topic Re: Contact Lens Wearers in Among Friends

Contact Lens Wearers

Deanie — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 00:05:19 GMT

I looked up forum topics and the last thread was from 2010, so I decided to open a new one. My lenses are multi focal and my optometrist will not match the price for the Internet. I am talking that the office is charging over 100 dollars more. My question is which is the best Internet for lenses? I looked at Lens.com and they have good reviews plus the price is very reasonable. I do know that lens prices were controlled by optometrist for years and since that issue is no longer valid the Internet has taken the price competition in a really positive way for the consumer. Any suggestions?

Re: Contact Lens Wearers

FrostyBabe1 — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 00:18:00 GMT

I wear two different types of multi-focal lenses. The price of my daily disposables (Clariti 1 Day) is controlled by the manufacturer so it doesn't matter where I get them. My opthamologist suggested Walgreen if I wanted to buy the 30 day use lenses (PureVision 2) on line. Walgreen did have a good price, but I found another local optical shop that would sell them for slightly less. My doc said that of all of the on-line sources that his patients use, 1-800-Contacts and Lens.com made the MOST mistakes with orders.

Re: Contact Lens Wearers

lolakimono — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 00:20:25 GMT

@Deanie

I don't wear glasses or lenses, but maybe this would be helpful. It's for glasses, but I assume that you can also trust the sites they recommend for purchasing your lenses.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/eyeglass-stores/buying-guide.htm

Re: Contact Lens Wearers

meem120 — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 00:35:51 GMT

Coastalcontacts.com. Have used them for years,at least 18. Excellent services and prices. No screw ups. Very reliable.

Re: Contact Lens Wearers

Jayhawk Girl — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 00:47:20 GMT

Great timing of your topic. I just bought a six pack of multifocal contacts, from my doctor, and they cost me $160. I about fell off my high heels when I heard that. So, $320 per year? That's insane. Thanks for the info.

Re: Contact Lens Wearers

Deanie — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 01:16:28 GMT

Mine was 170.00 plus tax? Internet prices were in and about 70 for the same. For 6 months. I am going to try Coastal lenses.

Re: Contact Lens Wearers

last mango — Sat, 31 Dec 2016 04:35:47 GMT

If you are a Costco member they are another great source for contacts at a cheaper price. I wear Acuvue Oaysis for astigmatism and they are $29.98 a box compared to the $45 a box price that my eye doctor charges. They fought some sort of legislation that allowed them to price their contacts as they saw fit not what the manufacturer wanted. I read a bit about it in one of the recent Costco Insider magazines-- maybe October or November edition? I can't remember now sorry!

If you are a member they can be a good source, I don't know if Sam's Club has the same option, but a call to them couldn't hurt. Good Luck!

Re: Contact Lens Wearers

sarahjaney — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 19:33:03 GMT

@last mango wrote:
If you are a Costco member they are another great source for contacts at a cheaper price. I wear Acuvue Oaysis for astigmatism and they are $29.98 a box compared to the $45 a box price that my eye doctor charges. They fought some sort of legislation that allowed them to price their contacts as they saw fit not what the manufacturer wanted. I read a bit about it in one of the recent Costco Insider magazines-- maybe October or November edition? I can't remember now sorry!

If you are a member they can be a good source, I don't know if Sam's Club has the same option, but a call to them couldn't hurt. Good Luck!

Sams Club used to have similar deals.

Re: Contact Lens Wearers

minnietwinnie — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 20:12:35 GMT

Walmart had a good optical department in the past as did Sears.

Re: Contact Lens Wearers

Deanie — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 21:14:35 GMT

Just ordered from Coastal. Got a discount due to a first time buyer. I am not a memeber of Sams, or Costco . They should be in in 10 days or so. Shipping was free and it was significcantly less than my doctors office. So, time will ttell. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Re: Contact Lens Wearers

Deanie — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 17:34:44 GMT

Wanted to thank all for the info. Got my lenses from Coastal after a delay. Apparently, the MDs office was not as cooperative as one might surmise. Be that as it may, I am wearing them and very happy. Much appreciated.

Re: Contact Lens Wearers

granddi — Thu, 16 Feb 2017 20:05:42 GMT

I just want to say something about the prices at your optometrist office. Many times they just cannot purchase contacts, frames or lenses at the prices that the big box and internet sellers can. They are not price gouging you they are just setting prices to support their private practices.

Most do not mind if you buy from other sources but the reason you buy from the private office is to avail yourself of other services such as loaner lenses or emergency lenses when you forget to order or when you tear that last lens!

Re: Contact Lens Wearers

Deanie — Sat, 18 Feb 2017 21:53:49 GMT

@granddi wrote:
I just want to say something about the prices at your optometrist office. Many times they just cannot purchase contacts, frames or lenses at the prices that the big box and internet sellers can. They are not price gouging you they are just setting prices to support their private practices.

Most do not mind if you buy from other sources but the reason you buy from the private office is to avail yourself of other services such as loaner lenses or emergency lenses when you forget to order or when you tear that last lens!

You are absolutely correct. However, They did refuse my request for a loaner lens though saying they did not have anymore in that script. I did the math, Say for instance they have 100 customers that wear lenses and say they are making a 100 dollar profit per 6 months (that is the markup average over what I could get a box store). That would be 10 grand times two would be 20,000. That is a lot of convenience or replacement lenses to buy. Anyway, while I do not begrudge them their desire for profit, I, however, value my desire for savings more.

Re: Contact Lens Wearers

hennypenny — Sun, 19 Feb 2017 19:31:11 GMT

I wore contacts for many years until I had cateract surgery and no longer need them.

We are members of costco, but I always bought at 1 800 contacts.. If costcos price was lower I could mention it to the order operator and they would check and give me the lowest price.

I am lazy and loved that they were shipped to the door.

I believe you do not need to be a member of costco to fill a perscription.