VSP + Definity with Alize + turnaround time...

[Uncle Fester]

Am I the only one who finds himself telling these patients that the job will
take at LEAST 3 weeks? And perhaps up to 6??

I'm told each redo adds several days even though the the lab we deal with is an Essilor lab.

[Jubilee]

Don't get me started on this!

I have found that I get much better turn around from an independent, but VSP approved lab.

IF you want to stay in the Essilor network, you may be better served by one of their facilities that has the coating in house.

Or go directly to where they are all surfaced at.. Dallas..

[eromitlab]

ugh, I know! I think I might take Jubilee's advice though and start sending the VSP-Definity jobs directly to Omega rather than using my usual Essilor lab. It makes more sense to just cut off the middle man, especially when we're doing a lot of Definity lenses now.

The real problem is getting a definity pair through italee... I think it took at least a month for two pairs recently!:drop:

[Audiyoda]

I have zero problems getting a Definity with Alize from my ELOA lab for VSP work. Granted, my non-VSP lab gives me quicker turnaround, but my VSP-ELOA lab is only a few days behind and 10 working days at the max.

[LENNY]

I wish my patients would be happy with 10 working days!
So if you need to reorder a lens it will bring it to 1 month!:drop:

[Johns]

I wish my patients would be happy with 10 working days!
So if you need to reorder a lens it will bring it to 1 month!:drop:

Ah yes...just keep telling them what a great product it is.

Why are you selling products that take so long to get? It really doesn't reflect highly on your practice - regardless of how good you think the product is.

If I ordered a frame that was backordered for 10 days, I'd tell them to pick something else. Why put up with a guaranteed back order everytime you order this lens.?:hammer:

[Audiyoda]

I wish my patients would be happy with 10 working days!

My VSP patients are happy with 10 working days because I blame the VSP system. My private lab I get the same lens in about three days (I have them use their in-house AR which I find to be as good as Alize w/ClearGuard with a better residual color and same warranty - and it's cheaper by a few $).

[cocoisland58]

I haven't had any take three weeks but our vsp lab does have to order them from a third party so there is a delay. I tell the patient ahead of time it will be ten to fourteen working days and if they call in three days (like they always do) and have issues I refer them to vsp since it is after all their lab we are required to use.

[Chris Ryser]

I wish my patients would be happy with 10 working days!

How long would it take with a regular AR ??????????........then apply the slick coat yourself.

[Audiyoda]

How long would it take with a regular AR ??????????........then apply the slick coat yourself.

Counter productive with VSP - they don't pay you for in-office services save for tints.

[Uncle Fester]

Eromitlab- who is "italee"?

[Uncle Fester]

Our office has an account with VSP Columbus OH which we deal with usually for Hoya high index. It has an Alize machine in house I beleive. Should I start dealing with them again?

I always felt I was dealing with the devil with them but I love the Definity lens. However the Alize AR (which I also love) seems to produce a disproportionate amount of redo's at the lab level.

Do you think I will reduce my turnaround time by sending these jobs to them?

Hmmm now this begs the question is Definity with Alize purposely delayed so we use the VSP Ohio lab?

[Fezz]

Italee is a lab that use to specialize in doing rimless frames. I think they also distributed the Kawasaki line of rimless frames and a few others. My understanding is that they have broadened there horizons a bit and have become a little more bread and butter. Hopefully someone with more concrete info could chime in.

[Chris Ryser]

ITALEE OPTICAL



7031 LITTLE RIVER TPKE
ANNANDALE, VA
22003-5958
Phone: 703-354-4949

Industry Classification

optical goods stores
optical goods stores, nec




Line of Business

italee optical is a OPTICAL GOODS RETAIL specialist located in annandale,VA.

[Fezz]

I know many on Optiboard are devoted Essilor fans. But, I cant understand the devotion. With so many fantastic progressives out there, why put up with such delays? I would not stand for a consistent delay of this nature. It is uncalled for.

Don't your patients deserve better service?

[Chris Ryser]

Don't your patients deserve better service?

Right.................use independent labs thai can give equivalents of whatever name. With over 200 to choose from you do not have to support and depend on a brand that can not supply in time.

[Uni-Clip]

Am I the only one who finds himself telling these patients that the job will
take at LEAST 3 weeks? And perhaps up to 6??

I'm told each redo adds several days even though the the lab we deal with is an Essilor lab.

Try Interstate Optical (www.interstateoptical.com), very quick turnaround, Alize capable, and VSP approved.

Lak Cheong
www.freeformeyewear.com

[Jubilee]

I will give 2 thumbs up for Interstate Optical. I have had nothing but a positive experience with them. I get most product in less than 5 working days, with the lens combo you speaking of maybe 7...

Their AR.... ARxHP is also fantastic. They offer some great lens packages as well combining popular progressives with AR for a few $$ cheaper than ala carte..

Friendly service, and the LAB MANAGER (their Indy location) actually has called me to make sure they understood my requests as well.

Cassandra

PS.. You use VSP Ohio lab for Hoya? The 2-3 times I tried them for Hoya product it took forever......

[Andrew Weiss]

I was going to PM Uncle Fester, my old colleague in the Acton office, but I figure this information might be more generally useful:

First, as far as I know, all Definity lenses with Alize have to be made at Essilor's Texas facility. That means a delay no matter what.

Second, the Essilor labs I deal with can turn the job around in 2 weeks most of the time. Uncle Fester, the problem may be with that particular lab -- remember we had problems with them taking over 10 days to get Carat Advantange on a Zeiss lens?!?!? Maybe try Luzerne instead of VSP Columbus? I think Luzerne has Alize in house.

Third, and this is just in: a source I will not name but who has credibility with me tells me that Essilor has, in fact, reconfigured the Definity design. Anyone noticing any difference in patient satisfaction with the lens since Essilor bought it from J&J?

[hotsauce]

Yes! I've had several nonadapts over the past few months, especially hyperopes, all previously successful PAL wearers, with material and RX consistent (excepting for the regular annual changes). Changing to another lens has so far solved all my problems. Another one just came in today, so I'll have to check with the patient when he picks up.

[Whit]

I also use an essilor lab, and I rarely ever have job that takes more than 7 days with AR. I did however switch from another essilor owned lab which is actually closer to my office that was terrible as far as turn around on an AR coated job, no matter what the lens design. So, I think it does depend on the management at that particular facility. I also do use Italee sometimes for Kawasaki and Swissflex and they too have a very good turnaround...usually 5-7 days.

[LENNY]

People I dont understand what are you talking about!
If I have to pay Essilor prices I will use the lab that WILL get out the job with AR in 1 day. I would not be upset if takes them 2 days but.....5 days!??? NOPE. I am shure that I can find the lab that will do this job for me in 5 days for a half price!
BTW I CAN name the labs that I am talking about.

It all depends how the lab is managed. I think I will name the lab that is an Essilor lab with an amaizing management. Its Optogenics in upstate NY. They have 2 Zeiss ARs and a combination of any progressive with a standart Zeiss SET that is placed before 1 pm will be in my store the next day (90% of the time). Dont get me started on their pricing....

[Jubilee]

I was talking to some of the higher ups at Essilor about trun around time. When I had that conversation and I mentioned that I could get a Varilux or Definity lens with Alize or Alize w/ ClearGuard in less time than their own network, the first thing they asked was "how long?" I told them 5-7 days. The next question was "did that come with a certificate of authenticity?"

I was told that even going through their TOPS lab, it would be a 5 day turn around..(if all goes well)

Cassandra

[Andrew Weiss]

Yes! I've had several nonadapts over the past few months, especially hyperopes, all previously successful PAL wearers, with material and RX consistent (excepting for the regular annual changes). Changing to another lens has so far solved all my problems. Another one just came in today, so I'll have to check with the patient when he picks up.

I also had a Definity come in recently with an add that was supposed to be a 2.25, had a 2.25 laser mark, and read 1.75 on the lensometer. I never had these problems with J&J. Anyone else? And Pete, if you're monitoring this thread, do you have any insights?

[Den]

Happy to read all you queries about 5 days.
We have to wait at least one week (I mean 7 working days)- and that would be a fantastic case.
As usual it takes 2 weeks or even more to get the Zeiss, Hoya, Rodenstock, Seiko or Essilor PAL.
And the price for pair of lenses isn't so low, you know.
And we do have a few, as you call them, "independent" labs, but they don't provide any hydrophobic or antistatic AR or something else- just standard AR non-hi-end quality...
"Different people- different problems"...