A CLCV survey reveals that the prices of contact lenses and cleaning products can vary threefold on the same model.
“Play the competition” in the purchase of its contact lenses and cleaning products. In short, this is what the national association for the defense of consumers and users (CLCV) recommends. The organization took an interest in the sharp price disparities for these products by conducting a survey in 12 departments (1) with opticians, pharmacists and parapharmacists from November 15 to December 31, 2014.
The results, which were published this Tuesday, on the CLCV website, are clear: in the same street, prices vary from single to double and sometimes even triple from one store to another and for the same product.
Very strong price disparities
To make users aware of the price differences, the CLCV explains in its press release that it “carried out a survey of the same model at four points of sale” in the same street of XIIth district of Paris. “It appears that we can pay our box of 6 Proclear Multifocal lenses from 58 € at Optical Discount to 95.5 € at Optic 2000”, we can read.
If we consider each time the average of the five lowest prices and that of the five highest prices, we see differences ranging from 52 euros to 92 euros for Biofinity multifocal lenses, from 70.8 euros to 122, 8 euros for Proclear multifocal Toric, or from 11.96 euros to 41.50 euros for Soflens 59 ”, adds the association of consumers.
Adjust the reimbursement limit
The survey results also reveal price differences for cleaning products. Thus, a bottle will be sold at 6.90 euros, the unit, at an Afflelou optician in Tours while it will cost 19.90 euros in a pharmacy on rue Ordener in Paris. Another example: a 360 ml bottle will cost € 12 at an Afflelou optician in Cahors and € 20 at an optician in Pont Scorff (Morbihan). Despite these price differences, however, the CLCV recognizes that cleaning products are part of the normal game of competition.
But for the association, it is possible “that like glasses, opticians adjust their prices according to the reimbursement policy of mutuals” for lenses. She calls on these organizations to “adjust their reimbursement ceiling accordingly and, even more, to direct consumers to merchants whose prices are reasonable”. In addition, it invites the State to cap reimbursements “by type of correction”.
Visit several brands
The Association therefore advises consumers to “play competition by visiting more stores”. For CLCV, lenses are commonly purchased products throughout life. By comparing prices and even after reimbursement by his mutual, “the consumer can earn at least 100 euros per year”. The association also recommends “to buy by parck of 3 or 4 if he wants to save money without changing the product”. So a word of advice: open your eyes and stay on the lookout for the best prices.
(1) The survey was carried out in the departments of Bouches du Rhône, Gard, Gironde, Ille et Vilaine, Indre et Loire, Loire Atlantique, Morbihan, Puy de Dôme, Saône and Loire, Paris and Deux Sèvres.
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