Business has been affect by the Economy?

**wongalfy** · 11-30-2007, 10:21 AM

We are a laboratory in California. We were growing 150% at the first half of this year; however, things slow down quite a bit. We are currently down about 50% from july now. How is business out there? Is the economy slowing us down?

**Mlindy** · 11-30-2007, 10:55 AM

I find business is off this year as it's been off the past couple of years.

**optical24/7** · 11-30-2007, 10:58 AM

Welcome to Optiboard wongalfy, now let me introduce you to Chris......

:D

:cheers:

**HarryChiling** · 11-30-2007, 11:22 AM

Our growth as slowed as well, I talked to a few opticals around me and one is having his strip mall redone so his numbers were projected to be low these next few months anyway, but the other is down as well. The economy isn't in the greatest condition, but there is still a need out there. We have been ramping up our advertising and it's helping, but people in general are hanging onto their dollars a bit tighter. We are focusing on provideing value, but if you read the latest in all the magazines you should be offering higher priced brands.

**ADO** · 11-30-2007, 12:53 PM

From our perspective our members continue to purchase at a higher amount then last year so I suspect they are selling more.

Jobe Sellers
ADO Buying Group

**Johns** · 11-30-2007, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by optical24/7

Welcome to Optiboard wongalfy, now let me introduce you to Chris......

:D

:cheers:

TTWROOMY!! (Took the word right out of my mouth)
:cheers::cheers::cheers:

**DragonLensmanWV** · 11-30-2007, 01:11 PM

We've only had two months this year that were below last year for the same month.

**Chris Ryser** · 12-01-2007, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by optical24/7

Welcome to Optiboard wongalfy, now let me introduce you to Chris......

Example:

Customer purchases $ 250.00 month for the past 10 years and pays prompt within 30 days.

Today he tell you that "business has drastically improved and is so much better"...........but he orders $ 125.00 a month and pays in 60 to 90 days,.............can you figure out the real picture ??????????????? without asking any further questions ?

**MarcE** · 12-02-2007, 05:36 PM

Originally Posted by DragonLensmanWV

We've only had two months this year that were below last year for the same month.

Every month this year was ahead of last years. November 07 was our biggest month ever.

I just talked to a real estate agent friend, and also the local bank president (separate conversations). I was shaking them down about some values on repo real estate since I hear all about the "housing crisis"! Not here they say, Busier than ever, no bargains to be had. Apparently it's a "crisis" because entities that have access to news outlets lost some money. Was it a crisis when GM layed off 10,000 and the other 2 the same? No, that was just "market forces".

Now I don't say all this to brag about our local economy or our great service (I'm pretty sure everyone else in our town is down this year, thanks to us). But just to point out that all the economy talk is very specific to the news states. If the housing market corrects in Cali or stocks are down 3%, it's a recession. Apparently Michigan has been in a recession since the auto industry started laying off (4 yrs?). On the flip side, TX, KS, OK, AR, WY, CO, are doing very well.

The East coast/West coast bias is not just a sports thing.

**MarcE** · 12-02-2007, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by wongalfy

We are a laboratory in California. We were growing 150% at the first half of this year; however, things slow down quite a bit. We are currently down about 50% from july now. How is business out there? Is the economy slowing us down?

THat could be do to salespeople pushing the products to try and now everyone who is going to try you, has tried you. Some will not stay with you. That's my cold-hearted guess.

Or it could be the "housing crisis". I hate it when those 1800 sf homes aren't "worth" $800K anymore.

**Johns** · 12-02-2007, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by Chris Ryser

Example:

Customer purchases $ 250.00 month for the past 10 years and pays prompt within 30 days.

Today he tell you that "business has drastically improved and is so much better"...........but he orders $ 125.00 a month and pays in 60 to 90 days,.............can you figure out the real picture ??????????????? without asking any further questions ?

Have you ever considered that he's slowly weaning his office off of your products? That would account for his drastically improved business, but a slowdown in yours.

Just a thought...

**chip anderson** · 12-02-2007, 08:30 PM

My spectacle business is down a little, my contact lens practice is practically non-existant. But my prosthetic eye business is overwhelming.
Is this a sign of something?

Chip

**Johns** · 12-02-2007, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by chip anderson

My spectacle business is down a little, my contact lens practice is practically non-existant. But my prosthetic eye business is overwhelming.
Is this a sign of something?

Chip

Maybe more people are poking their eyes out after they go online for contacts?
:D

**MarcE** · 12-02-2007, 09:51 PM

Originally Posted by chip anderson

My spectacle business is down a little, my contact lens practice is practically non-existant. But my prosthetic eye business is overwhelming.
Is this a sign of something?

Chip

Not enough poly being sold:D

**Chris Ryser** · 12-03-2007, 04:56 AM

Originally Posted by Johns

Have you ever considered that he's slowly weaning his office off of your products? That would account for his drastically improved business, but a slowdown in yours.
Just a thought...

It is just a thought.........I believe

People who have drastically improved businesses do not revert in paying their bills at a slower pace than they used to. Anybody making more money wants to get rid of payables as fast as possible, and when business is good also the cash flow is good.

When businesses slow down, the cash flow goes along with it and the payables have to wait until the cash has come in.

Actually consumables in the optical trade usually make an upturn when general business slowdown occurs, because many retailers realize that if they do certain operations themselves instead of farming them out, they save on cost and make extra money by doing some jobs themselves.

:cheers:

**Fezz** · 12-03-2007, 06:43 AM

Originally Posted by MarcE

Not enough poly being sold:D

.....or Trivex! ;)

**HarryChiling** · 12-03-2007, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by chip anderson

My spectacle business is down a little, my contact lens practice is practically non-existant. But my prosthetic eye business is overwhelming.
Is this a sign of something?

Chip

Told you a while ago if you gave me and Fezz a break down of your prosthetic making process we will sling shoot some eyes out. We held our end fo the bargain now it's your turn.:D

**crosseyedwildcat** · 12-03-2007, 05:07 PM

I'm seeing an increase in premium product with a decrease in commodity-doesn't make sense to me.

**chrome surfer** · 12-05-2007, 01:55 PM

I'm seeing an increase in premium product with a decrease in commodity-

Same thing here in in our practice in Colorado Springs. Are you all doing additional promotions, fliers, recalls, letters anything to bring in business? Cutting staff hours?