Eyeglass Wordl

[abocandy]

Is Anybody familiar with Eye Glass World?
Are they a reputable company?
Do they have a Doctor turn over?

They pay well, but how much headache is involved.
If you have any experience with them please let me know.
Thanks
ABocandy

[BMH]

I posted a similar thread earlier this evening. I guess we would be thinking about the same job.

I read some of your previous posts and it seemed you were opening your own shop. What happened to that endevor? I would love to go out on my own as well but I just am not sure where the sales would come from unless of course there is an OD involved.

small world huh?

[Eye Candy Optician]

Hey
Yes it is a small world. I did open my own Boutique.
It is quite sweet. I have only been open for 7 months and can not really complain I have averaged about $5500 a month incoming.
But being a Boutique without a Dr I have to rely on networking and word of mouth. Fortunately for me I have a following. : 0 )
I also had to invest alot in frame inventory You can not have too little or you won't catch their interest. My husband and I opened this out of pocket with no loan involved. Well guess what $ gone!!
I realize it hasn't been open long enough to calculate the future for me here but when an endeavor comes along offering you alot of money I have to check out all the possibilities for my future.
I would appreciate any input you have.
I have a personal email if you would rather contact me there.
Abocandy@cox.net
So where are you at in Florida?

Thanks
Candy

[p944t]

In 2001, the Florida Attorney General announced that Eyeglass World would pay $500,000 and adopt an arms-length relationship with its affiliated optometrists to settle allegations of unlawful marketing practices . According to the Attorney General's complaint:

Optometrists leasing space in Eyeglass World outlets were pressured by the company to issue unnecessary prescriptions for glasses and contact lenses and limit time spent with each patient.
The company's goal was to maximize the number of patients seen and ensure that every person who had an eye exam bought corrective lenses.
State law prohibits a corporation that leases office space to an optometrist from interfering with their medical practice. In addition to violating that statute, Eyeglass World also:
Engaged in the sale of outdated, used and non-sterile contact lenses.
Sold diagnostic lenses and solution starter kits provided free of charge by the manufacturer.
Misrepresented itself as an approved provider for a certain health insurance plan.
Intentionally misquoted prices over the telephone, engaged in bait and switch advertising and failed to post its no-refund policy at the point of sale.
Failed to have a licensed optician on premises at all times and failed to have proper optical equipment or perform tests required by the FDA to determine product safety.While admitting no wrongdoing, Eyeglass World agreed to:

Provide for consumer restitution and pay the costs of the state's investigation.
Revise its leases with optometrists to ensure that it does not exert improper influence over their medical practices.
Implement a corporate ethics program that will include live instruction and creation of a corporate ethics manual.

[chip anderson]

Surely no "medical optometrist" or optometrist would engage in such practices no matter what the pressure. We have had so many of them
tell us how this could happen with such a small percentage of O.D.'s that a corporation couldn't possibly find enough of them ready and waiting to take such conditions to support a chain.

[drd]

well, consumer reports had them rated last of all the big commercial eyewear retailers in their spring report. I have worked with Eyeglass World on occasion, and the store at which I have occasioned has a solid staff, friendly "young ladies" actively selling eyewear. The girls work hard, are friendly, accomodating and good at selling. I have seen private optical offices where it takes the "large bottomed" optician forever to get up and offer help. That being said, they didn't get that Consumer Reports rating for nothing. All frames are discontinued. All purchases are essentially buy one get one free because no warranty exists. You break it, wear the other pair is their philosophy. 2 pair for $69 sales become $600 sales by the time the staff is done with the customer. LASIK surgery offered for $200. The optometrist office and equipment is junky, old, poorly run, and is merely a turnstyle for the optical. Yet people come in and buy in droves, plunk down $600 despite expecting to pay only $69 and still people come back for more. It is complete bizarro world. Yet it works for them. The opticians are well paid on commissions, and most patients leave happy. They do everything you would think an optical should NOT do but they do one thing very well. They give the consumer what they want whether anyone agrees with their methods or not. Slimy, unethical, junky, yet successful. Go figure