Panjiayuan certainly cannot be faulted for price and quantity, but what of quality? Photos: Yin Yeping/GT

Yin Huilan, a vendor at Panjiayuan, points out what to look for when buying glasses. Photos: Yin Yeping/GT

It is boom time right now for glasses. With an increasing reliance on computers, people's eyesight is deteriorating faster than ever. Meanwhile, the "hipster" fashion that is currently all the rage has led to an increase in the popularity of spectacles over contacts. With these two factors combined, it therefore comes as no surprise that many are capitalizing on this trend throughout Beijing. Of the several huge glasses markets that have arisen to meet this demand, the biggest is located in Panjiayuan, Chaoyang district. Lifestyle decided to take a closer look at the booming and bustling glasses hub.

Put on a spectacle

In 2004, an old, state-owned glasses factory in Panjiayuan went bankrupt and out of its ashes a new shopping mall emerged. Within just one year, glasses vendors and manufacturers mostly from the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang, where spectacle factories are abundant, assembled here to start their own businesses. At the time, its main competition came from old Beijing glasses markets located in Daming, Jingyi and Chengguang. However, Panjiayuan quickly became the largest and most dominant glasses market in town. For those who have not been, the market is not housed in just one big building, but rather a cluster of several buildings and stores. And with another big building under construction in the neighborhood, to be completed by the end of 2012, Panjiayuan will be considered one of the largest markets specializing in spectacles in Asia.

Among the vendors is Yin Huilan from Jiangsu Province, who has been here since the start. When she first arrived, Panjiayuan market was not that famous. "If you said its name to a taxi driver at that time, not many of them knew what it was," she recalled of 2004. Yet within just a few years, Panjiayuan became the go-to for glasses in Beijing.

The reason why Panjiayuan market is able to play the dominant role over all other glasses markets and stores in town is simple: it wins on low prices and huge selection. "When people talk about Beijing glasses markets, they think of here. This is why vendors from around the country gather here," Yin pointed out. Many of Panjiayuan's vendors directly receive glasses from the factories that make them, missing out the middle man. As a result, costs are kept low. Yin - like many other vendors here - owns a private factory in her hometown that enables her to keep up with the latest fashions at lower prices. "Compared to chain stores like Xue Liang, the price for the same quality of glasses is around 20 percent lower here," she said.

Similarly, 60-year-old Yu, who has been working in this field for more than three decades, reported on the rise of Panjiayuan. "Nowadays, the Panjiayuan market is quite famous. It is listed in guide books and people from around the world come here to buy glasses," she said. According to Yu, many foreigners come to buy glasses because they are much cheaper than in their own countries.

27-year-old Li confirmed what these two had said. "I come here for the low prices," she said. "A pair of glasses that is around 500 yuan ($79) in stores like Xue Liang and Bao Dao only costs me around 100 for two and the quality is the same." These glasses are of course mainly non-branded, so brand lovers need to go elsewhere.

Shortsighted

A booming industry does not always translate into financial success for all. Yu addressed those that claim it is profitable, saying that compared to other industries, such as real estate and jewelry, the money is not that great. "The low entry level and rising competition on price are turning the industry into a tough one to be in," she cautioned. Yin also shared this view. "Several years ago many customers would come to my store, but now the numbers are not even half," she said. "Things were particularly bad from 2008 when the global economic crisis dawned."

Moreover, although the Panjiayuan glasses market is well-known among foreigners, Yin said that the majority of those are from the Middle East, who buy in bulk and sell them back in their home countries at a larger price. "Westerners from the US and Europe are still not familiar with this place, especially since vendors normally are not able to communicate in English," she said. "They still mostly go elsewhere with higher prices."

The quality also comes under question. For Li Zhuo, 18, who studies at North China University of Technology, she comes here to buy glasses due to the price and selection, but nothing else. "I often change glasses, maybe once or twice a year, because my vision keeps deteriorating," she explained. Li is not convinced though by the expertise of those who work at Panjiyuan. Li went to two different stores to have her eyes tested and ended up receiving different results. "I think it is better to have your eyes tested elsewhere and then just buy your frames here," she said.

Indeed, Yu also admitted that Panjiayuan market can cut both price and quality, although only in terms of service, not in terms of goods. "I am not questioning the glasses here, but the market environment overall," she explained. "For those who want an enjoyable buying experience, they might just go elsewhere."

Address: northeast near Panjiayuan Bridge, East Third Ring Road, Chaoyang district

Vision aid

How to secure a reasonable price

1. When you buy glasses in Panjiayuan, always bargain. The market is famous for this and bargaining is part of the culture here. However, while bargaining is essential, know your limits. Don't drive yourself crazy and get a headache from too much hunting around for a better price. Equally don't be too tight on the price. You could end up walking away empty-handed.

2. If you have an acquaintance who works there or knows someone who works there, do not fail to use them. Guanxi will work wonders in Panjiayuan, and indeed everywhere you go. If you have no connections though, try to build up rapport with people there over time. Let them know that you will recommend the place to your friends if you get a good service and that you will definitely come back in the future. If you do not let them down, they will not let you down.

3. Take your time to walk around the whole area before you take out your wallet. You need to price compare in order to know where the good deals are. Moreoever, don't be dazzled by ostentatious stores - appearances deceive. And do not simply get stuck on the first floor. Going to those stores that are upstairs or tucked behind corners will reward you in terms of price.

How to spot good spectacles

1. When it comes to those lesser-known brands, the quality is harder to decipher and there is no money back guarantee. However, frames can be judged by the smoothness of their material. Ideally there should be no visible lumps or bumps of any kind on the glasses.

2. The glasses case is also an important indicator of quality. Glasses of a high quality will usually be paired with a case of equally high quality. So if a vendor hands you glasses with no case or a very cheap case, you probably have to question his or her products.

3. Some glasses are made from cheap, elastic materials. This is relatively easy to feel with your hands. However, the best way to judge good glasses is simply to wear them. If your eyes, nose and ears feel comfortable with them on, then you are onto a winner. If not, just move onto the next place or pair.