Imitation sunglasses, also known as replica sunglasses, fake sunglasses or discount sunglasses, are a consistently seen staple in a variety of marketplaces. From mall kiosks to state fairs and everywhere in between, these cheap knockoff sunglasses have been consistently good sellers. But the question some people ask is, are they worth the money?
To determine if imitation sunglasses are “worth the money”, you have to measure the value and the quality of the product received and determine if it meets your standards. Only then can you decide if they are acceptable for you or not.
Without a doubt, the best value (as in lowest prices) in imitation sunglasses comes from buying in wholesale amounts. Don’t let the word “wholesale” frighten you; sunglasses sold in wholesale amounts means that you are buying them by the dozen. A common misconception with wholesale eyewear is that you have to be a retailer or distributor of some soft to purchase in this amount; this is simply not true. It is very common (and often encouraged) for individuals to purchase sunglasses by the dozen for their personal use.
Benefits of cheap sunglasses
There are several benefits that come along with imitation sunglasses, the most noticeable being the low purchase price. When you pass by a mall kiosk selling sunglasses and spot a style that you really like, it is hard not to be enamored with the low price (usually less than $20, most often around $10 – $15). Getting designer like style for a mere pittance is where most of the lure of replica sunglasses comes from.
And the drawback…
Despite their benefits in value, imitation sunglasses have their drawbacks as well. The trade-off with low prices means the quality will be much lower than brand name eyewear. Unfortunately, all of us here at this blog find the claims of “high quality” made by some vendors of replica sunglasses to be misleading or even outright dishonest. Let me take a moment to explore the quality angle a little more and give an example.
Analyzing the costs to determine quality
Taking a wholesale purchase of sunglasses at $15 for a dozen, that equates to about $1 per pair. From this $1 pie, several wedges are going to be cut out of it. The wholesale distributor takes a good profit from this, and must also take an additional slice to cover the costs of housing the product, and the costs of doing business (employees, office costs, web hosting charges, etc.). Roughly half the pie is gone now.
The freight costs incurred from shipping the imitation sunglasses from China to the wholesale distributor take another slice from the pie. The factory in China takes their piece for profit and production costs as well. The final sliver of pie that is left is a big factor in determining the quality of your imitation sunglasses. How high do you think the quality will be when the costs of the production and materials used in your sunglasses are roughly around 25 cents or less (in this example)?
A good rule of thumb with replica sunglasses is this: If you want great looking sunglasses at the lowest possible prices, then imitation sunglasses are a good choice for you. If you want sunglasses that will last more than maybe a few weeks, then you would be better off buying the quality that is found with brand name sunglasses.