!

[optigoddess]

I had some customers come in this evening & tell me about an "interesting" website....I couldn't believe it was "real" but it is!

www.39dollarglasses.com

Poly a/r lenses & frame....$39 .... drill mounts with edge polish for $79!

And, there is a "printable" PD ruler....so your friends can measure you at home!

ARGH!

Karen


(edited to put my subject title in...don't know where it went last night!)

[sarahr]

Don't you love it when these companies suggest that any adjustment can be carried out free of charge at your local optical store?

I'm very concerned that a small child with a sizeable squint and a +6.00D rx could be measured by any friend or relative and have specs supplied
1. No frame choice guidance
2. No BVD required on RX
3. No vertical centration required
4. Follow those pd instructions if you can.

What sour grapes?:o
There are companies in the UK doing similar business but I don't think they accept orders for under16's (??).

[Steve Machol]

10. What if my frames need minor adjustment after I receive them?

All frames are thoroughly inspected and aligned prior to shipping. If you need a minor adjustment, most optical stores will do it for free.

What wonderful folks they are. Not only will they undercut standard reatil prices but when you have a problem they send you to their competitors for a fix! :angry:

We want to hear from you!

If you have any questions or comments for the doctors at the Value Eyecare Network, feel free to contact us by e-mail, or:

In New York call: 1-631-758-0078
Outside New York, call toll-free: 1-800-672-6304

They also have an email address: contact@39dollarglasses.com

[Cindy Hamlin]

Then why did I spend 2 years in school and 3 1/2 years apprenticing when "connect the dots" I learned in kindergarten????:hammer:

[optigoddess]

I just couldn't believe that "connect-the-dots" either, Cindy!

I'm just flabergasted! :hammer:


This just shouldn't be allowed.....

Just for the hell of it, I should send in for a pair....I'd LOVE to see how my -4.00 cyl comes out!

hmmmm.....

Karen

[sticklert]

Is New York a licensed State?

If so is there anything the State board can do?

[Joann Raytar]

Well, there is a little note stating that if you are a NY resident you must have a Licensed Optician take your PD.

Uh huh. I can hear it now. You live in NY; did an Optician take your PD? Yes, honest one did. I didn't just print the PD stick and take one myself using a mirror.

[PAkev]

I am sure we will be seeing more of this across the industry. Lets face it, as long as there is a need there is always a means and a way of making a buck to meet that need. I personally feel it will TEMPORARILY weed out folks looking to get something for nothing. However, in the long run I am optomistic that consumers will recognize how little value they are actually receiving.

I sent them a nice little message. If you wish to review it e-mail me for a look.

Beware of bargains in:

Life Preservers
Fire Extinguishers
Parachutes
AND EYEWEAR

Kevin

[MVEYES]

Online refraction along with the online dispensing. Who knows, we might see skip the doc all together and do online diagnosis and treatment.




Who is looking out for the welfare of the public here?



:shiner: Jerry

[Steve Machol]

FWIW I've seen a lot of online dispensers come and go over the last few years. Anyone remember Sightopia.com? None of them have succeeded.

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...ight=sightopia

There's much more to dispensing quality eyecare than price.

[MVEYES]

You hit the nail on the head there.:cheers:






:cheers: Jerry

[Suzy W]

I was almost getting really fiesty about this site, and then I just started laughing. Go ahead and sell whatever "stuff" it is you sell to those poor people. They sure are not going to get free adjustments when they come to me. There will be a charge, if I adjust them at all. You get what you pay for in this world. You want cheap, you get cheap.
I had a patient telling me today how a friend of her's goes to a chain optical because she can't afford the prices an office like ours charges. Our patient said she didn't try and argue with her friend, but it turns out that her friend paid alot more than she did and her glasses are not near as comfortable as our patients. Hmmmm, what does that tell you???

Sorry about that, I didn't mean to get off on a rant.


Suzy

[optdsn]

I believe that the internet will never greatly cut into the eyewear market because the customers have a hard enough time picking out frames when they can try them on, much less attempt to pick out something sight unseen. Eyewear is a far different creature then contact lenses.

[John R]

Here's a thought for you then...
Customer comes in wanting a cheap pair of specs, now you have your answer for $50.00 you can have a piar of poly in any frame you like so long as its this one....
You make $11.00 for tapping a few keys. Go on give it a try you know it makes sense...

[hysteria]

This is so dodgy.

At the present I am attending 4 days of training for my distance education to become an optical dispenser.

yesterday was spend with the teacher drumming into it the downfalls of measuring with a pd rule versus a CR Pupilometer.

How can they expect some novice to do this. It is hard enough for a trained professional.

"It's simple -- like playing connect the dots!"

My teacher is going to love this *shakes head*

[chip anderson]

' believe that the internet will never greatly cut into the eyewear market because the customers have a hard enough time picking out frames when they can try them on, much less attempt to pick out something sight unseen. Eyewear is a far different creature then contact lenses."


Optdysn: Your answer really, really scares me!


Chip

[optdsn]

Why?