I was deciding between Costco and Americas Best for my new glasses. I wear progressive lenses and Americas Best advertises 2 pair + exam for $159, so I gave them a call. I asked about the "out the door" cost of new progressive lens glasses and they were reluctant to give me the price breakdown, but I finally got it out of them. The 2 for $159 is for basic frame, most basic lens, with no options. The options really run the price up.
Here's the breakdown (this is for a So Cal location):
Standard progressive lenses + exam are 2 for $159, but there are 4 more expensive lenses that each increase your field of view and each increment increases the price by $60-80. Anti-scratch coating is $50 for first pair and $69 for both pairs. Anti-reflection coating is $55 for first pair and $88 for both. Polycarbinate lenses are $90 for first pair and $144 for both. And high index lenses (thinner) are $140 for the first pair and $224 for both.
So if you got a typical progressive lens with the typical options, you could easily spend over $1000 on the two pairs. I've decided to stick with Costco for my exam and first pair of glasses and order a second from Zenni or one of the other online glasses providers. I think that's the best combination of service and price.
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byu/brothermarkus inFrugal
Posted by brothermarkus
4 Comments
I really like Zenni. With my prescription I’ve learned not to cheap out on the thinner lenses (it’s really not much more expensive and worth not having a headache from heavy glasses).
from my personal experience americas best glasses always break so easily too!!!
I really don’t get what you say about the field of vision.
What is your prescription like? Not everybody needs the thinnest lenses. Mine are -14 and with the thinnest lenses they are literally 8 mm thick!
In my town Walmart is it. I went to the only optometrist in town that carries my insurance. It’s better to go to Walmart. My exam is covered. I’m better off buying out of pocket with hsa. But they give deals for extra pairs. I got sunglasses, glasses, and two pairs of safety glasses. Was happy.