Eyeglass prices, New Zealand

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kingdragonfly

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#236036 14-May-2018 18:09

The price of eyeglasses in New Zealand is outrageous.

At the OPSM local retail store, I got this quote for middle of the range glasses with some coatings:
NZ $459 average each, including discounts for more than one eyeglasses.

The same glasses from a US mail-order:
NZ $162 each, or about 65% cheaper, even without the "first glasses" discount.

For four glasses it was OPSM NZ $1,836.00 versus GlassesUSA NZ $651. This includes delivery and GST.

The OPSM actually quoted a longer delivery time 5 to 10 days, while the US company quoted 3 to 5 days expedited.

I've used this US mail-order company before, and it's fine. I have no association with them, besides buying eyeglasses. I'm sure other mail-order glasses would be comparable.

https://www.glassesusa.com/

Usually I can adjust the eyeglasses myself, but if I didn't want to the local optometrist would charge $30.

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#2015957 14-May-2018 18:14

I've ordered from four online glasses vendors, not that one. None gave me acceptable, comfortable vision. When tested locally they got many basics wrong, including pupil distance and optical center.

Glasses from my optometrist are usually spot on.

kingdragonfly

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#2015959 14-May-2018 18:31

You should get the pupul distance and optical centers from your optician, but you have to ask for it.

I think they don't give it out usually, because they don't want to give you everything needed to order glasses on-line.

timmmay

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#2015980 14-May-2018 18:45

I have that information. What I'm saying is when given the information most online glasses retailers can't produce glasses that accurately fill that prescription.

I eventually found one that did, but for no reason myself or optometrist could work out they were never visually comfortable.

They're probably fine for most people, I just have sensitive eyes.

Handsomedan

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#2016134 15-May-2018 09:14

I have consistently paid more than $1500.00 a pair for my glasses and to be honest, for the comfort, warranty and style - I think that it's OK.

I know that it's a lot of money, but I have terrible luck buying anything online that needs to be measured in any way...including clothes and glasses.

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surfisup1000

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#2016138 15-May-2018 09:20

I never bother with coatings, they are vastly overrated.

Item

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#2016141 15-May-2018 09:24

surfisup1000:

I never bother with coatings, they are vastly overrated.

I skipped the coatings on my spare pair of specs and I hate wearing them as I can frequently see the reflection of my own eye - very distracting.

Would not skip again!

jonathan18

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#2016195 15-May-2018 10:58

Item:
surfisup1000:

I never bother with coatings, they are vastly overrated.

I skipped the coatings on my spare pair of specs and I hate wearing them as I can frequently see the reflection of my own eye - very distracting.

Would not skip again!

Similarly, my wife did the same on her most recent pair, and the result is she hardly ever wears them, preferring her older (coated) pair.

I think the pricing for coating from NZ places like Specsavers is generally too expensive (but I assume is integral to their business model, ie cheap initial price then up-sell with all the extras), but I think I pay $20 extra for this from Clearly (which is where I source all my glasses from now, both standard and prescription sunglasses).

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surfisup1000

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#2016202 15-May-2018 11:11

There is very little difference between my coated and non-coated glasses.

Maybe it is my prescription that makes a difference? I don't wear my glasses much outside driving really. I'm on the borderline of actually needing them.

scetoaux

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#2016219 15-May-2018 11:42

I get mine from Clearly too. My current pair cost me about $120 ($100 for glasses with standard lenses, $20 for anti-reflective coating) and were delivered within 4 days. I've been wearing these daily for coming up 3 years, and they are the best fitting pair I've ever had.

I was previously paying $800 - $900 a pair locally.

bluedisk

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#2016232 15-May-2018 11:53

I'm having a big dilemma about ordering glasses online. I have seen a nice pair of glasses in the local optometrist which he has taken time to sort for me so as they fit my face well. His cost is $380 without progressive lenses.

All up with lenses this will cost around $1250, and so becomes a big ticket item for us.

I have googled the model number and have found what looks like the same pair online in Singapore for NZD$20.

Now thats a massive difference in price. But, it feels really shabby of me to take advantage of his services in helping me select the right frames etc and then going behind his back to find a cheaper alternative online. There's also the internet thing of not really knowing what you are getting till it turns up. We once ordered Ray Bans online that looked good online but turned up as very poor copies.

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Spyware

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#2016234 15-May-2018 11:59

bluedisk:

Now thats a massive difference in price. But, it feels really shabby of me to take advantage of his services in helping me select the right frames etc and then going behind his back to find a cheaper alternative online. There's also the internet thing of not really knowing what you are getting till it turns up. We once ordered Ray Bans online that looked good online but turned up as very poor copies.

The guilt disappears quickly.

timmmay

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#2016236 15-May-2018 11:59

Interesting article on the glasses industry and the massive markups.

I tried some glasses on at OPSM. Glasses price was reasonable, even with lenses, but they wanted $150 for an anti reflective coating, making them fairly expensive. I got similar frames for $80 from Amazon and I'll get lenses from a local optometrist, Mr Four Eyes, who I've read about but not used before. He does standard lenses for $150, compared with about $300 at my regular optometrist.

Fred99

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#2016241 15-May-2018 12:06

https://www.baileynelson.co.nz/

jamesrt

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#2016242 15-May-2018 12:07

timmmay: I'll get lenses from a local optometrist, Mr Four Eyes

+1 for Mr Four Eyes (Ravi).

Ravi replaced my Progressive Lenses over Christmas/New Year for about half the cost of the original provider (a NZ wide franchise with AA connections); reused the existing frames. Yes, it meant I was without for a few days whilst the frames went to the lab, but I coped with my older glasses and disposable contacts. But Ravi's service and professionalism were very high; would recommend and will use him again for my next lenses upgrade.

Handsomedan

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#2016246 15-May-2018 12:13

jamesrt:

timmmay: I'll get lenses from a local optometrist, Mr Four Eyes

+1 for Mr Four Eyes (Ravi).

Ravi replaced my Progressive Lenses over Christmas/New Year for about half the cost of the original provider (a NZ wide franchise with AA connections); reused the existing frames. Yes, it meant I was without for a few days whilst the frames went to the lab, but I coped with my older glasses and disposable contacts. But Ravi's service and professionalism were very high; would recommend and will use him again for my next lenses upgrade.

Just clicked the link and read a bit about these guys...I love the buy one-give one ethic...

Shame they're not in Auckland...I'd use them for sure!

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