Let's Talk About: Eyeglass Shopping Tips
Buying new eyeglasses can be confusing, especially with all the “deals” you see advertised. These eyeglass shopping tips will help you navigate the common promotions and make a smart buying decision. Since they are also implemented in many other industries, you may recognize some of them. I cover three of the most common promotions. Dr. Moody
Eyeglass Shopping Tip #1: “Two Pairs and an Exam for $X”
This is one of the most common promotions you’ll see, and it sounds amazing. Two complete pairs of glasses AND an eye exam for one low price? Who wouldn’t want that?
Here’s what’s usually happening: that advertised price typically includes only the most basic options – standard plastic lenses in single vision (not progressives), limited frame selection, and no lens treatments like anti-reflective coating or scratch protection.
When you start adding what most people actually need – better lens materials for durability, coatings so you can see clearly at night, frames you’d actually want to wear, or progressive lenses if you need them – the price climbs quickly. I’ve seen patients walk in excited about a “2 pairs for $69 special” and walk out having spent $300-400.
Here’s an interesting way to think about it: if you paid $300 total, that works out to $150 per pair of glasses, or about $100 per pair plus $100 for the exam. Would you feel good about paying $100 for an eye exam and $100 for a pair of glasses? Most people would say that’s too expensive. But packaging it as a “deal” makes it feel different.
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What to ask: “What’s included at that base price, and what will I actually need to add?”
Eyeglass Shopping Tip #2: “Buy One Get One Free” (BOGO)
When you see “Buy One Get One Free,” what’s your first reaction? Most people think “Great deal!” But here’s what I ask patients to consider: if a business is giving you something for free, where are they recovering their costs?
The reality is that making a pair of glasses costs roughly the same whether it’s the “first” pair or the “second” pair. The lenses need to be cut, the frames need to be purchased, and the lab work is identical. So if one pair is truly “free,” that means the price of the first pair has to cover the costs of both.
Here’s a simple way to think about it: if you’re paying $400 for a BOGO offer, that’s really $200 per pair. Would you feel good about paying $200 per pair if it weren’t called “free”? Sometimes yes, sometimes no – but the word “free” changes how we perceive the value.
I’m not saying BOGO offers are never a good deal. I’m just recommending that you pause, do the math (divide the total price by two), then ask yourself if you’d be happy paying that amount per pair.
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What to ask: “What’s the total out-of-pocket cost, and does that price per pair make sense?”
Eyeglass Shopping Tip #3: “50% OFF”
Who doesn’t love a good sale? Fifty percent off sounds like you’re getting something for half of what it normally costs. But here’s the question I encourage patients to ask: “50% off what price?”
Some businesses operate by marking their regular prices significantly higher than market rate, then offering frequent discounts to make it seem like you’re getting a deal. This isn’t unique to eyeglasses – you see it in retail stores, furniture shops, and many other industries. The “regular price” becomes somewhat fictional because nobody actually pays it.
I once shopped a competitor who was advertising 50% off lenses. When I did the math – took their regular price and cut it in half – it was still more expensive than our everyday price. The discount was real, but the starting price was inflated enough that the “sale” price wasn’t actually a deal.
This doesn’t mean every “50% off” offer is misleading. It just means you need to know what the actual market price is for what you’re buying. If you’re shopping around, compare the final out-of-pocket costs, not the discount percentages.
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