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I'm a little bored. So I'm going to share my glasses-gettin' story.
I decided to buy a pair of prescription safety glasses for work because we've been working on a couple sites that require them, and trying to put those big plastic ones on over my glasses just isn't a good time.
My first stop was SuperTarget in RiverGate (Steele Creek area shopping center). I was told their regular price for an eye exam is $89.99 -- but they handed me a $10 coupon right there. And gave me the first appointment of the day - 10:30am. The bad news? SuperTarget doesn't actually stock any safety glasses. I did however, have a look at their regular collection, and it seemed fine to me. So maybe I'll go there when I need/want some regular glasses.
Since it was still and an hour and half until examinin' time, I decided to trek on up to the WalMart on Tryon, up near 485. Their exam price was a bit cheaper -- $70.00 -- but when I asked to get an appointment I was told it wasn't gonna happen today. When I asked about safety glasses, the guy was quick to pull out a couple briefcases that contained about fifty different frames, ranging in price from $18 to $109. He was very helpful. After spending a couple minutes trying on frames and admiring my ruggedly handsome face, I went back to Target for the exam.
Dr. Janne Smith did a fine job. She was friendly, professional, and answered all my questions patiently (I was quizzing her about contacts, Lasik, safety glasses - all kinds of stuff). She was also very thorough -- didn't seem the least bit rushed, which I appreciated.
I tried on a few frames in SuperTarget (they have a $99 complete pair deal on discontinued frames, and I do love me a bargain), and then set off, prescription in hand, in search of safety glasses. After failing to find a LensCrafters that I thought was on Carolina Place Pkwy, I returned to WalMart. I quickly narrowed it down to a $109 frame that looked good, and an $18 frame that, uh... was $18 and met all the OSHA/ANZI requirements. And then I bought the cheap ones. Hey, how often am I gonna be wearing them really? I'm not that vain. I did go for the $38 Transitions lens upgrade -- gives me the lenses that automaticallly turn into sunglasses outside, which I figure is a good idea since I'll be wearing them mainly outside. I was told I should have them in about a week.
Total bill for exam at SuperTarget: $79.99 (no tax!)
Total bill for glasses at WalMart: $121.00 (no tax!)
I was pleasantly surprised by both SuperTarget and WalMart. First time I've gone to discount places for glasses. Won't be the last.
How 'bout you? Any place in Charlotte that you love for gettin' your glasses?
I actually had been flying back to Massachusetts to see my optometrist for eye exams & such. But more recently I'd gone to Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat in Southpark. They gave me the most comprehensive ocular exam I'd ever had. It was all covered by insurance. I still send my old frames back to my optometrist in Massachusetts to have the prescription updated. I'm glad that you found a bargain down here.
Just joined Costco a few weeks ago and, coincidentally, just had my eyes examined. Well, I have used Walmart in the past and got a quick quote on the lenses. Then went over to Costco (in Matthews) and noticed that they had a eye care dept. For the very light and thin lenses that I wanted, they quoted approx. $100 less than the Walmart price. I could not believe it. Their frames looked less expensive as well. I'm not going to buy until early January (new plan year for insurance), so I've got some time to shop. I was just wondering if anyone has experience with purchasing eye glasses from Costco.
WOW, going to target and walmart for eye exam and glasses...
What's next jiffy lube for a prostate exam, or best (worst) buy for brain surgery???
Not me, I've been seeing Dr David Smith who is an eye surgeon and geriatric eye specialist at Horizon Eye for for many years and Dr Louis Gaskin before him his father Dr Reid Gaskin who fitted my first pair of glasses in 1960. I like to go someplace where I feel confident that the doctor and my records will be there the bext time I go which in my case is every 6 months...
No "fast food doctors" for me, thank you very much.
Timm - really appreciate the review on your search for your safety glasses! VERY helpful!!!
I have pre-glaucoma (genetic) so have been seeing a specialist since my late 30s. However, my son needs an appointment. He has had perfect vision all his life but thinks he has lost some accuity in his left eye and may need some correction to get back to perfect vision. So . . . I was going to start researching where he could go when he comes home for winter break from college.
You really helped me with that!
If a person has no issues . . . nothing wrong w/ seeing an optometrist rather than an ophthalmologist. The main thing is to find someone who can get those lenses right and it sounds like your doc did a thorough exam.
Thanks again for sharing the info!
And for any of you who may be like me . . .and enjoy having different colors/styles of glasses. . . I found this website through the Wall Street Journal - one of their staff did a story on "bargain glasses."
I have used them for 2 pairs of glasses and if they would get in another color I am looking for, I will order from them again. As long as you have a prescription, they can prepare your glasses and ship them to you.
WOW, going to target and walmart for eye exam and glasses...
What's next jiffy lube for a prostate exam, or best (worst) buy for brain surgery???
Well, if I needed a prostate exam and didn't have insurance to pay for it and Jiffy Lube had a qualified professional able to do the exam at a reasonable price.... yes. Of course, I'm not a snob, so ymmv. Now if they can just do something about their oil change prices.
The whole point of my post was that a lot of the ideas/prejudices people have against services offered by discount retailers are just plain wrong, and are conclusions reached through ignorance. Go to one. Try it. Then tell me how awful it was and compare it to fast food. I've been getting glasses for over thirty years. The only difference in this experience from going to Dr. Fancypants is the price, thank you very much. That's all I'm saying.
Go to one. Try it. Then tell me how awful it was and compare it to fast food. I've been getting glasses for over thirty years. The only difference in this experience from going to Dr. Fancypants is the price, thank you very much.
If price is all that's important to you then do what makes you feel good.
I have no intention of risking mine or my families health on a "fast food doctor".
I have been wearing glasses for over 40 years - almost blind without them . I had an eye exam recently and checked with the optical dept. there at the eye drs. office. Cheapest pair of glasses for me was going to be at least $200 (I need the thinner lenses option or they would look terrible). I ordered from zennioptical online. I paid about $40 for new thin lense glasses.....could not be happier. I will never pay those prices again!!!!
I generally use Lenscrafters or the like, but I also have a pair of prescription sunglasses from Target that I just love, and that my friends love as well. The way I see it, when people see my glasses and admire them it is because they like the style, who cares where they came from! And if it saved me money, especially in this economy, than that is an extra bonus!!!
I would prefer to go to an opthamologist, but my insurance will only cover yearly routine eye exams with optometrist. More and more insurance plans work this way. I have been seeing one or the other for the last 30 years, and for routine eye exams, they are equally good (although I suppose it all depends on the dr you see). I have a good friend who is an optometrist at a Wal Mart in another state. She is extremely smart and talented. Sho chooses to work there for a number of reasons. So, Radio Ron, you can't always judge a book by its cover (and, she's definitely not a "fast food doctor"!!)!
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What About Costco???
. I had an eye exam recently and checked with the optical dept. there at the eye drs. office. Cheapest pair of glasses for me was going to be at least $200 (I need the thinner lenses option or they would look terrible). I ordered from zennioptical online. I paid about $40 for new thin lense glasses.....could not be happier. I will never pay those prices again!!!!
