Q: How to purchase contact lenses through 1-800 CONTACTS?

A: 1-800 CONTACTS offers contact lens wearers a simple, convenient option to obtain replacement contacts. Wearers can order via the phone, fax, mail or web. The easiest methods are to call the company's easy-to-remember toll-free telephone number "1-800-CONTACTS" or visit the company's Web site www.1800contacts.com and provide valid prescription information.

Then, one of 1-800 CONTACTS' more than 300 trained customer service agents, who are available seven days a week to assist with ordering, takes the prescription information and attempts to verify its accuracy with the customer's eye care practitioner. Once the information is confirmed, 1-800 CONTACTS fills the order and the lenses are shipped by US mail or overnight delivery directly to the customer's door. In fact, because 1-800 CONTACTS maintains the largest inventory of contact lenses on the planet (over 20 million contact lenses), 90% of orders are shipped within 24 hours.


Q: Are the contacts the same quality as purchased from my eye care provider?

A: Yes, 1-800 CONTACTS customers receive the exact same contact lenses as they do from their eye care provider, including all of the major brands like Acuvue, Optima, Focus and Biomedics, as well as hard-to-find specialty lenses such as toric, colored, multifocal and disposable lenses.


Q: What kind of savings can a customer expect by using 1-800 CONTACTS?

A: On average, 1-800 CONTACTS customers save from 20% to 50% on their replacement contact lens orders depending on the brand of contact lens they wear.


Q: How can 1-800 CONTACTS offer savings compared to most eye care providers?

A: It's pretty simple – high volume, low overhead, and a single-minded focus on contact lenses.

High Volume:

The average eye care provider’s retail store usually sees only a few contact lens wearers every day. The typical store usually has to save up orders for a few days or even a couple of weeks in order to get any quantity discounts from distributors or manufacturers.

1-800 CONTACTS delivers approximately two tons of contacts every day (about 150,000 lenses). We don't wait around to order your contacts. We already have them. In fact, 1-800 CONTACTS stocks more than 20 million contact lenses and by purchasing lenses in such large quantities, 1-800 CONTACTS is able to pass the savings on to the customer.

Low overhead:

It would take more than 2,000 retail optical locations to sell as many contacts as
1-800 CONTACTS. Rent isn't cheap and someone has to pay for it. Until now, that someone was the customer.

Single-minded focus:

We are a contact lens company. We don't sell eyeglasses or membership clubs. We are focused on having the highest possible percentage of contact lenses in stock at the time an order is received. Our goal is to provide you with the fastest, easiest, most convenient way to replace contact lenses - by phone, mail, fax or the Internet.


Q: Does a customer need his/her prescription to place an order?

A: Yes. 1-800 CONTACTS requires a valid prescription for every customer's order. Customers can obtain a copy from their eye care provider and forward it to
1-800 CONTACTS or they can simply give 1-800 CONTACTS their prescription information. After the customer provides 1-800 CONTACTS with the prescription information, 1-800 CONTACTS will then attempt to contact the eye care provider to verify that the prescription is accurate and has not expired.


Q: How does a customer know if his/her prescription is still valid?

A: Most prescriptions are valid for one year or two years depending on the state one lives in. 1-800 CONTACTS is an advocate of proper eye health and encourages its customers to receive regular eye examinations. If a customer's prescription is expiring or has already expired, a customer service agent will remind the customer to visit his/her eye care provider for an exam and to receive a new or updated prescription.


Q: What is the benefit of ordering online?

A: In addition to the convenience of being able to place an order 24 hours a day, seven days a week, customers who order their lenses via 1-800 CONTACTS' Web site www.1800contacts.com also receive free shipping.

1-800 CONTACTS is the Internet's largest contact lens store®. In addition to the thousands of orders we fill every day in our main call center, we also fill over two thousand Internet orders daily. The Internet is a focus of our business and Internet orders receive the same priority as every other order. All orders placed through the 1-800 CONTACTS’ web site automatically receive free standard shipping (a $5.95 value).

Web orders are also verified with an e-mail confirmation that includes a custom link that enables customers to track the status of their orders online. In addition, 1-800 CONTACTS' integrated database facilitates a simple reorder process online, even for customers who place their initial order by telephone.


Q: Is there a membership fee for joining 1-800 CONTACTS?

A: 1-800 CONTACTS does not charge membership fees, and never will. Instead, 1-800 CONTACTS' formula for success combines tremendous selection, reasonable and affordable pricing and great customer service. As a result, more than 75% of those who order from 1-800 CONTACTS return to 1-800 CONTACTS when it is time to reorder their lenses.


Q: How many orders does 1-800 CONTACTS typically fulfill in any given day?

A: 1-800 CONTACTS fills on average over 5,000 orders - or approximately 150,000 lenses -- every day and ships 90% of all orders within 24 hours.


Q: Can the lenses be returned?

A: If a customer orders a supply of lenses, but his/her prescription changes, he/she may return the unused lenses, as long as they are sealed in their original packaging. Once 1-800 CONTACTS verifies the new prescription, the lenses are replaced with the new prescription and resent to the customer. Torn lenses can also be replaced.


Q: Do replacement lenses need to be fitted?

A: Once a customer has received an initial eye examination and fitting for contact lenses, the replacement lenses will follow the initial prescription. It is only necessary to be refitted if the prescription changes.


Q: Who staffs the 1-800 CONTACTS call center?

A: 1-800 CONTACTS employs more than 300 call center representatives who receive extensive training in ocular health, contact lenses and customer service. Ninety percent of calls to the 1-800 CONTACTS call center are answered within 10 seconds, and another 90% of lens orders are filled within 24 hours.


Q: Why order from 1-800 CONTACTS?

A: Direct delivery to your door, lower prices and faster service.

1-800 CONTACTS sells more contact lenses than 2,500 retail optical stores - but we only have one location. With the largest inventory of contact lenses in the world, we are able to stock most of the parameters that customers order - with very few exceptions. In fact, we have many contact lens parameters in inventory that are only stocked by two companies (1-800 CONTACTS and the manufacturer themselves). We even stock most colors, torics, bifocals and multifocals.

Most contact lenses aren't custom made anymore. Daily wear and disposable contact lenses are made by automated equipment in very large quantities on heavily automated production lines. As a medical device, they must be nearly identical every time - no matter where they are sold.

You will receive the exact same contact lenses from 1-800 CONTACTS as you have been getting from your eye care provider’s store - the only difference is the delivery to your door (and the lower price).

The average customer saves about $20.00 to $50.00 per year by ordering from
1-800 CONTACTS. If you are already going to a large national optical chain, or a really competitive optical store, you may find that you only save five or ten dollars by ordering from 1-800 CONTACTS. Don't forget to include the time you saved by not making another trip to the store.

1-800 CONTACTS will also keep your prescription, address, and billing information on file. If you move, or if you are traveling and need more contact lenses, 1-800 CONTACTS can have replacements to you as soon as the next day.

1-800 CONTACTS sells more contacts than the next five largest direct competitors combined. There is a reason. We keep things simple and we deliver on our promises. We don't charge membership fees and we don't use gimmicks to attract new customers.

In addition to our already low prices and free shipping on all web orders, we now offer special quantity discounts online. Quantity discounts are shown at the top of the product and checkout pages – just adjust your quantity on the checkout page and the discount will automatically be subtracted from the total below.


Q: How does 1-800 CONTACTS compare?

A: Your order is more likely to be in stock at 1-800 CONTACTS than anywhere else in the world. No other competitor can even come close to our inventory or speed of service.

1-800 CONTACTS offers consistently low prices, free shipping on all Internet orders, quantity discounts, and the best possible level of service – whether you are ordering online, or need live assistance on our 800 number.

There are few questions to ask when considering a direct source for contacts:

Do they offer free shipping on Internet and mail orders?

1-800 CONTACTS offers free shipping on all Internet orders and includes an automated reorder slip on each invoice – all you have to do is check it off, drop it in the mail, and get free shipping. Or just return to our website and click on "existing customer."

Do they charge a membership fee?

1-800 CONTACTS never has and never will. Some competitors actually hide the membership fee and notify you only after the order has been placed.

Do they have a large inventory? Are your lenses in-stock? Can they fill your order quickly when you need contacts?

1-800 CONTACTS has the largest contact lens inventory in the world. Some competitors have very little inventory on hand. Some have none at all.

Can I talk to someone if I have a problem?

1-800 CONTACTS is available by phone 7 days a week:

Mon-Sat 6:00 AM - 11:00 PM (MST)
Sunday 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM (MST)

1-800 CONTACTS is not a web-only company. Some competitors operate out of a basement with little or no inventory and no live help on the phone.
1-800 CONTACTS has over 300 trained agents ready to answer any questions and help you with your order (over 90% of calls are answered within 10 seconds). We realize that, while the Internet makes ordering easy and efficient, it's nice to be able to pick up the phone and talk to someone if you need help.


Q: Is 1-800 CONTACTS an authorized contact lens retailer?

A: 1-800 CONTACTS is an authorized retailer with Bausch & Lomb, CibaVision, CooperVision, and Johnson & Johnson.