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04-30-2014, 10:35 AM
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#1
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,065
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Best value optical chain
I'm looking for your recommendation on a good chain to purchase glasses. I just had cataract surgery and will need minor correction for near vision. I don't care for the cheap drug store readers and could probably benefit from a professional fitting and better quality glasses.
I've always used a local optometrist but wonder if some of the chains (Lenscrafters, etc) might offer good value. I thought my days of buying expensive prescription glasses were over and although I don't need progressive 3-lines, I still will need some help.
thanks in advance...
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04-30-2014, 10:37 AM
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#2
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Lawn chair in Texas
Posts: 14,183
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One option is Costco, if you're a member.
__________________
Have Funds, Will Retire
...not doing anything of true substance...
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04-30-2014, 10:40 AM
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#3
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Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Chicagoland
Posts: 40,514
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04-30-2014, 10:56 AM
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#4
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gone traveling
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: DFW
Posts: 7,586
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I just got a new pair of light weight progressives from Costco and am very satisfied. Cost me $259, which is much cheaper than what I would pay at Lensecrafters with insurance applied.
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04-30-2014, 10:57 AM
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#5
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 1,894
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04-30-2014, 11:43 AM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,125
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We used JCPenney's of all places, because the local store was good at getting us the proper fit.
__________________
Angels danced on the day that you were born.
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04-30-2014, 12:19 PM
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#7
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Texas: No Country for Old Men
Posts: 50,000
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MichaelB
I have used 39dollarglasses for years and am very satisfied.
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Same here. Both DW and I have been using them for several years and have always had a favorable experience.
__________________
Numbers is hard
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04-30-2014, 01:23 PM
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#8
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Flyover country
Posts: 25,157
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39dollarglasses
zennioptical
costco
All three have given me great service at great prices, and I would not hesitate to use any of them again.
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04-30-2014, 03:30 PM
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#9
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 14,328
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Happy Costco customer.
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04-30-2014, 03:43 PM
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#10
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Southern California
Posts: 3,995
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There is a great Sixty Minutes story on the prescription eyeglass industry. The dominant player is Luxottica, which is both a manufacturer and retailer. They own Lenscrafters, Pearle Vision, Sunglass Hut, as well as major brands like Oakley and Ray Ban.
They have forced many players out of the market by either buying them or squeezing them out through their size and monopolistic business model. The one major company that still directly competes with Luxottica is Costco Optical. Costco was acknowledged to be significantly more price competitive than any of the Luxotica brands and retailers.
It's a fascinating story if you can find it online. Well worth watching.
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04-30-2014, 04:40 PM
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#11
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,466
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Tailgate, sorry to hear you still need glasses. I recently (about a year ago) had a horrid experience with Lenscrafters and am back to my optometrist for glasses. I may pay more, but worth it in the end. The knowledge and quality of their staff is top notch.
I also, after recent cataract surgery, continue to need glasses. My monovision is fantastic except when wearing sunglasses. Opthalmologist thinks its a matter of brain getting used to it, however, I think the itty bitty cataract in my other eye that is not affecting my vision, is affecting my vision when wearing sunglasses. I am waiting for the prescription sunglasses and hoping it will solve that problem.
My reading vision seems to be fine, but I am holding some old frames i like in reserve in the event I need to have some reading glasses made.
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04-30-2014, 04:54 PM
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#12
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Moderator
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: San Diego
Posts: 14,140
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I believe (but could be wrong - it happens) that you can use Costco Optical AND Costco pharmacy - even if you're not a costco member.
I had a friend ask the pharmacist that when she was there with me (piggybacking a few purchases on my membership.)
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04-30-2014, 06:11 PM
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#13
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 725
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+1 on the Zenni recommendation. I've used them for years and their service and pricing is hard to beat.
__________________
“If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do.” - Warren Miller
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04-30-2014, 06:40 PM
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#14
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Independence
Posts: 7,271
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Wearing Zenni thin glass progressive bifocal photo-darkening glasses right now and for the last year. For under $100. But Costco service is right there, whereas Zenni is on the interweb and China?
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04-30-2014, 07:07 PM
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#15
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Orlando
Posts: 2,636
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Costco - $260 versus $600 at shop inside eye doctor's office.
We have purchased four pairs of glasses and one additional pair of lenses from them over the years and we have been very satisfied.
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04-30-2014, 07:50 PM
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#16
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Bossier City
Posts: 2,183
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I might have mentioned Vision4Less, but unfortunately they screwed up a pair of expensive frames for me recently, so......
__________________
“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.”
-John F. Kennedy
“Hard work never killed anybody, but why take a chance?” - Edgar Bergen
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04-30-2014, 08:04 PM
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#17
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Lake Livingston, Tx
Posts: 4,203
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Zenni here for about four years. Standard Bifocals with spring frames about $35. My favorite are sunglasses with polarized lenses, bifocals, about $80.
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If it is after 5:00 when I post I reserve the right to disavow anything I posted.
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04-30-2014, 09:41 PM
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#18
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 17,194
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I was surprised that Sears had the best price for the local places... the one I go to also had some very good people with lots of experience.... the other brand names did not have anybody good...
Nobody can compete on prices vs the online stores...
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05-01-2014, 11:38 AM
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#19
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 969
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I actually had very good luck at Wal-Mart for my last purchase. Best price/selection combination that I found locally with no sales pressure to add coatings, etc.
Prices and selection were a bit better with some of the mail order places mentioned above; but, I was getting new frames and wanted to try them on. My eyes are no longer changing frequently; so, this is not a frequently recurring purchase for me.
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05-01-2014, 04:12 PM
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#20
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Gone but not forgotten
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Peru
Posts: 6,335
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Googling "eyeglasses" should bring up all of your local optometrists, as well as any ads where they offer deals. Here, we can get two pair of glasses and a free exam for $79 to $99 at three places.
Franchises always guarantee satisfaction. The "deals" are for a limited selection of frames, and any add-ons... no scratch, tints etc. are always more expensive.
The main objective should be glasses that help you see better.
So... after getting the right lowest cost glasses, get the prescription too. Then, on-line for the next pair at discounts of 75% and more. (after all, when you consider the mfg and material costs designer glasses are the high markup items that earn the optometrists bottom line profits).
The online stores MUST provide guaranteed services or they wouldn't exist. It's just a matter of looking at customer reviews.
But then, doing this, could deprive your local optometrist of his profits... so you have to consider the local economy.
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