Opticians here, or anyone know about the cost of glasses?--question & rant

[Bertha Venation]

Mrs. V. and I went to the eye doctor today. She's long overdue for glasses and we ordered three pairs for her: one for everyday use, one for use at work (on the computer), and a pair of sunglasses. She needs bifocals, and we spent the extra to get her progressives.

We weren't going to get her sunglasses today, but the optician said two things that made us change our minds: we could put the sunglasses on layaway, and if she got polarized lenses, the frames would be free. We said "hot, damn!" and chose a third set of frames.

Come time to settle up, we learn the prices: first pair: about $100 (the only pair covered by insurance). Second pair: about $350. Sunglasses: $500.

I'm sure Mrs. V. noticed that I was unusually quiet on the drive home. I was miffed that the optician kept pushing me to put more down on the sunglasses than I said I would. We spent five minutes trying to pin down what the actual minimum down was for layaway, and we never got a straight answer. So I said I'd put down $50 today. Then she tried to trick me and if I hadn't heard her, she would've rung up my card for more than I said I would pay. So that was part of my pensiveness on the way home -- I was mad at the optician. IMO people who have to spend so much personal time with someone who's not just a customer but a patient (of the attendant doctor, that is) should not have to work on commission.

The other part is, how in hell could we have okayed spending $500 on a pair of sunglasses? I was kicking myself for not questioning it, AND wondering, how in the world can a pair of lenses -- even with progressive bifocals and polarization -- cost five hundred freaking dollars?!

Anyone with any knowledge on the subject of eyeglasses lenses, please reply, because I am stung.

Anyone who knows: can I cancel this order? I would imagine that I can. I signed nothing.

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. Yes, you can cancel. I did last year. They wanted to charge me

$600 for a pair of multi focal lenses without the frames on a buy one get one free. That's where they zing you. You pay twice as much on the first pair. This was at Pearle Vision. I ended up going to a smaller, less well known place with less frame choices and got the same for $300.

Good luck! :hi:

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. You had it cheap

my lenses cost $300. Not frames, just lenses. I go to get my annual eye exam on Monday, but if my prescription has changed I can't afford to get new ones. The frames I'm using are falling apart-I hope they will let me get new temples.

One thing you can do for sunglasses-if the old prescription isn't too far off, have the old glasses tinted. Doesn't cost that much.

[Momgonepostal]

3. Glasses can be very expensive...

My daughter just got glasses...frames and single vision, scratch resistant, Transitions lenses. We are lucky enough to have vision insurance, so the whole thing including exam cost us just $95. Without the insurance it would have been about $455.

It is my understanding bifocals and trifocals are considerably more expensive than single vision. I can imagine that the "no-line" kind are more expensive still.

That does seem lame about the sunglasses. I don't see how they could cost that much if the frame is free. If it were me, I'd call and cancel that part. Can she get Transitions lenses for the first pair?

[gmoney]

4. Highway robbery!

I don't know, but it sounds like you wuz robbed. Take the stuff to a comparable place and ask them for an itemized estimate for everything. If it comes in within 10% of so, take your lumps. If it turns out your guy has gouged you, contact the doctor personally and complain. Especially about the pressure tactics.

Maybe he buried the cost of the insurance pair in the other pairs or something. I presume this didn't even cover the cost of the exam.

The actual material costs of glasses and sunglasses, even progressives and/or polarizing, is peanuts. Usually the frames are where all the money goes, but you were supposed to be getting the sunglass frames "free" right?

Bad news is, you probably signed something... I'm sure there's something in your insurance paperwork, or the credit card form, or the patient paperwork they have you fill out when you sign in -- somewhere in there, you agreed to pay for non-covered expenses, and they gotcha.

Good luck.

[Bunny]

5. Wow.

I pay close to $450 for my specs. I get the progressive lens bifocals, I have severe astigmatism so I pay extra for the thinnest possible lenses (no coke bottles for me!), and of course I get only the most stylish frames! Getting them tinted would cost more, so I guess it could cost $500.

But they way they treated you was wrong, they should have been more upfront about the cost for the sunglasses. I'd cancel the order, and maybe get her old pair tinted.

[Nikia]

6. My husband's cost $330

He even went with the more expensive frame which was $100 more than the other frame that looked good but pressed too much on his head (He has a wider than average head)and got transition lenses. He has a fairly low perscription though so that might make a difference.

[SoCalDem]

7. Try Goodwill for frames

Lots of times there are great frames there.. Then just pay for the lenses :)

My son's girlfriend does this all the time :)

[Widgetsfriend]

8. BJ's and Costco both have optical shops.

I have gotten progressive lenses and frames from BJ's for $150.00!! They charge $89.00 for the progressive lenses. I had my eyes checked recently and stupidly went ahead and ordered new lenses from the optometrist. He charged $165.00 for the lenses alone. I think it is a new form of highway robbery and have determined to never purchase anything from an eye doctor again. I left just as pissed as you. The other new scam is a computerized machine that takes a picture of the back of the eye. They can see everything clearly. Costs $35.00 which of course, insurance won't cover. So I'm told to have this done and that it alleviates the need to have the dreaded drops! So I said, "heck yeah". Then I get into the examining room and the doctor comes at me with the drops and I say, "but I thought I didn't need to have that done if I had the computerized crap done" and he said, oh, I still need to dilate and take a look; it's best!!! That made me extremely angry. I don't expect this kind of used car salesman crap from a doctor. So, from now on, I'll just get the eye exam, pay my $10.00 copay and go elsewhere for the glasses. That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!!

[HamstersFromHell]

9. You may have been gouged somewhat, but...

*Good* polarized lens blanks are not cheap.

I used to manage a computer store in a strip mall next to a optical lab which dealt with opticians at the wholesale level...not "open to the public". In exchange for computer work at cost, I'd get glasses at same.

Now this was 10 years ago, but I got TWO pair of single vision glasses with frames for $108. $52 for regular glasses, $56 for an identical pair in tinted lenses. He advised me against polarised lenses if I wanted to save money...the same size lens blanks as those other two complete pair were almost $120 by themselves...no labor, frames, nothing.

Also, check if the lenses are linear polarized or circular polarized....it's almost double the cost for circular polarized lenses.

Now add to that the extra costs involved with the "lightweight" glass/plastic lenses...this is very expensive material compared to normal lens blanks...all glass isn't "just glass". Often you can save money by substituting smaller frames - and likewise, smaller (and therefore lighter) blanks rather than buying larger diameter "lightweight" lenses. This also makes the lens blank (no matter what type) cost less as well. You might also compare prices of buying two pair of single vision glasses ("driving" glasses and "reading" glasses) to bi-focals...especially the "no line" models which run up the price.

Stay away from "brand name" frames....you're paying a helluva lot for someone's name there versus the generic frame which looks much the same. Exotic metals may also sound nice until you have to pay for them...if you don't need 'em, forget 'em and pocket the difference.

Most of all make them break down the price on EACH pair by the components BEFORE and "freebies" or "discounts" are applied. Also be sure to ask after the itemized list is presented to you if there are any further discounts you may qualify for....seniors, students, military, govt. employee, etc.

Hope this helps!

[Bertha Venation]

10. UPDATE!

I just spoke with the optician and asked her to cancel the order for sunglasses.

Lo and behold -- she suggested I reconsider, since she can miraculously drop the price from $500 to $320. Fat chance, sister!

edit: Thanks are overdue to everyone who replied on Saturday. I appreciate everyone's thoughts.

[radwriter0555]

11. One word: LASIX.

Think of the thousands and thousands you would save on all those glasses and sunglasses and eye appointments and STUFF, with the expense of about $1500 for lasix.

Go figure.

[Bertha Venation]

12. Mrs. V. is not a candidate for lasix.

Go figure. ;)

[geniph]

14. It's LASIK, not LASIX

LASIX is a diuretic. LASIK is Laser-Assisted In-Situ Keratotomy.

I had LASIK. It's saved me a ton of money on glasses and contacts, and it is WONDERFUL to be able to see. But not everyone's a good candidate for it.

Costco has pretty much the lowest prices you can find for decent glasses.

[radwriter0555]

15. YEAH THAT ONE. (smacks self on forehead)

it was EARLY.

[bearfan454]

13. No friggin way !

I got my eye exam at the VA and will take the prescription to the safety glass place at work. 15 dollar copay for glasses is not that bad.