Problems Buying Spectacles

[chiang mai]

I never thought I would find myself asking this question, but... here's the story:

I had an eye exam at Bangkok Phuket Hospital and I need new glasses. The progressive lenses I have currently are excellent, a product called Physio made by Essilor. So I took my old glasses to a range of different eyeglass shops, mostly in Jungceylon and said, how much for this exact same model of lens with this new prescription.

Two of the six shops I visited incorrectly identified the manufacturer but were insistent they were correct, the other four shops quoted in a range of 8,000 to 26,000 baht, all quotes made on the basis of them supplying exactly the same lens type! It's clear to me that many if not most of the shops don't have much of a clue about what they are selling and are just trying to make sales rather than supply what the customer has asked for - not a big surprise there but hey, it's my eyesight and it's important to me so I'm going to stay the course on this and get the lens that suits me.

So, has anyone got any pointers as to an eye glass shop where the staff might have a clue about what they are selling etc?

[bellachg]

I never thought I would find myself asking this question, but... here's the story:

I had an eye exam at Bangkok Phuket Hospital and I need new glasses. The progressive lenses I have currently are excellent, a product called Physio made by Essilor. So I took my old glasses to a range of different eyeglass shops, mostly in Jungceylon and said, how much for this exact same model of lens with this new prescription.

Two of the six shops I visited incorrectly identified the manufacturer but were insistent they were correct, the other four shops quoted in a range of 8,000 to 26,000 baht, all quotes made on the basis of them supplying exactly the same lens type! It's clear to me that many if not most of the shops don't have much of a clue about what they are selling and are just trying to make sales rather than supply what the customer has asked for - not a big surprise there but hey, it's my eyesight and it's important to me so I'm going to stay the course on this and get the lens that suits me.

So, has anyone got any pointers as to an eye glass shop where the staff might have a clue about what they are selling etc?

My experience is that the prices at the eye glass chain stores are much higher than at the old established optical shops in Phuket town, close to double in fact. You are paying for the fancy store and all the pretty shop assistants hanging around in those shops, rather than for quality service. I like Nam Silp Optical and Washington Optical in the centre of Phuket Town. Have had good service in English and very reasonable prices.

[chiang mai]

My experience is that the prices at the eye glass chain stores are much higher than at the old established optical shops in Phuket town, close to double in fact. You are paying for the fancy store and all the pretty shop assistants hanging around in those shops, rather than for quality service. I like Nam Silp Optical and Washington Optical in the centre of Phuket Town. Have had good service in English and very reasonable prices.

Thanks for that, Washington Optic was recommended by the Ophthalmologist at Bangkok Phuket Hospital but I assumed that was as a result of a financial arrangement he had with them, I'll give them a try.

[LivinginKata]

I have been using Washington Optics for many years and I have always been pleased with service & price for my reading glasses. Can't comment about any special requirements, but worth a try. Located in the one way road heading towards the water cannon circle, left side, before the side road with big bank on right (Siam Commercial ??).

[F4UCorsair]

You won't find progressive lenses on the street, but the cheapies (B100 and less) single strength are fine, and they last me just as long as a pair I pay a couple of thousand baht for.

The way I figure it is that I can buy at least a dozen pairs of cheapies for less than a pair from an optometrist's shop, and collectively they'll last longer, and it's just as easy to lose an expensive pair as a cheap pair.

But if you want/need progressives, the street sellers can't help.

[ivowatson]

So, has anyone got any pointers as to an eye glass shop where the staff might have a clue about what they are selling etc?

The shop in the basement floor in BigC is very reliable and they know what they're talking about. They have big promotions right now too. It's the shop straight in front of you when you come down the escalators.

[chiang mai]

You won't find progressive lenses on the street, but the cheapies (B100 and less) single strength are fine, and they last me just as long as a pair I pay a couple of thousand baht for.

The way I figure it is that I can buy at least a dozen pairs of cheapies for less than a pair from an optometrist's shop, and collectively they'll last longer, and it's just as easy to lose an expensive pair as a cheap pair.

But if you want/need progressives, the street sellers can't help.

I never said I was trying to use street sellers to buy spectacles, I did mention shops in Junceylon! The progressive lens I'm trying to buy is the Physio model made by Essilor of France and I think the true the cost is around 17,000, expensive but it's the best product available and I am a life long wearer of glasses who has an unusual prescription.

[thaigerd]

Wearing the same like Chiang Mai does, using optic 4u shop in Patong.

Gerd