I need new glasses

[evman150]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

When I was considering clearly contacts, my "free first pair" came to something like $70. To get anything nice, it was $150 or more. Certainly not "no worries if you don't like them" kind of prices.

I hate CC, but even I can't believe the free ones would come out to 70, let alone 150. When I got mine they came out to about $8. Nice glasses too.

But when I see CC advertising $99 glasses...I know they've jumped the shark. That's just a brutal price for a standard pair of glasses....let alone the prices for whatever they AREN'T advertising.

A pair of fully upgraded (within reason of course), nice glasses that fit great should cost no more than $50. Any more than that and you're getting royally ripped off.

[Mccree]

Originally Posted by evman150

I hate CC, but even I can't believe the free ones would come out to 70, let alone 150. When I got mine they came out to about $8. Nice glasses too.

But when I see CC advertising $99 glasses...I know they've jumped the shark. That's just a brutal price for a standard pair of glasses....let alone the prices for whatever they AREN'T advertising.

A pair of fully upgraded (within reason of course), nice glasses that fit great should cost no more than $50. Any more than that and you're getting royally ripped off.

I have to ask how in the world you getting glasses with lenses for no more than 50 dollars. Frames maybe but lens??

[evman150]

Originally Posted by Mccree

[/B]

I have to ask how in the world you getting glasses with lenses for no more than 50 dollars. Frames maybe but lens??

Read my other posts in this thread. I've gotten six pairs in the past two years, total cost of ~$160.

$8
$19
$19
$32
$32
$52

The $52 glasses were my first ones. I wouldn't spend that much again.

The brick and mortar glasses business in Canada is one of the biggest price-fixing scams out there. $500 for something that costs them $15. I suppose once upon a time they cost more to make than today due to manufacturing advances, but still.

This is one of the few times when something that seems "too good to be true" is actually true.

[Knut]

I am sorry. But this is extremely false.

There is a vast difference in quality in the eye care market and numerous factors to consider.

1) Quality of the optics in the lenses. My office could bring in lenses that cost $5 apiece if I wanted to, however they are poor quality, lack UV protection and have a lot of excess distortion to them. They are also of really low grade plastic (think cheap safety glasses) and they easily scratch.

2) Frames can be brought in for very cheap from China. Direct from factory type of thing. Once again, there is poor craftsmanship and there is a tendency for them to fall apart quite easily.

3) It is highly unlikely that you have significant myopia or astigmatism. People with these issues need a higher index lens to decrease the thickness and potentially digital technology to reduce distortion on the edges.

4) Many people see glasses as a fashion accessory as well. Hence the popularity of designer glasses.

5) Brick and Mortar stores provide service, repairs and very good warranties.

In short. Our office could provide glasses that cheap, but we choose to cater to those that care about quality of the product they use. I have a feeling that if you were to spend even $200 on a pair of in store glasses, made at a reputable location, you would notice a large difference optically.

There is a reason that Clearly contacts' prices are creeping up and they are starting to open brick and mortar locations. It is very tough to compete to be the cheapest on the market and is always a money losing venture.

We have long ago learned to not cater to those always looking for the cheapest option. They will never stay, and there will always be a place that will offer things for less. You will alienate those that want good quality as well.

[evman150]

Originally Posted by Hesla

I am sorry. But this is extremely false.

There is a vast difference in quality in the eye care market and numerous factors to consider.

1) Quality of the optics in the lenses. My office could bring in lenses that cost $5 apiece if I wanted to, however they are poor quality, lack UV protection and have a lot of excess distortion to them. They are also of really low grade plastic (think cheap safety glasses) and they easily scratch.

2) Frames can be brought in for very cheap from China. Direct from factory type of thing. Once again, there is poor craftsmanship and there is a tendency for them to fall apart quite easily.

3) It is highly unlikely that you have significant myopia or astigmatism. People with these issues need a higher index lens to decrease the thickness and potentially digital technology to reduce distortion on the edges.

4) Many people see glasses as a fashion accessory as well. Hence the popularity of designer glasses.

5) Brick and Mortar stores provide service, repairs and very good warranties.

In short. Our office could provide glasses that cheap, but we choose to cater to those that care about quality of the product they use. I have a feeling that if you were to spend even $200 on a pair of in store glasses, made at a reputable location, you would notice a large difference optically.

There is a reason that Clearly contacts' prices are creeping up and they are starting to open brick and mortar locations. It is very tough to compete to be the cheapest on the market and is always a money losing venture.

We have long ago learned to not cater to those always looking for the cheapest option. They will never stay, and there will always be a place that will offer things for less. You will alienate those that want good quality as well.

Dude. $19 (including anti-reflective, anti-scratch, UV, 1.57 lenses) - had various pairs for up to two years, never had a scratch, or a single problem. Never had a frame problem - not one.

I mean, even $50 (if you don't get a great deal).

Versus $500?!?!?!?! That must be some great service people are getting.

Fashion accessory - yes. That is one of the reasons I have six pairs, and will likely get more in the next couple years (I do plan on getting the surgery in the next five years).

I'm -450 in both eyes - not good but not horrible. A simple upgrade to 1.57 lenses works just fine.

Service, repairs, warranties - $20!!! Just buy a new pair!

Your office could not offer them that cheap, and would never do that even if they could because there are still enough unconnected people out there who are unaware of just how much they are getting ripped off at these b&m places.

"We have long ago learned to not cater to those always looking for the cheapest option. "

This is total BS, because since time immemorial prices have been set by the industry, and consumers had no other choice. $500 glasses were the norm. $20 cost, $480 gross margin. Now consumers can do better. It's only a matter of time before the dinosaurs have to shape up or ship out of business.

[Knut]

^ your opinion and you are set into it.

Not sure how you can possibly know what industry wide margins are, however they are nowhere near what you "claim". There is no consensus at all in the industry other than set prices in safety, indian affairs and SS/AISH. The margins on those are extremely low.

Free advice. Next time upgrade to a 1.67 index and there will be a noticeable improvement in the thickness of your lens.

Finally, I love how you are this "expert" in all your posts about moral high grounds and economics, however you would support a company that gets their lenses from the cheapest of the cheap factory's in China. What does your "No Logo" book say about that ?

[Plett25]

Hesla... you said "our office" so does that mean you are an Optometrist?

If so, are glasses from Clearly Contacts dangerous? Will they harm your eyes? I strongly suspect the answer is no and no. But if the answer is yes and/or yes, can you please provide a link?

You sound a little like a Volvo salesman trash talking Hyundais. Yes Volvos are better and safer but that doesn't mean that Hyundais are ####ty and dangerous. To be quite honest, if I was a Volvo salesman I'd trash talk Hyundais too.

[Bertuzzied]

haha. is this a suitable thread to post a picture of girlysports and her broken glasses again?

[Knut]

^
yes, I am an Optometrist

The only eyes that can be harmed, from poorly made glasses, are children under the age of 10. The eyes have not fully developed until that point. After that age you have to worry about the potential for headaches, eyestrain and poor night vision. Adults are not harmed by wearing poorly made glasses, it is just they will have the more symptoms.

The harm done by places like clearly contacts and other online retailers is that they often provide refill's of contact lenses, or new glasses, without a valid prescription (ie. older than 2 years). That is the harm that can be done to your eyes as people can avoid their routine eye examinations and have serious eye conditions missed.

Honestly, if someone chooses to buy online that is their right. I just hope that they are maintaining their regular checkup's with their Optometrist. They also have to be aware that they are taking a hit in the Quality with their purchase.

[evman150]

Originally Posted by Hesla

Finally, I love how you are this "expert" in all your posts about moral high grounds and economics, however you would support a company that gets their lenses from the cheapest of the cheap factory's in China. What does your "No Logo" book say about that ?

I am not a supporter of Naomi Klein, and I don't think I've ever espoused such beliefs in my posts.

And for the record, I go to my optometrist for my eye exam every two years, and I still get my contacts from my optometrist because they offer a better value, less hassle, and less worry than buying them online.

[Rathji]

FWIW, my optometrist said it was a good idea when I suggested that I get my glasses online, since it is a very simple prescription. My wife, on the other hand was cautioned against it.

I think I paid $17 shipping for this free pair.

[Plett25]

Originally Posted by Hesla

^
yes, I am an Optometrist

The only eyes that can be harmed, from poorly made glasses, are children under the age of 10. The eyes have not fully developed until that point. After that age you have to worry about the potential for headaches, eyestrain and poor night vision. Adults are not harmed by wearing poorly made glasses, it is just they will have the more symptoms.

The harm done by places like clearly contacts and other online retailers is that they often provide refill's of contact lenses, or new glasses, without a valid prescription (ie. older than 2 years). That is the harm that can be done to your eyes as people can avoid their routine eye examinations and have serious eye conditions missed.

Honestly, if someone chooses to buy online that is their right. I just hope that they are maintaining their regular checkup's with their Optometrist. They also have to be aware that they are taking a hit in the Quality with their purchase.

Thanks, that's good to know.

Seems like my gut instinct was right, last time I needed new glasses I went through Clearly Contacts but for my daughter, we got glasses through the Optometrist.

The flip side of the quality concern is quantity. For less than my last pair of Costco glasses, I got 2 pairs of glasses and a pair of sunglasses from Clearly Contacts .

[Knut]

^ That is the key. Everyone has the point when they will give up quality for value. For some it is "I want the cheapest no matter what", while for others it is "I want your most expensive everything". For most it is somewhere in between.

My general recommendation with online glasses, especially for higher Rx's, is to get one good pair in store for when you are spending long hours on a computer, or night driving. That way you have the best for when your eyes need it the most. After that get as many as line as you want as backups/alternatives.

[Plett25]

Originally Posted by fotze

Also that feeling of impending doom that if you break them, you are going to get fataed again. Its like having a $800 watch, except you have to buy a new one every 2 years, and its extremely fragile and as a kicker, you cannot live your life if it breaks.

I know the feeling.

Our oldest was about 2 when she "helped" me wake up by handing me my glasses. She didn't know how to unfold glasses, and she guessed wrong and really messed up the temples.

It was weird, she was trying so hard to be helpful and that made me feel so proud, but at the same time she basically threw away a $500 bill. Ahhhh... parenthood.