# I pit Luxottica, the eyeglasses monopoly **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 14, 2013, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958 "2013-06-14T02:16:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nanoda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Nanoda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nanoda)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/1 "2013-06-14T02:16:26Z")
Do you have glasses? If you didn’t get them online, then it’s almost certain that [Luxottica](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxottica) was involved. I’ve got a fairly high prescription, and those jerks have been responsible for draining my wallet (and my parents wallets before me) to the tune of 500$+ every year or two. Here’s _part_ what they own: - Lenscrafters - Pearl Vision - Sears Optical - Target Optical - Sunglass Hut Which sounds like insurance companies would complain, except that they also own a bunch of those too. I’ve switched to an online store - I’m more than willing to pay a bit extra for local businesses and workers to provide me goods and services, but when the price difference meets orders of magnitude, there’s something wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58956e/32.png) [@Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emtar_KronJonDerSohn)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/2 "2013-06-14T04:00:09Z")
So you don’t like their business model and have found a way to bypass it? Cool story, bro. ---
**Author:** ![Palo\_Verde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Palo\_Verde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palo_Verde)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/3 "2013-06-14T05:39:56Z")
Hmmm. I went to a local independent optometrist, the cost was about $150, and my regular health insurance paid for all of it except a $20 co-pay. Just not feeling ripped off. ---
**Author:** ![BubbaDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bubbadog/32/333_2.png) [@BubbaDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BubbaDog)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/4 "2013-06-14T12:32:18Z")
This is why God made Lasers. Burn them corneas then chuck the glasses. ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/5 "2013-06-14T12:45:12Z")
I go to an independent optician. Actually, her office is outside the door of Costco; I let my Costco membership lapse but have continued to see her. My insurance pays most of the exam cost. And I get my glasses from [a local independent](http://www.yelp.com/biz/smiths-opticians-houston). My prescription is pretty simple; the glasses are stylish, cheap & ready in a few days. ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/6 "2013-06-14T14:42:09Z")
I have a high prescription (-8), and my eyeglasses always cost at least $300 when I lived in the USA. I am now in China, and I am now wearing the best glasses that I have ever had, bought here in China, and they cost about US$18. So, yes, I think that Luxottica is a monopoly that is gouging people. Check out: > **[6 Secret Monopolies You Didn't Know Run the World](https://www.cracked.com/article_18845_6-secret-monopolies-you-didnt-know-run-world.html)** > > All the brands you think you're picking and choosing between are all sockpuppets on the many tentacles of a few, lesser known companies. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/7 "2013-06-14T16:28:09Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > IAnd I get my glasses from [a local independent](http://www.yelp.com/biz/smiths-opticians-houston). My prescription is pretty simple; the glasses are stylish, cheap & ready in a few days. Your independent optometrist is almost certainly mostly selling Luxottica products. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/8 "2013-06-14T16:29:07Z")
My vision plan lets me get a pair of glasses every year for about a $10 copay, as long as I keep the frames below the $250 allowance. And even if I exceed that allowance, I think they pay like 40% of the amount in excess of $250. Also, my optometrist has a bunch of really cool posters in his office from Luxottica, I can’t find them on line, though (I think they might have been produced in the 80s). ---
**Author:** ![CatherineZeta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e95f7d/32.png) [@CatherineZeta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatherineZeta)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/9 "2013-06-14T18:53:27Z")
I’m a huge fan of Warby Parker. They make their own lenses and frames to keep costs down. A pair of prescription glasses is $95, sunglasses are $150. All you do is send them a prescription after you pick out your frames. I was able to get a $20 eye exam from a chain and pretend I was coming back later to pick out glasses. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 7:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/10 "2013-06-14T19:41:48Z")
I doubt they’re affiliated with Walmart, ForEyes, or America’s Best (all the places I’ve gone to for prescription eyewear) because those places sell perfectly acceptable glasses at affordable prices. Maybe you should shop around before plunking down half a paycheck on glasses? ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/11 "2013-06-14T20:01:31Z")
> [@BubbaDog](#): > > This is why God made Lasers. > > Burn them corneas then chuck the glasses. Hell, even if I got laser surgery, I’d STILL need glasses, because the surgery can’t correct my vision all the way. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/12 "2013-06-14T20:11:13Z")
That’s so weird, I had never heard of that company until just the other day when I met someone who worked for them. Now I can’t for the life of me remember who it was. I remember she seemed nice though. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/13 "2013-06-15T02:01:06Z")
> [@Rachellelogram](#): > > I doubt they’re affiliated with Walmart, ForEyes, or America’s Best (all the places I’ve gone to for prescription eyewear) because those places sell perfectly acceptable glasses at affordable prices. Maybe you should shop around before plunking down half a paycheck on glasses? Wal-Mart buys its glasses from a similar but smaller conglomerate called Zyloware. ---
**Author:** ![Mattie\_Blue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71c47a/32.png) [@Mattie\_Blue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mattie_Blue)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2013, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/14 "2013-06-15T22:20:58Z")
> [@CatherineZeta](#): > > I’m a huge fan of Warby Parker. They make their own lenses and frames to keep costs down. A pair of prescription glasses is $95, sunglasses are $150. All you do is send them a prescription after you pick out your frames. I was able to get a $20 eye exam from a chain and pretend I was coming back later to pick out glasses. Plus, Warby Parker has a 5 frames for 5 days program. Pick out up to 5 frames and they will ship them to you free to try on at home. Just return them in 5 days. My only sad with them is that they don’t do bifocal or progressive lenses yet. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [June 16, 2013, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/15 "2013-06-16T13:41:20Z")
> [@Mattie\_Blue](#): > > Plus, Warby Parker has a 5 frames for 5 days program. Pick out up to 5 frames and they will ship them to you free to try on at home. Just return them in 5 days. > > My only sad with them is that they don’t do bifocal or progressive lenses yet. I was going to look into them, but now I won’t have to. I was wondering how they could do bifocals/progressives, since I think those require an optician to measure your face to get those aligned properly. ---
**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/16 "2013-06-18T15:23:46Z")
> [@simple\_homer](#): > > I am now in China, and I am now wearing the best glasses that I have ever had, bought here in China, and they cost about US$18. Where? I live in China, too, and every time I’ve priced glasses they’re a lot more expensive than in the USA. They’re all high-end brand names that I don’t give a crap about (and no Z87 [safety] frames at that). I’m on home leave now, and one of my first stops was the local optical shop for some cheap glasses (about $150 each complete). ---
**Author:** ![simple\_homer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@simple\_homer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simple_homer)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/17 "2013-06-18T16:13:43Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Where? I live in China, too, and every time I’ve priced glasses they’re a lot more expensive than in the USA. They’re all high-end brand names that I don’t give a crap about (and no Z87 [safety] frames at that). > > I’m on home leave now, and one of my first stops was the local optical shop for some cheap glasses (about $150 each complete). I live near a college campus, and there is a very small shop near it that caters to the students. They advertise glasses for 100RMB. Mine were extra due to a high prescription, but I still only paid 120RMB including exam, frames, and lenses. Ask your friends or neighbors where they go. As thrifty as most Chinese people can be I am sure that you know someone that can recommend a shop to you. ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2013, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/18 "2013-06-18T18:01:54Z")
No love for zenni optical? > **[Glasses Online | Eyewear for Everyone™ | Zenni Optical](https://www.zennioptical.com/)** > > Find affordable glasses for men, women, and kids. See before you buy with virtual try-on. Get a great pair of eyewear at Zenni. Shop our online store today! I got my last 3 pairs there Have not spent more than $50 yet ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/19 "2013-06-19T00:10:19Z")
I buy used frames online because I don’t want to spend $$ on new designer frames (also, vintage frames have more available sizing that fits my unusually narrow face). I go to local, small business optometrists for exams and frame adjustment because I hate corporations. It’s not all that complicated. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958/20 "2013-06-19T00:34:45Z")
> [@drachillix](#): > > No love for zenni optical? > > [www.zennioptical.com](http://www.zennioptical.com) > > I got my last 3 pairs there Have not spent more than $50 yet Zenni is wonderful for those whose needs it can serve. It won’t help everyone. Last time I priced out my Rx on Zenni it came to over $200, but then, I am an outlier. I opted for re-using an old pair of frames I had purchased years ago and Wal-Mart Optical. It cost me $314 including the exam, which I needed, and I also had help with adjustments which is important for someone in my situation. Importantly, since they were my first bifocals, there was also the option to switch to another type at no additional cost if my eyes couldn’t adjust to progressives. I’m also _very_ rough on frames so having robust frames is important to me. Which I’ve heard great reviews regarding Zenni’s lenses I’ve heard their frames aren’t the sturdiest. I’ll stick with my two pairs of titanium frames for the time being, thanks. I do keep Zenni bookmarked, though in case I want single-vision lenses again for some reason, Rx sunglasses, or some other reason. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-luxottica-the-eyeglasses-monopoly/660958.md?page=2)