CJAD 800AM 8:40am – Eyeglasses
Wednesday, August 12th, 2009Q1: Recently both the producer and I went shopping for eyeglasses and found the experience trying and pricey, do you have any information to help us?
There are tons of brands so it is pretty hard to comparison shop as you are comparing apples and oranges in most instances.
The glasses you choose are important as they change your whole face, define your personality and become part of your wardrobe. Bring a camera or your phone with you and take a photo of yourself in each pair that you like. Go home and look at yourself on your computer screen.
Q2: So where can we buy them for decent prices?
Costco has an Optical department.
Some Walmart stores offers Greiche and Scaff outlets in them (e.g. Lasalle, Kirkland Carrefour Laval). Frames run $24.99-$100 there.
Laurier Optical is a home grown chain where you can buy progressives for $99-299.
Lenscrafters is a huge North American chain. There ares lower prices as they buy in volume. Styles are more middle of the road and less trendy.
Q3: The cost for glasses with progressive lenses seems crazy, why are they so much more expensive?
With progressives, you just can’t pluck a prescription of a lens off a shelf and slip it into a frame. Almost every lens is made to order because there are so many combinations of near vision, far vision and reading glasses. Also, they may not get the combination right for you the first time. If you are dealing with a good shop, you can come back within about 30/60/90 days, and they will offer to fix the combination for you if it doesn’t seem right – at no extra charge. This is built into that expensive price.
Q4: Any last words of wisdom?
– If the glasses don’t seem right (blurry, dizzy, the ground seems off), don’t let your eyes adjust to the problem, get the glasses corrected.
– Most optical stores anywhere in North America will offer you free minor adjustments (lens pops out, need screws) if you have a problem on the road.
– There are glasses that have no screws between the glass and the frame. They will never loosen and fall apart. You’ll never need that little screwdriver again.
– Carry a spare pair when you are traveling. Just keep your last pair and use those for an emergency.
– Titanium frames are unbreakable. If you are klutzy, you might want to consider them – but they are pricey.