Wrong fitting clothing won't make you blind - wrong fitting contact lenses can.
And you pay exactly that "idiot tax" on many many other things in life - an example being nearly every article clothing you own, unless you grew the materials and wove the fabric your self then made clothing from them.
We've already established that Visilab does no hands-on manipulation to the contact lenses to merit such a mark-up. So yeah, not a good comparison. But to keep with your analogy: If a known couture shop started selling pret-a-porter shirts from a brand readily available for a third of the price online, people would see through it pretty quickly.
It can be dangerous, but many people have allergies to aspirin, peanuts, shellfish, you name it. Often deadly ones. Perhaps we should limit access to those products and mark-up prices for an extra layer of checks and balances on the personal safety of those individuals. I mean, can we trust people to be responsible and smart about their health or can't we? Personally, I think that if we can trust someone to avoid food that doesn't seriously injure or kill them, then we can trust people to make sure their contact lens purchase corresponds to the correct specs and that their last eye exam was a reasonable time ago.
My point from the very beginning has been about the price of contact lenses in shops vs. online. I'm sure the opticians and normal Visilab workers don't set the prices, their higher-ups do. So I don't know why it has to be seen as a slight against opticians as a whole to suggest that a product for which they are, at most, sales consultants probably shouldn't cost three times as much from one place to the next.
I have used www.linsensuppe.ch for a couple of years now. I visit the optician for checks and the prescription. It takes about 2 weeks for the lenses to arrive so plan ahead. They generally send a voucher for repeat custom 8% and you get a discount for CC payment (usually its the other way round, go figure). They also do bundles for eg 12 months supply for both eyes.
After these discounts and shipping the price was equivalent at 1.50 FX to the contact for lenses price... for my lenses at least AirOptix Night&Day.
The difference is that food and certain pain killers are something that everyone uses, optical devices are not.
If and when the world comes to a state where everyone needs contact lenses, I may begin to change my stance. As it is, they are not something everyone needs, they ARE something quite easy to mess you up if you are ignorant about their use (as said before, I've seen the results).
Opticians require training, in some places quite extensive. They are NOT mere "sales consultants" here at all. Just because contact lenses are "ready made" and just because all you need at the moment is for them to behave in such a manner, does not mean that the job is lacking in accredited qualifications.
As example, in Florida (which is where I am most familiar), you have a choice between getting a 2yr degree and then studying to pass exams to obtain a license, or you can do a five year apprenticeship program working under a licensed Optician. Through the apprenticeship, you also need to complete two accredited exams to obtain certifications with the finale being again, an exam for licensing.
Buy your lenses where you like. I'm not saying it's absolutely necessary to buy them from an Optician - I AM saying that there is a very good reason why they cost more from an Optician, beyond simple retail mark up.
I havent seen anyone suggest you shouldn't go to a qualified optometrist for fitting and checkups, or if the wear-ability of the lenses changes and pay the market price for it.
Just why pay totally over inflated prices for the lenses thereafter. I told mine I didnt mind paying a small premium and buy the lenses from him, he just shrugged his shoulders, but didnt give me a sermon on the risks.
Hopefully you have a relationship with your Optometrist and he knows how responsible you are. I'm thinking, when you mentioned the price difference, you didn't say that his prices are a "rip off" though, did you?
The "sermon" from me today is 100% triggered because Russkov used that term.
If you don't mind me asking, what was your total order price? Also, what are the components of your 49.75 CHF customs bill - do you know how much of it is VAT, processing fees, etc.? I'm looking into buying contact lenses online from somewhere, and would like to estimate how much the import would cost...
VAT will be 8%. The killer is the couriers handling fee. For example just imported 135eur worth of sports equipment incl postage, VAT is 14.80chf on the 185chf value (gimme that 1.37 exchange rate please!). DHL charge a further 20chf for handling.
Depending on the parcel company you will face different tariffs, and it's not very transparent. I think there is a thread on this floating around if you search.
If you have an address in Germany you will find cheap prices here, to order online:
Thanks fingerscrossed! That looks like a great website!
This should also be worth a try:
Just to add a recommendation, I ordered 180 pairs of contact lenses from mclinsen.ch and got them in 2 days. Very satisfied customer here
My wife, daughter and I all wear contacts and we buy them from www.ottos.ch .
They are not expensive and the delivery time is really good.
Then, I go to an Opthalmic specialist every couple of years for a proper check up.
I know the question has already been answered (over and over) but since the company I use isn't listed I thought I would add to the useful information.
I use http://www.linsenmax.ch they come within 2 days and I think they are good value!