Special promotions fromvendors

**srw82752** · 05-01-2012, 07:33 PM

Hi friends,
What is the best promotion you were ever offered by a vendor to become a new account? There must have been a few really good ones out there.
Thanks from NY.

**hcjilson** · 05-02-2012, 04:36 AM

High quality products, reasonably priced and delivered on time!

**srw82752** · 05-02-2012, 08:09 AM

Originally Posted by hcjilson

High quality products, reasonably priced and delivered on time!

Hi HC,
That's what we want but that never motivates me to give the rep the appointment or see his line. Because every rep should say the things you identified. And if their lines don't deliver "High quality products, reasonably priced and delivered on time", then I don't want them anyway. I just want to know what motivated a person to look at a line that they really haven't heard of.

**Java99** · 05-02-2012, 11:09 AM

Half off on something I already wanted, a good ongoing discount and a line that was a good fit for my demographics.

**rcroutch** · 05-02-2012, 12:33 PM

PEZ gave me a free lunch box. I was mad when I found out it did not include the thermos. Needless to say I no longer cary the line.

**TLG** · 05-02-2012, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by srw82752

Hi friends,
What is the best promotion you were ever offered by a vendor to become a new account? There must have been a few really good ones out there.
Thanks from NY.

$100 Gift Card sent directly to my home (more than once). I woulda bought the line anyway :).

**Johns** · 05-04-2012, 10:27 PM

High quality frames at rock bottom pricing, with no free watches, television sets, mountain bikes, or B$.

Give me quality and pricing...keep the crap.

**shannon** · 05-07-2012, 10:01 PM

Sad to say, but the best offer I think I have had is a rep who calls well ahead of time, makes an appointment...and, get ready for this...shows up on time. I'll take that over freebies any day of the week. Nothing worse to me than an arrogant rep who walks in unannounced and fully expects to be taken right away regardless of how many patients are in the office. I love most of my reps, but there are those few that...well, just drive me crazy! I have to remind them that these patients that they want to be put in front of are what keep myself and them in business.

Now, if they want to give me a freebie on top of that or free lunch...well hey, who am I to complain???

**Chris Ryser** · 05-08-2012, 03:55 AM

[QUOTE]
Hi HC,
That's what we want but that never motivates me to give the rep the appointment or see his line. Because every rep should say the things you identified. And if their lines don't deliver "High quality products, reasonably priced and delivered on time", then I don't want them anyway. I just want to know what motivated a person to look at a line that they really haven't heard of.

[/QUOTE]

very simple answer...............................an open mind............which has been a missing quality with a lot among the optical retail community forever.

A new rep with a new line, might have the best thing in the world, but will get nowhere if the other side has a closed mind is all inaccessible.

**hcjilson** · 05-08-2012, 06:00 AM

Originally Posted by srw82752

Hi HC,
That's what we want but that never motivates me to give the rep the appointment or see his line. Because every rep should say the things you identified. And if their lines don't deliver "High quality products, reasonably priced and delivered on time", then I don't want them anyway. I just want to know what motivated a person to look at a line that they really haven't heard of.

My dad, a second generation optician who was very successful in this business, gave me some great advice when I was starting on my own. He said:"Always take the time to speak to sales representatives. Their time is just as valuable to them as yours is to you. I guarantee you that you will always learn something from a rep, you don't have to buy their products but you need to be respectful and courteous."

That advice served me well for 53 years and I pass it along in the hope it will be taken. Try it with the next rep who calls on you. It won't take long and see if you don't learn something from the rep. You don't even have to go through the whole bag. Just ask to see their 10 best selling frames or what ever product they're selling. Good luck!

**chip anderson** · 05-08-2012, 07:35 AM

If a company really wants to reward a business, the freebies should be something one can use in the business. Example, tools, jigs for assembling that new fancy *** spring temple, screws, etc. A business doesn't really need candy, whiskey (although I can remember when each lab and some reps would be around at Chrismas with a bottle) trips to the Carribean, etc. Even some used equipment (many labs and suppliers have this when the customer went broke and couldn't pay the bill). Ever wonder what happens to old Colmascopes, lensometers, etc?

Otherwise an exemption from minimum piece buy in's would be good for small or struggling establishments.

Chip

**Java99** · 05-08-2012, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by hcjilson

My dad, a second generation optician who was very successful in this business, gave me some great advice when I was starting on my own. He said:"Always take the time to speak to sales representatives. Their time is just as valuable to them as yours is to you. I guarantee you that you will always learn something from a rep, you don't have to buy their products but you need to be respectful and courteous."

That advice served me well for 53 years and I pass it along in the hope it will be taken. Try it with the next rep who calls on you. It won't take long and see if you don't learn something from the rep. You don't even have to go through the whole bag. Just ask to see their 10 best selling frames or what ever product they're selling. Good luck!

I was given this advice years ago and it has always served me well. Nice to see it passed on again!