OT--Discount eyglasses in Toronto?

[MaryannF]

Does anyone know where I can get discount eyeglasses in the Toronto (GTA) area? My sister is just making ends meet when her son (16 years) comes home from school with a note from the teacher saying that he thinks her ds needs glasses. Sure enough an optical exams shows he is near sighted, that's why he couldn't see the blackboard. Without giving it much thought I told my sister that I would buy him the glasses for his birthday. A few quick phone calls to Sears, Lenscrafters, and one privately owned shop revealed that frames alone could be over $150.00. Just wondering if anyone has any insight into someplace where we can go and get a basic frame and lenses for a reasonable price.
Thanks

 

[Ham Ham]

I suggest taking your nephew with you so he can select a pair of frames he is happy with, let the staff at the store know you want to stay with in a certain budget. Some of the more econmical frames will brake easier. Small mom & pop opticians are no more expensive than the big chains. Shop around.

You also need to weigh the options of plastic vs. glass and then there is all the coating options. Perhaps there is a disboarder who works in the field who could shed some light on your options.

Are you downtown or in the 'burbs?

Good Luck

 

[siobhan1997]

Take a drive across the border to Buffalo and buy a pair overthere. We all get our glasses at JC Penney our last for our daughter was only $99.00 complete, very stylish, she gets loads of compliments. When they come in they send them to us by mail for free and then we go down to the Bay Optical in the Rideau Center in Ottawa and have them fitted properly. Myself my glasses as well were only $105.00 complete and my husband who wears invisible line bifocals only cost his $195.00. We just took our current prescriptions with us and voila.

Can't beat the prices. For us we have no benefits, and we never have enough to claim on our taxes so it works. We also never have to worry about claiming them.

 

[siobhan1997]

I suggest taking your nephew with you so he can select a pair of frames he is happy with, let the staff at the store know you want to stay with in a certain budget. Some of the more econmical frames will brake easier. Small mom & pop opticians are no more expensive than the big chains. Shop around.

You also need to weigh the options of plastic vs. glass and then there is all the coating options. Perhaps there is a disboarder who works in the field who could shed some light on your options.

Are you downtown or in the 'burbs?

Good Luck

Hey Ham Ham how are you and all the family? Sorry only after I re read did I realize who you were!!!

 

[Ham Ham]

Hello Siobhan.

Things are great. I'll PM you.

 

[BitsnBearsMom]

We've just been looking around as my 7.5yo is in need of new glasses.
Best price I've found for kids glasses so far is costco - i'm sure they would be the best for adult glasses too.
For the kids we are getting 2 pairs for our ds' - the first pair will cost us $98.49 (49.99 frame/48.50 lenses) and the 2nd pair we are getting him transition lenses and it will be $50 frame and $130 lenses. They are also coming out with a $60 off a 2nd pair coupon this week and the real bonus is on kids glasses they have a 2 yr unconditional guarantee. That won it for me! They will apparently even cover scratches on the lenses and we all know how kids treat their glasses.

I didn't look at the adult frames but if you do know someone wiht a membership might be worth a look!

We looked at ivision, sears, lenscrafters, and 2 for 1 (the 2 for 1 is $199 for 2 adult pairs)

 

[MaryannF]

We've just been looking around as my 7.5yo is in need of new glasses.
Best price I've found for kids glasses so far is costco - i'm sure they would be the best for adult glasses too.
For the kids we are getting 2 pairs for our ds' - the first pair will cost us $98.49 (49.99 frame/48.50 lenses) and the 2nd pair we are getting him transition lenses and it will be $50 frame and $130 lenses. They are also coming out with a $60 off a 2nd pair coupon this week and the real bonus is on kids glasses they have a 2 yr unconditional guarantee. That won it for me! They will apparently even cover scratches on the lenses and we all know how kids treat their glasses.

I didn't look at the adult frames but if you do know someone wiht a membership might be worth a look!

We looked at ivision, sears, lenscrafters, and 2 for 1 (the 2 for 1 is $199 for 2 adult pairs)

I have a Costco membership but I forgot they had an optical department. Thanks so much for the info. I'll be going to investigate with my nephew and my sister tonight.

 

[bunnyfoo]

I have a Costco membership but I forgot they had an optical department. Thanks so much for the info. I'll be going to investigate with my nephew and my sister tonight.

I hope they aren't like Sam's Club. Their optical center wanted $80 for the eye exam ($10 more than my optometrist) and the lenses started from $110 not including the frames. I noticed the frames were $80+ and I don't think they were brand names either.

I like going to the optical stores in Asian malls like Times Square (Hwy 7/Leslie). The owners are usually willing to negotiate on prices. I recently bought a pair of glasses and can PM you with the name of the store if you like.

Too bad eye exams have been delisted, it's not easy getting a pair of glasses anymore with insurance. You really have to go and look for a deal.