When did sunglasses get so expensive?

[JoEllen]

My favorite pair of Maui Jim's finally broke. I've worn them for a few years and loved them! Now I'm out shopping for a new pair and can't believe the price of sunglasses at the mall kiosks.

Does anyone have some suggestions of where to find reasonably priced shades that do a good job of filtering UV rays? My teenage DD also needs a pair before we make our next trip to WDW in MAY.

Thank you for any suggestions!

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

Maui Jim's have skyrocketed in popularity and with it, the price has also gone thru the roof. Consider going to your eyecare professional, even if you don't require prescription lenses. They can usually order very stylish frames without the prescription. You might be surprised at their prices. Ray Bans are good but so are Luxotica and Oakley.

 

[remyandhollandsmommy]

Good Luck, I am still trying to convince my DH to give up buying a new pair of Oakleys every year! I mean, come on 135.00 is crazy!! Sunglasses are so expensive now days. I guess I am cheap LOL with my Old Navy shades that cost 10.50.

 

[christinadei]

Our eye doctor told us not to buy sunglasses from him, lol. He said that there is no need to buy expensive sunglasses and that they are all equally as protective, as long as they have UV filters.

 

[Ilovestitch]

I have a hard time finding a pair I like that aren't too $$. I always end up breaking or losing them so I won't spend over $20-$30 for a pair.

 

[poohj80]

We recently just found out that federal employees get up to a 50% discount at Lenscrafters on everything. We got my Raybans for 1/2 price. So, if you know anyone who works for the federal govt, offer to take them shopping.

 

[disneychrista]

I pay $5 or so at Walmart. If I am lucky I can find some at the dollar store for well $1. I lose or break them too often to pay too much for Sunglasses, that really aren't any better then the ones I get now.

 

[luckey-lasvegas]

I'm with you !! Mine get lost scratched or broken to easily so I get them at the Dollar Tree. Although now that I have to wear my regular glasses to drive with I splurged and got a pair of Sunclips that were cut to fit my glasses. They are great !

 

[gigi1313]

walmart's panama jack brand are reasonably priced, well made and dh swears by them... i wear prescription lenses, so i don't have first hand experience...

 

[ironwood58]

We recently just found out that federal employees get up to a 50% discount at Lenscrafters on everything. We got my Raybans for 1/2 price. So, if you know anyone who works for the federal govt, offer to take them shopping.

I work for the federal govt. and I did not know this. I almost bought a $135 pair of sunglasses yesterday. How do you get the discount? And is it at all Lenscrafters?

 

[Cyndo723]

Have you contacted Maui Jim to have them repaired? I have a pair that is about 7 years old. The earpiece broke a couple of years ago, and I mailed them back with a check for $12. They "repaired" them and returned them about a week later. At the time I actually thought they just replaced them because it was easier for them. Well a couple of months ago I dropped them and the lense popped out and chipped. Also scratched up the frames a little. I returned them again and paid only for new lenses. The "repaired" glasses arrived about 2 weeks later. They are brand new glasses. There are no scratches on the frames. And the cost was less than a third of what I would have paid for new ones at the store. The only downside is that I had to live without any sunglasses for a couple of weeks.

Here is the info for Maui Jim. Call the service line first to find out if your glasses are still in stock and how much the repair will be. It is well worth it.

If you need repair or warranty service, here is the information on the repair center nearest you.


Send to:
Maui Jim Inc.
Repair Department
One Aloha Lane
Peoria, IL 61615
When sending your sunglasses, be sure to include:

* Proof of purchase. If this is not available please note where and when you purchased your sunglasses.
* A note telling us how your sunglasses broke.
* $8.95(U.S. Dollars) for return shipping & handling within the U.S. Additional charges may apply for shipping outside the U.S.
* Your name, address and phone number, should we need to contact you.


Questions:
888-628-4546
309-691-3700
repair.us@mauijim.com

Please package your sunglasses securely and use a traceable carrier such as UPS, Federal Express, AirborIne, or U.S. Postal Service (registered or insured).

BTW, I didn't have my proof of purchase for the last repair.

 

[JoEllen]

Thank you Cyndo723! I hadn't even thought of having these repaired. That is great info and I'm going to send mine back in. I just chipped one lense. The frames are still good. And I even have time to get them back before our trip in May.

Once again, these boards are a great resource!

 

[Cyndo723]

Glad I could help. Hope it works out for your.

 

[thelittlemermaid]

Good Luck, I am still trying to convince my DH to give up buying a new pair of Oakleys every year! I mean, come on 135.00 is crazy!! Sunglasses are so expensive now days. I guess I am cheap LOL with my Old Navy shades that cost 10.50.

Could your DH and my DH be related in anyway?? LOL!!! My DH thinks along the same line as yours about having to have new Oakleys every year. AAAHHH!!!!! I have tried to tell him they are no better then the ones you can buy at Wal Mart, Target, etc, but he swears they are. As far as I'm concerned it's the name that your paying for, not the glasses themselves.

I don't have to worry about sunglasses cause I have to wear my glasses all the time, so I have the lenes that change out in the sun. Thinking about going to contacts so I can wear some of these cute sunglasses that I see in stores. No way do I need anything that costs over $10.

 

[Cyndo723]

I have tried the "cheap" sunglasses. I just really prefer the real glass lenses. They don't distort my vision the way plastic lenses do and they don't scratch as easily. I wear sunglasses every day of the year, not just in the summer, so my glasses are very important to me. My eyes are very sensitive to the sun, and I drive a convertible. I also find that when I pay more for good sunglasses, I take better care of them. Note that I have had the same glasses for 7 years. No need to buy a new pair each year if you buy good ones to start with. I've probably paid less in the long run than my daughter who has to have 2 or 3 "cheap" pair each summer.

 

[poohj80]

I work for the federal govt. and I did not know this. I almost bought a $135 pair of sunglasses yesterday. How do you get the discount? And is it at all Lenscrafters?

Don't feel bad, we didn't know it either. From what we can tell it is all Lenscrafters. We just showed our Federal Employee BC/BS card but they said we could have just shown a badge too. Good luck!

PJ

 

[ironwood58]

Thanks for the fed govt info. I'll be heading to lencrafters tonight.

 

[poohj80]

Please let us know if you have any problems. It would be nice to confirm that this is a nationwide offer. Good luck!

 

[BeckyEsq]

AAA members also receive a 30% discount at Lenscrafters.

 

[bugsy]

I wear contacts, so my sunglasses do not have to have a prescription.
I buy dark lense, big-ding-dong-daddy UV protection, and I usually spend about $10-$15 at Target. that way if I lose them (last year they fell into
the river-I'm forever propping them on the top of my head when not using)
I'm not out a bunch of cash. DH likes his RX sunglasses tho..