It never occurred to me that I could bring my own frames until I was out shopping and saw my Kate Spade sunglasses in a department store!

I asked my optician and they said people brought their own frames in all the time.

Is your optician part of your optometrist's practice?

$200 is a significant savings. If you are happy with your optician, I would ask if you could bring in your own frames.

Another option would be to let the optician know that you would like to buy from them and see if he could sell them to you for the same price as online. He may not be able to offer the same price, as he may not get the volume discount the online seller does but I have had close friend's have success with this type of request. I personally would be willing to pay more for a local shop where I could try on the frames and receive personal service, but I would want them to come closer to the Internet price.

I try not to do that though it's very tempting. I'm in the professional services business so I am biased toward the belief that service has value that should somehow be paid for since there is a cost to provide it. So if I want to get in person service from a human being that has to be paid a living wage, I'm inclined to purchase the product from that business so it can stay in business and so the employee can remain employed. I'm all for shopping online and saving $ but I think twice about it if I'm using the facilities and employees of a local business.

You might also try to negotiate a bit of a discount especially if you're willing to have a heart to heart about wanting to do business with them but having a hard time passing up the savings. DH often asks for a discount and gets it.

I would see that as a dilemma. I think it might depend on whether the purchase was significant economically to the buyer, or the buyer just wanted the best possible deal. I do see Jill's point about trying to meet somewhere in the middle... but personally I would pay the full amount and just make a mental note to do it differently next time.

Good for you, dedtired. You did the right thing. You should feel good about that.

Ded, I went through the same thing a few months ago when preparing to purchase a few pairs of glasses. I am now preparing for another round where it is likely I will need to purchase yet another pair. Total cost for the year will be several thousand dollars so I recognize and sympathize with the struggle over the cost online vs local.

I also got exceptional customer service from my local small shop-- they spent a great deal of time with me across many visits to not only select frames that would work with my prescription but that would also work for my style. When I had issues with the first pair (not their fault), they were very helpful and gracious (and generous as they returned the lenses without charging me). They consulted the lab and even referred me to the new ophthalmologist I will be seeing later this month. I couldn't have been more thrilled with my experience.

Although I was tempted by the online discounts, in the end there was no question that I'd purchase both pairs of glasses from them. I did purchase my Versace sunglass frames online at a significant discount but I'd selected the sunglasses prior to working with them .. and they didn't have them in stock. At this point, they have a customer for life. I'll return there for all future glasses (and sunglasses!) and I've referred a number of others to them.

I've seen the Oliver Peoples, Ded.. love them! Are you getting the Havana colorway pictured?

I am with Funkyart on this. Many complain about our society of consumerism, but still drive miles out our way to shop at a big box store with no social conscience in order to get a deal to have more money to spend mainly on stuff we don't need (I realize I am generalizing here and for many on fixed incomes those pennies saved are really important). But for me, I try to shop at mom and pop stores and support people who are local and making our community a place I want to live.

If I spend lots, I lose them. If I go cheap, they stay w/me forever...

I only lose sunglasses because they are not constantly on my nose like my regular glasses. One time I accidentally wore my glasses into the ocean and they got knocked off by a wave and washed away.

The color of the Oliver Peoples glasses is Vintage Tortoise or something like that. I have a picture of myself wearing them along with other frames, but don't like to post pics. Also my hair is a mess.

LOL.. you are a tease!

I love the Oliver People's styles but I feel like they are too bold for my face.

I just ordered an expensive new pair of glasses from a local independent shop. It kills me to spend that much. Last time I bought glasses there, I swore I'd never spend that much money again on glasses. Hah! This time I looked at Costco and several other less expensive places. Not only didn't I see anything I like (I'm VERY fussy), but nobody in the stores was very helpful. So I went back to the original place and immediately found what I liked. Lafont, très cher. Oh well. I figure if it's gonna be sitting smack dab in the middle of your face, it's worth getting what you like. I'm horrified at the price. I don't buy expensive shoes or purses.

It's not just the frames that are expensive. Good progressive lenses are too.

Everybody I know gets great glasses at Costco. Why not me?!! Waaah!!!

FYI for those who wonder Why my eyeglasses are so expensive. (Forbes article).

I always try to shop locally, but $200 is a lot of money. I would ask to see if they can give you a discount. If they can't, I would still buy from them since they helped you out. I definitely believe in paying for good service and product offerings.

Linelle, we love LaFont! My daughter wears glasses and she has LaFont glasses and sunglasses. Yikes, pricey, but so cute!! If you wear glasses all the time, I think investing in a great pair that look good is so important. My daughter is 4 years old and has been wearing glasses since she was 2 months old. It pained me to spend that much on glasses for an almost 3 year old (when she got the LaFont) but they are a part of her look!

It's all relative, of course, as we each have our own financial comfort level when it comes to things like this. I don't think I could bring myself to spend $200 more than necessary, even accounting for the helpful service that I'd received. I would give the local store an opportunity to match the Costco price or at least offer a discount. As has also been suggested, I might ask about bringing my own frames in as well, but in the end I would have to do what made the most economic sense for me.

Along the lines of always losing the expensive glasses but never the cheap ones -- I still have the pair of reading glasses that I bought well over a decade ago at a flea market for $2. I use them daily. I've gone through countless reading glasses that cost me much more than that, and without fail they've either broken or I've just flat-out lost 'em. ::sigh::

I would give the local store an opportunity to match the Costco price or at least offer a discount.

You know, there is NO way that they are paying anywhere near the price that Costco paid for those frames, and I think it's enormously unfair to small businesses to hold their feet to the fire like that.

If you aren't willing to pay for service, accept that you want a Costco world and go there instead. But I would do as dedtired decided and buy the frames at the specified price this time. Next time I would accept that I have to put up with costco service if I want the costco price.

Well, I'm not trying to be "unfair" to small businesses. If they're unable to provide a discount that I would find agreeable - fine. But my motto is that it never hurts to ask. In my line of work I deal with local service providers day in and day out, and I am continually surprised at what even the smaller shops are able to do on a corporate and personal level when simply asked.

The fact is that we are living in "a Costco world", and surely small providers are aware of the cost-competitive nature of their business. Which provider to go with is, as I said, entirely dependent on one's own level of over-spending comfort. YMMV.

I agree Ida.

Sometimes it is also where you shop. My town is very upscale and I know rents for the stores are high. That said, often times the mark up is because if you shop in this town, you should be able to afford it.

Although I am a firm believer in supporting local business, I have to draw the line at hundreds of dollars.

Same with workers for services. They see a certain zip code and automatically your price just went up.

I probably would not bring the exact frames in that Ded's store was selling, but I would show the large difference in price.

My local store gladly does this and as I said they told me that people bring in their own frames all the time.

My opticians had a sign will not give a warranty on frames they did not sell, which is not surprising.

BTW, got pricey Vera Wang frames last year and love them. They ordered them in a tortoise-y color for me which they did not have in the shop--the frames were available in multiple colors, and I had the option to return the frames if I didn't like them. Previous to these I had Prada frames that were also expensive that I bought from my hometown optician, but I had them replace the lenses. Last year I wanted an updated look.

I would never go to an eye glass shop with a pair of frames I bought elsewhere. A strip mall eye glass chain? sure.. My dr's office? sure.. but if the purpose of the shop is to sell glasses, then I would either use their service or not.

I may have kind of solved my problem. I went to another optician today. It's called See and they sell funky frames. I found a couple pair that I like as well as the Oliver Peoples. I asked if they would just sell me the frames and they said sure. So, now I can get the lenses at Costco for a lot less.

I wouldn't have the courage to ask an independent optician for a discount. I'm wimpy that way. I agree that since I wear my glasses all the time, I will spend what I have to spend. It's like buying a new nose, almost.

I am driving myself crazy.

My eye glass shop gives a 10% discount if you buy a second pair within 60 days. It worked out for me since I needed multiple pairs.. it also worked out for my sister because her son got two pairs (one funky.. one traditional). Still, it doesn't come close to online pricing.

Ded.. SEE looks cool. Their styles remind me of Warby Parker.. it looks like their lens prices are pretty low too-- as long as you need straightforward, single vision lenses.

I am getting mine at Warby Parker. They have a couple stores here (one in Georgetown and one at Tyson's Corner). This is my first prescription pair (not bad since I am 64-ha), so I want them to do the measurements for me. Then I will be able to order online.

Warby just opened a big store in Philadelphia. In fact it is in the space that used to be Le Bec Fin, for those familiar with the Philadelphia restaurant scene. I actually bought a pair of WP frames. After I got them I decided they were not what I really wanted, so they are tucked away in a drawer.

See charges an astronomical amount for progressive bifocals, like $500. I think they are happy to sell just the frames. I will get the lenses at Costco.

theclose, this is my second pair of LaFonts. I love the first pair, way more colorful than I would have chosen if others hadn't talked me into it. The new ones are more sedate. I'm not a wacky glasses person. I still think glasses shouldn't cost so much. I'm not a frame snob and would have gladly gotten something for 1/4 the price at Costco if I found something I liked or if someone had actually gotten up off their a$$ and offered to help me find something I liked.

I love LaFont and have about four pairs. You can have them directly attach nose pads to plastic frames for about $50 extra. The LaFont-direct nose pads look great because they shave down the plastic so the frames look like they were supposed to have them in the first place.

My optician keeps them up for me over the years with adjustments. I pay the extra for the continued service they provide at no charge.

Here's an example of nosepads from my new Prada vs my old LaFont sunglasses.

Linelle, I know we're both in the bay area. Check out Jins in Union Square; it's like being in a candy store- more than affordable, and you will be tempted to buy several pairs! The bonus is that they are cheap enough to buy several pairs!

Maddie, thanks for the tip. I'll be in the city next Monday, but I don't think I'll have time to go shopping. I still have to recover from the new Lafonts.

I was supposed to get my new progressives in January and for some reason put it off. One thing I noticed last week is the trendy Warby Parker frames are everywhere. I was considering getting some until I kept seeing them constantly. Sadly, not everyone looks good in WB's either, but they still buy them.

Eyeglasses are like home decor, once everyone has the same thing, they're not cool anymore.

I confess that I'd never heard of Warby Parker until Oakley mentioned it. I looked at their website. What is so distinctive about them that I would get tired of seeing them? They look like other frames I've seen. Not that I like them or don't but I don't get what's so unique about them.

I am perfectly satisfied with my progressive glasses from Costco and would not spend hundreds more. Nope, no way.