Gut check on lens pricing...

Does $340 sound about right for Hoya 1.70 EYRY SV with AR? Sticker
shock. Heee.

Thanks.

 

Dear CD,

Subject: Heeee indeed.

The internet has some good prices.

http://zennioptical.com/cart/home.php

You might be able to find what you want at
something less than $340.

I believe that prices start at about $20.

This should reduce sticker-shock.

Weee! I pays to shop around.

Best,

Otis

_____

 

What a joke. It's like telling a customer who is looking for a new
Mercedes that he should start by shopping at the local wrecking yard...

w.stacy, o.d.

 

Dear CD,

Subject: A VW versus a Mercedes.

If you want a Mercedes -- pay the $340.

Zenioptical makes a good lens -- from the reports I
have received. For some things you don't need
a Mercedes. The still remains your choice.

Best,

Otis

 

Thanks all! I probably should have clarified my initial question... I
DO want the Hoya 1.70 EYRY product specifically, but my question should
have been: I notice that prices vary widely between optical shops, so I
was wondering whether $340ish sounds right for this specific lens with
AR. BUT, thanks all for the Zenni recommendation! They have some nice
pieces for the money! I'll definitely be buying a spare pair there.

 

340ish is about right in my area (west coast US)

BTW, do not buy your mercedes at a junk yard or on the internet, and
don't obtain your glasses from a Sam's or from the internet, and NEVER
base any significant medical decisions on the advice of a layperson,
*particularly* one who offers it...

w.stacy, o.d.

 

Sams/Wal-Mart offers high quality name brand products from Varilux, Sola,
Rodenstock, and others. I don't think it is fair to put them in same
category as the internet site posted previously. In fact, Sams/Wal-Mart
sells much better quality lenses than any other chain store that I know
about, and they will tell you exactly what brand/model/lens material they
offer so you can comparison shop.

However, I don't know if they sell Hoya products.

 

private docs don't like walmart or sams. they undersell them with
products of similar quality plus stand behind their products better
than any private doc can afford to (refunds without question if
customers have problems adjusting, etc.). it is definitely unfair to
lump walmart/sams in the same sentence with internet shops who aren't
even offering high index lenses anyway (but thats a point that is
beyond Otis anyway).

 

Independent optical labs can offer more variety of lens types, and I would
also say higher quality lenses, than Walmart or Sams. Nevertheless, those
retail outlets do indeed have good quality lenses (Zeiss, Rodenstock, Sola,
Nikon, etc.). They just don't have as much variety.

 

Wal-Mart/Sams has their own "independent" lab. They could make any lens they
want, but they limit their line of lenses somewhat, but probably not much
different than other labs. The difference with independent optical, is that
they can use multiple different labs.

Same thing is pretty much true of Wal-Mart Superstore/Sams line of grocery
items that they stock. They do carry a lot of high quality items, but not
nearly as many different items as most large grocery stores. Of course,
their prices are about 15-30% cheaper for the items they do carry.

 

walmart/sams labs are definitely not independent. they are wholely
owned by walmart. in fact they are the third largest optical lab chain
in the country. they do have a variety of lenses but mostly based upon
deals they have set up with specific suppliers. they cannot just make
glasses with any kind of lens. they do have a rather complete supply
of premium to discount lenses that fulfil the needs of most people but
not everything.

 

When I said that Wal-Mart had their own "independent" lab, I put that in
quotes to mean it operates just like an independent lab that makes lenses
from different lens manufacturers, even though technically it is not an
independent lab servicing independent optical shops. The lenses they make
are sold under the brand name of the manufacturer such as Sola, Varilux,
etc, and presumably they could make just about any brand of lens they wanted
to (except those that are only made in labs owned by the lens manufacturer).

This is contrast to chains like LensCrafters which sell private label lenses
(although you can special order some brand name lenses from Lenscrafters at
exorbitant prices).

 

This is the part of your reply that I think is wrong. Not all parameters
are available throught Walmart/Sams compared to what a real independent lab,
who can order lens blanks from any manufacturer, has access to.

I am not sure at all about Lenscrafters, etc.