My Complete Review After Ordering From 1800 Contacts for 2 Years
Hey there! If you wear contact lenses, you‘ve probably heard about 1800 Contacts. As the biggest contact lens retailer in the world, they make it super easy and affordable to order your lenses online and have them conveniently shipped to your door.
I‘ve been using 1800 Contacts to order all my contacts for almost 2 years now. And I‘ve learned a lot about the pros and cons of using them versus just sticking with buying from my local optometrist.
In this complete guide based on my personal experiences, I‘ll give you the lowdown on:
- What brands and types of lenses they carry
- How much you can expect to pay
- Who they are and how they work
- Where they really shine over local stores
- And yes, a few drawbacks to consider too
Let‘s start by looking at exactly why I first gave 1800 Contacts a try, not to mention why I haven‘t gone back since!
Why I Switched From In-Office Purchases to Online Ordering
I used to exclusively buy replacement contact lenses at my optometrist‘s office. It was just easy to order them after my annual eye exam.
But the prices they were charging were pretty crazy:
As much as I like the convenience of same day pick-up, paying $88 for a 3 month supply of lenses is highway robbery!
So that‘s when I decided to search for cheaper alternatives, which led me to 1800 Contacts.
And let me tell you – it ended up saving me a ton of money, even with shipping factored in. Just look:
At only $55 for the exact same contact lenses, 1800 Contacts was almost 40% cheaper than what my optometrist was charging. And they ship for free right to me within 5-7 business days.
It was an absolute no brainer to ditch the in-office purchases and switch to ordering online. Saving over $300 per year makes it completely worth waiting a few extra days for delivery.
But cost and convenience weren‘t the only reasons I opted to stick with 1800 Contacts…
Why I‘m Still an 1800 Contacts Customer After 2 Years
Since placing my first order back in 2019 for a 6 month supply of Biofinity Energys, I‘ve ordered from 1800 Contacts 5 more times.
And my experience has been excellent from both a service and cost perspective:
Huge Selection
From major brands like Acuvue, Air Optix, Biofinity and Dailies – they pretty much have every contact lens under the sun. It‘s awesome I don‘t have to settle with what my optometrist has in stock.
Easy Reordering Process
I have my account setup to notify me when it‘s time to reorder. A quick click and my next shipment is on the way.
Frequent Discounts + Rewards
By signing up for their rewards program and following their Facebook page, I always know when special promotions are happening. Just last month I scored 20% off plus free shipping.
Generous Return Policy
On one occasion I accidentally ordered the wrong prescription strength. But returning them for a full refund was painless. Now I triple check my Rx details before submitting a new order.
And the icing on the cake? I can use my vision insurance when ordering online. In some cases they even apply manufacturer rebates which makes them even more affordable.
Now that‘s enough backstory about me – let‘s get into everything you could ever want to know about using America‘s most popular online contact lens seller…
Products, Pricing and Availability
From colored costume contacts to multifocal lenses, 1800 Contacts has a vast selection when it comes to contact lens types and brands.
I put together this pricing chart showing what you can expect to pay for some of their best selling contact lenses:
| Contact Lens Type | Brand | Price for 6 Lenses |
|---|---|---|
| Colored Contacts | Air Optix Colors | $99 |
| Astigmatism | Biofinity Toric | $70 |
| Multifocal | Proclear Multifocal | $185 |
| Extended Wear | Biofinity | $55 |
| Daily Disposables | Dailies Total 1 | $79 |
And those prices above are all before any discounts, promotions or insurance. So in reality you‘ll end up paying less out of pocket on your orders.
Plus 1800 Contacts guarantees they‘ll price match any valid retailer for the same products. So if you do happen to find a specific type of lens cheaper elsewhere online, they‘ll adjust your price accordingly.
Now you‘re probably wondering – with such a huge selection, how can you quickly determine if they carry your existing contact lens brand and prescription?
It‘s actually really easy with their website and mobile app:
On 1800Contacts.com
When you land on their site, you can either enter your prescription details manually or scan the barcode from your existing lens packaging:
In the Mobile App
Similarly, in the 1800 Contacts app you can snap a picture of your lens box UPC which will pull up pricing and availability instantly.
If for any reason they don‘t carry your exact brand, the app shows you the closest alternatives and allows you to chat with their support team.
So between their massive inventory and tools to match your current solution, they‘ve got you covered!
Next let‘s get into the crux of what visitors really want to know – what it‘s like being an actual customer…
What Do 1800 Contacts Customers Have to Say?
Coming from someone who has placed over 5 orders with 1800 Contacts, I can confidently say it‘s been an excellent experience overall.
But don‘t just take my word for it. With over 30,000 verified reviews online, what do other people have to say?
Positive Feedback
The majority of customers seem very satisfied, based on a 4 out 5 star overall rating. Positive reviews mention:
- Quick delivery times
- Packages arriving safely without damage
- Easy subscription management & refill reminders
- Polite, knowledgeable customer service
Complaints or Issues
No company is perfect though, including 1800 Contacts. Around 15% of reviews contained complaints about:
- Mixups resulting in the wrong prescription shipped
- Credit card security concerns
- Difficulty navigating their automated phone menus
- Rebates not being applied as advertised
However from what I read, their customer service team is very responsive when contacted about any errors and will make it right with refunds or rush shipments.
So if you do happen to receive the wrong order or run into other problems, they seem eager to fix it quickly – which is reassuring.
How Getting a New Prescription Works with 1800 Contacts
If you don‘t already have an unexpired contact lens prescription, you‘ll need to get your eyes checked and obtain one first.
Luckily 1800 Contacts offers a few ways to do this even without visiting an optometry office:
1. 1800 Contacts Online Vision Exam
You can actually complete a full eye exam online through 1800 Contacts using a mobile device or computer webcam. The cost is very affordable at around $50 depending on your state.
2. Submit your Spectacles Prescription
If you recently got a glasses prescription, many states now allow you to use that existing Rx to order contacts since it contains all the required measurements.
I happen to prefer doing my vision tests locally or through Opternative where I have better equipment. But convenience wise, being able to do it remotely right on 1800 Contacts is awesome if I‘m ever in a pinch.
Insurance, Shipping, Returns & More
Let‘s round things up by answering some other frequently asked questions:
Do they accept vision insurance?
Yes, 1800 Contacts participates with most major plans like VSP, Eyemed and Humana. You just enter your vision plan details when checking out.
How long does shipping take?
Standard delivery is free and takes 5-7 business days. Faster shipping options like 2 day are available for an upgrade fee.
Can you return contact lenses to 1800 Contacts?
Yep! All unopened contact lens orders can be returned at no cost up to 45 days later.
Who owns 1800 Contacts?
The company was started in 1995 by a college student named Jonathan Coon. Today they are owned by KKR & Co., one of the largest investment companies worldwide.
Do they ship internationally?
At this time 1800 Contacts only ships to the United States and US territories. No international delivery available.
And there you have it – everything I‘ve learned from being an 1800 Contacts customer for the past couple years condensed down into this complete buyer‘s guide!
The Last Word: Give Them a Shot to Save Big
I highly recommend giving 1800 Contacts a try if you‘re currently purchasing lenses elsewhere – especially if it‘s through a local optometry office.
There‘s really no risk when you factor in the free shipping and returns. So why not test them out to see if the pricing and convenience fits your needs?
For me, after saving 40%+ vs my optometrist‘s Ripoff RatesTM – I can‘t see myself ever going back!
So shop around online a bit first, but do keep 1800 Contacts at the top of your list. Thanks to their massive inventory, insurance acceptance, and excellent support – I bet you‘ll end up just as happy as I‘ve been.
Questions or comments? Just drop them below!
