Even if you buy a lot of things on eBay, have a PayPal account, and don't mind shopping online, buying contact lenses is different.
Many people start and end their online shopping with Google. If you know how to search, the same search engine can help you save money on your contact lenses when you buy them.
Most people would open their browser, type "Contact Lenses" or "Buy Contact Lenses" into Google.com, and then click "Search." This might lead them to places that sell contact lenses, but it might not lead them to the best deals.
When you search for a broad term like "buy contact lenses," you'll find websites for Acuvue, Bausch & Lomb, and other companies. What you find won't be what we mean by "hidden gems."
Those sites that compare contact lenses are the hidden gems. These sites get prices from all over the Internet and put them all together in one place. So, they are basically doing a lot of your shopping for you. This is only the beginning.
The first step is to change what you already do, which is to search the Internet. Instead of searching for "contact lenses," try "contact lens price comparison" or "contact lens shopping comparison." These searches should give you much better results, including a few sites where you can compare prices from different sites.
Step two shouldn't take too much time. When you find this site, look for the contact lenses you wear and see how much they cost. Now, write down the price and the website. Then, go back to Google and look at another site that compares prices. Since these sites are not all the same, some update prices in real time while others do it once a day or once a week. To get the best price, you should compare the sites that compare prices. It's hard to understand at first, but you'll get used to it. You're basically comparing two different stores that sell the same thing.
You'll want to keep an eye out for a few things. Some sites will try to trick you by selling you smaller packages. So, if you usually pay $30 for a box of contact lenses and find a site that sells a "box" for $10, you might want to check how many lenses are in the "box." You might find that it is a sample pack and only has a few contacts.
The third step is easy. Once you've found the right contact lens on a few comparison sites, check to see which site they link to. Most of these sites don't sell things directly, but they will send you to bigger sites that do. The third thing you can do to save money when buying contact lenses online is to look for a site that actually sells the lenses. There are times when the best deal is found right away. The price may be the same sometimes, but it's worth it to go the extra mile and check directly.
The fourth and last step in buying contact lenses is to check with the company that makes them. Some companies don't sell to the public directly, but others do. If the manufacturer sells a considerable amount online, they'll probably offer prices that are similar or better than other websites.
Here is a fifth and final step as a bonus. Many lens makers want people to switch to their brand, and they'll do almost anything to get you to switch. Often, this means a special discount just for you. You might also be able to get a free sample of their brand of contact lenses. Some manufacturers won't be able to do anything, but as my mom always said, "It never hurts to ask!"
