What are the Different Contact Lens Coupons and Discounts Commonly Offered?

Contact lens discounts are generally offered in the form of coupons, bulk purchase discounts or rebates. All three forms of discount are quite common in the contact lens retail industry and can lead to significant savings for the consumer.  Some retailers like America’s Best Contacts also provide discounts to eye clubs for lower prices on eye exams and professional eye care. In some cases the different kinds of discounts are tied together – for example, a rebate may be offered if a minimum number of contact lens boxes were purchased of a particular manufacturer.

Coupons are fairly simple to use and are usually offered by top online retailers on total purchase. The discount may be free shipping on a minimum dollar purchase or a percentage off on the final sale value and may or may not be dependent on a minimum value of the order. Most retailers require a coupon code to be entered in the coupon entry area or special instructions area at time of check out. Once the coupon code is entered, the price is automatically reduced and a lower total price is then charged to the customer. Finding the best discount can be tedious if one thinks about hopping from one retailer site to another, comparing promotions and prices.

Almost all retailers offer bulk discounts and these are generally displayed on the shopping page of each particular brand or kind of contact lens. The retailer clearly exhibits the prices for the different volumes of boxes for contact lenses being purchased, providing the consumer to save more by buying more. This can be a great way to save money especially when combined with coupons. However, people should consider buying in bulk soon after an eye exam and they should always keep their unused boxes sealed. An enthusiastic purchaser may open all the boxes upon delivery – avoid this as several large retailers will exchange unopened boxes of contact lenses if your prescription changes.

Rebates are a bit trickier and require a bit more effort on the part of the contact lens wearer. Rebates are offered by manufacturers and are discounts that can be availed after the purchase has been made. They are largely used by manufacturers as clever promotional tools due to several reasons. Rebates allow manufacturers to avoid dropping prices temporarily as raising them again may be poorly conceived by consumers. Not all rebates are cashed in by consumers and this allows manufacturers to benefit while creating the perception of a significant discount.

Contact lens consumers can avail rebates by generally filling in an enclosed rebate form (or available at the store) and mailing it to the manufacturer or assigned clearing house along with proof of purchase like a receipt or bar code from the contact lens box. A check for the rebate amount is then sent to the consumer within the stipulated period. Rebate offers can be found on manufacturer or retailer websites, newspapers and magazines or in the stores. Be sure to check current rebates whenever you’re shopping for your contact lenses.