Buying Eyes Glasses in India

camelgirl · Apr 10th, 2007, 21:07

Guess I could never be a moderator....I thought that post was real

I have gathered from other posts though that I really was ripped off because others have been able to get the ultra thin lenses in India. I paid for them but did not get them. My glasses turn out to be no real bargain because of that. Next time I ask to see them first!!!

Dr. Gajaprishthakara · Apr 10th, 2007, 21:14

camelgirl,

You live and learn. It was bad luck for you. But try again with a different place. I always recommend [edited]

Nick-H · Apr 10th, 2007, 21:28

Why? Are they having good knowledge?

Dr. Gajaprishthakara · Apr 10th, 2007, 21:38

well Nick, when I went there, I was delighted to find that they had the good sense to have a range of designer frames most suitable even for the creamy layer of society.

Nick-H · Apr 10th, 2007, 22:01

This creamy layer of society?

Is this something to with posh women waiting to be licked?

Dr. Gajaprishthakara · Apr 10th, 2007, 22:06

creamy layer of society is obviously a Keralan expression

Nick-H · Apr 10th, 2007, 22:27

I think we'd better stop making spectacles of ourselves and get back on-topic

camelgirl · Apr 10th, 2007, 22:52

Prashant.M · Apr 11th, 2007, 11:48

This thread has turned hilarious

I too thought that the post was genuine. I was appreciating our Indian cost-effectiveness and entrepreneurship

Well, one lives and learns (hope I got that right)

gohome · Apr 11th, 2007, 13:06

I am disappointed too..... I have been following this thread using it to convince my husband to buy a couple of new sets (normal and sunglasses) during our visit in November. He of course is terribly reluctant to trust and I guess I am becoming a 'doubting thomas' too now.

Nick-H · Apr 11th, 2007, 14:10

I think you can trust.

I would advise bringing your prescription. If not, then consult an eye specialist before going to the shop. The shop will possibly only see your prescription, not give you a full eye-health check up (didn't I say all this two days ago? Sorry to repeat if I did).

There is always a range of options. The bigger chains, like Lawrance & Mayo, GKB, etc may well have higher prices than the tiny stores. Perhaps they are more likely to have imported frames, even European 'designer' frames available --- but don't expect them to cost much less than in Europe!

Here in Chennai there is also the 'wholesale' end of the market, the Optical Market at Parry's. Good bargains, yes --- but, after about 18 months the plating on my wife's frames is falling off.

I took a couple of visiting friends from UK to GKB a few months ago. They both bought glasses and were both satisfied with the quality and prices. One of them trained in the trade too, so he knew what he was buying.

Dr. Gajaprishthakara · Apr 12th, 2007, 01:08

Yes - trust, really. It was only one person trying to advertise their shop. I am very happy with my two pairs of glasses which were purchased for much less than the cost of one pair in Australia.

1. Before you leave home, satisfy yourself that you know EXACTLY what you want - brand, lens type, UV, computer lenses, photochromatic

2. In India, get the person to confirm in writing exactly what they are making for you - down to the brand of lense.

3. Haggle and shop around and get them to write the price on the same list.

4. Pay less money.

You will be able to tell the people who know what they are doing from the rest. You would be crazy not to. Seriously.

[Who would have thought that this thread would be so long?!]

Nick-H · Apr 12th, 2007, 01:48

That, of course, is the old how long is a piece of thread? question

federica · Apr 12th, 2007, 02:28

Bringing your prescreption from at home is really useful. My experience with the "attached" doctors of the optical shops was not so great (I tried two different ones). As I am usually wearing contact lenses it is not such a big problem, I use the glasses only at home. But for alltime use I wouldn't call it a bargain... yes, compared to Germany it was cheap, but the quality could be better. It might be better just to buy the thin lenses and bring it home....

When I went to my local optical shop here to have a screw of my frameless glasses fixed, they looked at me and asked who had done these glasses. Why? The optical shop in India didn't cut the screws of the frame what is usually done here.... and they said it was irresponsible to walk around with them like this (risk of accident)

rubsen · Apr 25th, 2008, 13:35

Nearly after one year i want to revive this thread.

Yesterday my sunglasses had a short but bloody argument with my left foot. Unsurprisingly the foot won and so since today i am officially looking for new sunglasses in Delhi

Are there any new recommendations or can i just follow the recommendations already given?

Apr 10th, 2007, 21:28	#93
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,219	Why? Are they having good knowledge? __________________ . IndiaMike Mod Team (The Grumpy One)

Apr 11th, 2007, 11:48	#99
Prashant.M Maha Guru Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 789	This thread has turned hilarious I too thought that the post was genuine. I was appreciating our Indian cost-effectiveness and entrepreneurship Well, one lives and learns (hope I got that right) __________________ Happiness is just a thought away

Apr 12th, 2007, 01:08	#102
Dr. Gajaprishthakara Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairo, South India Posts: 349	Yes - trust, really. It was only one person trying to advertise their shop. I am very happy with my two pairs of glasses which were purchased for much less than the cost of one pair in Australia. 1. Before you leave home, satisfy yourself that you know EXACTLY what you want - brand, lens type, UV, computer lenses, photochromatic 2. In India, get the person to confirm in writing exactly what they are making for you - down to the brand of lense. 3. Haggle and shop around and get them to write the price on the same list. 4. Pay less money. You will be able to tell the people who know what they are doing from the rest. You would be crazy not to. Seriously. [Who would have thought that this thread would be so long?!] Last edited by Dr. Gajaprishthakara : Apr 12th, 2007 at 02:00. Reason: spelling - always spelling

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Apr 10th, 2007, 21:07	#91
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 917	Guess I could never be a moderator....I thought that post was real I have gathered from other posts though that I really was ripped off because others have been able to get the ultra thin lenses in India. I paid for them but did not get them. My glasses turn out to be no real bargain because of that. Next time I ask to see them first!!!

Apr 10th, 2007, 21:14	#92
Dr. Gajaprishthakara Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairo, South India Posts: 349	camelgirl, You live and learn. It was bad luck for you. But try again with a different place. I always recommend [edited]

Apr 10th, 2007, 21:38	#94
Dr. Gajaprishthakara Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairo, South India Posts: 349	well Nick, when I went there, I was delighted to find that they had the good sense to have a range of designer frames most suitable even for the creamy layer of society.

Apr 10th, 2007, 22:01	#95
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,219	This creamy layer of society? Is this something to with posh women waiting to be licked?

Apr 10th, 2007, 22:06	#96
Dr. Gajaprishthakara Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Melbourne, Cairo, South India Posts: 349	creamy layer of society is obviously a Keralan expression

Apr 10th, 2007, 22:27	#97
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,219	I think we'd better stop making spectacles of ourselves and get back on-topic

Apr 10th, 2007, 22:52	#98
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 917

Apr 11th, 2007, 13:06	#100
gohome Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Australia Posts: 71	I am disappointed too..... I have been following this thread using it to convince my husband to buy a couple of new sets (normal and sunglasses) during our visit in November. He of course is terribly reluctant to trust and I guess I am becoming a 'doubting thomas' too now.

Apr 11th, 2007, 14:10	#101
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,219	I think you can trust. I would advise bringing your prescription. If not, then consult an eye specialist before going to the shop. The shop will possibly only see your prescription, not give you a full eye-health check up (didn't I say all this two days ago? Sorry to repeat if I did). There is always a range of options. The bigger chains, like Lawrance & Mayo, GKB, etc may well have higher prices than the tiny stores. Perhaps they are more likely to have imported frames, even European 'designer' frames available --- but don't expect them to cost much less than in Europe! Here in Chennai there is also the 'wholesale' end of the market, the Optical Market at Parry's. Good bargains, yes --- but, after about 18 months the plating on my wife's frames is falling off. I took a couple of visiting friends from UK to GKB a few months ago. They both bought glasses and were both satisfied with the quality and prices. One of them trained in the trade too, so he knew what he was buying.

Apr 12th, 2007, 01:48	#103
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 24,219	That, of course, is the old how long is a piece of thread? question

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Apr 12th, 2007, 02:28	#104
federica Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Bavaria Posts: 656	Bringing your prescreption from at home is really useful. My experience with the "attached" doctors of the optical shops was not so great (I tried two different ones). As I am usually wearing contact lenses it is not such a big problem, I use the glasses only at home. But for alltime use I wouldn't call it a bargain... yes, compared to Germany it was cheap, but the quality could be better. It might be better just to buy the thin lenses and bring it home.... When I went to my local optical shop here to have a screw of my frameless glasses fixed, they looked at me and asked who had done these glasses. Why? The optical shop in India didn't cut the screws of the frame what is usually done here.... and they said it was irresponsible to walk around with them like this (risk of accident)

Apr 25th, 2008, 13:35	#105
rubsen Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 38	Nearly after one year i want to revive this thread. Yesterday my sunglasses had a short but bloody argument with my left foot. Unsurprisingly the foot won and so since today i am officially looking for new sunglasses in Delhi Are there any new recommendations or can i just follow the recommendations already given?