Contact Lenses?

byrned

Anyone know the best way to get a supply of cheap contact lenses, that don't come from the States, got stung the last time on customs duty.

Loveinapril

I get mine from Daysoft. I think they are UK based.

NIMAN

I have tried a few of the online retailers, and my latest favourite are these disposables from Comfi.

https://www.feelgoodcontacts.ie/contact-lenses/comfi-daily-disposable

They are very comfortable, better than a lot of the other budget brands.

Hoboo

Get mine from daysoft as well. Never dry out.

Glencarraig

Hoboo wrote: »

Get mine from daysoft as well. Never dry out.

I was with my optician last week and now I'm off to see an eye specialist. The optician was horrified when I told her I was wearing Daysoft lenses. The technology in the manufacture of the lenses is around 20 years old and they are not silicone hydrogel lenses just hydrogel which according to the opt does not allow enough oxygen to the eye and can cause problems, just like mine. I would steer clear of Daysoft if I were you.

Hoboo

Glencarraig wrote: »

I was with my optician last week and now I'm off to see an eye specialist. The optician was horrified when I told her I was wearing Daysoft lenses. The technology in the manufacture of the lenses is around 20 years old and they are not silicone hydrogel lenses just hydrogel which according to the opt does not allow enough oxygen to the eye and can cause problems, just like mine. I would steer clear of Daysoft if I were you.

Been using daily disposables for 7 years and never an issue. That Oxegen reasoning according to daysoft is nonsense, but I'm not an optician. Hope you get sorted out.

byrned

Thanks for the replies, anyone ever use price comparison sites like comparelenses.ie?

webpal

I ues stdaofy lal het mite dan veenr dah nay rombplems

sandrocks

I used www.comparelenses.ie the other day and saved around E16. Will definitely use that site again in the future.

annaboniface55

byrned wrote: »

Anyone know the best way to get a supply of cheap contact lenses, that don't come from the States, got stung the last time on customs duty.

me and my family use www.feelgoodcontacts.ie

gaiscioch

I used to use Daysoft for years but changed to silicone hydrogel contact lenses in the form of Alcon Dailies Total 1 in the past couple of years. They're significantly more expensive and extortionate from Specsavers. However, they are less costly from websites such as feelgoodcontacts and lenstore.

Furthermore, both companies produce their owner, cheaper silicone hydrogel lenses. Annoyingly, they both have tricky pricing tactics. E.G. Automatic renewal or follow their links to get 5% off, but if you clear your cache out and go to the website as a new customer you'll get 10% or so off if you use a new email address. Also, I found feelgoodcontacts, for instance, worked out cheaper by using the UK domain website. Basically, when looking for the best price, don't login as an existing user - and this probably applies to many websites.

Binky Bricktop

Ive been using visiondirect.ie and haven't had any problems. I got daily disposables as I'm new to contacts, but everything has been fine. They've got 20% off at the moment - the code is STAFF20.

BlondeBomb

Anyone know any of the sites that do contact lens for astigmatism.

I use day soft but they really aren’t tailored for astigmatism but I get by

byrned

@BlondeBomb this site has a search function and then shows a price compare, search astigmatism:

comparelenses.ie

radiotrickster

I use Specsavers easycare direct debit service. Not sure if they're still doing it, but they were giving 50% off the first three months supply when I signed up a couple of months back.

You get a few bonuses when you're subscribed as well. Any appointments relating to your contacts are free (e.g. eye test for a new prescription, or if you fall asleep with them in and need a check-up), and if you lose your contacts or something happens to them, they can give you a couple of spares for free to tide you over in between deliveries.

You get a discount on all glasses in Specsavers as well (or a pair from the cheaper range for free).

I signed up, got the three months half price, reduced my subscription to one box every three months after that and now I'm just waiting on 2021 to start so I can get a pair of glasses with my PRSI discount and the Specsavers discount. When I spoke to them, they said the €200 pair of glasses I'm looking for will cost me about €60 overall. I didn't have the nerve to ask if I qualified for a second pair free (the way Specsavers usually do with glasses) when using both discounts, haha!

I sound like a sales pitch but for me, I'd rather have the peace of mind of knowing I got my contacts through a reputable store and if anything goes wrong, I have someone to go to.

Foweva Awone

I've been getting mine from Vision Direct for years now, never had any issues with them. It's the Oasys Acuvue ones I use.

myNewName

Anyone know what the implications of brexit will be on vision direct? I presume we’ll have to pay customs charges on them too?

.E_C_K_S.

myNewName wrote: »

Anyone know what the implications of brexit will be on vision direct? I presume we’ll have to pay customs charges on them too?

Yes, I would assume so. However, Daysoft have started to add EUR 16 to its 1, 3 and 6 months orders which will cover the Irish vat and import charges. It's tricky enough to see what is based in the UK as many of the sites have .ie extensions.

cowicklow

Saw this today on comparelenses.ie facebook page and thought it was useful....

Brexit-savvy contact lens buying….
If you purchase goods from the UK costing more than €22 you will have to pay VAT on arrival into Ireland. If over €150, you will also have to pay import duty.
Purchases from within the EU don’t attract any surcharges.

Tips:
1. Buy from EU suppliers. WeLoveLenses offers great prices and ships from Malta (which is in the EU) and has free shipping. We have found this company to be very reliable although it takes a day or two longer for shipments to arrive compared to UK suppliers.
2. Check from where goods are dispatched. Although some sites have a .ie domain, the lenses are shipped from the UK (FeelGoodContacts.ie, VisionDirect.ie, ContactLensesPlus.ie, Specsavers.ie)
3. Order single boxes. Keep your purchase below €22 if buying from the UK to avoid VAT (but beware shipping costs)
4. Don’t Order too many! Keep your purchases below €150 to avoid import taxes.

Remember these tips and always check prices online at comparelenses.ie

Glencarraig

myNewName wrote: »

Anyone know what the implications of brexit will be on vision direct? I presume we’ll have to pay customs charges on them too?

I rang them recently to ask the same question. Was told that there was no vat or customs charges on orders and they are not expecting that to change. I assume that because their business address is in Blackrock we are in effect buying form an Irish company. Possible a grey area but time will tell I suppose.

cowicklow

Saw this today which is useful

Brexit-savvy contact lens buying….
If you purchase goods from the UK costing more than €22 you will have to pay VAT on arrival into Ireland. If over €150, you will also have to pay import duty.
Purchases from within the EU don’t attract any surcharges.

Tips:
1. Buy from EU suppliers. WeLoveLenses offers great prices and ships from Malta (which is in the EU) and has free shipping. We have found this company to be very reliable although it takes a day or two longer for shipments to arrive compared to UK suppliers.
2. Check from where goods are dispatched. Although some sites have a .ie domain, the lenses are shipped from the UK (FeelGoodContacts.ie, VisionDirect.ie, ContactLensesPlus.ie, Specsavers.ie)
3. Order single boxes. Keep your purchase below €22 if buying from the UK to avoid VAT (but beware shipping costs)
4. Don’t Order too many! Keep your purchases below €150 to avoid import taxes.

Remember these tips and always check prices online at comparelenses.ie

Antares35

Glencarraig wrote: »

I rang them recently to ask the same question. Was told that there was no vat or customs charges on orders and they are not expecting that to change. I assume that because their business address is in Blackrock we are in effect buying form an Irish company. Possible a grey area but time will tell I suppose.

I ordered from them recently and wasn't charge extra either Always found them to have a fantastic service.

Esse85

Ordered from Daysoftcare on a Monday, delivery made by DHL Tuesday.

Delivery charge of €16 made it 99e for 6 months worth of contacts delivered.

PopTarts

Has anyone changed where they get their lenses?

Ordrered from Daysoft last week (1 month total value under €20) and have been hit with custom charges of €6.80.

mrperty2011

Yes ordered earlier this month 03/08. 1 month supply €15 and then hit with customs of €6.80. Paid customs but still waiting on delivery by An post..Its annoying. Daysoft offer DHL delivery which includes custom charge for additional €13..

mp3ireland2

What's the admin fee on the customs charge? I might try that Malta site referenced above! I never thought to stock up before the July deadline.... Was too focused on Amazon, 🤠

Dymo

I get mine from  Daysoft.com but use the DHL option for delivery and avoid all custom charges

mp3ireland2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117875783#Comment_117875783

Yeah I did the same today, the delivery was €15 including customs charges for 6 boxes with DHL vs €4.80 delivery, €8.26 VAT and €3.50 an post admin would add up to €16.56

pissed

Just ordered with Daysoft, 6 months supply and delivery by DHL €86.88.