Results 1 to 16 of 16

Thread: need help with Safilo

  1. #1
    OptiBoard Novice
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Virginia, USA
    Occupation
    Optical Retail
    Posts
    4

    need help with Safilo

    Hi everyone,

    I'm starting a Designer Sunglasses store and have several suppliers in mind. However, I'm looking to buy from the safilo group from the distributors. I have looked around without any luck. I couldn't really find a distributor application anywhere. I'm still relatively new to this business. If you could point me to the right direction, I would really appreciate it.

    I appreciate any help and information you could provide

    Thanks,

    Jack

  2. #2
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Down in a hole!
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    13,078
    Check with a member, Johns, he is a BIG Safilo Dude!

  3. #3
    OptiBoard Novice
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Virginia, USA
    Occupation
    Optical Retail
    Posts
    4
    Thanks Fezz. I'll PM him.

    Appreciate your help.

    -Jack

  4. #4
    Ophthalmic Optician
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    USSA
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    12,591
    Here you go!
    http://www.safilo.com/en/

    If you're really going to do designers, you'll need this as well:

    http://www.luxottica.com/en/

    These two companies should be able to provide you with every brand you could possibly need to open a first-rate designer optical boutique! You'll also find that they not only sell you the product, but will partner with you to help you along the way! From helping you to set up a strategic marketing plan, to product placement, they will be with you, every step of the way, to insure your success! They are unique in that they really put the account first!

    Good Luck!:cheers:
    Last edited by Johns; 10-07-2010 at 06:20 AM.
    Ophthalmic Optician, Society to Advance Opticianry

  5. #5
    Ophthalmic Optician
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    USSA
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    12,591
    Jack,

    You might also want to stop into a local optometrist and see if they can give you the name of their rep and his/her contact number. That way, you could cut through a lot of layer of the company, and go right to the source. From what I hear, the reps should be pretty eager to write a big order this time of year.
    Ophthalmic Optician, Society to Advance Opticianry

  6. #6
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Down in a hole!
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    13,078
    Where will your storefront be located? I know several "middle men" in Virginia that could meet you at your store to let you pick product. Are you in a strip mall, regular mall, or a medical building?

  7. #7
    OptiBoard Novice
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Virginia, USA
    Occupation
    Optical Retail
    Posts
    4
    Hi Fezz,

    It will be an online shop. I'm currently in the process of setting it up. However, I'm finalizing/confirming who I will be sourcing my products from at the moment before going further. If you have contact information for these "middle men", I would love to get in touch with them.

    Again I appreciate your help.

    Thanks,

    Jack

  8. #8
    What's up? drk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Ohio
    Occupation
    Optometrist
    Posts
    9,387
    This is so wrong.

  9. #9
    Ophthalmic Optician
    Join Date
    Sep 2001
    Location
    USSA
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    12,591
    Quote Originally Posted by drk View Post
    This is so wrong.
    It's really not as bad as it appears. Via PMs, I gave Jack a full disclosure as to the reason brother Fezz referred him to me.

    I laid out my true thoughts/feelings regarding Safilo/Lux, but also went on to concede that if he really does want to do this, it can't be done without dealing with these guys. Plus, I also think that the absolute best place to sell these products is online.

    I'm being serious in my posts, even to the point of saying that these companies would probably partner with him. Why not, they've partnered with one of the biggest resellers out there.

    I've edited my post however, and took out the part that said he's on his way to a successful career. IMO, trying to start an online designer sunglass store is akin to a 47 year old white guy deciding he wants to play in the NBA. The odds are stacked against him. Having said that, he wanted info, and I gave it to him.

    I hope he's wildly successful, and makes millions of dollars!:cheers:
    Ophthalmic Optician, Society to Advance Opticianry

  10. #10
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Down in a hole!
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    13,078
    Jack,

    Many people trust these high quality brands and expect a certain level of service that such brands deserve. The INTEGRITY of the brand and manufacturers must be maintained throughout all sales channels.

  11. #11
    What's up? drk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Ohio
    Occupation
    Optometrist
    Posts
    9,387
    I'm stupid, but not that stupid, Johns :)

    Fezz, your post is really good. I never understood that concept until you and Johns had developed it here.

    I started a thread awhile ago asking whether "branded" frame line manufacturers (oops...distributors) are willing to risk their brands (kill their golden goose, eating their seed corn, etc.) by NOT FIGHTING online retailing.

    What's your take on that? Why are they apparently satisfied to sell short?

  12. #12
    What's up? drk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Ohio
    Occupation
    Optometrist
    Posts
    9,387
    Quote Originally Posted by Johns View Post
    Plus, I also think that the absolute best place to sell these products is online.
    What's behind this thinking? Name brand is the only differentiator online? I would agree that could be true..."Z brand" frames are $50 less online than in a retailer's store". Being brand-heavy may set up a retailer for a fall.

    Of course, online is also about cheap anonymous crap, so there's that, too.



    Why not, they've partnered with one of the biggest resellers out there.
    What's a reseller? Lux retail? Frames direct?

  13. #13
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Down in a hole!
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    13,078
    Quote Originally Posted by drk View Post
    Fezz, your post is really good. I never understood that concept until you and Johns had developed it here.

    Thanks drk!

    The "Middle Man" concept does seem outrageous at first, but once you let it settle in for a while............it all makes perfect sense!

  14. #14
    What's up? drk's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Ohio
    Occupation
    Optometrist
    Posts
    9,387
    Well, unless you're being too subtle for me this morning (especially on this thread), I meant "brand" preservation at all levels of the supply chain.

    I was trying to give you a kudos, you *******!:)

  15. #15
    Master OptiBoarder
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
    Location
    Down in a hole!
    Occupation
    Dispensing Optician
    Posts
    13,078

    Subtle? Me?

    Doh!!!!!

    ;):cheers::cheers::cheers::bbg:

  16. #16
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter DragonLensmanWV's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    The Greatest Nation
    Occupation
    Optical Retail
    Posts
    7,645
    Quote Originally Posted by Fezz View Post
    Doh!!!!!

    ;):cheers::cheers::cheers::bbg:
    Those who know Fezz know he's a subtle as a gynecologist with a gas mask.:bbg::bbg::cheers:
    DragonlensmanWV N.A.O.L.
    "There is nothing patriotic about hating your government or pretending you can hate your government but love your country."

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. new safilo rep?
    By opti-refractonator in forum Canadian Discussion Forum
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 01-15-2008, 01:08 PM
  2. Safilo What Happened?
    By partyoptician in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 31
    Last Post: 07-18-2007, 11:53 AM
  3. Safilo
    By optirep in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 11-16-2006, 10:00 PM
  4. Safilo
    By Bradley in forum General Optics and Eyecare Discussion Forum
    Replies: 18
    Last Post: 10-06-2005, 09:10 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •