Oops, my bad. This is a guest post from some guy who wasn’t who he said he was and was trying to make a few bucks off of an affiliate link. Still, I can attest to the information within this post as being accurate, as I too buy my glasses and contacts on-line – so I will keep this post up. But I have since removed the offending affiliate links from this post.
As an added bonus, with the new information given to me by Patrick at Cash Money Life regarding this character, I thought it would be fun to add some editorial comments to this post.
This past week I was reflecting on how I was able to save money in 2009 and I realized that one of the ways, purchasing eyewear online, wasn’t very well known by most people. (Editor’s note: Actually, he was reflecting on how he could make money by duping dumb bloggers like me.) I first found this out when I read this article in the New York Times about do-it-yourself eyeglass shopping.
At first I didn’t pursue this; I had become so used to going to the eye doctor every year and purchasing glasses there. (Editor’s note: I’ll bet this guy has 20/20 vision.)
A few months ago though when I went to buy my new pair I was told it would cost me over $300 and I honestly didn’t have that much in my bank account.
So I decided to go home and look online to find a less expensive alternative. That night when I looked online I found that the same lens I was looking at was half the price.
I couldn’t believe these brick-and-mortar stores had such a high profit margin. How could this be? (Editor’s note: Why don’t you tell us, “Jared?” I assume he was watching a Subway Sandwich commercial when he made up that moniker. I’ll bet this guy’s real name is Ben Dover.)
According to the New York Times, “a glasses frame that costs less than $25 to make in Italy can retail for at least $150 at an optical shop in the United States.” Unbeknownst to most people, these stores are making absurdly large profits. (Editor’s Note: I’ve always had trouble with words that are singular but spelled plural. For example, am I the only one that thinks “a glasses frame” sounds a bit off? To me it sounds better, if it were “a glass frame.” Same thing with “scissors.” Why isn’t it a “scissor?”)
The New York Times went on to say “If ever there was a market ripe for the intervention of the Internet, which allowed consumers to find discounts on best-selling novels, digital cameras or Hawaiian vacations, eyeglasses would be it.” (Editor’s Note: When it comes to ripe markets begging for intervention, the Times forgot peddling advertisements disguised as ”guest posts” to clueless bloggers like yours truly.)
I began digging into this more and I found that there are several well-known blogs dedicated to purchasing glasses on the Internet. It was there that I found answers to all of the questions I had. (Editor’s Note: You mean you discovered there were ways to make a few bucks peddling eye-wear advertisements disguised as ”guest posts” to clueless bloggers like yours truly.)
In particular, I want to share with you three key points that I discovered that many eye doctors and brick-and-mortar eyewear shops probably don’t want you to know:
1. All I needed in order to buy glasses online was a prescription and a PD measurement from my eye doctor. Doctors are required to give this to you. (Editor’s Note: True.)
2. Customer service at some of those online stores is fantastic. You can call them for help finding the best frames and lenses for yourself. (Editor’s Note: That is true too.)
3. If you do need your glasses adjusted it is very easy to learn to do it yourself, or you can go to a local optical shop and they will do it for a very small fee. (Editor’s Note: Again, true.)
I called my eye doctor for my prescription and the next day I purchased glasses online. I have bought two pairs now and both have turned out to be great. (Editor’s Note: Somehow I don’t believe that.)
To be honest, I believe the quality of the glasses is even higher than the glasses I bought in the store. (Editor’s Note: Higher, not likely. The same, absolutely.)
The process is not only easy, but it has also saved me a lot of time. (Editor’s Note: Dat be true.)
Now, I not only buy my glasses online, but I also shop for my contact lenses online too! Each box of contacts that I purchase online saves me $20. (Editor’s Note: Imagine that! Obviously, he is trying to score points with multiple affiliates in the same post. Ah, the joys of capitalism!)
Popular websites that sell contacts include… (Editor’s Note: You know what – if you’re interested in buying contacts on-line, just go to Google and type in the words “contact lenses.”)
If your resolution this year is to save money, I strongly recommend you try shopping online for your eyewear. (Editor’s Note: My apologies to my readers. I’ll try and be more careful next time.)
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I’m definitely going to try this next time. I spent like $450 on my last pair of glasses which really pissed me off. Thanks for the tips here. I will bookmark this page as a reference!
.-= 20smoney´s last blog ..Selective Hearing… =-.
Slate.com also recently featured an article on this, which inspired me to give it a try. I wear contacts most often, but wanted a stylish pair of glasses for the side.
I used a company in India and had a pair of glasses for under $25 out the door. A few things I’d note from my experience:
- Measuring your Pupil Distance isn’t that easy (and is a necessity for good fitting glasses and correct lenses). If possible, have your eye doctor do this for you.
- Customer service isn’t all that good. But I expected that..
Overall, I was quite pleased. I’ve since recommended it to my siblings, both of whom have bought pairs for occasional use.
Hope your readers are also inspired!
Hilarious commentary.
No worries, Len.
.-= Wojciech Kulicki´s last blog ..YNAB 3 Review: Give Me Back My Mvelopes =-.
A couple of weeks ago I did a post on repairing eyeglasses for a lot less than replacing them brand new. I got an email from someone who works in a shop that does repairs by mail. Ahhh, one of the fringe benefits of blogging!
But I want to comment on the bogus poster – you’re not alone Len, I had one myself back in November. I’m willing to bet I’m a bigger dope than you, because the person who wrote the post on my site posed as an attractive girl, with her own website, and the post itself was solid. I should have guessed since the given last name was “Lohan”, but like I said, I’m a bigger dope than you are.
Actually, it was the Lohan thing that got me suspicious. I tracked “her” visits and found they came from India! When I questioned the poster about the last name, she turned into a he, and didn’t want anyone using the given website for contact.
Needless to say, I pulled the post, hopefully wiser for the experience.
.-= Kevin@OutOfYourRut´s last blog ..Buying vs Renting a Home – Its Not All About Money =-.
@Len, love the editorial comments–too funny.
@Kevin@OoutOfYourRut, OMG, I just got an email from Jennifer “Lohan” this morning! I replied asking for more info and haven’t heard back–thanks for letting me know.
.-= Susan Tiner´s last blog ..People: Pay Someone Else to Care! =-.
@20s: Ouch! Yeah,that is way too much to pay for glasses.
@Jenn: Thanks for the tips. I wouldn’t recommend measuring your own PD either. For people that went to the eye doctor, the doc did it when he/she checked your eyes – and they have to give you the number.
@Wojo: Thanks, my friend!
@Kevin: Ooo – that is a tough one. Boy are you gullible. I guess that makes two of us. Well, Kevin, since we’re airing all our dirty laundry, I want to also confess that I still secretly pine for a Wham! reunion tour. If Andrew Ridgeley and George Michael ever get back together, I am so there.
@Susan: I’m glad I could make you smile.
@Monroe: Yeah, that’s a good one too. LOL
Another tactic: telling the blog host it’s OK to not link back to the guest author’s blog. Hmm. Wrong answer to give a reporter who cheerfully links to pieces at the competition.
.-= Monroe on a Budget´s last blog ..Use your tax refund to save money in the long run =-.
I reserve the right to edit guest posts, so I would just have deleted the offending affiliate tags. I do that for comments as well.
.-= Early Retirement Extreme´s last blog ..One million pageviews =-.
I agree. What really got me was the deception and the fact that this post has been submitted to other bloggers with the same ruse of a back story.
I would guess all of what is in the post is true. When I needed glasses recently, I nearly passed out when the final bill came in. On the other hand, I was determined to support a local business, you know the brick and board kind that has to pay rent and advertise against the chains in Penny’s and Wal-Mart. I got great service and can get them adjusted by just walking in. Since they were my first pair of glasses, they also walked me through how to get used to them a little faster. I wouldn’t have wanted to do this on-line. My trust just isn’t there for that. From my experience, a friend went in there wanting to get her glasses fixed. Instead of taking her bucks, they suggested contacting the manufacturer who replaced them for free. That kind of community-capital (social capital as Trent from Simple Dollar calls it) isn’t found on line. Granted I paid a lot, but I also feel I invested in my community.
If you can afford the premium, Patricia, I think that paying a little extra to keep the money within your community is a very noble and reasonable course of action. I do that myself at times too!
I found out about these details when I had to get a prescription for free safety glasses from my former employer. Turns bought company bought safety glasses and I got a second pair of equal or lesser value for free at the place I got my safety glasses. Just so you know safety glasses are not cheep. Too bad they would only let you get a pair every 18 months.
.-= Daddy Paul´s last blog ..Choosing the best mutual funds =-.
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