Problems with Sola HDv, etc etc

**Geirskogul** · 08-31-2010, 10:43 PM

At the retail dispensary that I work, we tend to sell progressive lenses in this order, from base-best:

SolaVIP (only glass prog we offer, discontinued SolaXL)
SolaMax
Instinctive
Image (for our sunglasses, mainly)
SolaOne
Varilux designs (by request, only do 3 pairs or so a year)

((Note: we're a retail, so this is, sadly, our only selection. Don't judge me :shiner: )) :)

SolaMax is, by what seems like an order of magnitude, our most common selling lens, especially in Transistions this time of the year. Recently, there has been a big push from corporate to sell the new(ish) SolaHDv progressive lenses, as they are both supposedly hugely better, and hugely more profitable. We've had Zeiss reps down for presentations on freeform progressives, the benefits of Teflon (I prefer Crizal), etc etc. When we order the lenses, we have to supply the OC along with the seg measurement.

We've been selling HDv lenses for about a year now, but only at a rate of 10-20 pairs a month. I ran a remake report today and it shows that almost 35% of our HDv lenses sold are returned, half for doctor rechecks/remakes, and half for either another lens or an outright refund. We've spoken with patients who didn't return the lenses, and just about all of them seem really satisfied; the patients who return the HDvs, however, are some of the most dissatisfied progressive wearers that I've seen.

There is no trend in the five Opticians for the remakes, so I don't know if it's something we're all doing collectively, or if there's something wrong elsewhere. We all tend to use the same rule of "fit to their existing seg, or the center/bottom center of their pupil," which tend to work out to be the same either way. Some opticians fit closer to the bottom edge, some opticians (me) tend to at or closer to the center.

I would say half of our progressive orders are for patients 55+, with the other half being scattered through the lower ages (even some children!). About 65-70% of the remakes/refunds are for patients under 45 years of age

Any clues, or am I overlooking something very obvious?

**Craig** · 09-01-2010, 08:26 AM

I would bet the reason lies in the sales ability of the opticians; they are promising and not delivering for some reason! We do 100% free form and have almost no non adapts; it is very small and I would know as i do not get credit from my lab for any changes or problems. I buy them and throw them away if there is a mistake in the process.

i have never used the Sola lenses you are dispensing, but will tell you that poly will not create estatic patients in any lens when given a choice. The patient should be able to put on the glasses and be confident that they are seeing as well as possible. I cannot see what they see, but we try to make sure the distance is crisp and the near doable at 20/20 or better.

What material are you using and what is the upcharge?

Another way to look at it.

Great Post!!
Your analysis certainly shows you care and want to see progress in this area, most would just ignore and move on.

**Craig** · 09-01-2010, 08:28 AM

Are you in Lewiston NY? My bro lives on the Erie canal in N. Tonowanda.

**Geirskogul** · 09-01-2010, 06:42 PM

We don't like selling poly, even to people under the standard +/-4.00D of correction. Of course, 1.67 has just about the same Abbe Value as poly, which makes it no better, yet we sell a bit of that. I don't really understand it either.

**uncut** · 09-01-2010, 09:14 PM

Can you pinpoint remakes to myopia, hyperopia, high add, low add, or to previous brand worn?

**Wes** · 09-01-2010, 09:53 PM

Originally Posted by Geirskogul

(Prices muxed a bit for relative secrecy). We charge the same for a basic (no AR) pair of progressives for the SolaMax, Instinctive, and Image, about $XXX. The SolaOne and VIP are about $XXX. Poly progressives are XXX for the Max, Instinctive, Image, and XXX for the One and VIP. Transition CR39 progs cost the same as poly progs. The HDv lenses, which come with Teflon by default (normally another XXX on top of our base prices for anything), start at $XXX for the pair, but the prices differences to upgrade to Transitions, Poly, or 1.67 are much lower, on the order of XX for the upgrades instead of, what, $XX?

We don't like selling poly, even to people under the standard +/-4.00D of correction. Of course, 1.67 has just about the same Abbe Value as poly, which makes it no better, yet we sell a bit of that. I don't really understand it either.

Per optiboard posting guidelines, please refrain from posting prices.

Optiboard is a public discussion forum. We are composed of eyecare professionals and the consuming public. In this regard, it is inappropriate to publish wholesale prices, or other propriatary information which might compromise the relationship between professionals and consumers. If you have questions of this nature, or information to provide, please use the Private Message system to ask the question or to diseminate the information. Posts containing pricing information deemed inappropriate, will be removed.

**Geirskogul** · 09-01-2010, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by wss2020

Per optiboard posting guidelines, please refrain from posting prices.

Optiboard is a public discussion forum. We are composed of eyecare professionals and the consuming public. In this regard, it is inappropriate to publish wholesale prices, or other propriatary information which might compromise the relationship between professionals and consumers. If you have questions of this nature, or information to provide, please use the Private Message system to ask the question or to diseminate the information. Posts containing pricing information deemed inappropriate, will be removed.

That's also something I think you could have told me through PM

**Fezz** · 09-01-2010, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by Geirskogul

That's also something I think you could have told me through PM

I think it rather ironic that someone who starts a thread about spelling and grammar could not finish a sentence without a period!

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...884-Definitely

:hammer::hammer::hammer::hammer::hammer::hammer::hammer::ham mer::hammer::hammer:

**Geirskogul** · 09-01-2010, 10:24 PM

Originally Posted by Fezz

I think it rather ironic that someone who starts a thread about spelling and grammar could not finish a sentence without a period!

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...884-Definitely

:hammer::hammer::hammer::hammer::hammer::hammer::hammer::ham mer::hammer::hammer:

No, I started a thread about spelling in the "Just Conversation" section of the forum, for some goddamn conversation. Now, I'm over here, in the Progressive Lens section asking for help on progressive lenses. It seems like we're all big ****ing children though, doesn't it. **** this place.

**Fezz** · 09-01-2010, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Geirskogul

It seems like we're all big {Filthy word removed} children though, doesn't it.

I think a question mark is needed for this sentence, not a period.

**Wes** · 09-01-2010, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Geirskogul

That's also something I think you could have told me through PM

It didn't work last time.

**uncut** · 09-01-2010, 10:31 PM

Is that called "giving 'em the Giers", or is the wind whistling through the "fine-toothed comb", Fezz?

Reminds me of a _insert nationality___________ wedding invitation:

C T V Olga Mr .

**Wes** · 09-01-2010, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by Geirskogul

No, I started a thread about spelling in the "Just Conversation" section of the forum, for some ******* conversation. Now, I'm over here, in the Progressive Lens section asking for help on progressive lenses. It seems like we're all big ****ing children though, doesn't it. **** this place.

I'm sorry, but profanity is also against posting guidelines. I would pm you to let you know, but it seems obvious.

**Fezz** · 09-01-2010, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by wss2020

I'm sorry, but profanity is also against posting guidelines. I would pm you to let you know, but it seems obvious.

Definitely!

**uncut** · 09-01-2010, 10:45 PM

I got beaned by the moderator for using asterisks once, I'll never do that again!

**MikeAurelius** · 09-01-2010, 10:47 PM

Originally Posted by Geirskogul

No, I started a thread about spelling in the "Just Conversation" section of the forum, for some goddamn conversation. Now, I'm over here, in the Progressive Lens section asking for help on progressive lenses. It seems like we're all big ****ing children though, doesn't it. **** this place.

Karma is a *****, isn't she?

**Wes** · 09-02-2010, 08:45 AM

It can be. How bout we lay off Geirs, I definitely think s/he's had enough.
Btw, Geirs, or a moderator, please clean up this thread?

**AngeHamm** · 09-02-2010, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by Geirskogul

No, I started a thread about spelling in the "Just Conversation" section of the forum, for some goddamn conversation. Now, I'm over here, in the Progressive Lens section asking for help on progressive lenses. It seems like we're all big ****ing children though, doesn't it. **** this place.

Seconded. I have never seen such mean-spirited posting on a web forum in my life. Seriously, the comic book and gaming geeks I chat with have a decade of maturity on some of the clowns over here.

**Wes** · 09-02-2010, 10:05 AM

Mike and Mr Hamm, please edit the profanity out of the posts you quoted as well. It has no place on this forum. Thank you.

Perhaps a moderator can clean up this thread?

**MikeAurelius** · 09-02-2010, 11:21 AM

Editing doesn't make it go away or make it unsaid. I believe it should remain as a testament to the "character" of gierskogul.

I believe he owes all of us an apology.

**Wes** · 09-02-2010, 12:05 PM

Regardless of your feelings on the matter, by quoting it, you yourself are violating the posting guidelines. If you wish, leave the post with it XXXXd out as I did.
I believe no apology is necessary, as the proverbial pound of flesh, and then some, has been extracted. It's time to move on.

**MikeAurelius** · 09-02-2010, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by wss2020

Regardless of your feelings on the matter, by quoting it, you yourself are violating the posting guidelines. If you wish, leave the post with it XXXXd out as I did.
I believe no apology is necessary, as the proverbial pound of flesh, and then some, has been extracted. It's time to move on.

As are YOU, in your post #13 above.

**Wes** · 09-02-2010, 01:15 PM

Mike, if you go back and look at the post I quoted, I ******* out the profanity that the site didn't catch. Reread my post and then look at yours. Something about a deity's actions...
If Chip were still around he'd be scolding the poster for failing to capitalize God.

**MikeAurelius** · 09-02-2010, 01:57 PM

Mine shows asterisks as well. Are you seeing something that isn't there?

If you are referring to my Karma comment, I put asterisks in there myself, preferring not to use the b-word.

**kat** · 09-02-2010, 02:21 PM

To answer the original question, you might have a bit of buyers remorse, I know that sometimes people will talk and say that they have this "fantastic" new lens and it cost whatever amount and their friend will tell them they got the same thing for less. Hence the buyers remorse. We all know that as lay people, they are not comparing same product for same product, but they (the consumer) don't know it. You do seem to have a high return rate and great for you to catch it. Do you have the option of goiong to your bosses and asking them to alow you to try a better lens for your hi-end patients?? Good Luck to you! :cheers: