Links, Update
Aug. 4, 2000
For years people have been getting their eyes checked by a doctor, probably at an office that also sold glasses, contact lenses and all the accessories.
Now, you can buy contacts and glasses over the internet in minutes.
News Specialist Scott Light examines contact prices on the internet, at the store and the doctor's office, in his weekly special report on E-Exams.
Dr. James Abraham is co-owner of Advantage Eye Care, a corner shop along State Street in Murray.
He sells about 100 boxes of contacts a week, and keeps a closet of inventory.
That's nothing compared to contact retailers in cyberspace.
Some claim to have millions of lenses in stock.
Dr. Abraham says he can still compete.
Dr. James Abraham/Advantage Eye Care: "PEOPLE THAT SHOP AROUND TELL US WE HAVE GOOD PRICES. SO WE JUST POSITIONED OURSELVES TO COMPETE WITH SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE IN GENERAL."
So who has the better price?
Acuvue and Optima FW lenses
- Advantage Eye Care
$20 Per Box/Both Brands
- Eyemate.com
$21 Per Box/Both Brands
+ $6.90 Shipping
- Icontactlens.com
$18.50 Per Box/Both Brands
- Lensesforless.com
Acuvues $15.88 a box
Optima FW's $14.75
+ $5.95 Shipping
We priced Acuvue and Optima FW lenses.
Advantage Eye Care sells either one for $20 a box.
Now to the internet.
Eyemate.com sells Acuvue and Optima FW lenses for $21 a box, plus $6.90 in shipping.
It's the most expensive website we found.
Icontactlens.com offers Acuvue and Optima FW lenses at $18.50 a box.
Not the lowest but it doesn't charge for shipping.
And at Lensesforless.com.
Acuvues for $15.88 a box and Optima FW's at $14.75.
Then add the $5.95 shipping charge.
Scott Light/Eyewitness News: "OFFICES LIKE DR. ABRAHAM'S ALSO HAVE TO COMPETE AGAINST OTHER OFFICES.
STORES THAT ARE PART OF A NATIONAL CHAIN WITH NATIONAL BUYING POWER."
| Advantage |
$20 Per Box/Both Brands |
| Sears |
$22.25 Per Box/Both Brands |
| Pearle |
Acuvue $25
Optima FW $50 Per Box |
Turns out national buying power may cost you more.
Remember the price at Advantage is $20 a box.
Sears Optical is close at $22.25 per box for either
Pearle Vision sells Acuvue's for $25 and Optima FW--$50 a box.
Dr. Abraham admits he can't go much lower.
Dr. James Abraham/Advantage Eye Care: "IF WE'RE FORCE TO GO MUCH LOWER WE COULDN'T INVENTORY THEM. WE JUST COULDN'T JUSTIFY HAVING THAT TYPE OF INVENTORY."
If you do decide on lenses online, double-check shipping and make sure there's no membership charge.
Links
Update
A viewer e-mails: "The price for contact lenses at Costco or Sam's Club beats all of the
prices listed in your remarks. My last order for Accuvue contacts was
$15.84 with sales tax." Costco and Sam's Club are membership stores. In order to shop there, you must buy a membership that costs about $40 per year.
Past E-Exam Stories
