Basic health insurance reimburses a pair of glasses for children up to 180 francs per year. But what can you get for that price? The show We talk about it surveyed 21 French-speaking brands and 15 stores agreed to participate. Result: 10 out of 15 offer a package equal to or less than 180 francs.
The cheapest brand, Fielmann in Fribourg, offers a starting price of 29 francs for a pair of glasses with two simple lenses without special treatment, a frame, as well as assembly. It is 12 times cheaper than the most expensive brand in our comparison, Spoerri Optik in Bienne, with a starting price of 350 francs.
For Camille Codourey, manager of the Fielmann brand in Fribourg, these low prices are possible thanks to own production in Germany with few or no intermediaries and margins reduced to a minimum. A strategy that helps build loyalty among young customers.
But it’s not just the chains that manage to offer low prices. Justin Houlmann, director of Houlmann Optique in Delémont, offers a package of 69 francs regardless of age with the aim of being accessible to the entire population.
From premium product to high-end quality
The most expensive stores justify their prices by the quality of the products offered and the after-sales service. This is the case of Michel Meyer, owner of Optique Meyer in Bienne, who offers a package of 300 francs: “My products are of good quality. The glasses are from a manufacturer who is reputable”, explains Michel Meyer who says he is sure of his prices and considers himself very flexible if there is a problem.
Same point of view, on the side of the most expensive in our comparison, Spoerri Optik in Bienne with a starting price of 350 francs. As it is difficult to cope with the low prices offered by the chains, the brand focuses on quality and design, explains Joël Thiémard, co-director of Spoerri Optik. “Normally, parents spend less time in the store to adjust their glasses. The glasses break less quickly. There is a certain durability.”
Choose proximity for practical reasons
Optique Suisse, the umbrella organization for optical stores, says it is not surprised by these price differences. For its vice-president Valentin Dagon, also owner of Messerli lunetterie optométrie in Marly (FR), each store is free to charge a price that it judges to be in line with the quality of the equipment and services it offers.
In the case of a first purchase of a pair of glasses, it considers it essential to offer lenses with anti-reflective treatment to a child for questions of quality of vision and comfort. Another important point, according to him, is that it is much more practical to choose a store close to home for everything that involves adjustment and fitting after purchasing the glasses.
As the On En Parle survey reveals, it is worth comparing several offers before purchasing children’s glasses, since almost half of the stores that participated in the survey offer a pair of glasses, with anti-reflective treatment and breakage insurance for 180 francs or less. Depending on the store, you can choose between 15 and 250 different frames. So there is choice.
Radio subject and web adaptation: Frédérique Volery
