Long rant, I’m sorry…

 

Let me begin by saying I’ve worn Costa’s for over 20 years now (I remember wearing them when I deployed to Iraq in ‘03). I’ve always recommended them to anyone based on warranty alone. Polarization while fishing was a plus and a reason to choose them initially, but the warranty is what sold me. I’ve executed the warranty on different models over the years for various reasons. Never had a problem one time.

 

Fast forward to last year’s baseball season.  I wear my costas all day, everyday while on the field, unless inclement weather or nighttime. On the bases, behind the plate mask, wherever I am. I noticed a scratch on the bridge of my nose one evening and realized that the “wire stiffener” (don’t know what else to call it) had poked through the rubber nose piece and it had scratched me. Did the warranty claim, took pics, got a new pair back within a week. All good. 
 

Fast forward to two weeks ago. I’m in Knoxville with the wife for work and I pick her up and she says “What’s that scratch on your nose?” I look and sure enough, another scratch. Look at my glasses and yep, the wire poked through the rubber again. Ok, send in the warranty request again. Get the response today that they aren’t covered because it’s normal wear and tear. The best they can do is offer me a 50% discount on a new pair. Ok, but I’m a vet and I’m on expert voice so I already get 50%. Oh, in that case, we’ll give you a 30% off voucher for your NEXT purchase. Note that you can’t use them together. To which my question was “why would I want a 30% off voucher when I already get 50%”?  Sorry sir…

 

All that to say, I’m done with Costa’s. I started wearing my their prescription glasses this year too dang it…

 

Now gotta go find Glenn’s video on sunglasses…

I replaced my Costas with Smith Opitical and I'm happy with the change. The old Costa has been replaced by different ownership & policies. 

Thanks Dwight. I agree. Luxxotica bought them in 2018 and it hasn’t been the same. Unfortunately, Luxxotica owns a ton of brands too…

 

I’ll take a look at Smith’s. One thing I’m keen on is rubber nose pads on the bridge, not plastic. I sweat too much behind the plate to have plastic. I also have to have rubber on the arms.

I believe the massive eyewear company Luxottica bought them a while ago.  They own nearly all of the major eyewear manufacturers now.

 

I own a pair of them (6 years now) and have never had an issue, so I cannot comment on the warranty policy.  But the quality and clarity of the lenses alone is what sold me on them.  I see things in the water that I never saw before.

 

I ONLY use mine for fishing.  They are not everyday sunglasses.

Luxottica sucks up another one.

Oh, I also forgot to mention that the replacements will be prescription. Sick of switching back and forth. I guess the good out of it is I have my eye exam on Wednesday, so at least I’ll have an up to date script!!!

From my experience with Luxottica, the only brand they allowed to retain some measure of independence was Persol. Every other brand they swallowed up turned into that clip from the Simpsons when Homer tours the Duff Brewery.

 

 

I have two pairs of Costas I got as a bogo a couple of years ago. When one of those needs replacing I'm thinking I'm going with Bajio.

I just got a pair of prescription sunglasses this year for the first time (I've always worn contacts and regular sunglasses in the past) and they are raybans.  They are another luxotica brand so if you're off them then ignore this but they are fantastic for clarity.  Mine are glass and have the Chromance lens with a mirror front and beige/green kinda of lens color.  They are a little heavy but the lens is what has kept me on them.  I have a pair of older raybans that I bought in the UK 8 years ago and I've been nursing them.  Also chromance/amber and they are my primary fishing glasses.  I can't get them here or I would get another pair.  I broke them 3 years ago (they were dangling around my neck int he early morning and a hookset took them out) but I was able to get a new bridge and fix them.  I think the next break is the end.

 

I'm also a big maui jim fan.  I forget the model but the lenses are also great.  That said, you can get knock off MJs on Amazon for $20 a pair.  They are basically as good and you can have a couple pairs stashed around for the price.  Just a thought since you wear them so much.  Of course not in prescription.  

In October, I had temple arm snap on a pair Costas that was less than two years old (and worn infrequently).  They also told me 'normal wear and tear'.  Pretty disappointing. 

Here’s the pic that is “normal wear and tear”

 

First pic - yeah, ok. Second pic - no way. That said, these were just replaced in June 24. The pair I replaced looked just like this. 

So we get to rant on manufacturers now? Hmm, I remember a time when this was taboo, perhaps times changed huh..

I still wear SK about 29 bucks. Im poor and get about a year or so out of em. If I set on em doesn’t hurt  to bad . 

14 minutes ago, F14A-B said:

So we get to rant on manufacturers now? Hmm, I remember a time when this was taboo, perhaps times changed huh..

Right, thought only GOOGAN SQUAD was the allowable product/company to be able to bash go figure

Baijo is the founder of Costa.  Seem really nice but if you have a big head you look funny.

 

Smith are super impressive lately

Good point.  The policy hasn't changed. This one somehow made it through.  Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

 

And scene....