How does one get a vendor account with Kawasaki?

**kl_whitney** · 09-24-2008, 04:53 PM

Hi everyone,
First off, sorry if this is in the wrong place, still haven't fully figured out this site yet.
My boss would like me to find a source for Sarah Palin's frames (Kawasaki 704). I can't for the life of me find a website for the company.

So I'm trying to get answers here. I just want to know how to get a vendor account for our practice.
Is there an 800 number to call? Is there a URL that doesn't show up on online search engines? I've heard they're backordered by the company because they're so popular. True?
Thanks in advance!
-Katherine Whitney, optician

**tntborden** · 09-24-2008, 05:22 PM

Italee.com. And good luck with that. They don't open many.

Thomas

**Framebender** · 09-24-2008, 05:34 PM

was that they weren't very nice to deal with. So good luck with that!

:cheers:

**Dougfir8** · 09-25-2008, 07:38 PM

First, buy lots of motorcyles. Then they will like you!

**Ineed Chocolate** · 09-25-2008, 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by kl_whitney

Hi everyone,
First off, sorry if this is in the wrong place, still haven't fully figured out this site yet.
My boss would like me to find a source for Sarah Palin's frames (Kawasaki 704). I can't for the life of me find a website for the company.

So I'm trying to get answers here. I just want to know how to get a vendor account for our practice.
Is there an 800 number to call? Is there a URL that doesn't show up on online search engines? I've heard they're backordered by the company because they're so popular. True?
Thanks in advance!
-Katherine Whitney, optician

I would wait until after the election. If the Rep's win, then everyone and his brother will be making knock-off's of Palin's frame. If the Dems win, her frame will be forgotten. One thing is for sure, though. I worked for a company who had an account with Italee and we had NUMEROUS, LENGTHY customer service issues with them. Not only was their CS terrible, but their lab was VERY SLOW (for 2.5's), and their products were over-priced. Now that was a few years ago, so I don't know if they ever improved.

**nickrock** · 09-26-2008, 12:11 AM

Being in Oregon we're about as blue as you can get. My friend and former OD employer said that recently he has several patients a day ask for frame styles that do NOT make them look like Sarah Palin. He says they haven't sold a drilled rimless in weeks.:):):)

**kl_whitney** · 09-26-2008, 06:10 AM

Hi everyone,
Thanks for all the info.

I'll discuss waiting until after the election (as per the advice of "person who's name I can't remember even though I saw it two seconds ago #1) with my boss. And if she doesn't want to wait, I'll use the website that "person who's name I can't remember even though I saw it two seconds ago #2" reccommended. LOL my memory stinks! :hammer: But if they have awful customer service (which was stated numerous times in the thread), it may be easier to convince my boss to wait.
Thanks again,
Katherine Whitney, Optician

**KStraker** · 09-26-2008, 07:17 AM

Many companies are making fashionable 3 piece mounts these days. If you can match the lens shape, the mounts are easy to find. Try the new wide temple stuff from Lightec(6406L), by Morel-Cottet. The Lightec stuff is reasonable priced, very high quality, and have excellent CS.

-kevin

**LENNY** · 09-27-2008, 11:06 PM

I think Capri Optics in Brooklyn has simular mounting!

**lensmama** · 09-28-2008, 11:23 AM

We have an account with italee, but only carry swissflex. So far, the turnaround time from their lab has been good. Instead of kawasaki, we use the new Silhouettes with the plastic temples. They look great and we can use our regular lab.

**Lachrymator** · 10-01-2008, 04:22 PM

We still have an account with them, and they are very nice high end frames. My biggest complaints are their customer service, lab turnaround time, and the inconvenience of billing insurance (VSP) through them. With VSP, you have to get a post authorization and go thru an extra long process since it's not going through my VSP lab. I find that an inconvenience and that it cramps my style but their products are amazing. I certainly wouldn't recommend opening an account just b/c ppl like Sarah Palin, because I'm sure they are waaaay backordered and slower than ever in their lab.

**finefocus** · 10-01-2008, 05:16 PM

My experience (from a few years ago, haven't used them since) was that every warranty was negotiable. "Yes, this frame/lens/coating has a warranty, but it doesn't apply in this case because.....". Almost every time!