Where do you buy your glasses?

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Hes

Luxottica recently bought ClearlyContacts and a big European Online company. So they are expanding there as well.

Pearle Vision
Lenscrafters
Sears Optical

3/5 of the 5 options in the mall I work in are the same company. That is why our practice joined with FYiDoctors. It is meant to counter the private equity group aspect of the industry. Privately owned and managed by optometrists. It has allowed our prices to be much more competitive.

Another interesting aspect of the industry is that online stores are starting to put in retail, brick and mortar locations.

That is why I was looking at Warby Parker, but there only brick and mortar location is in Toronto, and trying glasses on in person is pretty important for me.

It is an unreal monopoly though.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by MattyC

No idea what Hesla has to say about this, but I had my friend measure my pupillary distance and ordered some cheapo glasses from Clearly Contacts.

I have a set that I got at an optomerist, but in the interest of having a couple different style options, tough to beat $60 for a set of glasses. I wear them all the time and don't seem to have any problems. Not recommending it at all, I'd be interested to hear Hesla's take on it.

Online seems very hit and miss. A lot of our patients buy online, and then just end up back in store purchasing their next pair. Others have no issue. If you have a mild prescription then the difference is minor. Once you start getting above -2.50 or -3.00 the difference becomes way more noticeable.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Hes

Online seems very hit and miss. A lot of our patients buy online, and then just end up back in store purchasing their next pair. Others have no issue. If you have a mild prescription then the difference is minor. Once you start getting above -2.50 or -3.00 the difference becomes way more noticeable.

Makes sense. I'm -1.50 so it's not a huge issue.

I do have to say, as far as an optometry experience is concerned, FYIdoctors is a great customer service spot. I went there when it was in Eaton Centre before they moved to the Banker's Hall and it's just top notch service.

[rohara66]

I usually go to lensecrafters (or somewhere in the mall), try on glasses, find what I like, jot down the model/size then go online and buy the frames (for a fraction of the cost). Then I take the frame to Costco for cheap lenses.

Sorry lensecrafters but $500 for glasses is not gonna fly.

[Knut]

We have many patients that come in with a frame and we just do lenses for them. It is a good idea for your set that you might use all day on the computer. Better quality lens that is properly measured and will last longer.

[burnin_vernon]

I want to get a pair of transitional high index lenses (I'm a -4.5/-5.0). I suppose you couldn't/should't buy something like this online? Does Costco sell these?

On another note, does anyone wear transition lenses? I wore them 30 years ago and they were pretty awful, staying dark indoors all the time. Has the technology improved?

[Knut]

Originally Posted by burnin_vernon

I want to get a pair of transitional high index lenses (I'm a -4.5/-5.0). I suppose you couldn't/should't buy something like this online? Does Costco sell these?

On another note, does anyone wear transition lenses? I wore them 30 years ago and they were pretty awful, staying dark indoors all the time. Has the technology improved?

Transitions are much better now. However, two big problems still remain. 1) They do not darken in a vehicle (windshield blocks UV) and 2) In cold weather they do not transition as quickly.

Costco would sell those type of lenses.

[Fuzz]

I've used http://www.framesdirect.com once and thought it was a really good deal. Got titanium frames, which are awesome for less than half the price. Use them every day at work and haven't had an issue. Measured my own PD with electronic calipers and a mirror.

I had also tried to order from smart buy glasses and they were a disaster, so avoid them.

[taco.vidal]

Originally Posted by Hes

Transitions are much better now. However, two big problems still remain. 1) They do not darken in a vehicle (windshield blocks UV) and 2) In cold weather they do not transition as quickly.

Costco would sell those type of lenses.

Plus they look creepy.

[Amethyst]

Originally Posted by Hes

FyiDoctors has Aeroplan now. There are a lot of points handed out.

I wish they had Airmiles instead. I don't use Aeroplan.

[Amethyst]

I have a complicated prescription, so the online glasses are WAY more than the cheap ones people talk about. Plus I don't know if I trust any of my friends to do the measurements accurately.

For years I went to Lenscrafters because the optometrist used to have such a small selection and be way more expensive. Then I heard that they had become more competitive. The last couple times I've purchased glasses and prescription glasses from the optometrist. It makes a lot of difference which frames you choose though. One of the pairs I was considering had a lens and frame deal that came out to about $200 total, whereas the other pair I was considering was $400.

[Peanut]

Transition lenses are terribad. Don't do it. I actually just paid to get normal lenses put into frames that I took a flyer on transitions with. I hated the transitions that much.

My astigmatism is brutal. My near-sightedness is also quite bad. I can't buy contacts online because of my prescription so I haven't even bothered looking into glasses.

I wear glasses from the moment I wake up until the moment I go to bed, so I go to Brass Monocle because I love their frames. It's basically part of my face at this point so I want quality. You pay out the nose though.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by Hes

Many likely do. If it becomes a much more common practice, then you can bet that all of them will.

The Measurement takes time away from other patients that require our optician services.

Do you walk into a clothing store, have them measure you, ask them to jot all the measurements down and then walk out ?

...I may have done this once. Went into Moores, got sized for a jacket, tried a few on for good measure and made a note of my size on my phone.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Hes

Many likely do. If it becomes a much more common practice, then you can bet that all of them will.

The Measurement takes time away from other patients that require our optician services.

Do you walk into a clothing store, have them measure you, ask them to jot all the measurements down and then walk out ?

I have no idea what you're babbling about.

I once went into an Iris store when it was quiet, I asked them for a PD measurement and they did it and wrote it down for me.

Christ almighty, it takes like 30 seconds, LOL. You make it sound like picking up that machine and staring into it is some sort of magical process.

Originally Posted by Hes

That is why our practice joined with FYiDoctors. It is meant to counter the private equity group aspect of the industry. Privately owned and managed by optometrists. It has allowed our prices to be much more competitive.

So you countered private equity with private equity.

[Knut]

Originally Posted by Shazam

I have no idea what you're babbling about.

I once went into an Iris store when it was quiet, I asked them for a PD measurement and they did it and wrote it down for me.

Christ almighty, it takes like 30 seconds, LOL. You make it sound like picking up that machine and staring into it is some sort of magical process.

So you countered private equity with private equity.

The procedure takes away time from other patients. It is great you found a place to do the test for your for free, however it is the exception.

As a business we have no obligation to provide you with a free service.

I meant it in the sense that it is obligation to public shareholders and a private equity group vs. the obligation being to our patients and individual doctors.

[PepsiFree]

Bumping my own thread for another question:

I found that I wanted a second cheap pair of glasses, and lucked into some nice looking frames for almost nothing.

So, I know you can go into a lot of places and get them to just do the lenses, but of those that do, where have people found is the cheapest spot for lens-only?

[Ducay]

Most mom & pop opticians would be the place to go. Large chains may shy away from frames not purchased there.

Good optician in Marda Loop for stuff like this. Otherwise, for frames & lenses, I normally just do Clearly.ca

[wontondestruction]

Buying glasses in this town is a rip-off. The last time I bought a pair was 9 years ago, and they cost me over $800. Now I just get them whenever I go to Japan. They cost around 8,000 to 10,000 yen ($100-120), and I still get them covered by my work insurance. If you're ever planning a trip, bring you prescription and save yourself some money. Depending on the prescription, they can make them in a couple of hours (such as the case of my wife), or a couple of weeks (in my case).

[jeffh]

Booked online and got into costco for the exam. I called around to a several places and found to be most affordable.
Then headed to Optiks International, as they are a Merit(company's insurance provider) approved dealer. Apparently, we get a discount for shopping there. So I bought a new frame and lenses there and was only outta pocket $10 in the end for the eye exam.
Also a family friend took my old, decent frames down to Mexico with him last year and updated my lenses prescription for a mere $30 USD. Buddy wears 'thick' lenses, so I'm sure more savings to be had going that route.

[cam_wmh]

Bumping an old thread --- Where does one buy Shuron eyeglasses in ol' cowtown?