Why do name-brand glasses and sunglasses cost so much?

[katelens]

Sunglass lenses can be pricy but when the frame is made from plastic or metal, how do companies justify such a high price?

 

[KB]

Near monopoly prices, thats why.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxottica

 

[sdifox]

cuz they can

 

[purbeast0]

cause people will pay for it.

are you new to the world or something?

 

[twinrider1]

 

[kranky]

Near monopoly prices, thats why.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxottica

That's the answer.

 

[KeithP]

Fight the power!
https://www.warbyparker.com/history

-KeithP

 

[Cal166]

Check out Warby Parker if you have a location near you or you can order pairs to try out for free online. $95 prescription glasses and $195 for prescription sunglasses.

 

[n7]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDdq2rIqAlM

 

[slayer202]

can u pleese show me wear to by cheap glass'?

 

[ponyo]

Near monopoly prices, thats why.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luxottica

Cool. Learned something today.

 

[MustISO]

I need some new sunglasses, doesn't seem to matter if I spend $10, $20 or $100. They break within a few years and I've very careful with them.

 

[Matthiasa]

It's is because of the name of the brand and nothing more. If you want them cheaper get something that looks and feels the same under a cheaper brand name, although it will still likely be owned by Luxottica as mentioned.

Of course the whole process is actually fairly expensive and Luxottica's margin is only 8.7% after all is said and done.

 

[Brainonska511]

It's is because of the name of the brand and nothing more. If you want them cheaper get something that looks and feels the same under a cheaper brand name, although it will still likely be owned by Luxottica as mentioned.

Luxottica owns a lot of brands, but I don't think it's right to presume they own everything. There are a lot of smaller, independent brands available. No need to throw them under the bus and avoid them because we all hate Luxottica.

 

[Matthiasa]

They control over 80% of the major brands, it is not everything but it is a majority of it.

 

[Arcadio]

Check out Warby Parker if you have a location near you or you can order pairs to try out for free online. $95 prescription glasses and $195 for prescription sunglasses.

Another vote for Warby Parker.

 

[Imp]

I need some new sunglasses, doesn't seem to matter if I spend $10, $20 or $100. They break within a few years and I've very careful with them.

My $300 Maui Jims are pushing 5 years old, wore them practically every day for 4 years and they're still perfect.

I never wear them on top of my head, and when they're not on my face, they go in the case.

I did "lose" a pair of $200 Maui Jims. The place where I worked had a giant wind tunnel effect going on in front of the building, had them on top of my head, and they flew right off smashing into the pavement. They flew around a bit until hitting a curb... scratched to hell.

 

[MrSquished]

another vote for Warby Parker. Got my pair like 4-5 years or so and they are still in perfect shape. I don't wear them often, mostly relying on contact lenses but I have worn them enough and rolled over them in my sleep multiple times with zero ill effects.

 

[n7]

Luxottica owns a lot of brands, but I don't think it's right to presume they own everything. There are a lot of smaller, independent brands available. No need to throw them under the bus and avoid them because we all hate Luxottica.

Yep. Make sure you DO NOT BUY from a brand/company owned by Luxottica.

 

[CraKaJaX]

Cool. Learned something today.

Same. I never knew this. Crazy. That's a damn monopoly if I've ever seen one....

 

[ControlD]

My $300 Maui Jims are pushing 5 years old, wore them practically every day for 4 years and they're still perfect.

I never wear them on top of my head, and when they're not on my face, they go in the case.

I've had mine for well over 10 years now. I never put them in a case and they have been sat on, dropped, hit with various objects and they are still damned near like new. They cost a lot but I don't regret the purchase one bit.

 

[CraKaJaX]

My $300 Maui Jims are pushing 5 years old, wore them practically every day for 4 years and they're still perfect.

I never wear them on top of my head, and when they're not on my face, they go in the case.

I did "lose" a pair of $200 Maui Jims. The place where I worked had a giant wind tunnel effect going on in front of the building, had them on top of my head, and they flew right off smashing into the pavement. They flew around a bit until hitting a curb... scratched to hell.

Yep. I've had my pair of Revo's for at least 5 years now. I do wear them on top of my head, but am pretty anal about them being in the case whenever possible. I have a case in my car and a case I use for everywhere else. They're still in great shape. It's amazing what a little bit of care can do.

 

[TheVrolok]

My $300 Maui Jims are pushing 5 years old, wore them practically every day for 4 years and they're still perfect.

I never wear them on top of my head, and when they're not on my face, they go in the case.

Yep. I've had my pair of Revo's for at least 5 years now. I do wear them on top of my head, but am pretty anal about them being in the case whenever possible. I have a case in my car and a case I use for everywhere else. They're still in great shape. It's amazing what a little bit of care can do.

^^ These.

I own 2 pairs of MJ's and 2 pairs of Revo's. Prior to my first pair of Revo's I owned nothing but cheap 20-40 dollar pairs from <insert random place>. I found that the cheap pairs were constantly breaking. When I finally started wearing MJ's/Revo's I realized how much of a difference the darker tint and heavier lenses made. I

've had my earlier pairs of MJ's and Revo's for ~7 years and they're still in great shape. Not a single regret about any of the purchase, they're worth it as someone who wears sunglasses 95% of the year.

I would never spend much more than the 300-400 I've already spent on a pair, but I can certainly say there IS a difference between these and the cheap 20-40 dollar pairs.

 

[shortylickens]

Sunglass lenses can be pricy but when the frame is made from plastic or metal, how do companies justify such a high price?

I'll explain it to you, but only for a free iPadz.

 

[jjsbasmt]

Raybans for the last 40 years and nothing else - (well, maybe a couple pairs of polarized Foster Grants). Both very great glasses just at different price points.