Very friendly staff, as always. No issues there. Eye appointments done just fine, and at this point that’s all I go there for, because my first issue:
Overpriced. I don’t blame the staff or whatnot, I’m sure the Luxottica company has plenty to do with the pricing. But plastic or cheap-material frames have no business being over $200, sometimes double that. Hence why I only go there for eye exams, because prescription glasses are 3 - 4 times cheaper online, WITH all the bells and whistles. But hell, they do have a cheapo sub-$100 section if you so need, even if it is still much more expensive than online for frames alone. My issue here is that glasses are so expensive overall that my insurance won’t corner all of it so even cheap glasses with very few bells or whistles cost plenty out of pocket, where nice glasses and lenses LOADED with features are under $200 online, and often cheap enough that my insurance reimburses all of it. But enough on that, that’s not my main issue, that’s pretty normal for store vs online.
My main issue: prescription copy. Mainly, PD number. They’re inconsistent about this, as sometimes they will print it without a fuss, and other times they wanna charge me $30 just to include my PD number in my prescription copy unless I buy glasses through them. I have issue with this. Like, they already get my insurance money for the exam. Straight up, I’m not buying glasses from them unless I need them immediately. That’s really the ONLY upside to getting glasses in-store, is the option for same day service. Even with good insurance, they’re still too expensive for what they are. So here’s how it is: they can either keep my business for eye exams only, give me a copy of prescriptions with PD numbers on record (given my PD was recently measured), and be happy with that….or I can take my business elsewhere. I don’t appreciate trying to charge me $30 just to tell me how far my eyes are apart.
I’m using the PD from my last prescription given they said my prescription hasn’t changed from last time to today. But next year, with my next exam, if they refuse my PD again, it will probably be my last visit. I’m not trying to be a Karen, but $30 for pupillary distance is a little steep. Rubs me the wrong way.
Edit: I understand most of your points, but the price for the PD measurement alone is a little steep, especially if it was already recently done. Also, you mention inferior lenses. I mean, sure, without a testing rig of my own, I can’t test specifics between yours and online. But, as far as lenses were concerned, I get similar performance (and waaay more coatings/enhancements/options or whatever) for a considerably lower price. Now I get it, online orders aren’t as easy to compete with, so I wasn’t even super concerned in lens pricing.
The frames alone. Plain old mass produced plastic frames go as high as several hundred dollars by themselves there, and in my opinion, frames alone have no business being so high for the very little material and time spend manufacturing them. Sure, you tweak them a bit from person to person after installing lenses. But even good titanium frames by themselves still have no business being more than $200 and even then…
I get most of your points and I know most of your employees just want to help and tons set the prices. I also get the warranties. That’s really the biggest thing you guys have one online, is usually same day service. But that doesn’t excuse the problem with the eyewear industry, and the US medical industry in general, and online competition is only just beginning to make a difference. My points kinda still stand. Prices are high for what they are, and regardless of if it was measured last month or a year ago and needs redone, $30 to measure PD is a little steep. Thanks.
