Glasses: Price check. Are expensive glasses better? (CBC Marketplace)
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- Опубликовано: 12 июн 2024
- Framed | Originally broadcast February 24, 2012
The materials in them are downright cheap. Even crafting the lenses is hardly labour-intensive. So why are prescription eyeglasses so darned expensive?
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This show is addictive.
2 tru
*I see what you mean.* 😋
Same
Addictive and so very informative. Watch the locksmith episode!
@@demonhog922 WORLD'S LARGEST OPTICAL STORE 9:07 REALLY?!
Prescription eyeglass prices are a scam. Charging $500 for glasses that are worth less than $50 is a crime. Having one company monopolize the eyecare industry should also be illegal.
SteveSabbai big thieves.
DM Osborn no such luck in a free market. Everything is monopolized including bread, fruits and vegetables, meats, gasoline and everything else.
well its not monopoly. its just where most people are aware of. they said they made all the "designer" frames. you can go to site like zenni or eyebuydirect and get glasses for under $10 for frames and base lenses!
The real cost is in the lenses. ruclips.net/video/yL_02Cxkmxk/видео.html
Even the optometrist exam is a partial scam. The lady was talking about whatever pathology, but optometrists are not allowed to diagnose eye diseases other than refractometric changes. And what they do is check different lenses and ask you which one is good for you. For other eye diseases you need a real doctor, aka ophthalmologist. And they are supposed to use a pupil dilator like atropine to check the for any pathology, or an eye pressure test for glaucoma.
I'm from India, really shocked to see the prices. I spend around $15.00 for a prescription eyeglass, including the lens for the specs every two years, still I used to feel the eyeglasses to be overpriced, but after watching this video I regret my thought. My cousin living in Toronto, used to say healthcare cost is high in Canada, that's why, every time he comes to India, he goes for an checkup with the dentist & ophthalmologist at a low cost with quality service. I'm feeling blessed because I'm living in a country, where healthcare cost is less.
When I went to Mumbai they told me Indian healthcare is one of the highest quality in the world...amazing
@@lizxu322 As long as you are in a major city like Mumbai.
Just got prescription glasses online for 80 bucks, here in the USA
@@AustinH7 you can get em as low as $10/pair online in the US
My teenage daughter (who has had glasses since age 1 and CANNOT see without them) lost her glasses in the ocean in Cambodia while we were on vacation. We went to an eyeglass store there and got a vision test, lenses and frames for about $35. They made them there in half an hour and they were fine. Lens Crafters in the US charged around $500 just for the lenses and frames and took over two weeks to make them. An unexpected but fascinating cultural adventure, and it taught me much about the eyeglass industry in the US.
I used to live in Cambodia and really appreciated that I could get super cheap glasses when needed :)
@@lisahines532 Even in India, you can get glasses from very cheap (in local stores) to very expensive ones (in malls).
Most people use cheaper ones.
The standard ones are cheap. It's when you want branded lenses like Hoya, Zeiss that they get expensive.
lady says Ontario optometrist has the public's best interest and turns around to say we don't provide PD because it's not required. so which is it? public's interest or your interest?
(US) Last time I got an eye exam the optician refused to take my PD unless I was buying glasses then & there. The optomotrist told her to do it anyway, and he ended up being the one to take my PD since he didn't have another patient just then.
Obviously it isn't in the public interest. If the PD isn't a clinical necessity, then it shouldn't be required for glasses. Oh, but it is. And eyeglasses are a medical device...so then it is a clinical necessity. Are opticians in Canada not getting paid enough for their medical services in checking for eye diseases? They have to supplement through sky-high eye glasses costs?
Customers have the right to shop around just like with a car or any other expensive purchase. If they want your business they should give you good service. A good store will give you your PD as part of your script and may even price match.
What happened Lib's took eye testing off OHIP , those Doctor's lobbied the Gov. For the system we have now ...cost of eye testing has gone up to $115 , plus paying higher price for glasses . I now buy my glasses when I travel , the cost savings is about $ 400.
Q Min ...got a very good deal in Guatemala City , was on business trip . All Latin American is 1/3 the cost ....very good lens quialty.
I used to work for an eyewear company. the only difference between brand name eyewear and ones that are not is just a label. our company used to sometimes purchase glasses frames for between five and ten dollars and resell them for almost two hundred dollars and more, same with the lenses. sometimes pricing was done on how attractive the frame was, if we pay thirty dollars it would be sold for four hundred. eye glasses are the biggest rip off on the planet! I could tell you stories.
Where to buy?
this i agree
Here in brazil i paid 80$ (400 R$) for the exam+glasses 😅
If I got a pair of stylish glasses with anti-glare and streak-free within 30 minutes after a quick eye exam in Vietnam for only $20, theres definitely something up with these prices in Canada and the US
Luxottica
Same here in India ❤️
Same in Serbia 30$ for very professional glasses 🤓
It's because our politicians prostitute themselves to the highest bidder/s!
Yep I just found out about online eyewear...I paid for 1 pair that I got from target,that I got 5 pairs online for less of the price!!?!?
In Jail: What are you in for? Making affordable prescription glasses.
Easily worth a shanking in the yard. I mean how dare he?!!!!
No. Sounds like he was operating as a doctor without training or license and refused to stop when ordered by the courts.
I have
An optometrist does much more than run an autorefractor like this guy was doing. He was playing games with people's eye health to make money
I support the jailbird! Good luck in B.C. and thank you for what you tried to do in Ontario!
Thanks.
People need to know this is because is a monopoly! Luxottica owned the most eye ware company and the store sell it!
ruclips.net/video/voUiWOGv8ec/видео.html
I can't actually believe that the jailbird's wife is forced to wear an ankle tracker... what the actual heck!!!! Our tax dollars could be better spent apprehending real criminals.. and putting trackers on sexual offenders and pedophiles!!
I realize that we're not talking about perfection, but, that is why the US has Anti-Trust laws to prevent monopolies (it hasn't been that long, but Microsoft tried to sell a product that only worked on its system and this was quickly regarded as a monopoly and shut down). I usually find perfectly good frames (I've been wearing glasses since I was 10) for $99 - 130 AND if getting at the right time (usually the ladies tell me about) buy 1 get the other for free (this happens about every other month). I've never paid more than 275 (with bifocals, too).
@@marinazagrai1623 WHERE do you get them?
I remember this chain "Great Glasses". Had the best frames and competitive prices. I knew it went out of business, but my jaw dropped after seeing this documentary. I'm ashamed for what this CEO and his family has been through, while Luxottica continues their evil monopoly. Happy to say I've never supported any of their businesses and never will!
The last time I bought glasses I wanted to use my same frames. I loved them so much, they were very timeless, and had almost no wear. The store would not allow it and I literally had to purchase the same frames over again in a different colour. There’s a whole other side of the scam that I would like to see exposed.
Alyssa McManingwell tried to use last frames here too. No deal they said they were one time use.....however adjustments can be made once there ready...something ain’t here....
Yes, this is an outright scam. Crap for personnel & personality these scuzzy people have. And no conscience.
Alyssa McManingwell The same thing happened to me, too. They refused to replace the lenses. I had to purchase a new pair of frames. They broke within a year, and couldn’t be fixed.
Wow. Here, it's common practice to buy your own frames if you want to save money.
Here you can do that . But I don’t recommend that for used cheap frames . Most will be damaged after a year or so .
I can not stand this woman from Ontario . she is protecting her interests.
I want to Cry because people who want to help middle class families and poor families get high quality glasses without busting there bank accounts they get arrested by these big companies that are in bed with our governments around the world. These companies such as Luxottica need to face some serious punishment and lying to people that it's free market in which in reality it's monopoly. Wake up people time to boycott this monopoly and find independent brands and make them rich not a monopoly.
Daniel2131990 j
shame on luxottica!!! WAKE UP, CANADA, PROTEST, BOYCOTT, DONT ALLOW THE GOVT TO CONDONE THIS FRAUD.
wtf. that poor man. he was trying to help people and his life is over...
YEAH, I DO AGREE. BLESS HIM. I HEAR BC IS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE,eh? cheers from India.
Derva Kommt von hinten LoL if the guy you mean is Trudeau, he’s not helping Canadians, his problem is he takes our taxpayers money to others instead of helping ourselves. He forgot his job is not a robber. If you mean he’s helping, I hope he could take one penny of his own out
He needed a degree to sell :(
Would you have a surgery by someone without the qualification?
Think!
@@AK-xj2di in this case it's not needed. if these so called experts think of eye care paramount, then the PD information should be included. Also you pay for the examination and the professional is measuring your PD. So why are you not entitled to that? The examination for eye health is required by a professional not the fitting of glasses. Think
Great journalism, keep the optical industry accountable!
Luxotica effects prices in America too. They are a pretty close to (if not fully) a monopoly and the government needs to break them up. Problem is, is that they probably give people in power pay outs so they don't lose any control
how would a government break an international corporation ? A government only has authority on it's respective nation, the most they can do is ban luxotica from operating in their local country, but then consumers will not be able to get like 90% of the designer brands the rest of the world would have access to.
The lenses is an aspect which has to be looked into more thoroughly, lenses in other countries cant be bought for as little as $5 CAD. For example when I travel to bangladesh (my ethnic roots), I bring my frames and provincial prescription (quebec) along, and I get an updated pair of lenses for less than $10 CAD. I am fairly certain its the government and the quasi-governmental associations that have marked up the price of lenses to a ridiculously amount.
When it comes to the frames, that honestly is the consumer's choice, you can easily get frames made in china at your local costco or wallmart for less than $100, but the majority consumers (myself as well) tend to choose the fashionable option and choose to side with the designer brands.
@@tanbir11 I choose what I like the look of ON ME. Don't care where it comes from. Somebody twisted up that "style" and that is what I buy.
I live in the states and recently only paid $100 total for glasses from Costco.
The Luxotica guy on the other CNBC video about glasses had an evil smug smirk the whole time. They're on top of the world. The thing is, we don't need them. Frames are hardly a high tech device. They don't even make the lenses.
@@yurinakamura1827 I’m from India and I got my ray ban 4340v for just 120 dollars with Zeiss duravision blueprotect. Eyeglasses are less expensive in India
Canada seems like a great country but when you look deeper into it, it’s seriously depressing
curious gal--oh shucks! iv been thinking of shifting there, now having 2nd thoughts. seems as bad as India. what a shame. wondering why so many indians r besotted woth going to settle in canada then.
Shobhini Singh lol not all indians only few santa banta’s from north!!!
Shobhini Singh because Canada is a good place to screw people over.
All that situation with glasses happens worldwide everyday.
Canada is awesome, but it is quite expensive.
When you have half the population of the UK spread out in over 38 times the land area, costs skyrocket. People blame delivery charges and duties from the USA driving the costs up, which is partly true. Also, we have some of the highest mobile phone bills in the world because the phone companies need to maintain massive networks with relatively few customers. House prices are extreme because foreign investors buy the properties and drive up the market price (Vancouver is the third-most expensive city in North America for housing, and was the first to have the average house price top $1 million CAD). I'm from BC, and we joke that BC actually stands for “Bring Cash”.
Unfortunately one has to pay handsomely to live in paradise. :(
the best to the man and his family moving to BC
Someone needs to tell that lenscrafter CEO that the *80* 's called and they want their perm back.
"Oh no you didn't"!
😁😁😁
Luxotica is the problem.
Luxotica don't make the "glass" part, just the frame.
i agree but you dont have to get the European designer frames..... but yea all my glasse are most likely manufactured by luxotica
Only because people are willing to pay the price. We have to stop buying Luxotica brands.
tanbir rahman The whole point is that when there's no competition, the customer loses; this is the European version of Capitalism (in Canada)...there are no laws against monopolies as there are in the US. When I go to the eyeglass store, and they should be paying me, (Vision Works - where I've been a customer for 10 yrs), if they give me a price of $ 275 (yes, that's my limit) I walk out and you should see how fast they find a way to accommodate me (I've never bought any designer frames because, for me, that's silly).
The Fozzy Bear Exactly the point! Boycotting these stores is the only way for them to stop them. Start wearing contacts (when possible - I can't, so I have to stick with glasses). There is so much more competition in the US...so we the customers win in the end.
Interesting that Ray Ban wasn't mentioned, another Luxottica brand. Unlike other fashion brands, Ray Ban glasses were cheap until they were bought out from Bausch & Lomb.
110 Euro cheap? For a pair of tinted carbonate screens and an injection moulded frame?
Why do Canada so secretly dirty? I'm not allowed to know _MY_ PD? That's ridiculous.
it is because people have typed them in wrong then sued the dr
If you kept watching the video you'd know. How did you hear they dont give it out and then not hear the next sentence explains why?
The same in US. But the university pharmacy is good and willing to provide PD
politics my friend -maybe follow the money
canadaingirrl You can't sue for someone writing the wrong PD. Writing that 2 digit number is the same as writing the number for the Sphere or Cylinder or Axis wrong. It happens now and then and they just make you a new pair of lenses. The only thing that happens if your PD, Sphere, Cylinder or Axis wrong is that your vision will be blurry. Geeze
Yeah, I'm legally blind and I've been a Zenni optical customer for 4 years, their glasses are top notch and the most I've ever paid for a pair was $70 for a really nice frame with high index transition lenses, a hydrophobic/easy to clean anti-glare coating, and my name inscribed custom into the inner arms of the frames.
I bought from them and they got my prescription wrong twice
@@busterthebuck9048 You had bad luck, sorry to say. I've ordered 4 pairs over the last 7 years, they got it right each time.
@@busterthebuck9048 for what it's worth I have also ordered from them two times 4 glasses total and they were all spot on.
SeabassFishbrains:
What's your prescription?
I am -9.00 with -0.75 astigmatism in right eye, and -8.25 with -1.50 astigmatism in left eye.
Bought a pair of progressive lenses from Zenni. Saved over $990, and very pleased with them! Never going back to these swindlers aligned with Luxotica.
Considering some people NEED glasses they shouldn't be so much. I order mine from Zenni optical for under 50$ with lenses and shipping. Amazing customer services.
Adam Ruin's Everything did a GREAT piece on this
Wildmuff i saw it - very accurate.
Yeap a monopoly owned by Lexotica. It's hard to think that a pair of glasses made out of mostly plastic cost as much as most smartphones these days.
Right? I couldn't belive seeing literally glasses Mostly plastic and glass or metal and class costing a whole £300? If it cost only £20 for lens why are little plastic frames worth £280?
I never had the need for glasses for most of my life. When I got to around 50, I decided that I needed to get some. I went to the eye doctor expecting to leave with some. I was told that I needed a pair for work and a pair for driving at night. I was gobsmacked when a modest looking pair was quoted at $600. I walked out and am still getting by with my magnifiers.
Recommend Acelool,a pair of eyeglasses no more than 50USD
You definitely do not need 2 pairs. Sunglasses are helpful especially if you have blue eyes... supposedly
I've been getting glasses from an online retailer for many years. There are tons of these now. I happen to have only used eyebuydirect. They are dirt cheap compared to the brick & mortar stores. My last pair cost US$21 including shipping. Frames: US$9. Single vision lenses: US$6. Shipping: US$6. Received in less than one week. You just have to supply your own refraction prescription from an optometrist which is under $30 around here.
Have you heard of the EyeQue VisionCheck?
Hard to believe what they did to that fellow and his family just for helping people get affordable eyewear
in korea, u get exam, frame and lenses for about 10 dollars at any store...and they have a LOT of fashionable choices...I bought a couple when I was there, totally worth it!
I bought my glasses at a Walmart Vision Center. Cheap, decent frames were $12 and the lens were about $50
Ur price is not even possible! When was this??
redrose9350 this was in April of 2014 and I live in the states
I have a really strong prescription and my lenses were only about $120. Other places wanted $400
And I bought mine early 2017 in Virginia (DC area which is one of the most expensive areas of USA)
USA or Canada?
i totally agree with the guy that was considered illegal. the price of glasses is totally insane!!!! they are not luxury they are necessity and because of such they know people will buy!!! thank you marketplace, right on b.c.and clearly eyewear!
Glasses are a necessity of life and these big businesses are taking advantage of that. It's just as bad as the big pharmaceutical companies. I love how the government regulates where they aren't wanted, and don't regulate where they are badly needed. It doesn't take a genius to figure it out, it's basic common sense.
"Consumers have a choice"
When one company owns the industry or the entire process, especially when the customer doesn't know about it? No, no we do not.
This made me really appreciate my optometrist. I got metal frames from him for $10; lenses w/ exam were still ~$200 but I have a _very_ strong asymmetric prescription so it could be much worse.
In the UK the cheapest frames with a good lens, tough and reflective coating is about 50£ for an adult with £25 covered by the NHS
Finally I found a honest Canadian show
Not always. their episode on veterinarians was not objective nor honest. They used a bulldog as their example patient to show how expensive and 'unfair' veterinarians are. A bulldog has been bred to have a flat face so it will naturally have difficulty breathing so sometimes surgery has to be done to ease their breathing. They are also prone to elongated palettes, cherry eye, and skin issues. Their stocky, short bodies were bred that way because breeders thought they were cuter that way. But they cannot have puppies naturally and need C-sections which is why they cost so much. At the outset, a bulldog is high maintenance in terms of health issues. So yes, it will be expensive to provide veterinary care for a bulldog. They also didn't provide details of the cost to run a veterinary hospital. In Canada, humans don't pay for the majority of their health care so they are not aware of the costs. So when they see their vet bill, they are shocked. But veterinary prices are considerably less than human health care. Sorry for the longwinded reply but I'm always skeptical of this show. While I like that it does investigate issues important to Canadians, it is not totally unbiased and objective.
Adding to the story, I buy my glasses from Zenni Optical here in the states. Paid a whopping $40 with S/H. Same frames cost roughly $150 (without the lens). Before I forget though, I have transition lenses as well.
Anon21486 yep, bought from them multiple times, never had any issues.
+Anon21486 $40 is actually not as expensive as you think in fact it is actually a great deal
canadiancatgreen I know, I was making a point that I got the same frame as a retail store for 1/3 of the price. Add the fact that the lenses were included and that will shrink it to possible 1/5 of the price
+Anon21486 ok sorry you used whopping $40 which means very large that is why I said it was a great deal. I assume you were being sarcastic with whopping
I too used Zenni Optical for my current pair. Initially, I paid I think about sixty for a frame/lenses, but found out it was too large. Sending them back was a breeze and my next pair fit just right, though I'm way beyond the time of replacing them so they're a bit loose now. My current pair cost fourty something and that's also with smaller lenses because I am or am very nearly legally blind in one eye.
Also, my doctor gave me the PD on the paper, which I still have. There wasn't a category for it on the paper but he wrote it out by hand anyways. My visit was also only $30 without insurance (I had insurance, for once, but stupidly didn't check if they accepted my company since I just decided to go to the same place I had been for years. However, they didn't take my company. Would've been about $10 otherwise).
Seems like it's much easier and cheaper for glasses here in the States. Highly recommend Zenni and if any doctor gives BS about the PD, push back. That woman they showed here was a complete pathetic joke and repeated her lines like an unfeeling robot.
Their basically protecting there own interests, and overcharging consumers.
I’m from Ontario but in this case I’m glad I am living in BC. And I’m watching this because I plan to get new glasses 🤓
I was an accountant for a leading lens mfg in the world. They were $1.00 - $2.00 to make plastic, $4.50 for Poly-carbonate and for specialty glass $28.00 for the really rare prescription. We sold millions!!!
I'm going to check out Clearly Contacts. so sick of getting ripped off by these retail places.
***** I wish I just needed magnifiers so I could do that too. It's so interesting to hear that these glasses only cost a few dollars but they charge $1000!
Blanca W In the US Clearly Contacts runs under the name 'Coastal.com', I got my "FirstPairFree", a promotion for free brand name glasses. I just paid for shipping and insurance for $29. Included the frames, lenses, case, repair and cleaning kit and all two years ago. Not bad at all considering they have a year warranty with free returns. They always have good deals running. My previous pair from Sams Club ran me about $450.00 all together.
There was a catch though, if you had vision over +-4, the price increased for the thinner lenses.
If you need progressive lenses (no line bifocals) it drives the price up too.
Their current sale is $49 for frames, lenses, and shipping included.
If you live in the US, they also give you the PD on the prescription too.
Ryan Yuschock Thank you for the information! I am going to check out Coastal.com.
Blanca W I buy from zenni online. average price for me is $30-50. Cheap enough that I bought multiple pairs. I wear the 3rd pair I bought daily and will be buying another pair soon.
Blanca W Hey Blanca, Clearlycontacts used to be a great website, but they were bought out and prices have doubled.
I did some research and discovered Zenni Optical. They explain the entire process from factory to delivery and even have useful guides. I got my pair for less than $80, and my prescription is pretty strong. And I LOVE taking business away from these money-hungry Luxottica crooks.
BC threw the glasses-coverage/optometry checks out of their coverage about 10 years ago. so here is an industry took over.
i had my new eyeglasses a few months ago, and the store doesn't give me my PD distance. I asked why, and I was just told NO. that's it. hope CBC marketplace can go after more things like this in Canada.
I love that the defender of Lenscrafters chose glasses that are as close to invisible as can be!
Expensive glasses allow the much more privileged photons through.
Wow now I finally understand.
From groceries to eyeglasses we are getting hosed at the cash register
In the US, you can ask for your PD. Theyre not allowed to say they csnt give it to you. Ive bought several pair of glasses at Firmoo, and Zenni
Now we know why I have not gotten new glasses for 6 years
I got my glasses from Clearly Contacts for around $90 and they are hands down the best glasses I've ever had! My boyfriend got his glasses (and they were even transition lenses!) for $40 from Firmoo and they're surprisingly decent! Just insanity how much retailers are ripping people off. So glad we live in an age where we can just hop online and get some for cheap! :)
@Zoot Rollo gf
I'lĺ2.
The medical people have the best protection for themselves of all professions. They restrict the number of doctors in Canada. To protect the public? No. To protect their own financial interests. And keep their incomes high. And meanwhile people can’t get a family doctor
Here in belgium you spend around 200-300 euros to get a pair and you often get free frames for friends.
You should try Warby Parker! Excellent glasses, my only place. $100 for frame and lense, they are amazing.
lol you can buy a set of frames and lenses for 4$ in India and the lenses are antiglare 😁😁😁😁
In New Zealand optometrists will try their hardest not to give you your prescription to make sure you don't buy your glasses online.
+Qienna X In fact you can go in reverse and use your glasses as a tool to get your prescription under a simple optical device similar to a microscope.
+Qienna X I live in New Zealand and I now have family in optometry, if you visit some places like specsavers or visque depending on the people you talk to they'd give you your PD I told them I wanted to get my eyes tested and have my PD so I can buy a pair online and they said okay then gave me my PD reading.
Then just buy a pair of contact lens from them, then your description would be the number on the box +0.25
Just for other kiwis out there I started buying my glasses online I get them from Optically.co.nz they literally have prescription glasses for 9 dollars and they have quick shipping. They're so good :D
Paris Miki are great, they put your PD on your script and always give it to you without asking.
Regulation ! The government should protect the public and not the businesses!
Sad that they do this with something people NEED. That's my take on that subject. I'm pretty sure my family dr will be able to find out if something is wrong with me when I go in for my yearly check up. There should be shops like that everywhere. Needed glasses since third grade and no optometrist has ever found anything wrong(health issues). There's is only one reason they don't give you your PD and we all know why.
Lao Coste: no, family Dr do not detect eye disease. My glaucoma was found by a eye specialist. Those store machines only do measurements.
The thing with in store glasses buying is that there is a mark up because of the overhead and employee salary and for renting the machines they use to perform tests and other equipment they might need, so they'll buy higher end brands so they can justify the mark up by saying oh it's because it's a designer label. That being said the prices in these videos are crazy, the first two pairs of glasses I bought were in store when I first got my prescription and I got them on sale and with a discount due to community services card and they were 350 dollars for two pairs which isn't bad comparatively but overall is insane considering you're supposed to get checked up every 2 years.
I have worn glasses since I was in the fifth grade. Until my most recent pair, I ordered them online at zenni optical. The frames were nice and they were really cheap. The only problem with them was that they, for some reason, messed with color. Everything was so much duller with them on. I used to take them off to read because the letters were darker. I would also take them off if I wanted to really see the color of something. When I got my current glasses from my optometrist office, I immediately noticed the change in color. Everything was so much more vibrant. I couldn't stop going around looking at stuff, especially flowers. You would have thought I had been colorblind. I get that they're overpriced, but I'm too scared to buy glasses online anymore because I don't want to lose color again. I think buying glasses online is a good idea for most people. My sister always gets hers from zenni. I don't know why, but for some reason, they don't work for me.
I just bought a new pair of prescription glasses for $24 after tax and shipping online, I feel pretty darn good about that purchase now !
From where? Thanks!
Kathleen M. Higgins Glasses USA
I remember buying my last pairs of glasses in 2015.
It was $480 and my mom almost lost it. I haven’t gotten a new pair since and am grateful that my vision hasn’t changed.
When my wife came home last fall with a $450 optometrist bill and we HAVE "insurance" that is supposed to come with one free frame and pair of lenses per year, I started doing research and found these CBC videos. They taught me to treat the optometrist as my annual checkup appt, get my Rx, and buy online. The retail part of the store is one big sales pitch. This year, I went to my optometrist appt, paid about $45 and now have my Rx ready to buy new glasses online.
Such a rip off -- lenses outside of North America are barely 50 dollars Canadian.
I bought an entire pair of glasses, lenses included for $20 from Zenni optical online. That was like 10 years ago and their prices went up but they still compare to this silliness.
In Norway I pay like 6-700€.
Anything between about £70-£1000 in the UK.
Nope, it's the same in France, hundreds of euros...
Seriously? Just bought a pair of glasses, paid 250€ for a high brand frame and got the lenses for free
I got my glasses from Warby parker, cost me $150, flat. So far very happy
I love how the ad I get in the middle of this is for Vision Express (A UK glasses chain).
I've been buying online from zenni for years, actual frames are 10~40$ and then can pick and choose extras its fantastic
In India an average pair of glasses costs around $30 to $40 with good quality lenses. I am really surprised to see these prices.
yessss my mom bought some for me from India the best quality costed me $100CAD
lol wait till these corporations take over india. and they can dominate easily by getting laws their way due to corruption there.
Come to the west and get screwed like the rest of us
that actually seems expensive because of how much everything is there. compare to the daily cost of food in each country
The US prices are just as bad... as well as anything medically related. Prices for medicine are out of control here.
came here to say I have purchased many pairs from clearly contacts and they took back the one pair I was unhappy with. I now have another two pair from zenni optical and love them. all were reimbursed through insurance (except for shipping).
This is good to hear. I have had a health issue in my right eye and had to see an eye surgeon rather than a regular optometrist. I had to spend 600 dollars on that issue. But he does eye glass exams for only 35 for his patients. Only he does not deal in hardware...just writes the prescription so you can shop around for your glasses cheaply if possible. I will ask him for the PD measurement to be put on the prescription and may I ask which company you think is best for me to try?
+Holly Tree check the two websites for the frame styles and prices
erg0centric TY :)
And I’m watching this wearing $6 glass frame.
:(
Mine caused
Around
$400-$600
Beat my 1$ Metal double Beam with prescription lens.
i know a guy that own a eye-glass shop in a Asian country, he told me it is the industry norm that eye-glasses shops mark-up at least 200-300% profit margin, and that's for the Asian countries. For western countries like Canada, the mark-up can be as high as 500% or even 600%.
My parents they were doing optical business and they told me what ever the frame and lens you choose the cost can't be over 4 bucks. WTF
great episode!
I never knew glasses were expensive, I always bought mine at Ollie Quinn and it would cost $150 but even then, insurance covered it.
In Germany, you don't need a prescription from your doctor to buy your glasses. You just go to your optician and they are going to measure your eyesight for you and then you are going to buy the glasses. You can also go to your eye doctor and have your eyesight measured by him or her, but in the end it doesn't make a difference. At least, I never had a problem. And I never paid more than 200€ (280 Canadian Dollars) for me glasses and I have really bad eyes! I also never had to pay for getting my eyesight measured, neither by an optician or by a doctor and I always got all the data without asking anything.
Pretty much the same in Croatia.
You are free to get your glasses whichever way you want.
You can buy overpriced glasses in optical stores or get pretty much the same ones online for a fraction of the price.
Even the overpriced ones are nowhere near CA prices.
Not to mention that PD is always on prescription(Which is free).
Same in the Netherlands!
well thats germany, canada is 3rd world country but wanna belong to western ....just a big joke
They're even trained to do that
Same as in Taiwan. Free of charge for eye exams.
I've had cheap glasses for use besides my contacts. These subscription glasses were €35 (including eye test, frame and lenses). I didn't claim anything from insurance either (I already continuously claimed the soft contact lenses). I'm amazed by these prices.
I've also gotten rid of the soft contacts a few years ago and got hard lenses. No more regular payments for anything and got cheaper health insurance.
Thank you for this information.
One of the most interesting things is that in Serbia, my country, we don`t have full eye checks. We only use simple tests.
In Bangladesh you can get prescription glasses just for 10 USD. In fact, we the Bangladeshi students who are studying abroad always bring extra pairs from home :). Pricing in Canada/ USA is absolutely ludicrous.
I USED LENSCRAFTER ONCE . IT WAS A BAD EXPERIENCE !!!!!!!!!!
I went to Costco and got two eye glasses with a 1.5 magnification and for use with computers for under $50. Without the blue light emitting technology I could have bought the three pack. I used the Costco self examining machine to see if I needed the 1.5, 2 or higher magnification. One should still see an optometrist for health reasons as they can check and monitor eye diseases. However, don’t fall for the high sales pitch.
Excellent investigation!
i live in rochester ny i bought 5 pairs of glasses for about 50$ per pair from eyemart express the service was great, the frames and lenses were perfect, all of the frames were fitted at the store and the glasses were ready for pickup in about 1hr, no bs just great glasses at a great price.
crazy... in my country, uruguay i bought REALLY expensive eyeglasses and it was just close to 200
I’m in the US and I always end up having to pay AT LEAST 600 dollars. That lady is full of crap she couldn’t answer the question about PD and still had the nerve to say with a straight face that it’s about protecting public interest. I hope she loses her home and livelihood and everything else that happened to the guy who was trying to help people. Same for the last dude. He can go kicks rocks in a hot place with his smarmy self 🧐😡😤
Recommend Acelool
13:25 I love it when Marketplace interviews these industry association/lobby group types. There's something similar in all their faces, perhaps a lack of restful sleep.
It does help to shop around. When I was shopping my RX the shops were surprised that I was not accepting their quotes. I also think it is criminal for a Dr of Optometry to also sell glasses. Complete conflict of interest there. For me, the best price I found was at Costco.
i buy my glasses at Costco---saved a ton.
me too, but they automatically put this coating on them that you can't clean on your shirttails anymore you need to get special alcohol wipes and a special cloth
I have watched this video multiple time and for some reason always come back to it. Where is the insider's new store? Does he do online businesses too?
Did you ever find out?
I used to have a lazy eye and you used to not be able to order prism lenses online (not sure if you can now), so I always paid a fortune replacing glasses from optical stores. However, as soon as I got my lazy eye fixed and my prescription adjusted, I bought from Clearly right away. I had such a good experience that when my prescription changed again several years later (due to my age), I ordered from them again. At the time they were having a “Free Glasses” sale. I got a pair of Transitions lenses so they could double as prescription sunglasses. The ones I got didn't fit at all, so I asked if I was eligible for their normal free exchange, and after I spoke with a manager, they said I was entitled to one free replacement, so I got them replaced with a different frame. I only had to pay for the Transitions coating, plus tax and shipping, which totalled around $80. Well, I've worn those glasses every day for the last 6 years, and I still get people asking if I got new glasses because they're in such good condition. The coatings haven't chipped or worn off at all. No way would I pay full price at an optician's now.
And no, they didn't pay me to say this.
Bend over...Bring your own Vaseline. I buy my specs from Beijing. A full test via a specialist optometrist, alignment, gradual, multi focal lenses made from the best Japanese materials, unbreakable frames with variable arms. Plus armor protection for scratch proofing. All done in one week. The best quality specs available. Price in Aust$280. The West,,you must be kidding!
i get my glasses shipped to me from relatives from pakistan can get quality frames for 50 which cost 700 here in canada
Gary Templemain Bend over, bring your own vaseline. Best comment ever!
you can get your full prescription from specsavers in Australia using the medicare thing, then take your script to OPSM and with your centerlink statement they will charge you between $50 and $200 for glasses.
That is for those on pension, for those without, you best have insurance
Happy Fox *Australians get stitched on everything,*
There is a reason why Easterners think Westerners are dumb. And they call us poor.
For PD measurement, you can just put a ruler on your eyebrows and take a selfie.
Thanks for that. Was thinking about the ruler but the selfie tip is great.
wow bravo! good documentary will recommend to more people!
Very informative
He shoulda partnered with a real optometrist.
We need guy like him in every industry who can fight for little guys all the journalists who should support them and follow up let the public know what going
Those prices are eye-popping!
Adjustment is key, which is something that I always look for and is the reason I get $50 frames (with adjustment) while in Europe as they don't have a monopoly on eyeglasses like they do in the U.S and Canada apparently...
I live in England and most glasses I buy are free, apart from if I want special lenses which are about £90 including the frame. 👓
They're free because your under 18 lmao
Online glasses manufacturers can't tell you if the arms of your glasses will fit with your face shape, that's one benefit of going to an optometrist.
if u go to the zenni optical website - they explain how to do your own PD number. plus u can get a new pair for less than $100 but u have to wait for them to be shipped from the u.s.
I went to my local eye place & got 2 pair for $120...that includes 1 yr warranty on lens & frames, sunglasses added on one pair, thinned out lenses
Everybody knows when their blurred vision is not related to vision - is a different thing. Ontario should pay for eye exams every three years - separate it from glasses.