Are you sick of that moment when you’re adding your contact lenses to your cart, and then… the price suddenly jumps up?
Hidden fees in contact lens pricing are not only annoying, but in some cases, they’re even illegal. Some companies don’t follow best practices, and it’s not a great result for customers who are getting squeezed.
Let’s address what exactly these hidden fees are and how you can look out for them.
Why Do Some Companies Use Hidden Fees?
Online stores use hidden fees to lure customers into buying products by offering what appears to be a great deal compared to competitors. Since it all looks too good to miss, countless people click, ready to race to the checkout.
But they don’t realize what’s waiting for them.
This is the moment when hidden fees strike. They’re applied as extra shipping or handling costs, or they’re sometimes applied as a higher tax rate. It’s a subtle method that companies use to make their money back.
Sometimes, even if you notice this price jump and feel annoyed about it, you might still continue checking out. This is very common!
Many shoppers finish checking out even though the price is higher than they expected. Companies use consumer psychology to their advantage. They know that most people would rather finish their transaction and deal with the slightly higher prices than start all over again. Who has time for that!
The FTC Crackdown on Hidden Fees
According to the American Optometric Association, the FTC has been cracking down on contact lens retailers for dodgy and sometimes even illegal added fees. But some retailers still manage to add on sneaky costs at checkout.
Why Do Contacts End Up Costing More at Checkout
You’re probably wondering what these hidden fees are and where you find them. Let’s go through some of the most common ones.
Shipping and handling fees
Some online eyewear stores advertise lower prices, so you think you’re getting a bargain. Then, when it comes time to check out, you notice that shipping and handling fees are added on.
Some might be relatively inexpensive; for example, a classic $5.99. Others will have you feeling the pinch at over $10.
Some retailers also charge less for shipping when you spend over a certain amount. For example, they’ll offer free shipping over $50. This isn’t exactly a hidden fee, but it’s still something to look out for.
The trick lies in the ‘handling’ fees, which are usually just another way to say ‘rip-off.’ Your contact lenses are packed and shipped like any other product, so there shouldn’t be any extra handling fees.
“Processing” or “service” fees
Some online stores add a fee that they claim is for processing your prescription. But the problem with that is that prescription verification is required by law!
Just to put that into perspective, charging customers for something that’s legally required in eyewear sales is like being charged a ‘food safety fee’ in a restaurant for staff to wash their hands!
It really is as ridiculous as it sounds.
Expedited shipping costs
It’s not a hidden fee to have different shipping rates; after all, some people are happy to pay a premium to get their product faster.
The trick is when online retailers make their ‘free shipping’ default so slow that most people would rather pay more for quicker shipping. Some claim their shipping takes two weeks!
It’s especially frustrating for contact lens users who need their lenses fast!
Surprise added taxes
Some sites don’t calculate taxes properly until the very last moment, so you get hit with an added fee at checkout. Taxes aren’t necessarily hidden fees, but the way some retailers add them on at checkout makes them feel rather sneaky.
Contact lens subscription charges
Some online retailers opt you into a contact lens auto-renewal scheme (without asking you). Subscriptions can be convenient, but it’s better when they’re transparent, so you know what the terms and pricing are.
No one likes unexpected credit card charges in the middle of the month!
EZContacts Tries to be Different
EZContacts passes savings directly to consumers. You won’t encounter hidden fees at checkout. In fact, our pricing is some of the most competitive out there.
Our shipping and tax rates are accurate and up to date, based on the latest regulations. So, the price isn’t unjustifiably hiked up when you’re excited to click checkout.
Our standard five to seven-day shipping is free within the U.S. Other options are available in a dropdown menu. Plus, there’s no added tax, as you can see below!
You don’t have to opt into a subscription with EZContacts. However, you can do so if you’d like to by clicking ‘Subscribe and save’ when adding your contact lenses to your cart.
You can save up to 10% on your contacts with this subscription. You can also easily cancel at anytime by logging into your EZContacts account and going to the ‘Subscriptions’ section.
EZContacts sometimes displays lower prices to users who come from Google Ads versus direct site visitors. EZContacts regularly offers discounts on its eyewear, and you’ll often see the discounted price on Google.
How EZContacts Makes Buying Eyewear Cheaper (Not More Expensive)
Did you know EZContacts has a price-match promise? If you see the same eyewear product elsewhere for cheaper, take a screenshot and send it to the customer service team! EZContacts will refund the difference and give you an additional 5% off. You can find the full terms and conditions here.
Then there’s also the loyalty points scheme, EZPoints. There’s no fuss, you can simply opt in for free and collect points to get discounts on future purchases. It’s especially useful for contact lens users who regularly need to order boxes.
TL;DR
Some retailers squeeze customers through hidden fees that don’t appear until it’s time to check out.
- Added shipping and handling fees can add on over $10, even when you thought shipping was free. Handling fees don’t make sense, since contact lens boxes are handled and shipped just like other products.
- Added prescription fees are bogus, as processing contact lens prescriptions is required by law.
- Some retailers make their ‘free shipping’ extra slow, so you’re more likely to fork out for faster shipping. They know most contact lens users need their contacts quickly.
- Taxes and subscription charges are sneaky ways that contact lens retailers slide in hidden fees. So, double-check you haven’t been opted into a renewal scheme.
- EZContacts tries to be different by being transparent. There are no hidden fees on EZContacts. The shipping details are clear in a dropdown menu, there are no hidden taxes, and you can opt in to the contact subscription if you like. Plus, there’s a price match guarantee if you find your eyewear cheaper elsewhere!
