60 Minutes: Do you know who makes your glasses?

[Grateful Stache]

60 Minutes is airing a segment tonight on Luxottica, the Italian eyewear giant that controls approximately 80% of the industry.

I think the segment is very mustachian. It touches on the difference between luxury brands and plain 'ole glasses. I was astounded to find that the same company makes both generic and luxury brands, and virtually the only difference is the brand name on the side (and of course the price). I've posted the link in another thread, but I wanted to post it here in case a wider audience was interested.

The segment is a re-run, so those who can't catch it tonight can watch the segment here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDdq2rIqAlM.

Cheers.

[johnintaiwan]

I think i read an article on Cracked.com about this a while ago. I think paying for a brand name on the side of your glasses is not a great idea, buying quality brands may be a good idea.

I wear glasses everyday, all day (except when sleeping), and having a comfortable pair of glasses that fit correctly and stay that way is important. I don't shop by brand, I basically just walk around and try on pair after pair until i find the right ones. I think the last pair i bought took me about 4hrs and 5 different stores. In the end, the pairs that seem to look the nicest and fit the best tend to be the "designer" frames.

[PloddingInsight]

I get my glasses from either zennioptical.com or 39dollarglasses.com.  Current pair cost me $13 including shipping.

[clarkm04]

Just getting ready to purchase some glasses in the next month.  Always a good reminder that brand name doesn't matter.

I'm getting mine through Costco, but they do carry some name brands such as Calvin Klein.

[Grateful Stache]

Clearly you want to get something that "looks good" when you are purchasing glasses, but it's interesting how brand names can subtly influence what we think "looks good."

The segment also touched on how Luxottica 'reinvented' Ray Ban, from a gas station brand to a Hollywood staple.

[workathomedad]

I'm pretty sure that little dude playing polo on the side of my glasses gives me super powers. I know it was 50% more expensive, but now if I ever learn how to ride a horse I'm gonna play some really serious polo.

[eostache]

I have several pairs of zenni glasses that I got over 3 years ago. They were all in the $7-$15 price range. A couple of them have tints as rx sunglasses. I still use them every day. I wear contacts sometimes but mostly I wear glasses to work as it's better for looking at the computer all day.

When I got the glasses I showed them to one of my co-workers who had worked for an optometrist when she was in college. She said they looked great and told me about the insane markup on glasses and frames at most usual places.

My bf didn't like any of the frames at zenni but he did like some at 39dollarglasses. Used to be if you like their FB page you can get a $15 off coupon. Not sure if they still do this.

[randymarsh]

I get my glasses from either zennioptical.com or 39dollarglasses.com.  Current pair cost me $13 including shipping.

How did you correctly measure your pupillary distance (PD)? I've order 3 or 4 pairs from different online vendors including zenni and can never get it right. The prescription is perfect if I look out of one side at a time.

[eyePod]

We had a vision plan through my work and the sales guy at my eye doctor couldn't stand me. "Well, your company covers $250 towards the glasses! So let's take a look at these!" Me - "No thanks, I want the ones that are under $250." Him - "I don't know if we have any of those..." Me - "Then I won't be buying any here!"

Finally he "remembered" that they had some, I got it, and walked out. What a tool.

[CommonCents]

I think i read an article on Cracked.com about this a while ago. I think paying for a brand name on the side of your glasses is not a great idea, buying quality brands may be a good idea.

I wear glasses everyday, all day (except when sleeping), and having a comfortable pair of glasses that fit correctly and stay that way is important. I don't shop by brand, I basically just walk around and try on pair after pair until i find the right ones. I think the last pair i bought took me about 4hrs and 5 different stores. In the end, the pairs that seem to look the nicest and fit the best tend to be the "designer" frames.

+1

I bought the most comfortable pair of glasses in the store last time, only shopping from the non-designer selection.  I should have tried more stores, because it never fit quite right and now I never want to wear them because of that.  (I wear hard contacts during the day and theoretically glasses at night when I'm tired, having issues with my contacts etc, but right now suck all of that up to wear contacts 98% of the time even when they are bothering me.)  I'm counting the days until November, when I am eligible for a new pair.  I plan to shop around until I'm 100% confident it fits well.

[johnintaiwan]

I think i read an article on Cracked.com about this a while ago. I think paying for a brand name on the side of your glasses is not a great idea, buying quality brands may be a good idea.

I wear glasses everyday, all day (except when sleeping), and having a comfortable pair of glasses that fit correctly and stay that way is important. I don't shop by brand, I basically just walk around and try on pair after pair until i find the right ones. I think the last pair i bought took me about 4hrs and 5 different stores. In the end, the pairs that seem to look the nicest and fit the best tend to be the "designer" frames.

I find contacts really uncomfortable, so I wear my glasses about 16hrs a day everyday. each pair usually lasts 2-3 years before the prescription changes. i feel it is well worth the time to find the perfect pair and even spend a little (a lot) more to get the pair that fits the most comfortably. If they were reading glasses or I wore contacts most of the time then I would probably go for the cheapest decent pair I could find.
+1

I bought the most comfortable pair of glasses in the store last time, only shopping from the non-designer selection.  I should have tried more stores, because it never fit quite right and now I never want to wear them because of that.  (I wear hard contacts during the day and theoretically glasses at night when I'm tired, having issues with my contacts etc, but right now suck all of that up to wear contacts 98% of the time even when they are bothering me.)  I'm counting the days until November, when I am eligible for a new pair.  I plan to shop around until I'm 100% confident it fits well.

[dragoncar]

I get my glasses from either zennioptical.com or 39dollarglasses.com.  Current pair cost me $13 including shipping.

How did you correctly measure your pupillary distance (PD)? I've order 3 or 4 pairs from different online vendors including zenni and can never get it right. The prescription is perfect if I look out of one side at a time.

Seems like something your optometrist should put on the script

[TreeTired]

I get my glasses from either zennioptical.com or 39dollarglasses.com.  Current pair cost me $13 including shipping.

How did you correctly measure your pupillary distance (PD)? I've order 3 or 4 pairs from different online vendors including zenni and can never get it right. The prescription is perfect if I look out of one side at a time.

Seems like something your optometrist should put on the script

Very often you have to pay extra for that measurement, because they know that is the piece of info you need to order your glasses online.   I was able to measure my own using a ruler and a mirror and several attempts.   Now when you order glasses Zenni will send you a little plastic ruler shaped like a pair of glasses.  You place it on your nose and read the PD off a scale that on the plastic.

My first pair from Zenni was $6.95 -   I wanted to see what I could get as a basic pair with no add-ons (no coated lenses or scratch proofing)   It was a great pair of glasses!