May 18th, 2010 | Author: admin
Eyeglasses Made
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One Hour Eyeglasses: Is the Mark Up Worth it?
Shopping for glasses these days is enough to leave anyone in a daze. You have to navigate what seems like an endless maze of choices. There are often thousands of different frames and a confusing list of different lens types and coatings. When you multiply this by all the places you can get your glasses, it gets complicated quickly. Many of these places even offer eyeglasses in an hour for the time crunched buyer. But, is that really an option that you need to pay for? In our experience it isn't, and we've found that many shoppers spend too much money for this minor perk. In most cases, you will overpay for this service, and price is the top complaint that most of our readers have voiced.
In fact, Consumer Reports recently surveyed 92,000 eyeglasses shoppers, and although 75% of shoppers were satisfied with there purchase, only 50% were ok with the price they paid. This is a disturbing trend that has grown in the past few years. With the recent increase in large stores offering eyeglasses in an hour, this satisfaction seems to be going down. All while the cost goes up of course.
In our research though, we've found that it doesn't have to be that way. It is possible to get a great deal on your spectacles if your willing to stay out of the shopping center chain one hour eyeglasses places. This will also cut down on some of the high pressure sales you're likely to encounter as you can go shopping armed with what you want (and more importantly, what you need) already decided. Before going out to your eye doctor's office, it would be a good idea to at least be familiar with some of the different lenses, coatings, and edge treatments so you aren't overwhelmed with the many choices.
This knowledge will also give you a starting point for asking your what you should look for to ensure that you aren't sold unnecessary upgrades that you don't need. For example, many shops will recommend that all eyeglasses wearers opt for additional UV protective coatings or high index polycarbonate lenses, which in most cases aren't needed. These options do provide a nice markup for the store though.
Many of the shady chains will also prey on under informed shoppers pushing them toward much more expensive options such as progressive or "no line" bifocals even if there are other, high quality alternatives that may be less costly. The best way to combat this is to speak with your eye doctor before shopping to find out what you actually need. This small step can save you quite a bit of money and frustration. If your optometrists office includes an eyeglass shop, feel free to look around, but don't feel as though you have to purchase there. Under Federal law, you are allowed to have your eyeglasses prescription filled anywhere.
On our glasses shopping excursions, we've found that the cost of prescription varies dramatically. For example, shopping at a local LensCrafters store had us paying over double for options available elsewhere. For example, a basic polycarbonate (CR-39) lens cost around $120 before any discounts. This is several times more expensive than the same frame at a local Costco store or online from a dealer such as Zenni Optical. We found similar price differences more most options and coatings too. For example, if we wanted to add on an anti-reflective coating LensCrafters required us to upgrade to their FeatherWates polycarbonate lens for a shocking $240! As a comparison, a similar lens at online retailer Zenni Optical is a $41.95 upgrade and $80 at our local Costco. This is over a 300% price difference that the average shopper is charged just to get their eyeglasses in an hour. This seems a bit excessive for such a small convenience.
This cost difference is only multiplied if you are interested in lightweight eyeglass frames. This can push your costs up by hundreds of dollars. Many of these frames are all made by the same manufacturers though, and the designers just license the frame and put their names on. This means that look alike frames are available at numerous other stores for significantly less money. Many of the top manufacturers (like Charmont and Luxottica) have several options that are just like their fashion counterparts for much less money. This is also a situation where online stores can save you a ton money. These retailers carry all the same manufacturers lines, but at hugely discounted prices. Many retailers often have specials offering inexpensive plastic frames for $20 or less. In fact, online retailer Eye Buy Direct offers glasses starting at only $7.95! This is an absolute steal for what you get, and a great way to test the waters or get an additional pair of eyeglasses to keep as a backup pair. It takes a few days to get your order, but who wouldn't wait a couple days to save $350? We sure would. These are some of the savings available to you if you don't need eyeglasses in an hour.
About the Author
Aaron McCann is a freelance journalist and independent product reviewer that takes pride in helping others. To learn more about saving money on eyeglasses by not getting eyeglasses in an hour visit his eye glass world blog at http://discounteyeglasses.blogspot.com
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