Why are sunglasses so expensive?

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: deejayshakur

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
I got my Ray Ban Predators from a friend for 30% (employee discount), still came out to about $110 or so. Well worth the price, I have many $5 and $20 american eagle/gas station sunglasses and there's a very noticeable difference, especially when driving in the california sun where glare can be a real big problem.

can i be his friend too?

Heh. Just go out with someone that works at Sunglass hut or something. (you know, date?)

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

My understanding is that the really cheap, gas station glasses are actually bad for your eyes, in that they a) cause your pupils to dilate, then b) provide no UV protection against the rays that are streaming in through your dilated pupils. I would be interested if anyone can debunk this - I have always heard it but honestly don't know how true it is. I will say that there are plenty of perfectly decent sunglasses that have UV protection but are far cheaper than Maui Jims, Oakleys, etc.

 

[deejayshakur]

Originally posted by: NutBucket

Originally posted by: deejayshakur

Originally posted by: PoPPeR
I got my Ray Ban Predators from a friend for 30% (employee discount), still came out to about $110 or so. Well worth the price, I have many $5 and $20 american eagle/gas station sunglasses and there's a very noticeable difference, especially when driving in the california sun where glare can be a real big problem.

can i be his friend too?

Heh. Just go out with someone that works at Sunglass hut or something. (you know, date?)

yeaa...im sure my gf will understand.

 

[Thegonagle]

I just head for the Foster Grant rack at Walgreen's. Most of their glasses have spring hinges, and the little sticker I peel off the lens says it protects against UV. Most are around $15, so I never cry when I lose them or scratch them. I couldn't ever bring myself to spend $100+ when I know I'll lose them in under a year. (My track-record of losing sunglasses in under a year is unbroken. Sometimes, they're lost in less than two weeks.)

 

[PingSpike]

Originally posted by: VTEC01EX
They're that expensive because people will pay obsurd amounts for them.

Precisely. People tell themselves that they are 'better for your eyes' so they can feel better about spending $100 on sunglasses. Man kind lived hundreds of thousands of years without the benefit of Oakley's advanced eye protection, and I don't believe those people's eyes fell out.

They're higher quality sure, but worth it? No. They cost that much, because they CAN cost that much.

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: PingSpike

Originally posted by: VTEC01EX
They're that expensive because people will pay obsurd amounts for them.

Precisely. People tell themselves that they are 'better for your eyes' so they can feel better about spending $100 on sunglasses. Man kind lived hundreds of thousands of years without the benefit of Oakley's advanced eye protection, and I don't believe those people's eyes fell out.

They're higher quality sure, but worth it? No. They cost that much, because they CAN cost that much.

but we weren't affected by the pollution that we are affected now.

 

[deejayshakur]

anybody care to comment on www.framesdirect.com?

 

[spidey07]

get some revos and you'll see why they're worth it.

I've had mine for over 7 years now and they're in perfect shape. Sunglasses are absolutely necessary for your eyes - all that squintin' makes crows feet wrinkles later in life.