Thought I'd post a bit of interesting info I've found recently.

Recently my first set of PALs, Varilux Comforts with rimless Movado
frames, were lost (a long story). Fortunately I had another set bought a
few months ago as a backup. These had AO Easy lenses and are pretty good,
but I never liked them as much as the Variluxes. So I began shopping
around.

Since I now am reasonably conversant with the isues around progressives I
felt comfortable looking at other providers than my usual optician to see
if I could get a better price. I went to a couple of discount/mass market
optical shops and checked them out. I found a few interesting things.

The frame selection in these places was very disappointing. They had a lot
of choices, but generally they were very pedestrian in style and many felt
cheap. This even with frames with well-known names on them (although not
necessarily well-known in the optical world - names like Timberland,
Dockers, etc). The prices on these frames were generally cheaper than what
my optician shows though, by $100-$150. However, I've found he will cut
you a deal if you ask, so from that viewpoint there wasn't much
difference.

The other interesting thing was the lenses. Around here most of these
optical shops seem to go with Essilor/Varilux progressives if you don't
ask - indeed, my optician did this last year with my first set. Since I
knew what I wanted (Varilux Comfort) I asked for it by name, which
immediately caused them to reach for their price book. One was nice enough
to show it to me. Around here the lab dispenses 4 grades of product (all
prices in Cdn $ for the combo I wanted):

Varilux Panamic    $340
Varilux Comfort    $300
Essilor Ovation    $150
Essilor xxx    $90  (unknown basic model that she says she never
recommends)

The Essilor Ovation is the bread and butter model most opticians try to
sell here. I had that lens initially last year and found it very poor. I
complained and after some time it was remade using a set of Comforts and
the difference was incredible. How much of that was due to the design and
how much due to proper fitting I cannot say. But I know I would never
accept another set of Ovations.

(Interestingly, my brother got a new set of glasses a couple of weeks ago.
Old ones were Varilux, new ones, Ovations. He hates them, although I
suspect he may have a fitting problem too. They are going back
regardless. He was not happy when I told him of the pricing above as he
suspects he was overcharged.)

When I added up everything at the discount places, I was looking at
between $550-$600 for what I wanted (there were no special sales of the
like at the time) - although none of the frames thrilled me. I went back
to my optician. He had a selection of Oga frames that I just loved, and
picked a pair of those that suited me. His price with the Comforts,
Crizal, and a sympathetic good customer discount: $640. Sold.

I know I am getting a frame of very good quality (these Ogas just feel
substantial) and that the lenses will be fit properly. I think a discount
place would (for me at least) be a false economy. And I get to support a
local small business to boot.

--
Greg Beaulieu    ab348@chebucto.ns.ca    Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada