Best place to get contact lenses?

[Scruloose]

I'm now a contact lens newbie. That goes on the list of 'Things I should have done a long damn time ago'. So where do you get your lenses? Where's the best deals? Are those online places like 1800contacts. com any good? If it matters any, I need the Acuview Advance for Astigmatism lenses, so I'm guessing those will cost a little more.

[Geek Mecha]

I got my current pair of Boston-brand rigid gas permeables from 1-800 Contacts. It's the second time I've ordered from them. My lenses took two weeks to arrive, but this was because one of my lenses was a bitoric lens that needed to be custom made. I understand ordinarily it only takes a couple days after they verify your prescription with your prescribing opthamologist.

I didn't have much choice but to go with them, since the doctor I saw was in Costco and the Costco membership isn't in my name (and therefore I can't order my lenses through them). But I was pretty happy with 1-800 Contacts' service. They answered my pricing/availability questions the same day I emailed them, and they made sure I was aware my lenses would take longer to arrive.

[stargazer]

Yep, I've been very pleased with 1-800-Contacts as well. My contacts always arrive much faster than they estimated, and they aren't annoying with their reminder emails (in my opinion) -- I get one every 3-4 months, I think, which is actually helpful.

[SkiDemon]

Ifr I had to get contacts I'd get those cool ones , that make your eyes look all special effecty!

[WishIHadACoolName]

Compare a few different sites. 1-800-contacts, visiondirect.com.... there are a LOT. I am responsible for verifying Rx's for my patients, and there seems to be about 4 that people use frequently. I can't think of the names of any of the others though. Price your lenses on different sites, check out shipping costs, and look for rebates!!! Currently, you can get a $75 rebate for your brand of lenses if you purchase an 8-box supply (one year's worth if you're replacing them when you're supposed to). You can also get rebate info online. try acuvue.com/rebates. You should also be able to get a rebate if you order 4 boxes of Advance for Astigmatism. Also price your local Walmart, Target, Costco, Sam's clubs. Sometimes, their deals are even better than online. At "clubs", if nothing has changed, you may not need a membership because you're buying a medical device, and I think their rules are different in such cases.

Good luck!

[Gail]

I ordered my daughter's contact lenses from 1-800-contacts. Very convenient, but pricey, I thought. (Lucky me, my daughter decided she looked better in glasses.)
I decided to go back to contacts...I found Costco had pretty good prices.

[robardin]

I've used 1-800-CONTACTS several times over the years, but the last time I had an order to fill I discovered that VisionDirect.com had the same lenses for considerably less. So, I switched over.

[Count Blucher]

The place I'm going to on Saturday (LensCrafter) is now 'in-plan', meaning I get a $130 credit towards the 8-box supply. (I'm sure the price will be jacked high enough that this barely covers half) Prior to the benefits change, I was on my own. I'd get the eye exam done one place, make them write out the contacts perscription & would order contacts through 1800Contacts. I'd much rather use the credit at 1800contacts, as I'm sure that the money would go farther, but they aren't 'in plan' and its 'use it or lose it'.

[AngelicGemma]

Sadly, lenses for astigmatism do cost a little extra. (They are the one's I get)

Mine cost about £17 a month, and are monthly disposables. I'm with Specsavers and have found them to be excellent. They have twice sent me a letter telling me that they have reduced the price. Back in 2001, I was paying £23 a month.

But I have no idea if they have Specsavers where you are.

[iamthewalrus(:3=]

I've used VisionDirect in the past, and had nothing but good experiences. I need the toric lenses in one eye.

[Scruloose]

Thanks all. Looks like I can just use Froogle to search for my type of lenses, then sort the results by price. So are there any vendors I should avoid? The lowest prices are at Shipmycontacts.com and contacts1st.com. Anyone know of any reason to avoid those vendors?