Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Cheap Eyeglass Frames: Only at Paterno St. Quiapo

Last week, hubby and I decided to look for prescription glasses.  It took us almost a month to look for the best, cheap frames, and we even have to browse every optical shops on malls.  I keep on inquiring for current sales, and through web browsing, I was able to read on a forum that PATERNO ST. is indeed a great find to look for those stuffs. At first, I was really hesitant to go on that place because QUIAPO is known for a crowded place.  I told myself, I might get "subtandard' frames there.  But after a series of searching over the net, I finally decided to convince hubby to go there.

When we first arrived at Quiapo (through LRT CARRIEDO), I don't know where to go.  After asking some of the vendors, we finally saw that street!  It was just near the said station, around 2 blocks away from Rizal Ave.   Upon arriving Paterno St., literally my jaw dropped 'cause I don't know where to start.  A lot of optical shops were around, from the small ones to air-conditioned shops. If you are going to look for eyeglass frames, I suggest to always "ASK" about the quality of the frames (they will tell you if the frame is Authentic, Class A, Japan Made or even China Made).  Believe me, you can get frames as low as Php 150 pesos for China made sunglasses (the ones being sold in malls for Php 400) and Php 350 for prescription eyeglass frames.  Those Japan/Taiwan made is around 700 to 1,200, depending on the color, style and material.  But if you really want to at least have a big chance to look for authentic frames, go to the Airconditioned/carpeted shops. They are offering Authentic frames there ranging from Php 1,500 to Php 7,000.

On the last part of Paterno St. (the one near Quezon Blvd.), we saw this optical shop located on the second floor of a certain condo unit.  It was named OPTICAL CITY MANILA, and we saw that they are on SALE that time (30-70 per cent off).  And finally, hubby and I was able to get a pair of glasses there.

Mine was an Authentic Christian Dior.  Their selling price is Php 3k, and I haggled for it, giving me for only Php 2,500 (including multi-coated lens which is usually 1k on malls).  So, the frame itself only costs Php 1,500!  Imagine!  It was originally sold at optical shops for approximately Php 7,900 ++.  




Then hubby was able to choose his own pair.  It was RayBan.  Their selling price is Php 3,500, but we were able to haggle it for Php 2,500 also including a multicoated lens.  Meaning, the frame itself is only Php 1,500! That was indeed a big savings!




This particular frame is around Php 9 to 10k on malls.  Isn't it great?


I tried myself both of the frames, and they are excellent on comfort, quality and style:












And they also come with a free case and cleaner:




The staff as well are very courteous.  


Oh by the way, you can also see some "computerized eye examination" on these places.  I am just not so sure if there are "Authorized Optometrist" doing the tests.  But you can always have the option to buy the frames there and just have your eye evaluation on optical shops in malls.

My verdict?


You are paying the "patong", convenience, and well-ventilated, air-conditoned stores at the optical shops in malls.  But you get the same quality.  It just that you have to pay the price in getting there.  From U.P. Diliman, it took us 1 and a half hour travel time (using MRT-LRT), excluding the other way around.

Well, I better take the chance in going to Quiapo, than to pay 3X as much as the original price of the item.  One of the things I am thankful that I am living in the Philippines! Maybe if I get to win on a LOTTO, that's the time I won't mind going there.  

-xoxo-




DISCLAIMER:

This post is not sponsored and was written as a sort of help to those who want to have cheaper eyeglasses.  This does not guarantee that you will be able to pick the authentic one, unless you are that eager to see most of the stores like me. Please take note that the ones I have purchased is at its good condition until now, and I am pretty much sure that the ones I have bought is Authentic :).  The reader has a free will to believe and not to believe the post I made, it is for you to find out if it is true or not.  You also have the option to resort on malls instead and wait for SALE, if you are not into bargaining and taking long walks. Commenting on this blog post is now closed.


41 comments:

  1. Hi.

    Were you able to get your eyeglass + multicoated lens within the same day? How about the grade of your lens, did you get eye checkup? thanks..

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    Replies
    1. You can wait it.About half an hour ...They offer a free wifi connection..while you wait

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    2. Hi Jajaers, they offer eye check up too.

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  2. The one getting the eye check up is not an optometrist. But it only took us 2-3 hrs waiting there. :)

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    Replies
    1. How sure you are that they are not an optometrist?When did you get an eyeglass there? ...Their staffs are legal and professionals.

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    2. Based on my experience, the one who did the checking is not an optometrist (she told me) and she is a staff in that store. Perhaps there are other stores there where in optometrists are available.

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  3. May grado ung eyeglasses m?dun din nila ginawa ung salamin n may grado kr al m n ung grado m?

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    Replies
    1. Yes may grado at dun inalam kung anong grado yung salamin ko

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  4. hi. ask lng why is it cheaper there like significantly inexpensive?-chams

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    Replies
    1. According to them, they have direct suppliers.

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    2. Can i buy the frame only that fits my lenses my frame cracked and this page is the one that fit in my budget. IS THIS TRUE OR I'M JUST DREAMING

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    3. yes you can! it's just that it will take you time to look for frames that matches your lenses and also you have to look for shops that cater such services (lens installation). Goodluck :) It will be an adventure.

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  5. Nice post! Thanks for sharing...

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    Replies
    1. Nice post, very helpful indeed. Thank you.

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    2. Thank you too for dropping by my blog :)

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  6. Hello there! Your post was great. I was also looking for cheap but great quality eyeframes. I planned to go to an optical shop and spend at least 7k more or less. This one in paterno st.,quiapo...are the frames really authentic? When you went there, did you have any slight of doubts? Because I might want to go there to see and try.

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    Replies
    1. Upon observing, the frames are really authentic. Before going to the place, I have read some reviews on forums and asked some friends

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  7. when did you buy those?

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  8. How would you know po na original nga yung mabibiling branded na frames?

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    Replies
    1. If you are familiar on the quality of branded frames definitely you would be able to figure it out. I suggest bring somene who has a know-how on this stuff. :)

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  9. Do you also have frames for kid? Hm? Multicoated plano matagal po b?

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  10. thanks a lot sa blog mo, grabe ang tagal ko na din naghahanap ng cheapest na eyeglass for my son... until nag-search ako sa internet at nakita ko itong blog mo, thank you so much! God bless! :)

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  11. will go there this weekend fir my son‘s glasses..thanks for the info..

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  12. I'll go there tomorrow. Ehe! Thanks!

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  13. Hi do they give prescriptions?hehe. I need it so I can reimburse my expenses. Thanks

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    Replies
    1. Hi, there are some stores that gives prescriptions, but not all. Try to look on each store.

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  14. Thanks for the info!! :)

    Anyway, Q, if they offer frames + lenses, do they have photochromic lenses available too?

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    Replies
    1. Hi there, I am not sure. Haven't asked about it. Better ask the shops :)

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  15. Thanks for the info!.

    Went there last Saturday. When I asked for the Authentic ray ban frame, its around 8K. And it's per order basis. O.O

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    1. Hi there! How much was the original price of they RayBan? Perhaps it might be the more expensive model.

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  16. planning to buy multicoated lens with frame in this shop. budget is 1k to 1.5k. gusto ko sana ung di kinakalawang na frame. ayoko din ng plastic na frame. :) kasya kaya ang budget ko pero gusto ko ung frame mo sa taas.. :)

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    Replies
    1. Hi there, for that specified price, I am not that sure if they have that kind of material given your budget. You may inquire directly to them if they have promos, especially now that it's back to school days :)

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  17. Hello!

    Do they issue official receipts? I'm planning to have my glasses reimbursed (medical benefit).

    Thanks.

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    Replies
    1. Hi, in our case, they issued official receipts (unfortunately I wasn't able to keep it). There are some shops there that issues O.R.s. Just need to ask first. Hope this helps.

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    2. Thanks! Much appreciated!

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