On Tue, Jan 4, 2011 at 4:06 PM, Nishant Shah <[email protected]> wrote:
> > >> As a bona fide bespectacled Silkster, who has been dealing with crushed > glasses (I was once wearing them when it happened!) and dubious opticians > (including the few I am related to), I have now figured out that there are a > few signs to look out for if your optician tells you that the lenses are > expensive. > Please add no. 6....the "name" of the optician/optometrist. I get the *same* quality of glasses for far less at, say, Sunayana Opticals, as compared to Lawrence and Mayo. And I need photochromatic bifocal whatever-whatever lenses. Believe me, the price differential is ...considerable. "How should I charge the customer?" asked the new optician's assistant. "Start with the first sentence that I tell you, and keep looking at the customer's face," replied the optician, " And continue until it registers dismay." "That will be Rs. 3500....." "...for the frames. For the lenses it will be Rs. 3500...." "....each. For the special coating it will be Rs. 3500...." "....unless you want a hi-index lens, which will be Rs.3500...." "....each. And we have spectacle cases costing Rs. 3500....." "...for the ordinary ones, the hard-case ones are Rs.3500 more...." "...and of course there will be sales tax ....." "...and VAT due on the amount." I read some version of this joke many years ago...and I don't think things have changed. The main spectacle in the optician's shop is that of the customer getting ripped off, sometimes! Deepa.
