General Discussion

meaculpa2011

(918 posts)

58. We've been getting our eyeglasses...

Mon Oct 8, 2012, 07:15 AM

Oct 2012

at a discount shop here on Long Island for more than ten years.

They have displays arranged by price ($39 to $159 complete) and you can pick out your frames, give them your Rx or old glasses, then pick up your new ones in one hour.

I've never paid more than $39 and my teen-aged daughter has never paid less than $159.

My union has an eyewear allowance, but going to the discount store is still cheaper.

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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