Be careful buying eyeglasses on sale

[geniebird]

This applies to the sales, coupons and special offers often available for retail "chain" type optical stores. We have done this three times and these are a few of the things we have observed.

First, if you want to stay at (or close) to the advertised price you have to say no to anything else the salesperson may suggest or offer. You won't be told the price (unless your ask) until they ask you for a check, so you could find those $100 glasses have suddenly become $400.

If you need certain things like no-line bifocals or special lens treatments ask about the price of those first and compare to other opticals. Sometimes no-line bifocals are included in the specials for no extra charge, but not always.

Next, the frames may be on sale because they have been discontinued. If this is the case it may be difficult or even impossible to get replacement parts if needed.

If you don't buy the extended waranty you may find you are on your own if the glasses break or you encounter other problems -- even if the problem is due to a manufacturing defect in the glasses. Even if you do buy the waranty, don't expect your glasses to be repaired or replaced without a charge to you. They may call it a "co-pay" but there could still be a charge.

We have purchased three pair of glasses with sales and special offers. Two from national chain opticals and one from a national department store. We have had problems every time. We could not have afforded better at the time, but we just got a new insurance plan with vision coverage that is pretty good. I need new glasses now, so I'm going to a smaller, independent optical and use the insurance. I'll try to remember to let you know how it compares to the pair DH bought at a national dept. store this summer.

One final reminder. The people who help you choose your frames are just salespeople. It is their job to try to get you to spend more by trying to sell you upgrades. Learn their tricks and learn to say no if you really don't need them.

[staceyy]

Thanks for the post, please do keep us informed. I'm going to need new glasses shortly.

[Darlene]

Nice post, thank you.

[Katybird]

Good information. Thanks for the heads up.

[Kimberlina]

Thanks for the useful info!