Tips On Buying Eyeglasses

A Note from Your Eye Doctor

Recently I was in the market for a new car. I'm really not much of a car person so my requirements were pretty simple:

It had to get me from point A to point B and,
It had to have a good navigation system.

So off I went in search of some new "basic transportation." Along the way, I realized 3 things about buying a car that also applies to purchasing glasses.

1. You want more than you think you do. I began car shopping thinking I just wanted any old car that would get me around town. In reality, I wanted more than that, I just didn't realize it. I wanted to feel safe in the vehicle. I wanted a reliable vehicle. This same concept applies when you buy glasses. You may think you just want a "basic pair" of glasses but, in actuality, you want more than that. You also want them to be comfortable on your head, you do not want to feel dizzy or get headaches, you want them to meet safety standards, and you want them properly crafted so they don't fall apart as you're leaving the house. Your requirements are always more extensive than you may realize.

2. You need trustworthy people advising you. Today's cars are complicated. The array of options dizzying. I was grateful when I found a dealership where the staff took the time to learn about my needs, could share their knowledge & expertise and had my best interest at heart. Glasses, too, are more complicated than you think. Frame features and lens design options are vast. The consequences of living with improperly designed eyewear can be frustrating. That's where we come in. No one knows your eyes and how you use them better than we do. One of the things we pride ourselves on is making sure we design not just any glasses, but the right glasses, just for you.

3. The experience matters. In visiting several different dealers I was struck by how much the "culture" of the business varied from one to another. I value doing business in a comfortable environment where I am treated fairly, honestly and with respect. No amount of discounts, incentives or deal-making is worth it if I am not comfortable with the business, especially considering the need for service after the sale. I realized I was buying more than a car. I was buying into the culture of the business as well. The same is true when purchasing eyewear. More than the product, it's the service that surrounds it that will ultimately determine your satisfaction.

Whether it's a car or glasses, keep these concepts in mind and you can't go wrong.