60 promotion, and they really tried to upsell me to more expensive fra…

I'm pretty happy with my $8-a-pair glasses at Zenni...due to my tendency to lose glasses, I was happy buying 7 sets from them and have them scattered around most of my common places in my life (e.g. my bedroom, living room, desk at work, etc)...If I lose one, I don't have to feel guilty about it.

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#178

Post by driverdan »

40acres wrote: post #158

I signed up for an HDHP and HSA when I got my first job because I wanted didn't want a premium deducted from my paycheck (young and short-sighted), turns out it was one of the best decisions I've made financially. I'm healthy so I haven't had many medical expenses at all, but I've been able to amass a decent health emergency fund through my HSA and "splurge" on certain qualified medical expenses. For instance I got a…

While an HSA is good this is completely unrelated to the topic. You still overpaid for expensive glasses.

Re: Why are glasses so expensive? The eyewear industry prefers to keep that blurry

#180

Post by driverdan »

sct202 wrote: post #2

One of my co-workers always had a new pair of well fitted glasses on every week, and I found out she was buying them online for like $20-$40 a pair. At first I was apprehensive about the fit and quality of the glasses, but after buying a few test pairs they really are just like the store brands.

She bought a new pair every week? What a waste of money. Consumerism at its worst.
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