Why do eyeglasses (frames) cost so much?

Question

Materials probably cost around $10. Production: $15.

Why do glasses cost $220, $300?

It seems unreasonable to me...

Answer 1

Go to walmart and costco. Most eyeglass specialty stores on sale name brand frames like Calvin Klein and Polo. You're paying for the brand.

Answer 2

The price of glasses is not any different than any other medical device. The problem is most people do not realize they are purchasing a prescription, not a fashion statement.

Glasses are just like any of prescription, there are generics and name brands. You are going to pay more for the name brand.

The problem is not the price of glasses, the problem is not enough insurances help to differ the cost. Most insurance plans give you a prescription plan that helps pay for you prescriptions so you never see that the pills you are paying $30 for actually cost $300 or more.

Just like any other medical device, there is a lot more that goes into making and dispensing glasses than most people realize. It is not just cost of product. It is the licensing cost of dispensers, malpractice insurance, and all other expense that any other medical business encounters.

Optical shops are not retail establishments. They are medical practices.

Answer 3

Sure, usually almost all the eyeglasses are made with regular materials: glass and iron, or another kind of metal.
But the expensive ones, have precious metals and finer glasses more resistant with more protection to your eyes, the real good eyewear.
But also is due the expensive marketing and advertising paid by the glasses producers.
Blame: Armani, Channel and all those brands.

Answer 4

I have no idea but I have wondered the same thing. Last time I got prescription sunglasses, I got the cheapest frames, which were $58.00 and I thought that was too much even though it's covered by insurance. I mean, they're PLASTIC, for cryin' in a bucket.

I can see the lenses being expensive because they're custom made for each person, but the frames are pretty much mass produced.

Answer 5

People don't buy glasses every week, and the store make the profits on what they sell. Some people only buy glasses once a year, or sometimes wait until their eyes change to buy a new pair. This could be years later.
Wages and rent on the building has to be paid, also the electric and heat or air conditioning cuts into the profits.

Answer 6

It is not the frames that drive up the cost it is the lenses. The stronger your prescription is the higher the cost for your glasses. Another reason that they are expensive is they have these new lenses called progressive lenses that are to make the thicker prescriptions more attractive. They are cut in such a way to make them appear less thick.

Answer 7

it depend on the quality of the material.
if the material is high tech, like being lightweight and strong, it will certainly burn a hole in your pocket.
for example, my glasses frame cost about 270, called the swissflex.
it super-light, only one-tenth of an ounce, and it is very flexible.

But it worth the investment, where you can wear the glasses for a long time without changing it.

Answer 8

They gotta rape us somehow. Think about it....... you can go to the dollar stores and buy reading glasses with frames of equal or better quality for $5.00 or less. So if you need glasses just consider bending over and taking it in the rear.

Answer 9

It's what's known politely as a ripoff. Any time you have a law giving certain people a monopoly, prices go through the stratosphere. One time a doctor shined a light in my ear, saw nothing unusual, and charged me a week's pay. He had the nerve to brag about what a great price he was giving me. Lawyers are almost as bad price-wise, and much stupider.

Answer 10

Simple. The industry knows you need them and they have what you need. The mark up on both frames and lenses is astounding....but, until somebody either regulates the cost, or comes up with a competitive alternative, they got you by the eyeballs....