Costco Connection - March 2008

FRANCE FREEMAN

An array of stylish frames from designers such as Marc Jacob, Tom Ford and Karen Kane are now available at Costco Optical Centers.

Savings

In case you’re wondering, single-vision bifocal (including no-line progressive) and trifocal lenses, polarized sunglasses, computer lenses, reading glasses and a wide selection of contact lenses, with recent savings of as much as 10 to 30 percent, are also offered. Any valid refraction prescription written by a certified eye specialist is accepted, and the return policy is the same as for all warehouse purchases, with 100 percent satisfaction guaranteed. Frame adjustments are always free.

And Costco’s March Wallet promotion (March 3 to 30) offers $25 off when you purchase two pairs of prescription eyewear, with one or both using Transitions lenses.

comfortable darker shade outside.

I’m all for antireflective (AR) treatment. Costing only $29.99 at Costco, compared to as much as $85 at some retailers, AR coating sharpens visual performance and reduces eye fatigue caused by light and reflections. Some retailers skimp and apply AR coating to only one side of a lens, but not Costco.

Made by Costco

Costco personally manufactures all prescription eyewear sold to members. I visited the company’s San Diego optical plant and was amazed by the seamlessly choreographed blend of state-of-the-art robotic technology and skilled technicians.

All high-gloss edge polishing, insertion of lenses into the frames, inspection of lenses and completed eyeglasses, and wrapping for shipment to the warehouses is done by hand. Quality-assurance procedures are conducted at every step. Turnaround time from lens and frame selection to customized prescription glasses is about seven to 10 business days.

regarded, private-label Kirkland Signature™ frames, starting at just $39.99, come in a variety of premium materials and represent savings of 30 percent or more over comparable national brands. A Kirkland Signature proprietary standout is memory metal, made of titanium, copper and aluminum. It is durable,

resilient and represents a 90 percent or higher savings. Many Kirkland Signature frames are jaw-droppingly gorgeous and are the equivalent of an instant, inexpensive eye lift.

The latest fashion trend is high-end eyewear that matches designer handbags and shoes. Thanks to Costco prices, such a fashion statement is possible. For example, the new, dazzling Karen Kane eyewear collection, available in May, is inspired by Kane’s spring/summer 2008 geometric and flower-motif apparel line. Costco prices for these frames start at just $69.99, with other retailers in the $165 to $195 range. Costco also carries Polo frames, with savings of 150 percent at $89.99 versus $225 at other national retailers, and even ultra-chic Yves Saint Laurents, priced at $159.99 versus $255 elsewhere. (Branded cases are included.)

I recently went shopping for eyewear at Costco Optical and met up with a few of my favorite fashion icons: Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Giorgio Armani, Dior, Roberto Cavalli, Kenneth Cole, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Tom Ford, Sophia Lauren and more. It was quite the eyewear party.

Costco senior optical buyer Cary Carlson watched as I tried on one designer frame after another. Between my oohs and ahs she noted, “There’s nothing like a new pair of eyeglasses to update your appearance and put a little spring in your step.”

At the value Costco Optical carves out, I’d say it’s more like a jump for joy. C

Style eyes

And now for the fun part. If you haven’t shopped Costco Optical’s frame department in a while, you’re in for a very pleasant surprise. On a recent visit I found a wide selection of both traditional and very edgy frames in unisex, men’s, women’s and children’s styles.

Contemporary choices pop with urban shapes, colors, asymmetrical cutouts, laser etchings, metal ornaments and bling. Fabrications run the gamut,

from noncorrosive, hypoal-lergenic titanium to strong and flexible stainless steel, bendable memory metal and my favorite—plastic laminates decorated in animal prints, crystals and even bright two-toned colors.