General Discussion

jsr

(7,712 posts) Sun Oct 7, 2012, 08:16 PM Oct 2012

Sticker shock: Why are glasses so expensive? [View all]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18560_162-57527151/sticker-shock-why-are-glasses-so-expensive/

October 7, 2012 7:40 PM
Sticker shock: Why are glasses so expensive?

Have you bought a pair of glasses lately? Bet your eyes popped when you saw the price tag. If you don't go to places like Walmart or Costco, you could easily be spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars for a pair that cost $30 10 years ago. Talk about sticker shock.

And it's not as though things have changed that much: they're still made of a couple of pieces of plastic or wire, some screws and glass. Why should a pair of glasses cost more than an iPad? Well one answer is because one company controls a big chunk of the business.

Never has there been so much choice: Ray-Bans, Oakleys, glasses for running, and skiing, and even reading. A staggering variety of colors and designers. You'd think the competition would force the prices down.

One reason it hasn't is a little known but very big Italian company called Luxottica. If you own a nice pair of specs or shades, they're probably theirs. Luxottica is the biggest eyewear company on earth. It shuns publicity, but CEO Andrea Guerra invited us in for a look. And it was eye-opening. ...

74 replies

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Highlight:

Sticker shock: Why are glasses so expensive? [View all] jsr Oct 2012 OP

It's ridiculous.. barnabas63 Oct 2012 #1

I just got new glasses 3 weeks ago tammywammy Oct 2012 #29

I thought I had it bad at -8.00. Hoyt Oct 2012 #57

us blind bats.. barnabas63 Oct 2012 #60

My husband is -8/-9 too REP Oct 2012 #66

We were just discussing this. This is deregulation at work. Doremus Oct 2012 #2

zenni optical LiberalEsto Oct 2012 #3

Both my husband and I have...love them! madmom Oct 2012 #7

thanks for the tip - I will pass it on. rurallib Oct 2012 #25

Absolutely Old Codger Oct 2012 #26

I purchased my glasses from them and was very pleased Digit Oct 2012 #27

Been using them for years meself... TreasonousBastard Oct 2012 #30

I have bought glasses from them FloridaJudy Oct 2012 #52

Similarly, Hearing Aids. NYC_SKP Oct 2012 #4

this madmom Oct 2012 #5

kr. and this isn't the only consumer product that's a near-monopoly either. HiPointDem Oct 2012 #6

In the Frugal forum, they are suggesting Zenni and Coastal Kolesar Oct 2012 #8

All health care costs here are out of control. n/t porphyrian Oct 2012 #9

Costco RichGirl Oct 2012 #10

They should play MP3s. undeterred Oct 2012 #15

2 pr for $99 at Sears. Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #38

Bookmarking Texasgal Oct 2012 #11

I got my eyeglasses at Walmart for $150.00, lenses and all. ywcachieve Oct 2012 #12

About what it'd cost for 17 pair from Zenni Wednesdays Oct 2012 #24

Who is Zenni? ywcachieve Oct 2012 #73

Why does Dentistry cost so much? undeterred Oct 2012 #13

and the $1200+ crowns are coming out of China KurtNYC Oct 2012 #28

And the porcelain on them is worth no more than 50 cents. n/t proReality Oct 2012 #37

Not the ones my dentist uses - Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #39

Its the cost of the gold in them jerseyjack Oct 2012 #34

Where is the DOJ Jake2413 Oct 2012 #14

Check out 39dollarglasses.com K8-EEE Oct 2012 #16

Spam deleted by Ms. Toad (MIR Team) jamesmichele Oct 2012 #74

They are expensive, sort of, sometimes... MineralMan Oct 2012 #17

Without even reading your post, the answer is obviously ... GeorgeGist Oct 2012 #18

And razor blades... pipoman Oct 2012 #19

Coastal Contacts and they sell regular specs as well. GoneOffShore Oct 2012 #20

That's where I buy all my glasses. Cuts out the middle man. nt Comrade_McKenzie Oct 2012 #23

Second for Coastal. Nevilledog Oct 2012 #63

Exam free, frames and progressive lenses $50 HockeyMom Oct 2012 #21

I wear transitional bifocals and have to put off getting new glasses kestrel91316 Oct 2012 #22

Go to Sears - Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #43

Was that just for the lenses? kestrel91316 Oct 2012 #65

Nope - full pairs of glasses Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #69

my transiiton bifocals where about $200 at costco rdking647 Oct 2012 #46

$30 obxhead Oct 2012 #31

don't go for the expensive frames... yawnmaster Oct 2012 #32

There are many inexpensive online eyeglasses made in China. I bought a couple of them. Work great JackN415 Oct 2012 #33

Watch Sears - I buy 2 pr for $99 Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #35

If I'm not mistaken.....Sears IS part of the Luxottica family..... a kennedy Oct 2012 #59

Sears optical is not owned by Luxotica, but they run both Sears and Target's optical business. Fla Dem Oct 2012 #61

The most recent Sears sale is still going on Ms. Toad Oct 2012 #68

Eyemart express left-of-center2012 Oct 2012 #36

There are three words you can put in front of anything and the price will at least quadruple. mick063 Oct 2012 #40

Ray Ban sunglasses are far more expensive than opticals. ronnie624 Oct 2012 #56

39dollarglasses.com Sedona Oct 2012 #41

$95 Warby Parker nadine_mn Oct 2012 #42

The new trend in affordable glasses... crazy homeless guy Oct 2012 #44

cheap glasses rdking647 Oct 2012 #45

A better question...Why are discount glasses now all over my ads? Spitfire of ATJ Oct 2012 #47

I'll take that over having to pay a minimum of liberalhistorian Oct 2012 #48

I've Also Wondered.............. ChoppinBroccoli Oct 2012 #49

I think we got the answer to that question tonight MindPilot Oct 2012 #50

It depends on your insurance. tammywammy Oct 2012 #71

since the state no longer covers MFM008 Oct 2012 #51

i used to get mine in bangkok...$8-12 cash for tests, lenses and frames. crazy, eh? DonRedwood Oct 2012 #53

Online is now the way to go laundry_queen Oct 2012 #54

I bought my Ray Ban frames from Amazon for $78 ronnie624 Oct 2012 #55

We've been getting our eyeglasses... meaculpa2011 Oct 2012 #58

Costco is your friend. Exam and glasses 200 bucks out the door. sarcasmo Oct 2012 #62

buy them online.... spanone Oct 2012 #64

This is all really good to know. hifiguy Oct 2012 #67

It depends on your prescription. tammywammy Oct 2012 #70

k&r for exposure. n/t Laelth Oct 2012 #72