What do daily use items have to do with Internet and Technology? Nothing! However, if you are looking to save money and can wait a couple of days upto two weeks by ordering these sundries online at discounts up to 75%, it has everything to do with the internet.
Recently, I skipped the corner drug store, the eye doctor and my optician and found three great sites that would let me get razors, contact lenses and eye glasses at up to a 75% discount. (other discount sites will be listed here too)
The three aforementioned sites are;
· www.dorcousa.com (Razors)
· www.lens.com (contacts)
· www.zennioptical.com (eye glasses)
Now, before I tell you what they charge, the ordering process, etc, you need to know what a typical bill for the same items would be at full retail price. Let’s start with razors. I use the “Shick Hydro 5 , which retails at CVS for $10.99. It comes with 2 blades. Refills are $13.49 for 5 blades and $22.99 for 8 blades. They last me about 2 weeks per blade (shaving every other day). On www.dorcousa.com , they have a 6 blade system with precision trimmer and 10 blade refills for, $15.70. That is 20 weeks of shaving for $15.70 where as the Shick system for just 10 weeks is close to $24.50. I have to admit, I feel nor see any difference in quality, feel and comfort. They are made in the USA. For all of my readers, Dorco is offering a 15% discount for first time customers. Just use the code “EXAMDORCO15”. Also, for those that read this, please comment with your email address. One man and one woman will win either the Frugal Dude Pack or the Frugal Gal Pack (both valued at $35. Entries will be accepted until October 31st at 11:59PM. Within the next couple of days, I will email you if you have won.
Let’s look at contact lenses. I have been with the Boston Lens (RGP) since 1983. I have astigmatism as well. I have bi-lateral readings of -4.50. Last year, I bought the Boston Hydro 2 lens at Cohen’s Fashion Optical. With insurance at that time, not including the fitting, a pair was $240. Without insurance, it was $355. Well, I am at this point, not eligible for insurance subsidized lenses, but I wanted a spare pair. So I did my research and found that most online retailers get their lenses from overseas. www.Lens.com , does not. So I ordered them. The same lenses with shipping were under $100.. Go ahead, ask me for the receipt.
Now for eyeglasses. Caveat emptor of the offers of first pair free. Sites such as www.coastal.com and www.firmoo.com offer them. The free selection is sparse at best. While I still have my glasses from Coastal (showing their durability), I can not say the same for Firmoo, as I never got them. I put in a charge back for fraud through Pay Pal and they documented phony tracking numbers that never existed nor would paypal check up on. I was out only $12.95, but that’s not the point. So I came across www.zennioptical.com and gave them a shot, and another shot, and another shot. I am so satisfied that I am up to 5 so far. They have no catchy gimmicks, just good bargains. Their glasses are inexpensive, NOT CHEAP. For instance, the last pair I bought at a retail store (with insurance) was $130 out of pocket. At Zenni, 3 separate orders, one for my wife and my two with progressive (no line bifocals), all with anti-glare and anti-scratch coating came to $146 and change. I still have my original pair from 2 prescriptions ago. I bought these glasses with possible every day wear in mind. They have never broken, nor lost their fit. In fact, recently I had to step up to bi-focals. I opted for progressive (no line) lenses. They said it may take time to get used to and if I don’t like my vision, they will comp me another pair. How’s that for customer service?
Of course these aren’t the only sites for saving money. Don’t forget to check out these great ones;
· And an Honorable mention for all you reading buffs and book hounds. Check out www.bookbub.com .
Like Wilma Flintstone and Betty Rubble always say; “da da da da da da….CHARGE IT” Happy shopping.
via Examiner National Edition Gadgets & Tech Channel Articles http://www.examiner.com/article/the-best-online-shopping-sites-for-what-you-need-every-day?cid=roadrunner