The best news: You don't have to pay more to get great advice and service. For example, for a pair of Coach HC6127U eyeglasses, prices at surveyed stores ranged from $294 to $659. and Canada.Ĭheckbook's undercover shoppers collected prices for 18 models of eyeglasses (with single-correction lenses) and found that some Twin Cities outlets charge twice as much as others. It began as an internet-only business, but the company has opened more than 130 brick-and-mortar stores in the U.S. For example, Warby Parker offers $95 single-lens glasses in fashionable frames. Some companies don't sell any Luxottica products. Many independent retailers stock a wide variety of frames. The way to assess value is to buy from a store that offers great advice - where you'll be told whether more expensive frames warrant their higher prices or that you'd do just as well with a lesser-known brand. With only a few companies controlling both the manufacture and the distribution of most frames, it's tricky to figure out whether you're getting a good deal. Other name-brand specs are created by the eyewear giants through licensing agreements. Luxottica owns several brands outright, including Ray-Ban and Persol. Though the name Luxottica doesn't show up on their signs, when you head into LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Target's optical department, Sunglass Hut and many more outlets, you're shopping in a space or store they own or control. Luxottica not only manufactures millions of pairs of glasses annually it also markets and sells them in more than 7,000 retail stores it runs. The lion's share of eyeglasses on the market - including those sold under popular designer brand names - come from just a few Italian companies with names you probably won't recognize: Luxottica, Marcolin, Safilo. In general, chains and franchise operations were rated lower than independent firms, but there was variation among each type of outlet. And our undercover shopping indicates that many stores have prices that are way too high.ĭozens of stores received "superior" ratings for overall service quality by at least 80% of their surveyed customers, others got such favorable ratings from fewer than 50%. Twin Cities Consumers' Checkbook's surveys of thousands of local consumers found that many vision centers get very low scores for the advice their staff offers, promptness and other issues. Despite these innovations, shopping for specs and contacts can be a hassle. New contact lenses are more comfortable, and disposables require no maintenance. Today's glasses are lighter and available in more styles than ever. Constantly changing fashions means a constantly changing selection at eyewear outlets.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |