Advice on buying contacts at Costco - RedFlagDeals.com Forums (2024)

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  • Nov 5th, 2023 7:26 pm

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Jun 25th, 2023 10:43 pm
  • #1
neos[OP]
Jr. Member
May 17, 2007
166 posts
74 upvotes
Montreal

Jun 25th, 2023 10:43 pm

Advice on buying contacts at Costco

I've usually ordered contacts for my wife from Clearly.ca or Kits.ca but even with the coupons, the prices get more expensive every year!

I'm fed up and am looking to buy from Costco and would like to know the procedure.

1) Do I need to schedule an eye exam for her over the phone or can we just show up?
2) Do you have to pay for the eye exam? Are there any other fees?
3) Assuming they have her Acuvue Oasys 1-Day prescription in stock, can she walk out of the store with the contacts that day?

Thanks!

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Jun 25th, 2023 10:55 pm
  • #2
TrevorK
Deal Expert
Aug 2, 2001
19654 posts
11835 upvotes

Jun 25th, 2023 10:55 pm

I was too and found Costco a giant hassle. Just went with whoever on google was the cheapest. I found that the hits you got from a google search were a special price (compared to going to their website and buying manually).

At Costco you have to make an appointment to be assessed for the lenses. If I remember, none of this incurs a fee but the frustration is that you cannot just buy your contacts. Even if you have a valid prescription (and you will need one), they force you into an exam / fitting (at no charge). Then the sample you ask for may be on back order and it may take time to get it to you, or you may get lucky and it's in stock. You then wear for a bit and they do a reinspection. Perhaps with dailys they don't make you come back for the reinspection after wearing them for a bit, my experience is with monthlys.

After all that, I found out the contacts that were best don't come on sale at Costco and the Costco price is quite a bit higher than the online places.

Your experience may be better if you're using more common lenses. There are no additional fees, it just felt like a hassle with several trips.

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Jun 26th, 2023 1:28 am
  • #3
sunnysidesolutions
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Oct 17, 2012
3278 posts
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Vancouver

Jun 26th, 2023 1:28 am

Lately I find the cheapest is on Kits, but only if you create a new account every time to use the New customer coupon code

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Jun 26th, 2023 10:09 am
  • #4
tablo13
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Aug 30, 2011
2293 posts
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Edmonton

Jun 26th, 2023 10:09 am

There is no exam fee as long as you have a valid glasses prescription from a recent eye exam. Their contacts fitting exams are free.

But YMMV…. I find online places to be much more expensive than some local optical shops. Costco is usually not that much cheaper.

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Jun 26th, 2023 10:15 am
  • #5
gr8dlr
Deal Expert
Sep 1, 2005
22659 posts
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Markham

Jun 26th, 2023 10:15 am

You do not have to do an eye "exam" at Costco to buy contacts from them. They have to check fit for whatever you're buying so in effect you get one free pair when they do the fit - for dailies, a free pair is peanuts, for monthly's, a free pair is really good deal]. Pretty sure they will ask you for the prescription from your optometrist.

If they have your contacts in stock, you can buy and take it home immediately. If you want to try other brands, you can do that, and they give your trial pair, if they don't have stock for trial, they will order it.

It's very easy buying contacts there and pricing is better if you buy when they have a sale on. Recommend you just go in and ask them whatever questions you have. You can even ask them if they think a sale is coming up.

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Jun 26th, 2023 2:19 pm
  • #6
neos[OP]
Jr. Member
May 17, 2007
166 posts
74 upvotes
Montreal

Jun 26th, 2023 2:19 pm

So, I called up the optical centre today.

Yes, you have to make an appointment. (Strange how this isn't mentioned on the web site). And unlike the tires, you can't make an appointment online!

Yes, she has to take an eye exam. It's $100 and not applicable towards the contact lens purchase.

Yes, If the lenses are in stock, we can buy them on the spot no problem.

The Acuvue Oasys 1-Day that my wife uses are $90/box at Costco minus the $50 (for 4+ boxes) promotion that ends this week. I can't find anywhere that offers them for less than $100/box.
Clearly.ca has jacked up their prices (not surprising since they were bought by Essilor) and Kits.ca is more expensive as well. The "new customer" codes used make ordering from them worthwhile, but not any more!

The appointment is on Wednesday. I will let you know how it goes!

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Jun 26th, 2023 2:35 pm
  • #7
gr8dlr
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Sep 1, 2005
22659 posts
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Markham

Jun 26th, 2023 2:35 pm

neos wrote: So, I called up the optical centre today.

Yes, you have to make an appointment. (Strange how this isn't mentioned on the web site). And unlike the tires, you can't make an appointment online!

Yes, she has to take an eye exam. It's $100 and not applicable towards the contact lens purchase.

Yes, If the lenses are in stock, we can buy them on the spot no problem.

The Acuvue Oasys 1-Day that my wife uses are $90/box at Costco minus the $50 (for 4+ boxes) promotion that ends this week. I can't find anywhere that offers them for less than $100/box.
Clearly.ca has jacked up their prices (not surprising since they were bought by Essilor) and Kits.ca is more expensive as well. The "new customer" codes used make ordering from them worthwhile, but not any more!

The appointment is on Wednesday. I will let you know how it goes!

Right from their website. Bring your CURRENT PRESCRIPTION.

We accept current prescriptions from licensed doctors, optometrists or ophthalmologists. You do not need to have an eye exam at Costco to purchase eyewear.

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  • Advice on buying contacts at Costco - RedFlagDeals.com Forums (3)

Danny the Medic defines

wan ban / wen ben

wan /wen means "looking for"
ban / ben means "combination ignorant and stupid"

DON'T BE THAT PERSON

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Jul 7th, 2023 11:21 pm
  • #8
neos[OP]
Jr. Member
May 17, 2007
166 posts
74 upvotes
Montreal

Jul 7th, 2023 11:21 pm

Now that my wife has her contacts, I thought it might be useful to let others know how entire process went.

She did indeed have to pay $100 for the optometrist exam. It seemed quite thorough and my wife said they used more modern equipment than she was used to at her old optometrist.

All in all, it took about an hour from the time she started the exam, talked to a eye doctor, and then tried on different contact lenses.
Note: She was told she would have to have whichever contacts she wanted to try be checked for fit before she was allowed to take the samples home, which I guess makes sense!

She tried the Oasys 1-day (her usual pair) and the Kirlkland brand. In the end, she preferred the Kirkland because they felt more comfortable. They're also $20 cheaper/box, so my wallet was also more comfortable!

The prescription is valid for 2 years so we'll hopefully have the opportunity to re-order new lenses the next time there's another promotion.

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Jul 8th, 2023 9:25 am
  • #9
tew
Deal Fanatic
Jun 13, 2010
8971 posts
12412 upvotes
GTA

Jul 8th, 2023 9:25 am

neos wrote: Now that my wife has her contacts, I thought it might be useful to let others know how entire process went.

She did indeed have to pay $100 for the optometrist exam. It seemed quite thorough and my wife said they used more modern equipment than she was used to at her old optometrist.

All in all, it took about an hour from the time she started the exam, talked to a eye doctor, and then tried on different contact lenses.
Note: She was told she would have to have whichever contacts she wanted to try be checked for fit before she was allowed to take the samples home, which I guess makes sense!

She tried the Oasys 1-day (her usual pair) and the Kirlkland brand. In the end, she preferred the Kirkland because they felt more comfortable. They're also $20 cheaper/box, so my wallet was also more comfortable!

The prescription is valid for 2 years so we'll hopefully have the opportunity to re-order new lenses the next time there's another promotion.

I assume she had to have an eye exam because she didn't have a recent prescription from her old optometrist.

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Jul 19th, 2023 3:33 am
  • #10
fox155
Deal Addict
Jan 11, 2010
1109 posts
434 upvotes

Jul 19th, 2023 3:33 am

Anyone familiar with the sale details they have for the Kirkland dailys? Saw an old flyer saying $40 off, assuming a similiar 4+boxes(90day?) min.

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Nov 1st, 2023 8:36 pm
  • #11
Calgaryanswers
Newbie
Oct 31, 2023
2 posts

Nov 1st, 2023 8:36 pm

I have been told by Costco that they will not accept my valid prescription; and Id need to pay to have one of theirs.

I refuse to buy contacts there for that reason.

I just buy them in Mexico instead, where they do not charge a bs fee to buy something that comes in a box.

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Nov 2nd, 2023 11:14 am
  • #12
gr8dlr
Deal Expert
Sep 1, 2005
22659 posts
18798 upvotes
Markham

Nov 2nd, 2023 11:14 am

Calgaryanswers wrote: I have been told by Costco that they will not accept my valid prescription; and Id need to pay to have one of theirs.

I refuse to buy contacts there for that reason.

I just buy them in Mexico instead, where they do not charge a bs fee to buy something that comes in a box.

I've bought contacts b4 more than a few times and I've never experienced this. Was it from a Cdn optometrist and within X time period [not too old]?

Danny the Medic defines

wan ban / wen ben

wan /wen means "looking for"
ban / ben means "combination ignorant and stupid"

DON'T BE THAT PERSON

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Nov 2nd, 2023 11:21 am
  • #13
jcon
Deal Fanatic
Sep 3, 2006
5627 posts
3214 upvotes
Winnipeg

Nov 2nd, 2023 11:21 am

Calgaryanswers wrote: I have been told by Costco that they will not accept my valid prescription; and Id need to pay to have one of theirs.

I refuse to buy contacts there for that reason.

I just buy them in Mexico instead, where they do not charge a bs fee to buy something that comes in a box.

No, this is not true. My wife has ordered from Costco for 15 years and has never been denied with her existing prescription.

Careful or the Price Error whiners will show up.

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Nov 2nd, 2023 11:39 am
  • #14
Calgaryanswers
Newbie
Oct 31, 2023
2 posts

Nov 2nd, 2023 11:39 am

gr8dlr wrote: I've bought contacts b4 more than a few times and I've never experienced this. Was it from a Cdn optometrist and within X time period [not too old]?

I said hello I’d like to buy contacts, the Kirkland brand 4.00.

They said do you have a prescription with us?

I said no I have my own, it’s here.

They said you have to have one through us.

I said why?

They said it’s Canadian law.

I said some fancy French words that aren’t for this sub.

I’m going to assume that if we were culturally similar they may not have required me to do it.. but I don’t know to be honest. Either way I boycott this bad behavior. While I can afford to pay nonsense like this it unnecessarily punishes the poor who cannot.

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Nov 2nd, 2023 11:53 am
  • #15
gr8dlr
Deal Expert
Sep 1, 2005
22659 posts
18798 upvotes
Markham

Nov 2nd, 2023 11:53 am

Calgaryanswers wrote: I said hello I’d like to buy contacts, the Kirkland brand 4.00.

They said do you have a prescription with us?

I said no I have my own, it’s here.

They said you have to have one through us.

I said why?

They said it’s Canadian law.

I said some fancy French words that aren’t for this sub.

I’m going to assume that if we were culturally similar they may not have required me to do it.. but I don’t know to be honest. Either way I boycott this bad behavior. While I can afford to pay nonsense like this it unnecessarily punishes the poor who cannot.

Go back to the store and call the manager or contact Costco support....this is right on their website.

https://www.costco.ca/optical.html

We accept current prescriptions from licensed doctors, optometrists or ophthalmologists. You do not need to have an eye exam at Costco to purchase eyewear.

Danny the Medic defines

wan ban / wen ben

wan /wen means "looking for"
ban / ben means "combination ignorant and stupid"

DON'T BE THAT PERSON

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Nov 2nd, 2023 12:21 pm
  • #16
naxos98
Member
Jan 29, 2006
439 posts
38 upvotes

Nov 2nd, 2023 12:21 pm

Was this in a Costco in Quebec?

It seems like it works differently in Quebec, where the optical store isn't owned and run by Costco.
From Costco's website:
† Opti-Club optical centres in Costco’s Quebec locations are owned and operated by an independent optician.

Also in this thread, neos who's profile says he is in Montreal had to pay for an exam before his wife could get contacts.

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Nov 5th, 2023 7:26 pm
  • #17
SizzleChest
Deal Fanatic
Jan 22, 2008
7339 posts
8218 upvotes
BC

Nov 5th, 2023 7:26 pm

Has anyone had to go in for two different appointments before purchasing? I recently had to go in for a test fitting and then make a second appointment to have them inspected on my eyes after I had been wearing them for at least 3 hours. Wasn't a major issue since I was able the schedule the appointments to coincide with times that I knew I would be shopping there, but also seemed unnecessary since they were the exact same lenses I had been wearing for years, although I had never purchased them from Costco before.

-Read store exceptions before combining discounts with cash back sites
-HomeDepot clearance prices are not shown on stocktrack or HD.ca
-There is a difference between NEED (necessities) and WANT (desires). The word NEED is over-used on RFD and in general.

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