Has the Internet Changed the Way You Buy Compression Stockings?
The compression hosiery business has changed markedly with the advent of internet shopping, and there is no doubt these changes have benefited you, the patient.
In the old days you might get a prescription from your Doctor, take it to a local medical supply house or pharmacy where you would be sized, and the pharmacist would put you into a pair of stockings. Probably they came from a dusty box, and had a certain “matronly” look about them. Your color choice was probably beige. In some cases stockings would need to be ordered and it might have taken three to four weeks before you received them.
Worse yet, many patients were put into “custom-fit” compression stockings even though a “ready-to-wear” garment in your size would provide the same efficacy for half the price. According to our Jobst rep, only about 5% of the general population have conditions that require “custom-fit” stockings, most frequently due to extreme obesity. Measuring oneself is quite easy for most people and hosiery manufacturers are offering a wider variety of ready-to-wear sizes. With just your measurements and a credit card, you can go online and discover the huge variety in fabric, color and price range that is offered in compression hosiery today.
Compression stockings are a medical device and they need to be worn properly to ensure maximum benefit. BrightLife Direct does not leave our customers to fend for themselves after their purchase. We have a fully trained, certified staff that is on call to respectfully answer your questions and offer advice. In fact, we encourage “newbies” who are buying their first pair to call us for some hand-holding. We also understand that sizing charts and color chips are never 100% perfect. If you receive a stocking that is not right for you, it can be returned within 30 days for a full refund.
The only problem with internet shopping for your stockings is that there may be too many choices! There is no other place where you can find so many brands, sizes, colors and options available to purchase immediately. Without spending a penny on gas!
Because of the large number of people now shopping on the internet, (as well as using it as a source of information), companies like BrightLife Direct now have a large enough customer base that we can afford to focus specifically on compression therapy. This allows us to know the products very well. Our prices are lower than “brick and mortar” stores because we cut out the distribution middlemen and limit the cost of advertising by reaching out to only a specific group of patients.
Remember when every neighborhood had a butcher, a baker and maybe even a candlestick maker? Because the internet neighborhood is large enough to support “boutique” stores you can now get professional service at Walmart prices. (By the way, Walmart prices online are more expensive that ours!) BrightlifeDirect.com is one of a handful of online companies that specialize in compression hosiery. (You can do a Google search under “compression stockings” or the name of your favorite brand like, “Sigvaris“, for an entire list). There is enough competition to keep our pricing where we want it to be — as low as possible!
As a consumer, you are lucky to have a variety of competent and honest companies dedicated to the sale of compression garments. Naturally, some are better than the others. BrightLife Direct has been helping patients for ten years and has always enjoyed a very positive reputation. We have over 25,000 pair of compression stockings in our warehouse, allowing us to immediately offer all compression levels, sizes including extra small or plus sizes, and hard-to- find colors. In most cases, an order placed by 2PM, ET will ship the same day. BrightLife Direct supports every purchase with a satisfaction guarantee, returns and exchanges form and telephone support.
Perhaps not all of the changes that come with modern living have made you happy, but compression stockings on the internet is a revolution you can get into!