3 Good Reasons to Buy Glasses and Contacts at Costco

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The popular warehouse club famous for pallets of bulk buys also wants to sell you glasses and contacts. Here’s why you should take a look. 

The Kirkland Signature brand is a big part of what makes warehouse club Costco so popular. (Just ask any Kirkland fan, and they’ll be happy to tell you all about their favorite items!) It’s also part of what makes Costco a good personal finance choice for many families.

But what all those Costco shoppers may not realize is that the beloved house brand goes far beyond the pallets of products in Costco’s many, many aisles.

Believe it or not, you can also find Kirkland Signature items tucked into the Costco Optical centers in many locations. And, just as with the rest of the store, there are a number of good reasons to consider using Costco Optical for your next pair of glasses or contacts.

1. Savings

Costco’s whole schtick is savings, so it makes sense that it applies that mentality to its optical shops.

For example, many Costco locations have independent optometrists who perform eye exams. They’ll typically accept most popular insurance plans. WIthout insurance, exams average around $70, which is quite competitive with the market overall. (You can also just bring in a prescription from your own optometrist.)

The glasses and lenses can vary in cost depending on the style and extras. Costco’s popular house brand, Kirkland Signature, shows up big in the optical stores, offering hundreds of colors and styles all for $59.99 for the first set of frames. If you’re in the market for multiple pairs, you can get $30 off each additional frame purchase. Lenses also start at $59.99 for clear, with extra costs for polarized ($69.99) and Transitions lenses ($99.99).

Costco also offers a huge variety of contact lenses — including, yes, the fan-favorite Kirkland Signature brand. Kirkland Signature Daily Disposable 90-packs will run you $58.99 per box online. You can save more by buying multiple boxes, with 4-box and 8-box discounts of $35 and $95, respectively.

2. Convenience

Another good reason to consider Costco Optical is how downright convenient it can be.

Firstly, Costco has 586 locations in the U.S., the majority of which have optical centers inside. This means there’s a pretty good chance you can get your eye exam, glasses, and contacts right at your local club. If you time it right, you could get your eyeglasses and weekly groceries in one trip.

That said, you don’t necessarily need to head to the store to get your new frames. While Costco normally has a downright abysmal online presence, this is one area they actually do it right — well, mostly.

You see, if you’re interested in picking up a pair of Kirkland Signature-branded glasses, you can do the whole thing online. It starts with the virtual try-on. Use your device’s camera to digitally dress up in a variety of styles and colors until you find your new look.

Once you’ve chosen a frame, you’ll be prompted to upload your current eyeglasses prescription. Next, select the lenses you like. After you’ve chosen your perfect pair, you can check out and complete your order, all from the comfort of home.

3. Guarantee

Beyond the deals and Signature brands, Costco maintains its dedicated fan base by offering great customer service. A big part of that service is its 100% satisfaction guarantee on everything in the store — including your membership.

And yes, this extends to its optical department. If there’s anything wrong with your purchase, Costco will make it right. This includes offering free glasses adjustments whenever you need them.

In Costco’s words: “Please see our Costco Optical department for any adjustments or questions. We are committed to providing quality and value on the products we sell with a risk-free 100% satisfaction guarantee on both your membership and merchandise.”

See if Costco Optical is for you

Like Costco itself, the warehouse club’s optical services may not be for everyone. But if you’re looking for affordable, convenient eye exams, glasses, and contacts, it may be worth taking a look.

Keep in mind that, while you don’t need to be a member to get an eye exam at Costco, only members can shop Kirkland Signature glasses and contacts.

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The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.Brittney Myers has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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