What are the discounts/ savings based on?
Many plans just provide a simple discount off retail pricing. Since the provider can raise or lower the retail price, your final price may or may not reflect the true value of the promised discount. Other plans work from the wholesale price of the item and add a dispensing fee (which is the providers profit). This bottom up approach can provide better and more predictable discounts.

Who owns the network of providers? Why should you care?
If a particular chain store or an eyeglass manufacturer owns the network they obviously have a vested interest in driving the consumer to purchase eyewear at certain locations or to purchase specific brands of eyewear. This limits the members’ choices.

What providers are in the network?
Some networks allow the member to visit only certain chain stores. Other networks are significantly larger allowing you to use many of the major chain stores as well as private practioners throughout the country.

If the member visits a participating provider are they limited in their selection of eyewear?
Some plans limit the selection of eyewear that the member can purchase. This can be limited to a specific manufacturer, price range or style. The best programs provide the savings on all eyewear at the participating providers location.

Is there anyone to talk to if the member has a problem?
Many programs provide no live customer service assistance. The program should have real live customer service to assist the member or the participating provider if there are any questions or issues. Email, Web sites or voicemail do not help the member when they are standing in a store ready to make a purchase and need help.

What types of guarantee does the program provide the member?
The plan should provide a thirty day unconditional money-back satisfaction guarantee and a low price guarantee on eyeglasses.