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It is pretty easy to get non-Luxottica frames. Not too surprisingly, independent small batch production runs of frames end up costing a lot of money. There ar
by com2kid 7y ago
It is pretty easy to get non-Luxottica frames.
Not too surprisingly, independent small batch production runs of frames end up costing a lot of money.
There are also artisan frame makers who hand make the frames. If you are going to pay $300 for some frames, mine as well get an actual work of craftsmanship.
At the end of the day, most Luxottica frames are actually far cheaper than the high end independent frames you can buy. Exceptions are the fancy branded frames, but at that point the $ is for the Gucci logo.
Online bare bones frames also exist, or just go to Costco.
A 3x-4x markup at retail is normal. For low traffic businesses, an even higher markup is needed to stay in business.
Those online stores do a lot of volume, and don't have to pay leases or for nearly as many opticians to be on staff.
> that the prices we pay for eyewear in no way reflect the actual cost of making frames and lenses.
Of course it doesn't. The price we pay for eyewear is the price we value it at. Just like literally everything else that is sold in stores that isn't a commodity good.
Doesn't help that insurance is involved. $200 a year eyeglasses allowance. Eyeglasses end up costing $200. Is anyone surprised?
- rconti 7y agoYeah, I buy Bellinger Blac carbon-fiber frames. Hand-made in Denmark. Not cheap, but as a guy, it's about the only accessory I own.
- dmix 7y agoMy view is that if you're using it every day it's worth spending extra money on it for the best. This is how I excuse spending $250 on a mech keyboard and using high-end smartphones/laptops. Not buying super expensive new cars, or any cars, is probably the best place to not do this. Unless you commute daily.
- joshu 7y agook, how can i acquire this?
- rconti 7y agoFind a local retailer using their website. In reality, it's pretty hard, because very few stores have much selection at all to look at. After a number of years of buying their frames every once in awhile, I found an optometrist who invited me to "meet the sales rep" so I jumped at the chance; turned out it was a co-owner and also a model for the company's materials, he brought basically every frame they owned to the meeting, told me great stories, made great recommendations. It was the amazing experience I had been looking for but not finding. Just gotta get lucky, I guess, with smaller companies.
- joshu 7y agoit turns out a different eyeglasses place in the same mall as my current one sells them. huh, easy enough.