I'll start. I got a surprise last year when looking at my online credit charges. I saw a charge from Bridgestone Firestone, which was a bit puzzling but the amount looked like what I'd paid to change 2 tires and get an alignment done at Wheel Works. After a bit of digging, I found out from Bridgestone Americas, Inc.: My parents and I have been visiting that Wheel Works location for ages (way before 2001) and the store still looks the same and how the employees treat their customers has remained unchanged, fortunately. I know that Firestone tire locations seem to have a terrible rep, whether it's deserved or not. Today, I learned about Luxottica, a company I'd never heard of, thanks to a 60 Minutes piece (I believe the whole thing is online at Code: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7424700n&tag=contentMain;contentAux ). (I don't wear sunglasses, but at least I know these brands.) I had NO idea they owned Oakley, Ray-Ban, LensCrafters, Pearle Vision and Sunglass Hut. They also operate Sears Optical and Target Optical. They also produce eyewear under license for names such as Coach, Anne Klein, Bulgari, Prada, Polo, Versace, Ralph Lauren, and Tiffany. Besides the story, see these for more info: Luxottica - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia House Brands License Brands Retail Brands I guess we can "thank" this company for expensive glasses, frames and sunglasses.
Actually you can "thank" people who pay high prices. If a business can't sell enough of a high priced ticket item, they will lower the price. And yes, it is amazing how many products and companies are actually made or owned by a bigger parent company.
Oakley, had a pair of titanium framed sunglasses that broke after two uses Oakley wouldn't fix or replace them with like value, and the customer service was a joke, it's been ten years but he who laughs last. Not spiteful just entertained.
...and, aren't they still very extremely expensive? I wanted to replace my Oakley prescription lenses for my 2.0 wires (titanium frames, 6 years old, and not broken, BTW) and single prescription lenses only were about $290. Yikes!
