Did you think that the average cost of a cut, color & blow...

[Jacqui]

It occured to me that there is another issue we don't think to much about but wholesalers can sell to anybody, it doesn't have to be one of the three O's.

Most wholesalers won't sell except to the profession, but there are a few.......

[Mr_Mitchell]

This thread makes one thing clear to me...If you want to open your own optical (as I do), you couldn't go wrong with hiring a fashion-oriented salesperson with proven ability and a guy like Harry C. to do the hard stuff. You'd be the best and your customers would be happy and well served.
It just goes to show me that no one approach is best, you have to have a genius and you have to have your "frame stylist" type--I've not met one person who is both.

[MarcE]

As we are unlicensed or unregulated in PA, we see it all. In a small coal mining town 30 miles North of where we practice, there is a funeral director who sells glasses for a few dollars over cost. He doesn't take insurances. I wonder what his training is but many tell of their great bargain and they got them in glass and that is all that matters.

One of my reps just told me about an OD a few years ago that got caught selling frames that he bought from a funeral director. YES! They were from the corpses. Got his licence revoked, as he recalls.

Besides the obvious legal and ethical problems; how much could you save, really? Must have been only buying the high-end stuff.

[Robert Martellaro]

Don't we live in a wonderful state??

It's really surprising when you consider how aggressive Wisconsin regulates other occupations- very tough accross the board- except opticianry.

I've lived in Wisconsin for for almost thirty years; except for the winters it's hard to beat, although the taxes are pretty stiff. If they go any higher i'll have to work 'till I'm eighty, if I live that long!

But, your barber isn't likely to be selling eyeglasses on the side.

True, but the fact that anyone can fill eyeglass Rxs really bugs me. A high school diploma (with college prep math and physics) and a year in a finish or surface lab would be a good start before dispensing.

I'm was just venting, I'll cut it out now.

Licensed state or not, if you want to you can make a good living as an optician. Isn't that what this is about?

I'm prospering, thank goodness. No doctor, and I don't accept insurance. Not many of us left around here.

Regards,

[HarryChiling]

I'm prospering, thank goodness. No doctor, and I don't accept insurance. Not many of us left around here.

It is probably very difficult to maintain such a business model now a days, but can you imagine how much tougher it would be to start one?

[Barry Santini]

I'm prospering, thank goodness. No doctor, and I don't accept insurance. Not many of us left around here.

Ditto for me, too.

Barry

[nsg]

afraid of being harpooned here!!!