America's Best Contacts and Eyeglasses Watch out for hidden fees that aren't disclosed until after you've had the service done! holland, Michigan

Went to America's Best today because I needed a backup pair of glasses and was intrigued by their low price. I figured there would be add-ons like coatings, anit-glare and such, but still with a base price of $69 and a free eye exam, that leaves some room financially for that.

When I scheduled the eye exam, I told them I needed it for contacts as well, they said fine. Went there, had exam done, picked out 2 pairs of glasses I really liked. When we sat down we went thru the add-ons, I chose one of them. The lenses included with the base deals are uncoated, plastic (not polycarb) ones, without anit-glare coating or anything, like you might expect. It's been so long since I had ordered glasses that I had forgotten this, but I understand. For low low prices you have to cut certain things out, right?

But all of the sudden my total is over $200! I questioned the add-ons, and they say there is a $99 fee for the contact exam. WTH? I was never told that contact exams aren't included. Personally, I think it should have been mentioned on the phone that they were extra, but ok. At the very least, it would say that the included free exam is only for glasses when I was IN the store, right? You know, like Pearl Vision, Sears optical, and every other eyeglass place I've ever used says right on their signs? There is ALWAYS fine print on something that says "free exam!*" and then "* for eyeglasses only" or *does not include contact exam . Maybe I was stupid, but I thought that if it didn't say anything like either of those, anywhere, that it is included.

At the time I learned this, the exam had already been completed, so now what am I supposed to do? And why is it $99, that's a ridiculous price when compared to competitiors? Well, it includes a 3 year membership to a discount program and 2 more yearly eye exams. That could be all fine and good, except that in this economy who knows where they will be in 2-3 years, and the eye exam wasn't as thorough as I get at Walmart, my previous vision center. I have learned not to purchase any long-term agreements with companies these days.

I was upset, I explained to them that in no way did I agree to a $99 contact exam, and how was I supposed to know that it wasn't included in the "free eye exam" posted all over in the store? They basically implied I should have known this. But my point stands, if I was never told, it doesn't say anything on all your papers and signage, I wasn't told when I called, and there is no fine print anywhere like with other stores, then how am I supposed to know?! I went back and looked at their website just now, and I see that the contact exam is $69 (or $99 with the club) so there is an option to not join the club, which they never told me.

I get that the savings on eye exams probably makes $99 ok. But the exam, tho probably correct, was no where near as thorough as my Walmart ones, which are $52 for contacts. And the principle of going there expecting to pay $80-110 or so with any coatings/add-ons I expected, and slightly upgraded frames, and then finding out that it was actually almost $250, was shocking.

They refused to do anything about the exam charge, and I told my husband in front of them "they don't have any of our payment info, let's just leave." The rep then said that she had no problem turning it over to creditors. "Yes, good luck trying to collect on a service I never approved." I said. She got her manager, who eventually said either we could pay it or he would rip up the packet and we could go on our way. Guess which we chose? Makes me sad, because I did really like the glasses, but even going in expecting some additional fees, I was stunned. I would stay far far away unless you are prepared up front for paying 3 times as much as advertised. And that didn't even include the really nice upgrades like polycarb lenses (another $120)!