If you wear contact lenses, BEWARE!

I'm new to the site though have been in the UK for 4 years. I've been trying to think of things that I might be able to add to the already great lists of things already on this site. I'm pretty sure I haven't come across this, but if it's been mentiones, apologies!

If you wear contact lenses and are moving here, be warned that the lens solutions available here are much, much more expensive then overe there! 

In the States, I buy the all purpose (clean and store) solution from Target or Walmart and pay about $2-4 a bottle. Here, you get smaller bottles and pay around £7-9!!!

Whenever I go back to the States I stock up and Mom also sends some in the care packages.

Can someone explain to me why it's so expensive here???!!!

EVERYTHING is more expensive there, Lens Solution is no exception.  I use Opti-Free both in the states and in the UK.  In the US I pay around $8.. in the UK.. around £6 for a similar-sized bottle.  I think it's seeming so much more expensive beause you were buying a store brand, which are always considerably cheaper.  It is more expensive there, no doubt.  But as I've found it, only $3-$4 or so.  Definitely not as much as $16 difference.   :-/

I haven't noticed much of a difference from what I can remember but I've used Postoptics in both the US and UK.  

http://www.postoptics.co.uk

See if what you use is cheaper through them.

Yes, I do use the 'store brand' solutions. My eye doc told me it's the exact same thing as the brand name solutions, so indeed, since 'store brand' isn't available here, it really does give you sticker shock! I did check the postoptics web site which looks like a good resource for those who use brand name products. I couldn't tell what the sizes were though!  

Ah right! I've always used brand names for the cleaning solutions as I was always too particular about properly cleaning them. (Just my own preference....I use hydrogen peroxide systems.)

Looking at the postoptics catalog I just got in today's post, the cleaning solutions seem to be the standard size depending on the product...anywhere from 250ml to 360ml.

Salines, on the other hand, I will buy whatever is the cheapest and will rarely buy the name brands as it is a waste of money.

This country does need a Target though!  And if they are here, they need to be nearer me!

I used to use the hydrogen perox stuff but when I started traveling a lot, it became too much to cart around!

Not only do we need a Target (please, please), we need a Crate and Barrel! I'm getting married and it's KILLING me that I can't register there for all my guests. I'm having to register at C&B in the States for my US guests (but only things that can be shipped here easily) and register at John Lewis or Debenhams for the UK guests. And just as an aside, the UK is way behind the States when it comes to gift registry!  

And just as an aside, the UK is way behind the States when it comes to gift registry!  

How so?  I had no problems with my registry when I got married in the UK last year.

I just wrote a bit about it all on the 'hitching post' forum.  

I get my contact lens solution at Costco (I use Optifree Lens Express) and it's supercheap!  I worked out the conversion figures and I end up paying about the same about of money per bottle as I did at Target in the US.  Once again, Costco rocks!!

Hmmm, may have to check a costco out next time I'm in Reading as they don't have any in the Southwest.  

I got my contacts and solution through a "scheme"...best term I can think of to describe it. I pay by direct debit each month and I get all the solution, lenses cases, etc., plus exam and contacts all included. If I run out, I just pop in and get. I would NOT recommend this as a cost-saving venture, as I don't think I saved any money...just made everything much simpler for me. But, I now have boxes and boxes of solution, some of which I've already thrown out unused.

Wow, I wish I had discovered this thread before I flew to the UK. I know lots of things are somewhat more expensive, but I'm at a total loss to understand why CL solution is 4 to 5 times as expensive. Why doesn't someone undercut the market? Cripes, I could probably fedex it over here and sell it to UK Yanks by mail order and still turn a good profit.

Yeah, I noticed that this summer. It's not as bad in Paris (where I bought a smallish bottle of solution) but when I went to Boots, their price was 16£ for the hydrogen peroxide kind i normally use! At Target that stuff is often $5.99!! I got a tiny travel size Boots brand plain solution for 4£ I think? Even the store brand was expensive. But I was desperate so I paid it!

Uggh, don't get me started on contact lens solution!  I love reading old threads. But in this case, it seems not much has changed in over 4 years! Except there are store brands now. I just bought a 3 pack from boots. 
 I use the hydrogen peroxide stuff because anything else makes my eyes water and itch and uggh.  It is very expensive here and the bottles are tiny! 
Same goes for contacts lenses themselves- expensive!! Luckily I get a good discount on lenses through my employer. 

I've often thought I could entirely fund my trips back and forth if only I could identify the best smuggling items in both directions. I usually bring over American style bacon and country sausage, plus cheap vodka (but there's a 2-liter limit on the latter).

I sat next to a woman on a plane once who was smuggling Heinz beans (excuse me, beanz) to her daughter in the States. Apparently, American baked beans weren't cutting it.

(Adding contact lens solution to my list).