How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all
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Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all
#2Without even opening the article I can predict that it informs everyone of what a behemoth Luxoticca is.
As a person with a nearsightedness measurement greater than -5.5, it's something I had to educate myself on.
Costco optical is a decent option for retail sales.
Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all
#3This is one of those things that you can buy online and for a lot cheaper. It always amazes me about how much we are charged for things in the west and that when you go to Asia it's soo much cheaper. (Clothing is another example.. when you're looking at a starting price of 150baht for shorts.. [$3.2 before negotiating] )
Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all
#4My last pair of designer frames with lenses from LensCrafters: $350, similar pair from my optometrist: $750, similar pair (but not designer frames) from an online retailer: $50.
Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all
#5My last pair of designer frames with lenses from LensCrafters: $350, similar pair from my optometrist: $750, similar pair (but not designer frames) from an online retailer: $50.
They're still making a profit off of it.
Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all
#6Without even opening the article I can predict that it informs everyone of what a behemoth Luxoticca is. As a person with a nearsightedness measurement greater than -5.5, it's something I had to educate myself on. Costco optical is a decent option for retail sales.
Do you need a Costco membership to buy glasses from them?
Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all
#7For the last couple of years I have transitioned to Parker Warby and Costco's Kirkland Brand for reading glasses. As a tip for Americans, when traveling to Europe make sure you go shopping for Frames. You will get them for 1/4 - 1/3 the cost of US prices and have a selection 10 times as large.
Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all
#8I 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/Eyemasters and their heavy markups.
Yes, some people don't like ordering online frames because they can't "try them on". If that's a deal breaker, consider going to Costco and see if you like any of their frames. Costco's total price will be about half of the dedicated eyewear chains. If you can't find anything among Costco's selection of frames, I'm afraid you'll be stuck with the Luxoticca monopoly and pay high prices.
I know some folks recommend Warby Parker but last time I checked, they cost more than Costco.
Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all
#9"Fashion accessory prices don't reflect supply cost" is hardly news or something to "gratify one's intellectual curiosity" as per the site guidelines.
If you buy a fashion brand of glasses frames then you're no more or less getting "ripped off" than you are when buying a Gucci hoodie.
Sure, all the brands are owned by the same company, but that affects a lot of things not just eyewear.
Re: How badly are we being ripped off on eyewear? Former industry execs tell all
#10Without even opening the article I can predict that it informs everyone of what a behemoth Luxoticca is. As a person with a nearsightedness measurement greater than -5.5, it's something I had to educate myself on. Costco optical is a decent option for retail sales.
Do you need a Costco membership to buy glasses from them?
Even buying a Costco membership for the sole purpose of buying glasses will likely save you money vs LensCrafters or independent eyewear stores.
My dad's last two pair of glasses (reading & normal) cost him $2100. That's criminal