I just saw this reply! I sold sunglasses for about 15 years and our wholesale was more than $15 for most. Our #1 selling line was an Italian designer and stores paid us minimum $20 per pair and they retailed for $45-140. Prior to that, When I worked for Riviera Sunglasses, our average retail was about $8. What a racket! $12 a dozen @cost! I still wear Serengetti copper driving lenses (we didn't sell this line) and I pay up to $70. I wear a pair for 2-3 years untile they get scratched. But since I started in the biz in the 80's I have never lost nor broken a pair--I still have a box of 15 (aside from all the ones I donated to Lions Club.) Reminds me I need to drop those off.
PS--yeah, right, Ray-Bans...