Message-ID: <32C97C09.53D2@cmu.edu>
Date: Tue, 31 Dec 1996 15:50:19 -0500
From: Daniel Huber <dhuber@cmu.edu>
Organization: Carnegie Mellon University
MIME-Version: 1.0
To: bovik@cs.cmu.edu
Subject: Glasses: 20/20 beats Eyetique
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I recently updated my glasses perscription and purchased a new pair.
I compared some of the popular glasses stores, and here's what I found
out...

I looked mainly at LensCrafters, Eyetique, and 20/20.  For the lenses
that I wanted, 20/20 came in about 130 dollars cheaper than Eyetique
which was cheaper than LensCrafters by another 25 dollars.  Since the
quality of the glasses at all three places was about the same, I ended
up buying from 20/20.

The service at 20/20 was more personal than Eyetique, and Eyetique was
much more crowded.  According to Barry at 20/20, Eyetique charges twice
for scratch resistant coating because the lenses automatically come with
the coating from the factory, then they charge you again if you want the
coating added in their store.  I checked, and they do charge separately
for scratch resistant coating at Eyetique, but the salesman denied that
the lenses have the coating already on them when Eyetique buys them from
the factory.  I don't know who to believe, but the lenses at Eyetique
<were> more expensive.

Also, it's pretty certain that Eyetique has a big markup on their
merchandise because they recently had a 40% off sale on frames.  Since
they obviously wouldn't sell them at a loss, this means their frames are
probably marked up at least 40%, perhaps more.

Eyetique did have a larger selection of frames than 20/20, though, and
when my wife purchased a pair of glasses from them, the workmanship was
quite good.

Here's a breakdown of the price quotes I received from the three places:

			LensCrafters	Eyetique	20/20
Frames			180		175		180

Lenses (featherweight	219		231		118
with scratch resistant
coating)

Discount		-35		-72		-60

Clip on sunglasses	70		75		45

Total			434		409		283


Notes:

The frames at all three stores were slightly different, but were the
same brand.

Discount at lenscrafters was a coupon that can sometimes be found in the
paper (according to the salesman).

Discount at Eyetique was a limited time 40% off frames sale.

Discount at 20/20 is 20% for CMU students and is always available.

20/20 is located across from the Greenfield Giant Eagle.
Eyetique is on Murray in Squirrel Hill.
LensCrafters is all over (I went to the one in Monroeville Mall).


- Daniel Huber