Forums > General Discussion   Shooting the breeze...

Are we getting ripped off when buying glasses

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Created by Crusoe > 9 months ago, 7 Mar 2016
Crusoe
QLD, 1194 posts
7 Mar 2016 6:59PM
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Does anybody know the distribution of wealth when purchasing prescription safety glasses. Just forked out $639 for a pair. Nothing flash, clear at the top with a bit of magnification at the bottom. Just how do they justify $250-300 dollars just for the frames when it only costs about $10-$20 for a pair of cheap clear safety glasses.

Or is the cost worked out in reverse directly related to what the health fund is going to cough up then add another $300. Some one must be able to spill the bean on WTF's going on.

Or maybe I went to the wrong shop

FormulaNova
WA, 14681 posts
7 Mar 2016 5:34PM
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Just out of interest, what do they make the lenses out of?

Different materials have different refractive indexes, so I guess they need something optically clear, not able to shatter easily, and still able to make a lense out of.

I am guessing they are not glass, for safety, so maybe its some special plastic that gives it that price tag?


p train
VIC, 2629 posts
7 Mar 2016 8:36PM
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Not sure about the top brands

But the ones from the superstore type shops cost those stores about $1 for each frame

S018
SA, 338 posts
7 Mar 2016 8:48PM
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safe-t-mags.com.au/

Great safety glasses with Magnification
Love'm

mineral1
WA, 4564 posts
7 Mar 2016 6:52PM
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Select to expand quote
S018 said..
safe-t-mags.com.au/

Great safety glasses with Magnification
Love'm


Do you use these windsurfing, and how good are they?

Sailhack
VIC, 5000 posts
7 Mar 2016 9:57PM
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Sunglasses! $300+ for plastic frames and lenses. You can't tell me they cost much more than a couple of bucks to make.

My sister used to work in an optometrist shop and said that most people would riot if they knew how little it cost to manufacture mainstream brand sunnies and how much markup was on them.

S018
SA, 338 posts
7 Mar 2016 9:38PM
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Yes I use the sunglasses windsurfing, love'm, I can also read my GPS which is nice
have the clear ones for about the house with the power tools !
Just pick your Magnification, I got them from eBay

Harrow
NSW, 4521 posts
7 Mar 2016 10:25PM
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Yes, you are. More than you could possibly imagine.

I paid $6.95 for my last pair of prescription glasses. Nope, not those cheap +2 reading glasses from the variety store, I mean proper custom prescription glasses. Ordered on Monday, and delivered to my desk by Friday. Yes, you read it right, under $7. Although, that was about 5 years ago.

My daughter wanted fancy designer frames, so I had to pay $25 for hers. But that also included the anti-scratch, and oleophobic coatings, so no wonder it was so expensive. Her eyes are changing a lot, so I have to shell out another $25 for a new pair almost every year.

Nope, I'm not buying them through my health insurance, those are just the prices where I buy my prescription glasses from.

My father has some odd prescription for his astigmatism multi-focals, and he was quoted close to $800. My joint did them for $99. His neighbour, who is an eye surgeon, tested the cheaper glasses for him on some fancy machine, and said it matched the prescription perfectly. Happy days.

Chris6791
WA, 3271 posts
7 Mar 2016 7:31PM
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Crusoe said..
Does anybody know the distribution of wealth when purchasing prescription safety glasses. Just forked out $639 for a pair.



Sounds like you got fleeced? Actually, it sounds more like you just got butt-f***ed.

A quick search found plenty of options online safetyglassesonline.com.au/ Although I've never needed to buy them even $200 on that website seems a lot?

Zed
WA, 1243 posts
8 Mar 2016 10:05AM
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Australia is one of the most expensive countries in the world to live in now and we get completely screwed over the cost of many things. A Nissan GTR costs $95K in the USA and almost $200k here in Australia.

Harrow
NSW, 4521 posts
8 Mar 2016 1:55PM
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Due to popular demand, here is the place I use - www.zennioptical.com

There's probably plenty of others. Plenty of reviews on YouTube if you want to check them out. As with all direct from China deals it can be a bit hit-and-miss, but for my money the savings are worth the risk.

If you just want a 2nd set of glasses to keep in the glove box or drawer, check out their $6.95 range.

myusernam
QLD, 6123 posts
8 Mar 2016 1:16PM
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i suggest its just gouging because thats the safety way and large companies are too scared to look like they are not buying.
I just use those over spectacle ones for like four bucks.

FlySurfer
NSW, 4453 posts
8 Mar 2016 5:19PM
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Select to expand quote
Crusoe said..
Does anybody know the distribution of wealth when purchasing prescription safety glasses. Just forked out $639 for a pair. Nothing flash, clear at the top with a bit of magnification at the bottom. Just how do they justify $250-300 dollars just for the frames when it only costs about $10-$20 for a pair of cheap clear safety glasses.

Or is the cost worked out in reverse directly related to what the health fund is going to cough up then add another $300. Some one must be able to spill the bean on WTF's going on.


Immigration, population growth, easy credit and climate change... these factors support our real estate optometry.
Better get in quick before the price rise.

Pitbull
WA, 1267 posts
8 Mar 2016 7:58PM
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Excuse my ignorance peeps, but do you still get your prescription from an optometrist and put the figures into the online order or is there a do-it-yourself at home eye test?
How does it work? Does the guy working at the glasses joint try to talk you out of buying on line?

mrbones
WA, 26 posts
15 Mar 2016 12:15AM
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What about the bi - focal safety glasses. They cost about $15 and can get varied types to suit different eye prescriptions

Chook2
WA, 1244 posts
15 Mar 2016 3:37PM
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I have been using the "Safe t mags" for the last 2 years.

The only hassle I have had with my dark lens ones is, I have used them for land sailing and kite buggying on beaches and super saline lakes and the hinge screw rusted up so badly it swelled up, cracked the lugs apart and the arm fell off one side. Not bad for 2 years of use though. It's super glued in the open position and lives on the dash of my Troll now.

Great to use for tying knots or just reading your phone with your sunnies on. I'm sold on them.
I just have to keep increasing the magnification each pair I get. (now up to 2X)

My last set cost $24.99 for "smoked 2X" from our local Agricultural supply shop a month ago.

My Strata Uvex prescriptions cost me $615.00 and are pricks to fit into my pocket when I'm not wearing them, due to the side safety wings. I only use these expensive Uvex clear ones for welding workshop duties and they don't leave the shed. They do handle the grit and sparks better but so they bloody should for the money I've "invested"?

Harrow
NSW, 4521 posts
15 Mar 2016 8:13PM
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Select to expand quote
Pitbull said..
Excuse my ignorance peeps, but do you still get your prescription from an optometrist and put the figures into the online order or is there a do-it-yourself at home eye test?
How does it work? Does the guy working at the glasses joint try to talk you out of buying on line?

It is law that the optometrist must tell you your prescription, but they don't like doing so for obvious reasons. You will need to determine your pupillary distance (PD). The web-site shows you how to do this.

AndyR
QLD, 1344 posts
15 Mar 2016 9:08PM
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Select to expand quote
Harrow said...
Due to popular demand, here is the place I use - www.zennioptical.com

There's probably plenty of others. Plenty of reviews on YouTube if you want to check them out. As with all direct from China deals it can be a bit hit-and-miss, but for my money the savings are worth the risk.

If you just want a 2nd set of glasses to keep in the glove box or drawer, check out their $6.95 range.


Wow this just changed my life. My current frames are some bull**** designer that cost $250 down from $400.
There is a pair on this site that look identical for $19.
Im sold. Sign me up
This and dollar shave club and i may be able to retire at 31 afterall

SandS
VIC, 5904 posts
15 Mar 2016 10:13PM
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Select to expand quote
Harrow said..
Yes, you are. More than you could possibly imagine.

I paid $6.95 for my last pair of prescription glasses. Nope, not those cheap +2 reading glasses from the variety store, I mean proper custom prescription glasses. Ordered on Monday, and delivered to my desk by Friday. Yes, you read it right, under $7. Although, that was about 5 years ago.

My daughter wanted fancy designer frames, so I had to pay $25 for hers. But that also included the anti-scratch, and oleophobic coatings, so no wonder it was so expensive. Her eyes are changing a lot, so I have to shell out another $25 for a new pair almost every year.

Nope, I'm not buying them through my health insurance, those are just the prices where I buy my prescription glasses from.

My father has some odd prescription for his astigmatism multi-focals, and he was quoted close to $800. My joint did them for $99. His neighbour, who is an eye surgeon, tested the cheaper glasses for him on some fancy machine, and said it matched the prescription perfectly. Happy days.



OK, so its ok to tell us the name of the mob !!! so we can share in the deal !!!!!

sn
WA, 2775 posts
15 Mar 2016 8:03PM
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SandS said..



OK, so its ok to tell us the name of the mob !!! so we can share in the deal !!!!!


Harrow did just that.....

Due to popular demand, here is the place I use - www.zennioptical.com There's probably plenty of others. Plenty of reviews on YouTube if you want to check them out. As with all direct from China deals it can be a bit hit-and-miss, but for my money the savings are worth the risk. If you just want a 2nd set of glasses to keep in the glove box or drawer, check out their $6.95 range.

Rex
WA, 949 posts
15 Mar 2016 8:12PM
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3 years old, but still relevant to the discussion.

Pitbull
WA, 1267 posts
16 Mar 2016 3:54PM
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Select to expand quote
Harrow said..
Pitbull said..
Excuse my ignorance peeps, but do you still get your prescription from an optometrist and put the figures into the online order or is there a do-it-yourself at home eye test?
How does it work? Does the guy working at the glasses joint try to talk you out of buying on line?

It is law that the optometrist must tell you your prescription, but they don't like doing so for obvious reasons. You will need to determine your pupillary distance (PD). The web-site shows you how to do this.



Cheers! Will look into it.



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Forums > General Discussion   Shooting the breeze...


"Are we getting ripped off when buying glasses" started by Crusoe