VisionDirect.com -- great experience; I will definitely order again
Written: Mar 25 '03 (Updated Mar 25 '03)
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How I Found Vision Direct
In the past I have always purchased contacts through my eye doctor, who offers a discount per my insurance plan. However, I got a rude surprise last time I went to order more lenses when I discovered they no longer offer the discount for my particular insurance. I knew I could probably find them cheaper online, so I began my search and settled on Vision Direct because their prices were the lowest.
Product Prices
Vision Direct was the lowest price I found for my contacts (Bausch & Lomb Optima FW) at $14.95 per 6-pack box, compared to about $21 at my eye doctor. All the other online stores that I looked at (1800contacts, lensesforless, etc.) were somewhere in between.
Shipping Charges
Standard shipping is $5.99 (via U.S.P.S. Priority Mail) and overnight shipping is $14.95 via UPS Next Business Day, regardless of the size of the order. So the more boxes you buy at one time, the better the shipping deal. When I received my order, it also included a coupon for free shipping on orders over $80. I don’t know if this deal is always offered or only with the coupon.
Other Discounts
You can also do an online search for Vision Direct coupon codes to get even more discounts off of their already low prices. I easily found a valid coupon code for $5 off my order. My total order, including shipping and with the discount, was $30.89 for 2 boxes of lenses. I used to pay $37 at my eye doctor with my insurance discount, and it was going to go up to over $40 without the insurance discount.
Website
I thought the Vision Direct site was easy to navigate. I very easily found what I was looking for. You can search for lenses alphabetically, by manufacturer, by type (disposable, color, toric, etc.), and through their search function. The most popular lenses also include links directly from the Vision Direct home page.
Ordering
The ordering experience was also easy. They ask for standard shipping and billing information in addition to your prescription info. Another plus is that they do not ask for your doctor’s name or number to verify the prescription. Basically you are on your honor that you are giving accurate, current information. Everyone who uses contacts should get their vision checked annually, especially if it changes frequently like mine does. But if you are in a pinch and can’t make it to the doctor right at one year, you can still order contacts. Try doing THAT at your doctor’s office.
Delivery
Wow, delivery was lightening fast! I ordered my lenses on a Friday evening, they shipped Saturday and arrived Monday. I was very pleasantly surprised because I didn’t expect them to ship on a weekend. They claim that 92% of the lenses they sell are in stock and will ship within one business day. It used to take up to a week for lenses to come in at my eye doctor since they didn’t keep them in stock, plus I had to find a convenient time to pick them up!
Customer Service
So far my experience with Vision Direct has been great, so I haven’t needed to interact directly with their customer service staff. But I would say their fast, accurate shipment is great service! According to the Vision Direct website, their customer service department can be contacted via phone, fax, or email 7 days a week. The following is their service guarantee, from their website:
“We guarantee that you will receive the exact type and brand of contact lenses specified in your doctor's prescription. If, however, you are unsatisfied for any reason, we'll do our best to help you out.
If the product is found unsatisfactory within 30 days of receipt, unopened boxes of lenses or sterile glass vials can be returned for a full refund excluding shipping and handling charges. Returns for opened products will only be considered if you have a valid prescription for the lenses, have been previously wearing the lenses without problems, and feel that the lenses are defective in some way.”
Referral Program
Last but not least, you can actually earn money by referring your friends to Vision Direct. You will receive 5% of the sales collected from your friends’ purchases, in the form of credit toward your next Vision Direct purchase. Details are located in the Customer Service portion of the Vision Direct website.
The Bottom Line
Ordering was easy, shipping was fast, and the lenses arrived in perfect condition with the correct prescription. I will definitely order from Vision Direct again.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
mdonahue01
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Location: Florida
Reviews written: 8
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Full-time working mom to two kids born Oct 1998 and Jan 2003.
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