Archive for November, 2010
Article Wanted for USD10,000
The article requested is about buying eyeglasses online.
In the era of buying everything online, eyewear is also trending in this very direction, though this product is lagged greatly behind other products. Prescription eyeglasses are considered medical devices, so people used to feel reluctant to buy them online. Now the situation changes dramatically. After some big players of online optical stores pushing for that and online glasses buyers’ favorable experience of the products, buying eyeglasses is becoming acceptable for many fashion- and budget-conscious customers.
Please write an article about your understanding of online eyeglasses, or write a story about the experience of buying glasses online of yourself or people around you. We will choose one writer of the best article or story, and we will award the winner USD10,000.
Please send the article to Patrick#firmoo.com. We will not use the articles you submit to us. In case we will use it for some reason or other, we will pay reasonable amount of money to you.
All are welcome to hand in your articles for USD10,000.
Firmoo.com
Global Online Optical Store
Consumer Reports Reveals Average Prices Customers Pay for Glasses
Recently Consumer Reports surveyed 30000 readers wearing eyeglasses. Based on what the respondents replied, the average price the patients paid for one pair of eyeglasses is still around USD200 which is pretty close the the previous reports.
In US, the types of optical retail can be classified as chain stores, indie optical boutiques and doctor’s office. Among all these stores, Costco Optical ranks the top in term of prices and general services. Costco Optical charges a median of $157 for a pair of eyeglasses, comparing with $211 at independent optical stores and $212 at doctor’s offices.
Among other chain stores, LensCrafters’ median price is $244, while Pearle Vision is around $228. Other big chains, including Vision Works, America’s Best and JCPenny Optical, are rated under average both in pricing and before and after-purchase services.
Reports also reveals that if you do not care about the prices too much, indie stores and doctor’s offices may be better choice in term of general eyeglasses quality and services, especially customers may enjoy professional advices from doctors.
Considering the glasses are also medical devices, if you are not in big rush, the Reports suggests doctor’s offices as the best choice. But if you need your glasses urgently, chain stores like LensCrafters or Pearle Vision may be your better way of choosing stores. The reports also suggests the bespectacled customers not to be slave to brand names, as those quality generic frames are manufactured by the same factories in China which are also licensed to produce the designer named frames. Keeping a clear mind of all the add-ons which are not necessary is another advice from the Consumer Reports.