Recall stats, how are your shops holding up?

[RetroRat]

We've seen a massive downturn in our % of 'successful' recalls (actually seeing our patients again)

Since July, we've sent out approx. 700 letters and have seen approx 100 come back, when generally we are used to 35%-45% returning

Granted, it's a fairly giant clinic, but how are we all finding this month/quarter/year?

Also, any idea as to incentives to promote a successful recall - what's worked, what hasn't?

General recall discussion go!

[Chris Ryser]

We've seen a massive downturn in our % of 'successful' recalls (actually seeing our patients again)

Interesting..................recall letters are directed at present and former customers that have purchased from you previously once or more times.
If the percentage from previous years is down that much there is something seriously wrong. Your area might have started to be hit by what all the markets are talking a new recession as one reason, or and maybe and you are facing serious competition from the on-line opticals.

There is not much you can do if people can not afford it and have no cash, but you could figure out to cash in somehow from the ones that have and are purchasing cheap from the on line stores, by charging for services for measurements and adjustments of those products purchased elsewhere.

[L.A.B.]

We noticed the same thing a couple of years ago( we pre-appoint annuals), We hired a company that links into our scheduler and makes our appointment reminder calls. They call "pre-appointed" annual exams 3 weeks out and we send a reminder card 4 weeks prior. people who have potentially moved and double book those time slots. Also, it has provoked people to move or cancel their appointments far enough in advance that we can schedule someone else into that slot!