LensCrafters shop
I have done both eye exams and glasses on shops. The reports aren't bad. The vendors, however, are a lot pricier than other potential vendors in the market and there is no reason to believe that one is more competent (or incompetent) than the others. Make sure that your insurance will indeed cover the costs rather than just covering to a maximum. Other potential vendors may be 100% covered by the insurance while the client vendor's prices may exceed your maximum insurance by more than the fees.
As an example, 2008 glasses on a shop. Cheapest frames in the place, bifocal but no extra tints, scratch resistance etc. Brought in my own prescription, $155.97 after all sorts of discounts. Shop fee $50 + $20 bonus. 2009 another vendor. BOGO glasses, any frames in the store, bifocal with no extra tints, scratch resistance etc. $79. Glasses from 2008 shop fell apart in 13 months (12 mo warranty), thus the need for the 2009 glasses. 2009 glasses are still going strong and one of the BOGO pairs is still in the case unused. So read the insurance policy closely and call around. The shop may not be your best deal.
As an example, 2008 glasses on a shop. Cheapest frames in the place, bifocal but no extra tints, scratch resistance etc. Brought in my own prescription, $155.97 after all sorts of discounts. Shop fee $50 + $20 bonus. 2009 another vendor. BOGO glasses, any frames in the store, bifocal with no extra tints, scratch resistance etc. $79. Glasses from 2008 shop fell apart in 13 months (12 mo warranty), thus the need for the 2009 glasses. 2009 glasses are still going strong and one of the BOGO pairs is still in the case unused. So read the insurance policy closely and call around. The shop may not be your best deal.
I have one of these scheduled for tomorrow. If we're only talking about the eye exam, it's a great shop with excellent value. In my case, I'm taking my son who's been complaining of not seeing the blackboard correctly. Because he's only 13, the eye exam is free and I still get the $50 shop fee. I probably won't buy glasses there if he ends up needing some since there are much better deals on glasses. But an eye exam that costs me nothing and brings in $50? That totally works for me!
Yes, the eye exam alone where it is reimbursed works well. The eye exams are not where these folks make their money.
Flash Wrote:
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> Yes, the eye exam alone where it is reimbursed
> works well. The eye exams are not where these
> folks make their money.
The eye exam alone is WELL worth the money *if* your insurance covers the cost of the visit or just a copay. I did two of these this year.
However, I got burned on one because I *assumed* that my insurance covered both providers/provider group would be the same (diff locations, diff physician provider group). I checked the first time, but not the second, with my carrier. These locations are literally 2mi apart.
The report is very easy and does not take as long as the MSC's simple retail shops.
I would never take the glasses shops, the client is way overpriced on glasses.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2011 07:49PM by 3offthecharts.
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> Yes, the eye exam alone where it is reimbursed
> works well. The eye exams are not where these
> folks make their money.
The eye exam alone is WELL worth the money *if* your insurance covers the cost of the visit or just a copay. I did two of these this year.
However, I got burned on one because I *assumed* that my insurance covered both providers/provider group would be the same (diff locations, diff physician provider group). I checked the first time, but not the second, with my carrier. These locations are literally 2mi apart.
The report is very easy and does not take as long as the MSC's simple retail shops.
I would never take the glasses shops, the client is way overpriced on glasses.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/04/2011 07:49PM by 3offthecharts.
Yes, it's just the exam, and he could get his lenses wherever he chooses. Where is good to go for that? Has anyone gotten them by mail order? I saw an online place that was giving away one free pair of glasses several weeks ago, but we, of course, didn't have the prescription yet.
After accepting the shop, I could look at the report, and it really does look quite easy. I'm glad I took it!
After accepting the shop, I could look at the report, and it really does look quite easy. I'm glad I took it!
My husband and I order from [zennioptical.com] online. After we were satisfied with the glasses we got, my folks got theirs there, too. We've ordered single vision as well as bifocals and progressives. They have some nice styles and terrific prices.
SpyGirl Wrote:
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> Yes, it's just the exam, and he could get his
> lenses wherever he chooses. Where is good to go
> for that? Has anyone gotten them by mail order? I
> saw an online place that was giving away one free
> pair of glasses several weeks ago, but we, of
> course, didn't have the prescription yet.
>
> After accepting the shop, I could look at the
> report, and it really does look quite easy. I'm
> glad I took it!
SpyGirl Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Yes, it's just the exam, and he could get his
> lenses wherever he chooses. Where is good to go
> for that? Has anyone gotten them by mail order? I
> saw an online place that was giving away one free
> pair of glasses several weeks ago, but we, of
> course, didn't have the prescription yet.
>
> After accepting the shop, I could look at the
> report, and it really does look quite easy. I'm
> glad I took it!
I know coastal contacts is always running promotions for free glasses and contacts via their Facebook fan page.
Clark Howard, the consumer dude, has given the following online optical companies favorable reviews:
www.glassesunlimited.com
www.eyebuydirect.com
www.zennioptical.com
I intend to try one or more to buy some cheap eyeglasses for watching TV in bed, so I don't roll over on another expensive pair and smash them. Don't ask how I know, as they say.
www.glassesunlimited.com
www.eyebuydirect.com
www.zennioptical.com
I intend to try one or more to buy some cheap eyeglasses for watching TV in bed, so I don't roll over on another expensive pair and smash them. Don't ask how I know, as they say.
Did it exactly the way you're wanting to. Insurance paid for the exam, got my prescriptions in writing. Contact and glasses scripts filled online for 1/3 of the price that the shopped location wanted.
I have seen these shops offered many times. Unless you have insurance to pay for the exam, it is really not worth it. You are better off going to an eye doctor and just pay a co-payment. If your health insurance does not include vision, some will cover the payment, if your doctor puts in a diagnosis.
I have done 4 of these shops already (one for each one of my family members). They are very easy and my insurance paid for the xam and the report is fairly good. $50 each time, I would do again and again if I could.
Thanks
Thanks
I have done these assignments for three different clients. At none of them did I feel like I got a good deal. Since my husband lost his job some time back, we don't have insurance. The last one I used was LensCrafters. I had a lot of problems with the local store for repairs after the shop was long over, and wound up contacting the regional manager. I cannot get them repaired at any other store, and I've had a technician at an eye doctor comment on my cheap glasses. I paid hundreds of dollars to get the eyeglasses and sunglasses, and that was after discounts. The next time I need glasses, I'm just going to price local places.
Can someone tell me which Mystery Shopper companies do eye exam/glasses shops?
The eye exam shops pay a lower fee than the exam it self. The only way it would work if you really need the exam. Cohen Optical gives a totally free exam, whereas Lenscrafter charges. If you have vision insurance, and yo do the shop then it would pay.
That's why I don't go there; here, the basic exam is $55 and they don't take my vision insurance.
I do like doing the eyeglasses shops for the place that has BOGO offers. Different MSC company, I think.
I do like doing the eyeglasses shops for the place that has BOGO offers. Different MSC company, I think.
I'm now going through this...went to my HMO (Kaiser) and every two years get a free exam and $100.00 off glasses...the problem being their frames are so expensive minimum being $139.00, I need two pair. Looking into Lenscrafter, you get 30% off and with shop maybe about the same. Does anyone else do these with a higher reimbursement. Beyond hello always has them, but not in my area now.
Live consciously....
If anyone has Cohen Optical where they live, they give a free eye exam. In addtion, they always have deals on their glasses.
America's Best gives a free eye exam but charges $25 for dialation. That's the cheapest I've seen. I took my grandson there because he had no insurance. Two pairs of glasses with insurance were less than $100.
I am diabetic and have to see an opthamologist rather than an optometrist.
I'll have to check on my daughter's insurance coverage to see if I can work out this deal.
I am diabetic and have to see an opthamologist rather than an optometrist.
I'll have to check on my daughter's insurance coverage to see if I can work out this deal.
Today I Will Choose Joy!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
"Finally, whatever things are good, true, noble, lovely, of good report...if there be any virtue, if there be any praise...think on these things." ....It's a command, not a suggestion!
If you have your prescription, go with online stores. I got a GREAT pair of glasses from Zenni based on the recommendation of Clark Howard’s show. Totally cost me $17. I've previously been buying from Wal-Mart for much more and find these to be of better quality for much less.
How do you try them online to see if they even fit? Buying glases online sounds risky.
Live consciously....
The online stores have all kinds of measurements and virtual try on features. It's a little more effort on your part, but the savings can be huge. Or you could go try some on locally and then look for the same thing online and order it. We just got my husband a free pair on Coastal Contacts, and all we paid was shipping and handling. Such a deal!
So as a consensus here...it's not worth doing the sunglasses shop only?
Sunglasses is not a LensCrafter shop as far as I know. The sunglasses I have seen are purchase and return. Where you have other shops to perform at the same mall, they can work out okay. If I recall correctly, they pay about $15, which is too little (IMHO) for a P/R, but the return can be done about a half hour later so with other work nearby and not having to drive to the location another time, they can work out ok.
Lenscrafter and the Sunglass hut are both owned by the same company and by the way so is Pearl.
TechSavvy, thanks so much for the Zenni link. Just went online and found the glasses I recently bought costing $25.00 as opposed to the 139.00 I bought them for, exact same frames. I need two more (sunglasses and closeup), am a little scared about putting in prescription, as mine is vague. Help needed.
Thanks ago, saves me a ton of $$.
Thanks ago, saves me a ton of $$.
Live consciously....
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