Sticker shock: Why are glasses so expensive?

[jsr]

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. ...

[barnabas63]

1. It's ridiculous..

...and the worse your eyes are, the more expensive it gets too. Special lenses, special features, etc. If I'd have gotten new ones last year, it would have been about $600 after insurance.

[tammywammy]

29. I just got new glasses 3 weeks ago

I wear a -12 in contacts. My lenses, just lenses, before insurance was $488 - super high index things. I gotta have them though, I'm blind as a bat.

[Hoyt]

57. I thought I had it bad at -8.00.

Haven't tried it in years, but in the past when I bought glasses at cut-rate places it was a joke. The lenses sucked with major distortion, the centers were off leaving me dizzy, the lenses were gosh-awful thick, etc.

Some of the latest technology in lenses is so much better, they even shed rain pretty well.

A good fit makes a big difference. I don't think the cut-rate places will get it right, but it might be worth a try just to see what I can get nowadays.

[barnabas63]

60. us blind bats..

...need the expensive lenses, there's no way around us. Insurance hasn't kept up with the high-tech prices..

[REP]

66. My husband is -8/-9 too

He also needs bifocals (much to his dismay). He would pay almost anything for glasses with a larger non-distorted area.

I'm just -4 with astigmatism. Mucho cheap glasses for me!

[Doremus]

2. We were just discussing this. This is deregulation at work.

Thirty years ago Luxottica would have been prevented from owning such a huge share of the American eyeglasses market.

[LiberalEsto]

3. zenni optical

check it out online

I've never bought any there, but the prices seem amazing

[madmom]

7. Both my husband and I have...love them!

[rurallib]

25. thanks for the tip - I will pass it on.

[Old Codger]

26. Absolutely

Zenni optical is great been using them for years

[Digit]

27. I purchased my glasses from them and was very pleased

I only paid a fraction of what they would have cost here.

I wish I could have purchased here in the states but it was either zenni-optical or no glasses at all.

[TreasonousBastard]

30. Been using them for years meself...

don't like most of the $6.95 ones and usually pay around 12 bucks a pair, but the glasses, the prices, and the service is great.

[FloridaJudy]

52. I have bought glasses from them

Several times. I'm pretty sure their frames are made in China, but so are everyone else's I expect. So far, I haven't been disappointed. Well, one pair of frames did break when my BIL stepped on them, but I doubt any frames would have survived that.

I've gotten two pairs of progressive glasses for about $60 each, which is far cheaper than even the discount places. Unfortunately, they don't do prismatic correction, so my poor sister still has to pay hundreds for hers.

[NYC_SKP]

4. Similarly, Hearing Aids.

Only more so.

Hearing aids: $3,000 per ear.

No need for this bullshit.

For eyewear, however, I think the frames cost far too much.

I've been able to save money by paying for the exam and Rx, but taking the lens and frame order to a discount house.

[madmom]

5. this

http://www.zennioptical.com/

get your prescription and order them on-line.

[HiPointDem]

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

[Kolesar]

8. In the Frugal forum, they are suggesting Zenni and Coastal

Great segment by 60 Minutes, btw.
To your health!:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1128828

[porphyrian]

9. All health care costs here are out of control. n/t

[RichGirl]

10. Costco

I got a pair of transistion bi-focals for about $250.00

[undeterred]

15. They should play MP3s.

[Ms. Toad]

38. 2 pr for $99 at Sears.

Same deal - transition bifocals. My spouse requires special lenses because she needs so much correction, but even with the added cost it was only around $350 for 2 pair.

[Texasgal]

11. Bookmarking

Thank you for the story!

[ywcachieve]

12. I got my eyeglasses at Walmart for $150.00, lenses and all.

[Wednesdays]

24. About what it'd cost for 17 pair from Zenni

I got two pair of bifocals from Zenni for $26. Never disappointed.

[ywcachieve]

73. Who is Zenni?

Fill me in.

[undeterred]

13. Why does Dentistry cost so much?

The labs charge us an arm and a leg for their work.

[KurtNYC]

28. and the $1200+ crowns are coming out of China

[proReality]

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

[Ms. Toad]

39. Not the ones my dentist uses -

his are made locally.

[jerseyjack]

34. Its the cost of the gold in them

[Jake2413]

14. Where is the DOJ

If this isn't a monopoly then nothing is.

[K8-EEE]

16. Check out 39dollarglasses.com

Both my daughter and I have bought on that site (you just enter your prescription info from drop-down boxes) and they really ARE $39 - including frames and lenses! Plus reasonable shipping costs. You can add some features for additonal expense (like bifocals or sunglasses) but we were very happy with our $39 glasses, they were really cute too!

[jamesmichele]

74. Spam deleted by Ms. Toad (MIR Team)

[MineralMan]

17. They are expensive, sort of, sometimes...

However, there are plenty of places that sell inexpensive glasses. I finally had to buy a pair for distant vision, since I had trouble passing my last vision test for my driver's licence four years ago. My right eye was worse than my left. So, when renewal time came up, I just walked into an America's Best store near me. An hour later, I had had a complete eye exam, picked out a couple of pairs of frames from the wall, and paid $101 for two pairs, including the exam, lenses, and frames. I picked them up four days later, and they worked perfectly.

Are the frames expensive? Nope. In fact, they're a lot like the frames on my $15 readers, with metal rims and spring-loaded temples. Those always last me a couple of years, so I expect the same from these prescription glasses.

Now, if I wanted bifocals, scratch-resistant lenses, fancy coatings, or some frames with some designer's names, they'd have been happy to help me out with those, but I went in to get some cheap glasses, and got them. Not much upselling, either.

You just have to look for what you want. Inexpensive eyeglasses aren't hard to find.

[GeorgeGist]

18. Without even reading your post, the answer is obviously ...

[font size = 100] GREED.

[pipoman]

19. And razor blades...

FFS, they don't even need to be custom made..another area which needs a good long anti-trust investigation..

[GoneOffShore]

20. Coastal Contacts and they sell regular specs as well.

[Comrade_McKenzie]

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

[Nevilledog]

63. Second for Coastal.

You first pair is free..except for about a nine dollar shipping fee. So long as you don't have a really strong prescription or bifocals. Wearing a pair from them right now.

[HockeyMom]

21. Exam free, frames and progressive lenses $50

5 years ago. I worked for a Non-Profit for the developmentally disabled. They had a clinic for, including specialists, their consumers. If staff, and their familes, went there all services were totally FREE. They sent away someplace for glasses and the total cost was $50.

This was THE best place I ever worked for as far as health benefits.

[kestrel91316]

22. I wear transitional bifocals and have to put off getting new glasses

because, even with relatively inexpensive frames, they are going to cost me over $400. And that doesn't include the eye exam I need.

[Ms. Toad]

43. Go to Sears -

and watch the sales. My transition bifocals cost $50 each (2/$99).

The online glasses also offer trifocals much more cheaply, but I've never been confident enough about measuring to try them. I know others with transition bifocals who have had good luck there (Zenni being one of the places).

[kestrel91316]

65. Was that just for the lenses?

[Ms. Toad]

69. Nope - full pairs of glasses

And (at least when I bought mine last fall) they don't even need to be the same prescription so you and a friend could share. I got one pair of frameless and one pair of wire-rimmed. My spouse, bottle-cap lenses, needs special specialty (lightweight) lenses and that is an add-on cost, but she got regular glasses and sunglasses for around $350.

It is a sale, so you will need to watch for the sale - they typically have one every fall (I haven't looked at other times of the year). I thought it just ended - but it is still on until 11/13: http://www.searsoptical.com/eyeglasses/save-on-frames-and-eyewear-with-our-current-offers-coupons-and-discounts.

[rdking647]

46. my transiiton bifocals where about $200 at costco

[obxhead]

31. $30

I've been wearing glasses for 30 years. I've never been able to get them for as cheap as $30.

My eyes are bad, but I don't have a particularly special needs.

Overall, I really spend about the same amount on glasses today as I did 30 years ago. The only real change is that the quality has gone up tenfold.

I think you need to do a bit more shopping.

[yawnmaster]

32. don't go for the expensive frames...

fashion is expensive.

[JackN415]

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

[Ms. Toad]

35. Watch Sears - I buy 2 pr for $99

There are fairly regular sales.

[a kennedy]

59. If I'm not mistaken.....Sears IS part of the Luxottica family.....

I saw the 60 minutes piece of this, and it said Sears is now a part of it.

[Fla Dem]

61. Sears optical is not owned by Luxotica, but they run both Sears and Target's optical business.

Mentioned during the 60 Minutes story last night.

[Ms. Toad]

68. The most recent Sears sale is still going on

http://www.searsoptical.com/eyeglasses/save-on-frames-and-eyewear-with-our-current-offers-coupons-and-discounts Continuing until 11/3.

So - don't know (and don't care) about ownership, since it seems not to have impacted the price.

[left-of-center2012]

36. Eyemart express

I last bought my bifocals at a small chain, Eyemart Express.
I picked out a nice frame, got a couple coatings, a year's warranty and paid about $150.

http://eyemartexpress.com/

[mick063]

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

Nuclear, military, and prescription.


There are glasses and then there are prescription glasses.
There are boots and then there are military boots.

The only difference is that one costs many times more than the other.

[ronnie624]

56. Ray Ban sunglasses are far more expensive than opticals.

They're made in Italy, while the optical are made in China.

[Sedona]

41. 39dollarglasses.com

been using them for years.

[nadine_mn]

42. $95 Warby Parker

http://www.warbyparker.com/


When I finally get my eyes checked I am getting my glasses here


You can get up to five prs shipped (non-prescription - just demo) to your home to try on to see if you like them first

[crazy homeless guy]

44. The new trend in affordable glasses...

Lots of places will ship you pairs to try on at home for $5 or so. When you pick a pair to buy you then get the frames and lenses for roughly $95-$100.

If you go with Warby Parker they will also send a pair to someone in a third world country after you make your purchase. I am wearing a pair of their glasses right now and have been very happy with the fit/finish/style.

I mean how can you go wrong... they ship them to you so you can try them in your own home.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/19/fashion/eyeglasses-on-spec-online-retailers.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

[rdking647]

45. cheap glasses

i was in belize for a friends wedding when i broke my glasses. literally lost 1/2 of them into the ocean.
I was on the island of amergris caye. I called an optician on the mainland in belize city. I read him my perscription over the phone.
he made me a pair of glasses using a generic frame. then he had them flow to the island.
the pair of glasses was $125.
total cost for shipping by airsame day delivery???? $3.00

as for glasses in the US i use costco or walmart. my glasses,including bifocals,photo gray (or whatever they call it now that turns the lenses dark as sunglasses) and anti glare coatings are about $200. a regular optician want 5-700 for them

mine look as good as designer frames. I see as well as a glasses from an optician. and saved 60+%

[Spitfire of ATJ]

47. A better question...Why are discount glasses now all over my ads?

[liberalhistorian]

48. I'll take that over having to pay a minimum of

five grand for every pair of my needed hearing aids. And that's just for the basic models! Not to mention the fact that insurance doesn't cover them.

Although I agree that the current prices for glasses are ridiculous.

[ChoppinBroccoli]

49. I've Also Wondered..............

...............why insurance companies will pay for yearly eye exams and part of the cost of glasses/contact lenses, but won't cover Lasik eye surgery? A few years ago, my wife qualified for vision coverage through her employer's insurance. Around that same time, I began to seriously consider getting the laser eye surgery (I've worn glasses my entire life, and I'm sick of it). We found out that the insurance will cover part of the cost of a new pair of glasses once per year, but will not cover Lasik. Now think about the logic of that. A new pair of glasses every year of your life compared with the one-time charge for laser eye surgery that would correct your vision problems forever. You'd think insurance companies would at least be able to do some basic math and realize that they would be saving themselves money.

[MindPilot]

50. I think we got the answer to that question tonight

When the insurance company and the company that makes, and sells the glasses are one and the same, they need to keep the cycle going.

[tammywammy]

71. It depends on your insurance.

I have EyeMed and it covers part of LASIK and I think PPK. I don't qualify for either procedure, so I can't tell you how much they cover or anything.

[MFM008]

51. since the state no longer covers

eye exams or glasses my mom and son had to buy mine last year for almost $400.00 dollars. See my eyes are -9 i believe . Then then fell off my face onto the concrete and scratched even though they wre supposed to be non scratch. They wont fix them and I cant get a cover pair. End of story.

[DonRedwood]

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

[laundry_queen]

54. Online is now the way to go

here in Canada there is clearlycontacts.ca and they sell glasses too. Every once in awhile they have a 'free glasses' promo for new customers. I got my free pair (well, paid $30 for shipping and for extra coatings - no scratch, no glare, etc) and was hooked. Got 2 more pairs for $100 total. My previous pair of glasses had cost me $450 and I got them scratched and couldn't replace them for awhile, so this time I wanted extras. I had budgeted for $450 until my mom told me about the website. Next time I get an eye exam (I don't go very often as my eyes haven't changed much in years) I'll get another 2-3 pairs. No more tape on MY glasses when the kids smash them by accident.

BTW - there needs to be stronger regulations with regards to monopoly. Pure capitalism will always end in monopoly, despite all we've been taught that capitalism is about competition. It isn't. It's about the company who is in the lead that buys up all the other ones behind them (or finds ways to put the other companies out of business). That's how capitalism works. Microsoft is a huge example, as is, it appears, Luxottica. There's a reason it shuns publicity - it's easier to become a monopoly if no one is watching.

[ronnie624]

55. I bought my Ray Ban frames from Amazon for $78

and the lenses from Eyemart Express for $40, for a total cost of $118.

Does that seem expensive? I thought I did good.

[meaculpa2011]

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

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.

[sarcasmo]

62. Costco is your friend. Exam and glasses 200 bucks out the door.

[spanone]

64. buy them online....

www.warbyparker.com/

[hifiguy]

67. This is all really good to know.

The last pair of glasses I bought - a number of years ago - was $1,100. I am very nearsighted and astigmatic as hell to boot. I've been getting by with a pair I got through Minnesota Care in '07 after the expensive frames fell apart. My glasses will never be cheap because I need progressive trifocals, but this sounds like a way to save hundreds of bucks. Warby Parker looks excellent, as does Costco.

[tammywammy]

70. It depends on your prescription.

I cannot use any of the online places, they just don't make any glasses over a -10 (I wear a -12 contact, -15 glasses). So I'm stuck with paying $400, after insurance, per new set of glasses.

[Laelth]

72. k&r for exposure. n/t

-Laelth