Sunglasses

[JsheII3]

Did you know Luxottica owns 80% of the brands we consider to be designer sunglasses?
(As well as the retail stores where they’re primarily sold; Sunglasses Hut) Oakley, Ray-Ban, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Arnette...
Oh, and they own LensCrafters, in case you need those in prescription, too.

I didn’t know any of this until I attempted to replace a pair of my Fossil sunglasses.

I spent the better part of the afternoon convincing myself that I deserved a $100 pair of sunglasses. But at the end of the day, I couldn’t spend that kind of money and look myself in the eye!

So I pretty much wasted my time, my family’s time, and most importantly - the poor sales lady’s time trying on pair after pair of “name brand” sunglasses...

I realize we consumers want options, but the only “options” offered to me so far, began at a range exceeding $100 bucks.

And I’m beginning to understand why...

“The appearance of variety is an optical illusion”

Without going into too much research here, I’ll just tell ya that Ray-Ban used up its 15 minutes of fame back in the 90’s... and prices began to fall into the $30 range before Luxottica swooped in and bought the brand, then stopped all sales for an 8 year period, while the company rebuilt the brand name... Or that in 2005 Oakley bucked against Luxottica about pricing, and was suddenly pulled from retail shelves until they got over it (and subsequently were purchased by Luxottica)...

There’s a great 60 minute article here... (YouTube)

I will admit, so as far as I can tell, Maui Jim isn’t owned by Luxottica, but with prices ranging in the upper $400’s, maybe I shouldn’t be so quick to celebrate.
Same thing with Costa Del Mar.

My point is, I’m looking for a pair of sunglasses.
Somewhere between the gas station and the boutique.

But where have the quality $25 - $50 glasses gone?

What are your thoughts?

TL;DR The company that makes the glasses, also owns the stores. Thus, sets its own prices.

 

[Admin]

 

[Hondasxs]

I read that before.

As for me.
Cheap walmart glasses. I'll scratch, break, or loose them in a week anyways.

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[Cuoutdoors]

Where have the quality $25 - $50 glasses gone?
What are your thoughts?

There are none.

I started buying Oakley's in 2010. I used to think it was crazy but I was sick of buying a new $20 pair every other month. Every pair of Oakley's I've bought has lasted over 5 years. I still have them all except my first pair that was stolen at a bar. They were 8 years old and beat to hell.

I typically keep a nice pair and a "work" pair. The nice ones eventually end up the work pair and another pair get bought. Then I have a $300 set for golf and an $80 set for hunting.

They are the most comfortable glasses I've ever owned and extremely durable. The military use them. They exceed ratings for safety glasses. Plus the polarized definitely eliminate eye strain from glare. They can be had for about $65-$400. Well worth the investment in my opinion.

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[mjn]

I am a die hard Maui Jim fan. I have 5 or 6 pair.... yes, I have a problem.
Regardless, they have fantastic customer service. I have sent several pairs back with damaged lenses, and for 60 bucks they replace em. The optics are second to none, and the quality is top notch.
I’ve got a pair of Revo’s too, and found that the service center is Oakley. Revo’s claim to fame used to be the lens quality, but now I think that crown goes to MJ’s.

Like cuoutdoors said, the decent 50$ sunglasses don’t exist.
Buy quality the first time & don’t look back. But that’s me... it’s the same reason I didn’t go to Harbor freight for my winch.

 

[JsheII3]

I am a die hard Maui Jim fan. I have 5 or 6 pair.... yes, I have a problem.

Last year, I was in Lahaina, Maui. And made the effort to walk into Maui Jim’s Headquarters...

That would have been the ideal place to grab a pair...
But I needed money for the trip home!

 

[JsheII3]

*Update*
Luxottica bought Costa last year.

 

[LarryAmboy]

I am a die hard Maui Jim fan. I have 5 or 6 pair.... yes, I have a problem.
Regardless, they have fantastic customer service. I have sent several pairs back with damaged lenses, and for 60 bucks they replace em. The optics are second to none, and the quality is top notch.
I’ve got a pair of Revo’s too, and found that the service center is Oakley. Revo’s claim to fame used to be the lens quality, but now I think that crown goes to MJ’s.

Like cuoutdoors said, the decent 50$ sunglasses don’t exist.
Buy quality the first time & don’t look back. But that’s me... it’s the same reason I didn’t go to Harbor freight for my winch.

Ditto

Love the Maui Jim’s

Great customer service

 

[LarryAmboy]

Last year, I was in Lahaina, Maui. And made the effort to walk into Maui Jim’s Headquarters...

That would have been the ideal place to grab a pair...
But I needed money for the trip home!

Other than Maui Jim is in Illinois, I think...

 

[JTW]

I’m a cheap ray-ban kinda guy.. I had an ex get me a nice pair and they were broken within a month.

 

[Ragnar406]

Did you know Luxottica owns 80% of the brands we consider to be designer sunglasses?
(As well as the retail stores where they’re primarily sold; Sunglasses Hut) Oakley, Ray-Ban, Prada, Ralph Lauren, Arnette...
Oh, and they own LensCrafters, in case you need those in prescription, too.

I didn’t know any of this until I attempted to replace a pair of my Fossil sunglasses.

I spent the better part of the afternoon convincing myself that I deserved a $100 pair of sunglasses. But at the end of the day, I couldn’t spend that kind of money and look myself in the eye!

So I pretty much wasted my time, my family’s time, and most importantly - the poor sales lady’s time trying on pair after pair of “name brand” sunglasses...

I realize we consumers want options, but the only “options” offered to me so far, began at a range exceeding $100 bucks.

And I’m beginning to understand why...

“The appearance of variety is an optical illusion”

Without going into too much research here, I’ll just tell ya that Ray-Ban used up its 15 minutes of fame back in the 90’s... and prices began to fall into the $30 range before Luxottica swooped in and bought the brand, then stopped all sales for an 8 year period, while the company rebuilt the brand name... Or that in 2005 Oakley bucked against Luxottica about pricing, and was suddenly pulled from retail shelves until they got over it (and subsequently were purchased by Luxottica)...

There’s a great 60 minute article here... (YouTube)

I will admit, so as far as I can tell, Maui Jim isn’t owned by Luxottica, but with prices ranging in the upper $400’s, maybe I shouldn’t be so quick to celebrate.
Same thing with Costa Del Mar.

My point is, I’m looking for a pair of sunglasses.
Somewhere between the gas station and the boutique.

But where have the quality $25 - $50 glasses gone?

What are your thoughts?

TL;DR The company that makes the glasses, also owns the stores. Thus, sets its own prices.

O yea, Lux owns the rights to just about all brand names ... the bought Ray Ban from Bausch + Lomb when they needed some money and the brand was not doing much... they actually refused to curve their lenses were loosing market share to Oakley.

Now I won’t tell you what frames cost as I don’t want to make you sick

 

[Ragnar406]

I am a die hard Maui Jim fan. I have 5 or 6 pair.... yes, I have a problem.
Regardless, they have fantastic customer service. I have sent several pairs back with damaged lenses, and for 60 bucks they replace em. The optics are second to none, and the quality is top notch.
I’ve got a pair of Revo’s too, and found that the service center is Oakley. Revo’s claim to fame used to be the lens quality, but now I think that crown goes to MJ’s.

Like cuoutdoors said, the decent 50$ sunglasses don’t exist.
Buy quality the first time & don’t look back. But that’s me... it’s the same reason I didn’t go to Harbor freight for my winch.

That is because the lenses - don’t cost $60 ..

 

[Cuoutdoors]

I thought Maui Jim's are for old people that wanna be cool?

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[JTW]

I thought Maui Jim's are for old people that wanna be cool?

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And queers.. can I borrow a pair of yours?

 

[mjn]

That is because the lenses - don’t cost $60 ..

Profit is not a dirty word. Profit along with great customer service works.

 

[mjn]

I thought Maui Jim's are for old people that wanna be cool?

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Kiss my (old) ass!

 

[Ragnar406]

Profit is not a dirty word. Profit along with great customer service works.

I never said profit was a dirty word just that they are not losing money replacing the lenses. Sunglasses, eyeglasses, frames - the whole category has huge profit margin and people purchase them under their own free will. I have had good experience with Oakley as well replacing frames that broke (for no expense on my part) and them replacing (selling at discount) lenses that were scratched up.

I agree Maui Jim's has Best in Class optics - I believe they still use mostly glass lenses (that could have changed) .. plastic lenses will never be optically as good as glass. I lost my last pair of them when I forgot to take out of a rental car dang it

 

[Gator]

I didn't know that one company owns and controls the price of so many "high end" sunglasses.

But this re-enforces my belief that there is a lesser known company out there with good glasses.

I keep seeing Shady Ray's on FB. I wonder if they are owned by Luxottica.

The problem I have is... (are you ready for TMI?) My nose is both large and high. This makes most sunglasses ride so high they are protecting my eyebrows rather than my eyes.

 

[JsheII3]

Profit is not a dirty word. Profit along with great customer service works.

BEST LINE OF THE THREAD @mjn - thanks!

they are not losing money replacing the lenses.

Ya. Production costs are tiny. The WHOLE glasses aren't costing them $5 to make, probably.

 

[JsheII3]

But this re-enforces my belief that there is a lesser known company out there with good glasses.

There are several, I'm sure. But it's a trip to Walmart or Costco (not a trendy eye ware shop) plus a little independent research (evaluating/quality/build/features), that'll be the challenge for me.

Other than Maui Jim is in Illinois, I think...

Maui Jim is a Peoria, Illinois-based manufacturer of sunglasses. The company was founded in Lahaina, Hawaii in 1980
(wikipedia) @Get-the-gaff - you right! Still, Lahaina would have been a good enough reason, tho.

 

[oldfortyfive]

Pretty much the same story with a lot of products. Power tools are a great example. If I remember right Makita is one of only two that actually makes their own tools. Ryobi, Milwaulkee and a few others all roll out of the same factory door.