The truth about big box stores vs. your local optical shop.

Which office would you assume would be your best choice to purchase eyewear? Your local eye doctor, a big box store, or an independent optical shop? I will give you a clue, it is NOT the local eye doctors office. You would assume that entering your eye doctors optical shop would be the best option when it comes to eyewear, sometimes it is, and sometimes it is not. An Optometrist can hire and train anyone they choose to work for them and they can train them to do whatever they need them to. What does that mean for you? Well, you would assume walking into your doctors office that you would be getting the most qualified staff, but that is definitely not always the case and often times, the person working the front desk is now doubling as an optician and is helping you purchase your eyeglasses. That can be a scary thing.

When you come to an independent Optical Shop or a big box store that offers an optical shop, a Licensed Optician is the only person that can sell you eyeglasses. There are very specific laws that surround who is qualified to sell eyewear within a shop. Yes, they can hire untrained staff to help, but a Licensed Optician has to be there at all times to oversee every step of the way. What does that mean for you? It means you are getting the knowledge of a trained professional. You are feeling the passion of a trained optician who chose that profession because they feel strongly that your vision is important and should be treated as such. They don't want you fitted by someone untrained and not knowledgeable about your vision and your visual needs.

Let's discuss cost. The most expensive place to get eyewear is an eye doctors office that accepts vision insurance plans. Insurance reimbursements are so low in our industry, it forces anyone who accepts them to raise their prices to cover the loss created by insurance. Just the same as it is when you use your medical or auto insurance, everything is inflated to offset the costs. Independent shops that do not accept insurance often have their costs lower and they are also not told by insurance companies what lenses and products they can offer.

The bottom line is, don't be afraid to go into your independent optical shop. You will get the expertise, pricing, and customer service you deserve. When you go to your eye doctor to have your exam, it is your right to ask for your prescription and shop around. Do yourself a big favor and do just that. Take that prescription and see what else is out there for you. Get the biggest bang for your buck, come see me at Path 2 Sight Optical.