Luxottica Heave-Ho

**drk** · 03-23-2004, 05:35 PM

I am, for philosophical reasons, going to stop doing business with Luxottica.

My question: Any good ideas for a replacement for RayBan sunwear? I am looking mostly for a men's line that can be Rx'ed, has decent quality, style, etc. and isn't so lens-intensive that I burn the best part of the sunglass when I Rx them.

**karen** · 03-23-2004, 07:03 PM

Maui Jim makes some really nice stuff. Calvin Klein is nice for classic zyl and metal.

**Joann Raytar** · 03-23-2004, 09:07 PM

Try Safilo Carrera or Silhouettes.

**EyeManFla** · 03-24-2004, 01:31 PM

Maui Jim's are tooooo pricy to replace Ray Ban for Rx.

I just started carrying Vaurnet to replace Killer Loop and Costa Del Mar.

**jediron1** · 03-24-2004, 02:14 PM

Ya we tried picking up Maui Jims and was told by the sales rep. I
would have to put in at least 25 pairs. Now at those prices that
would be quite a huge sum!:drop:

**Jedi** · 03-24-2004, 02:24 PM

You could try Oakley,
Some models like the fives, fates and the frogskins are relatively inexpensive, as well the twenty and the straight are in the Ray Ban price point. Now to rx them through Oakley can be costly and restrictive in power ranges, but if you have a lab that does a good job with 8 base frame then it's no sweat. The Wires and x-metal can start to get into the Maui Jim range of prices , but all told Oakley is a very versatile line. You probably with have to order 24 to begin with and you might have to add their RX line as well, but for us it does very well.

PS- Can anyone give me a good reason why Ray-Ban is such a great seller. I've never thought they were any better made thatn anything else, their new styles look like knock-offs of other lines, and the lenses are nothing special. The only "cool" factor about them is Tom Cruise wore them in Top Gun and Risky Business 20 years ago. I geuss I've never been wild about Ray-Ban.

**fletch** · 03-24-2004, 05:37 PM

Ray-Ban is one of my best sellers. I don't think they are better than any other sun. They have been around for over 60 years and still have a great following. If my customers want them I will sell them. I just got Oakley after years of begging.

I think that suns are just like Jeans. You can buy jeans from $5 to $500. Are they any different? NO

Some lenses are different but does that justify the price.

Maui is 1970's technology and you can find many lenses just as good for half the price. If someone wants to spend $250 on a pair I sure won't stop them.

Just my 2 bits

**EyeManFla** · 03-24-2004, 06:18 PM

To be honest, I would rethink deep sixing Ray Ban. It is still the number one recognized sunglass name brand in the US. Yeah, I can't stand Luxottica either, but I like to make money.

Oh, and I do like Maui Jims. We sell them quite well, thank you. But I would not use them as a replacement for Ray Bans.

I use to love Coast Del Mar. But they have seemed to have moved away from wanting to deal with ophthalmic practices and would rather sell their product in hardware stores and gas stations!

**Johns** · 03-24-2004, 08:05 PM

I didn't deep six my ray bans, I just jacked the price up so high on them that everything else looks cheap in comparison. (Except Maui's). Thisway, I don't have to buy any more from Lux, I don't have to see the rep, and I've always got them in stock.

I carry Oakley, but after we show them next to the Mauis, even the kids are impressed. I just wish Maui had a few more Poly styles that were actually stylish.

**eyecare4U** · 03-24-2004, 09:23 PM

Bolle and Serengetti works well with us. Try them out.

**Eddie G's** · 03-24-2004, 10:32 PM

Oakley's really work well for us too!
I love the stuff!!!

I just received a CAA (AAA) exclusive offer in the mail
and it's basically a 30% savings brochure for members to use at LENSCRAFTERS.
Anyways they show Rayban's in Rx Eyewear and I must say they are covering a broad range...

The new RAYBAN's are copying the Swissflex plastic Rimless line
and the Rx Men's Plastic's look like Armani's while the Ladies plastics look like Gucci's.

Looks like Luxottica is really pumping $$$ back into the Rayban name.

**LENNY** · 03-24-2004, 11:10 PM

RB ophthalmics are verrrry nice and reasonably priced!
They remind me an old GA line, Chanel and Gucci at half price!

**drk** · 03-25-2004, 09:13 AM

You guys talking about how good Rayban is are killing me! I confess that I, too, love Ray-Ban because the frames are good and the lenses are not, so it makes a great Rx line. I do have Maui Jim and Oakley, because I try to only carry lines that are Rx'able or have Rx programs, but I let Oakley and Maui do the work and make the patients pay, because it's difficult to get my lab to do a great job with the 8 base lenses, and because I carry them for their "authenticity" anyway. It's certainly no crime to trash a pair of glass G-15's.

RayBan has the broadest market appeal of any line, in my opinion. Oh, heck, maybe I'll just keep 'em and give my money to Lenscrafters and Sears Optical.

I will check out Carrera again. I remember that they have begun to make some nice stuff, albeit limited.

**Jedi** · 03-25-2004, 10:51 AM

Last year I was kicking myself for sticking with Maui Jim. I had two RX order that took 3 months each. (redo's, breakage and backorders). Now I'm really glad we kept it around, March 19 we ordered an 8 base rx, I recieved it this moring March 25, and I'm in Canada, well done MJ.

**Jedi** · 03-25-2004, 10:54 AM

LENNY said:
RB ophthalmics are verrrry nice and reasonably priced!
They remind me an old GA line, Chanel and Gucci at half price!

They look like Armani and Chanel because the designers are not very creative, they look like all the other Lux stuff. With the exception of the old IC optics Versace stuff the only innovative line Lux has is Prada, everthing else looks the same.