Sunday, September 26, 2010

Glasses for the masses...and asses

"I am not a good American...I prefer to form my own opinions" - George Carlin

I read an article on Planet of the Chimps a month ago which was about the high cost of eye glasses in this country. Chimp was pointing out that we can get perfectly good glasses on line these days, at a fraction of the cost. This was of interest to me since I spent almost $300 back in March for a new pair, after all of the usual add-ons...UV protection, anti-scratch, insurance in case my clumsy ass steps on them...stuff, just money generating (for them) stuff.

I went on line to see what Chimp was referring to...and good gawd jehosie guess what I found? Some mighty fine endorsements, that's what. Two were of particular interest...and here they are...just for you:




25 comments:

Doug said...

Costco three-packs work for me until I get, like, really old...

Tom Harper said...

But online just isn't the same. No eye chart, no multiple lenses to look through and tell the optometrist which lens is the clearest while he zooms from one lens to the next one faster than you can say "Wait, that one, no, I mean the one before that." And no puff of air into the eyeball to make sure you don't have glaucoma.

Nah, I'll keep paying extra so I can keep having those Kodak moments with the optometrist.

Also, Sarah Palin ain't got nothin' on me; I can see Canada from my house.

Leslie Parsley said...

Actually, I read a very interesting piece on this not long ago:

http://www.alternet.org/story/148024/wow_--_the_eyewear_industry_is_an_incredible_ripoff%2C_but_there_are_alternatives?page=1

jadedj said...

Doug---It may be closer than you think.

Tom---Still gotta have a prescription...that's what they go off of. I actually found on line, the glasses I bought for $300. The on line price was $39.

tnlib---This is basically the article on Chimp's blog. The optical industry is just one more example of corporate greed and public ignorance. It may be a platitude, but knowledge really is power.

And anyway, how could one go wrong with those endorsements?

Mr. Charleston said...

From my house I can see... ah, wait a minute, if I squint real hard... nothing! Crap, I've been cheated.

If you think eyeglasses are a rip, wait 'til you need hearing aids.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

LOL, 20% witches discount!

jadedj said...

Mr. C---Are you telling me you can't see Georgia?

I do have one...bought it on line. Best $200 bucks I've ever spent. I bought one to try it out. Come tax rebate time, I'm buying another one for the other ear. My brother loaned me one of his $3,000 ones, not a damned bit of difference.

DSWS---Should have read, ex-wicthes I guess.

intelliwench said...

Last year when I was shopping for new glasses, without thinking I tried on a rimless pair. The optician said I looked like Sarah Palin. You never saw a pair of glasses fly so fast, so far....

jadedj said...

intell---Har har har. You need to report this guy to the BBB...Bubba Chapter.

yellowdoggranny said...

I'd rather someone poke me in the eye with a #2 pencil..

jadedj said...

YDG---Use two pencils and you won't even need the glasses...a dog and a cane maybe.

Chimp said...

Sorry, I only have a 4H pencil and a 4B pencil. Can't poke you today. Going to Office Depot for the best pencils in the world: Ticonderoga Pencils.

Back to eyeglasses. With the pair I bought, I can see Fidel Castro walking around in his PJ's. Oh, he's here, at Tampa General Hospital?

Emme Toaye said...

I have learned from experience to get glasses that I can "see" without my glasses. The last time I accidentally knocked them to the floor while applying mascara my dog, thinking I wanted to play, grabbed them up and ran through out the house for 30 minutes with me following on all fours afraid that I might step on them when he dropped them. He would sit them down and wait until I was almost to him then grab them and run again.

jadedj said...

ET---I think I need new glasses! On my first attempt, I misread the above to read "...I accidentally knocked them to the floor while apply mascara TO my dog..." I thought, maybe he is trying to tell you that he is going to eat your glasses if you don't quit putting mascara on him.

jadedj said...

Chimp---I did it again...skipped over your comment. I think it must be the mascara.

Yeah, I heard he is opening a restaurant over in Ybor City called, "Reds".

diane said...

Those ads are funny, honestly. I still wouldn't buy the glasses though, I get my "cheaters" at the dollar store. I pray that I never need prescription glasses.

Sunny said...

I got my glasses at VisionWorks and got a buy one get one free.

Prescription glasses, one pair are HD and special sun stuff, etc. and dark sunglasses,

too because of the Florida sun so bright and my eye prescription is very strong...just like Chimp's.

He got one pair at the VA and his sunglasses at the mall here in St Petersburg.

Thinking of you and your family, JJ. Take care, *hugs* from Sunny

Grung_e_Gene said...

The ads write themselves.

Hey conservative woman! Worried that your learning disability, mangled diction and halting speaking style will convince people you are stupid???

Well, just slap a pair of sexy chick glasses and pooof! You are now qualified to talk about everything from Geography (I Can See Russia From My House) to Biology (Evolution is a myth! Well then why aren't monkeys still evolving into humans?) Act now and we will throw in a Sean Hannity phonetic question guide designed especially for you!

Hurry you too can be a member of the Federal Government (with all that free healthcare and assured pension too!)

jadedj said...

Sunny---Wait...Chimp got his at the MALL? THE MALL? Chimp, que pasa hombre dudeo?

Grung e gene---If it weren't so damned scary it would be majorly amusing. Just when you think they can't put forth anyone dumber, more asinine, ill-informed and just plain old bat shit crazy, they fool you and up it a notch...wait, maybe that should be, lower it a notch.

Punch said...

I am keeping hope alive, waiting for the Warner's Ad.

intelliwench said...

Tsk @ Punch...
I'll have to dig you up the poem I wrote about wanting to be a Maidenform Woman.

intelliwench said...

(word verif = "tundsh" n., a tush that weighs a tun)

jadedj said...

Punch---Sorry pal, there is a limit to what Warner's will...they don't make jock straps.

intell---There is nothing more poetical than a Madienform thingy. We await.

intell---Don't do that again...I just blew a snot bubble.

Harlequin said...

that's just what i needed, two wholesome gals in glasses setting an example for po' l'il me.
seriously, now that bifocals are not quite doing it for my computer work, i need another pair just to see the screen clearly. this is sad indeed.
i can see toronto from the north end of my humble little city, but i can barely see my knees without my glasses.

jadedj said...

Harlequin---Trifocals maybe? I have the same problem.