Glasses

[patjuss]

Hello, coming to Indonesia in August for six months and needing new glasses. Should I better buy them in Europe or do I can make a better deal in Indonesia. Any thoughts?

 

[snpark]

Here is fine. Cheaper. Good quality too

 

[Jaime C]

Some malls, like Manga Dua in Jakarta have a lot of optical stores. You can bargain prices, and simple prescriptions can be done in an hour or so. We’ve gotten a half dozen pairs done there, over the years.

$30-50 a pair, usually, unless you go with fancy frames.

 

[jstar]

Obviously the brand names in the ITC malls and Mangga Dua and Ambassador etc. are fake. If you want that, better go to Optik Zeis or Melawai.

What is really cheap compared with Europe, are the self-tinting lenses in combination with any + or -. But the quality of the cheapies is not that high; expect them to be in need of replacement after a year of heavy use.

 

[pantaiema]

Hello, coming to Indonesia in August for six months and needing new glasses. Should I better buy them in Europe or do I can make a better deal in Indonesia. Any thoughts?

Typically the opticians are cheaper in Indonesia. So is the labour cost in general. But if you want to use genuine well known "designer" frame it is generally cheaper in Europe. But certainly it will also depend where you buy it from, whether you want to do your deskwork looking for a bargain, discounted items.

Just be aware; if you buy a designer item in Indonesia, there are a lot of fake items.

To take advantage of both worlds, it is probably better trying to compare the price of the frame on both countries and make your glasses in Indonesia taking advantage of the less expensive labour cost.

 

[ChrisTex]

About a few years ago I bought reading glasses with a brand name frame from the states, but had the lenses changed here to get the blue light tint(suppose to help when working at a computer for a long time).

Not sure how much it would have been if I went to an eye doctor and had them do the lenses, but the store was going to charge $100+ for the lenses. plus shipping and time I think I paid around 300k at Central Park Mall.

 

[Hawk256]

If you don't mind knock off frames, I had a pair of custom, progressive lens glasses in less than a hour with the exam included for less than $50 US. Over a year old and no problems at all. Seem to be as good as the ones I paid $300 for in the US.

 

[serious_fun]

If you don't mind knock off frames,

I'm a firm believer in simulacra -- if it exists, then it is an original. Knockoffs (the representations) are originals.* Apologies to designers and copyright holders of course, but at the consumer level I just need the item to work.

*classic works of art excepted

 

[snpark]

Like an authentic replica lol

 

[snpark]

Genuine copy

 

[Vulgarian]

KW 1

 

[Banana72]

I get my reading glasses from ACE...at about 65K hahaaa...I wonder though such a cheap price if worn long term....what would be the risks.....
Also, I checked with more proper stores...the prices are quite expensive at minimum of 600K...forget about those bifocals/progressive they're even more expensive. I've lost/cracked/dropped my glasses before and losing a pair of 60K glasses for sure doesn't feel as bad as losing 600K!

 

[jstar]

I get my reading glasses from ACE...at about 65K

In a street market you pay 25K for exactly the same ones from the same factories. The ACE markups are enormous.

Just upgraded my +1 to a +2 and got some in Glodok, street vendors opposite of the Pancoran Chinatown Point. Did not even negotiate, no use.

 

[Banana72]

In a street market you pay 25K for exactly the same ones from the same factories. The ACE markups are enormous.

Just upgraded my +1 to a +2 and got some in Glodok, street vendors opposite of the Pancoran Chinatown Point. Did not even negotiate, no use.

Yes I remember paying about that much (35K) in a small kiosk somewhere in Sunter too (not only Ace). Good for emergencies, forgetting glasses, etc. and I guess I can't beat old age...stayed with +1-1.25 for a while but didn't take long to increase from +1.50 to 1.75...

 

[vocalneal]

Much cheaper in Indonesia, than in Thailand I got mine from Optik Melawai (chain) Photochromatic/progressive etc.

 

[Nimbus]

The best way is to buy the frame abroad then get the lenses here. As long as you stay with reputable stores, their lens material and manufacturing equipment are comparable to anywhere in the world, while costing significantly cheaper.

 

[nosox]

I'm keeping my reading glasses going. My eyes seem to be improving so soon may not need them

 

[jstar]

The best way is to buy the frame abroad then get the lenses here. As long as you stay with reputable stores, their lens material and manufacturing equipment are comparable to anywhere in the world, while costing significantly cheaper.

We don’t do that anymore; if you see the prices for frames in Europe, it’s ridiculous. Only for brands that are not available here it might make sense. So we got original Kate Spade and Balenciaga here, half cheaper for frame only. Optik Seis has interesting online offers btw, esp. on the remaining stock.

 

[flavus]

So we got original Kate Spade and Balenciaga here, half cheaper for frame only.

I wonder how that can be. Just more mark up in the US and Europe?

(Whereas for, say, electronics, the price is about the same between US and Indonesia, and more expensive in Europe with VAT and stronger warranty requirements)

 

[jstar]

I think it has also to do with production location and import rates.

Cars here (the imported ones) are expensive and comparable to countries as The Netherlands where the taxation is crazy (Denmark is the worse as I remember). Therefore the local production and assembly.

But certain branded clothes, those locally produced or from the region, can be cheap. Think about all these brands as Nautica, Ralph Lauren, Levi’s and the ‘US golfer’ brands and even Pierre Cardin & Lacoste. Not to mention sneakers of course.

I wonder if it’s coincidence in the US many of these brands always end up at the Ross (Dress for Less) and Marshalls stores and factory outlets?