Online contact lenses from USA - beware!! (Contact Lenses in general)

Member Name: nicola_hughes40

Product:	Contact Lenses in general
Date:	17/12/01 (89 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good for US customers

Disadvantages: hidden charges for UK customers

I have recently had a bad experience with an American online contact lens company called VISIONDIRECT.COM. At first glance, these American companies seem a better bet than the UK ones - cheaper prices (even including postage and packing), no prescription needed (if you are like me and tend to lose these things!) and a delivery time of 5-10 days.

HOWEVER - 2 points:

1) This 5-10 days normally turns out to be 2 weeks

2) More seriously, as you are purchasing goods from the USA with a value over £18, YOU are liable to pay any customs charges. On a recent purchase of £66 pounds, I was greeted by a card from the post office saying I had to pay an exta £15.41 in order to claim my goods. I went back and reviewed VisionDirect.com's web pages and buried in the small print is a warning about them not being liable for any customs charges. No mention AT ALL of this when you select your product and go to the credit card payment pages!
I have e-mailed the company and am refusing to pay..but as yet no response..

Please, if you are buying contact lenses from the USA check the small print. Actually, why bother because if you add the custom charges onto the stated cost, it is cheaper and quicker to buy your lenses in the UK!!

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