Sometimes it pays to query prices
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (326128)
Rockingham, Australia
March 12, 2020 4:11am CST
This afternoon we drove to our nearest city to visit the optometrist. Vince went in first then it was my turn. When I came out, Vince told me that he wanted to shop around to check out prices at other optometrists. While I was a bit surprised that we weren’t getting the new glasses from the shop, I trusted him to know what he was doing. The price did seem excessive.
Just around the corner in the same mall, another optometrist said their prices would be the same. Both shops were offering 20% off. Turns out both businesses are owned by the same parent company so no surprises that they weren’t cheaper.
We then drove to another shopping centre to a third optometrist and now our glasses will cost barely half what the other shops would have charged. We’re keeping the same frames but switching the lenses will be a five-minute job when we go to pick up the new ones rather than a fortnight wait which we were looking at.
Vince said he felt very uncomfortable saying he was going to shop around but it has saved us a heap of money.
The photo is of jet trails over Nante in France. It has nothing to do with the discussion.
25 people like this
25 responses
@RebeccasFarm (86827)
• United States
15 Mar 20
Oh yes I have to query prices always
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (86827)
• United States
15 Mar 20
@JudyEv I am glad you did better doing so Judy
1 person likes this
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
12 Mar 20
I have done my first glasses 7 years ago. I paid a lot of money, but it was worth it. I wear the same glasses and they are still great. But I guess they have fooled me with the price, if I would have negotiated, I would have paid less. But since I hate doing that, I immediately accepted to pay the asked price.
1 person likes this
@rappeter13 (8608)
• Romania
13 Mar 20
@JudyEv My vision got from excellent to very poor in a few weeks, probably a month or two. It was frustrating, but I had to accept that.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326128)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Mar 20
@rappeter13 Oh, that's a shame. Has it stabilised now?
1 person likes this
@oahuwriter (26778)
• United States
15 Mar 20
The good idea saved money and time, so it's great!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326128)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Mar 20
@oahuwriter That's true. Every hour there seems to be another restriction on activities.
@oahuwriter (26778)
• United States
17 Mar 20
@JudyEv
That's splendid! Now if they could find the antidote for covid-19 real fast would be soooo good!
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54407)
• United States
12 Mar 20
i love a bargain!!! is there anything better than saving money?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326128)
• Rockingham, Australia
14 Mar 20
@DocAndersen Oh yeah. I forgot about that! 
1 person likes this
@DocAndersen (54407)
• United States
13 Mar 20
@JudyEv i can, but only one thing, getting free money!
1 person likes this
@besweet (9861)
• Ireland
12 Mar 20
I also choose my optometrist based on the price and the recommendations. It is very common back home to go recommended by someone who is a regular to the shop and get a better price. So when we are planning to change lenses or glasses, I always ask my friends first.
Beautiful photo.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (48522)
• Canada
12 Mar 20
The cost of frames and the actual optometry fee here is something that we have to ask right up front. The optometry fee is not regulated and you can really get taken to the cleaners with that if you are not savvy.
I think that what you did was right, and should send a strong message to the owners of the first 2 places that you went to.
1 person likes this
@Alexandoy (65308)
• Cainta, Philippines
12 Mar 20
I also do that when I buy something costly like in your case eyeglasses. Usually the optometrist shop have a 50% discount on some frames and that's where I select, waheehee.
1 person likes this
@Alexandoy (65308)
• Cainta, Philippines
12 Mar 20
@JudyEv using the old frame can save you money. But my wife wanted me to buy a new frame. She's stylish, waheehee.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
12 Mar 20
I've noticed that too about prices- it's good to try anyway on higher priced items but it could become a full time job--lol! I would have done the same.
1 person likes this
@MarymargII (12422)
• Toronto, Ontario
24 Mar 20
@JudyEv That's always upsetting as they should always at least APPEAR to be on your side for good customer service.
1 person likes this
@porwest (78759)
• United States
12 Mar 20
Great that you DID shop around. Saving money that way is sometimes like found money. I think it is ALWAYS important to query prices. It's our money. We work very hard for it. Everybody wants more of it, and to keep as much of it as we can, and so shopping prices just makes sense.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (170447)
• United States
12 Mar 20
I generally will shop around, especially if the price seems excessive.
1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95676)
• Marion, Ohio
12 Mar 20
It is often cheaper to go somewhere else
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73704)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 Mar 20
That is an awesome sky That is always the best way to shop around,
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (157156)
• United States
12 Mar 20
It certainly pays to shop around! Good job!
1 person likes this
