I wrote about this on Suxottica.com, but wanted to call it out over here at GlassyEyes. I wonder how much thought they're putting into the online competition. LensCrafters is dead to me -- and increasingly so to pretty much everyone I come across who wears glasses.
Seems they expect things to get better in six months or so. I think this "economic downturn" has potential to be a boon for the online eyeglasses retailer. They need to continue to deliver, quality, value and please, oh please, some new (but not so gosh darn trendy) frame designs..
NOTE TO RETAILERS: I'm open to discuss this with you.
I'd guess Luxottica is aware of the online places, but probably unaware of the movement beginning to really take hold. Big companies are always the last to know -- they have so many layers of insulation.
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5 comments:
- At November 18, 2008 at 1:07 PM Ziztur said...
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Your link to suxuttica is broken!
Also thanks for this blog! I just ordered 3 pairs of glasses online for way less than what one pair would have cost me. I am totally going to blog about them when I get them here: www.ziztur.com - joining the eyewear revolution! - At November 18, 2008 at 3:47 PM Ira said...
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ziztur,
Thanks! Link fixed! Stupid extra "http://" - At November 18, 2008 at 10:15 PM FramesRx said...
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Well, I guess if you want to hate Luxottica, that's fine. Last I knew it was still a free country. I am the owner of FramesRx, and from what I see, you seem to like to defend the big online eyeglass retailers. Sure, Luxottica is a big company, but they have several lines that are reasonably priced. From the data that I see from our sales, Ray-Ban is probably the number one selling brand in the world. I was at the Minnesota State Fair this year, and the large majority of eyewear was D&G, Ray-Ban, Versace and Prada. Sure, Prada is not cheap but neither is the new Quantum of Solace eyewear selling for $342 on average. You can get a Ray-Ban frame that looks a lot like the new Quantum of Solace for two thirds the cost.I do not see you beating up on Marcolin. When I look at the online retailers that your site is promoting, I really wonder what is in it for you. I sent you a congratulations on your second birthday this weekend but received no response. I am the owner of a family owned online optical and look at the direction of the online business and pretty much think that in short time it will be all about who you know or whose back you scratch. I think it is time to cut out the self-righteous know-it-all attitude. I do not think that this industry would be where it is without some good corporations putting money back into the industry. Even Luxottica sells brand name eyewear that can retail for around $60. If it breaks, they stand behind it. How many of the online sites stand behind an $8.00 frame? My regards to your success, and congratulations on saving some eyewear purchasers money, but keep thinkgs in perspective. Everyone is out to make a buck, including Zenni. Best wishes,
FramesRx. - At November 18, 2008 at 11:27 PM Ira said...
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@FramesRX,
Thanks for the comment. I'm sorry I didn't respond to your email. Congratulations on your second birthday as well. As for my "self-righteous know-it-all attitude", I urge you to get your own blog and try something different.
As for Luxottica being a "good corporation", you're welcome to your opinion. In my experience, once you get to be that size, there is little "good" that can come out of it for the consumer. They have a spotty record of standing behind frames that cost $300 and will try to sell you a contract to replace them if they break. When I spend $30 or $40 or even $8 on a pair of glasses, I'm not thinking about that sort of thing.
Additionally, I've helped many people who have had issues with their online glasses get things worked out with the retailers. I have fostered relationships that are valuable to the people who hang out here. I have affiliate relationships with nearly all of them and it turns out they're the big players. Your site is a different kind of site -- one that caters more to those interested in labels than utility.
Your store carries a wide range of Luottica's brands -- brands I will not be buying again. Their heavy-handedness is hurting you more than it is the discount guys.
You talking about D&G and Quantum of Something frames is like speaking another language in here. This is not the point of GlassyEyes. We've had our eyes opened (I suppose there is a pun in there) and will not be going back to LensCrafters to pay even $60 on a pair of OVERPRICED frames and then have them tack on another $150 for lenses that cost them only a few dollars a piece.
Thanks again, feel free to be a Luxottica fan -- this "free country" thing you speak of is a two-way street.
Good luck! - At November 21, 2008 at 10:21 AM Jennah Watters said...
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Ira - ran across this on my igoogle today. Especially useful to those of us that have 10+ pairs of glasses. Sometimes you need a reminder!
http://www.wikihow.com/Maintain-Eyeglasses
