Dispensing glasses

**Joe peshi** · 02-03-2014, 07:33 AM

I had a disagreement with 1 optician in my shop the other day. Customer comes in and purchases progressives.she lives quite a distance away so asks if her friend can pick them up. The optician says yes thats fine she will just have to come back if they need adjusting.When the friend comes back to pick them up he simply puts them in a case and sets them on the counter for her to pick up. After she leaves I have the discussion with him about this and he replies Ï didnt dispense the glasses "they were in a case she took them " he says this is legal I say it isn't glasses must be dispensed to the person with the Rx. We generally leave the markings on the lenses to ensure they are sitting proper etc. then clean them up and fit properly to the patient none of this was done just cleans the markings off and let them go. I tried to explain this is condoning on-line purchases but it falls on deaf ears.Who's right?

**optimensch** · 02-03-2014, 08:00 AM

You are both right.
Obviously if the person picks them up and gets them final-fitted and optimized that would be the better scenario. But she did get measured and fitted when the purchase was made....so it is quite a different situation from an on-line purchase....
As you said, the client lives quite a distance away - this is her decision and the glasses could be pre-fitted as best as possible given that it was known she wasn't going to return to collect them....
I call it a draw.

**idispense** · 02-03-2014, 08:20 AM

Which wall would you like to butt your head against first ?

**Robert Martellaro** · 02-03-2014, 10:22 AM

Let's say that you measured the fitting height at 18mm but you wrote down 23. You wouldn't let that leave your shop, would you? The only way to know that you've haven't made a mistake, an error in judgement or typo, is to inspect the final product in situ.

**optimensch** · 02-03-2014, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by Robert Martellaro

Let's say that you measured the fitting height at 18mm but you wrote down 23. You wouldn't let that leave your shop, would you? The only way to know that you've haven't made a mistake, an error in judgement or typo, is to inspect the final product in situ.

That is true. HOWEVER if your client prefers not having to return to collect the glasses for a valid reason - hopefully you are able to triple check everything and make sure you've covered all the bases. It seems reasonable that a professional optician and a consenting client who is asking for an accommodation can sort this out as per clients request. To be all caught up in a "potential this" or "potential that" and not make this accommodation, would be silly, imo. A reasonable decision by a licensed professional and an informed client - has to be greenlit.

For heaven's sake people are buying glasses on the web sight-unseen with no professional consultation and the ERs are not being filled with casualties because of this. Making things more convivial for clients has to be a priority.

**Robert Martellaro** · 02-03-2014, 12:35 PM

Originally Posted by optimensch

It seems reasonable that a professional optician and a consenting client who is asking for an accommodation can sort this out as per clients request.

It is, and I've done it for clients with health issues. But for convenience only? I give that kind of work to someone else.

**optimensch** · 02-03-2014, 12:57 PM

Thats what makes a market! Its all good....

**Robert Martellaro** · 02-03-2014, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by optimensch

Thats what makes a market! Its all good....

**idispense** · 02-16-2014, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by Robert Martellaro

Let's say that you measured the fitting height at 18mm but you wrote down 23. You wouldn't let that leave your shop, would you? The only way to know that you've haven't made a mistake, an error in judgement or typo, is to inspect the final product in situ.

TO this may I add that the final RX portion of the product needs to be checked from the original Dr's Rx, not from what is written on your order form, just in case a typo or transformation error started in what you wrote down. Always begin the process from the original Rx with no other paper work in front of you.

**optimensch** · 02-16-2014, 08:53 AM

Shouldn't this be done BEFORE the client is told to come and pickup the glasses?

**idispense** · 02-16-2014, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by optimensch

Shouldn't this be done BEFORE the client is told to come and pickup the glasses?

I would agree with you, but it depends on the authority you listen to. A previous BC Politician suggested that resulting problems would be symptomatic and the patient would seek professional consultation.

**optimensch** · 02-16-2014, 09:14 AM

A BC politician? Worried about symptoms and problems with dispensing eyeglasses? Really? Isn't that like Kim Jong Un claiming to be worried about his Nobel Peace Prize nomination?

**idispense** · 02-16-2014, 12:25 PM

Originally Posted by optimensch

A BC politician? Worried about symptoms and problems with dispensing eyeglasses? Really? Isn't that like Kim Jong Un claiming to be worried about his Nobel Peace Prize nomination?

Yes the politician saw no risk of harm in deregulating ECPs in favor of internet dispensing based on the conclusion/assumption that those with symptoms would seek professional consultation in the presence of symptoms.

**optimensch** · 02-16-2014, 02:14 PM

"Yes the politician saw no risk of harm in deregulating ECPs in favor of internet dispensing based on the conclusion/assumption that those with symptoms would seek professional consultation in the presence of symptoms."

Its funny, the thread started (I believe) about the concept of shipping completed glasses to a customer who preferred not returning to get them when ready. The client is seen by a professional, frame and lens selection made, measurements taken etc.. and everything pre-fitted as well as possible. Glasses shipped by courier. My point is this is so far ahead of a pure online experience and still involves a pro. It gets denigrated as unprofessional however in light of what is going on with online it is so important for us to make things as convenient as possible for our remaining customers!
In Quebec they are TIGHTENING regulations for opticians and optometrists, resulting in INCREASED costs and hassles, while so many people are running online and spending all this money out-of-province and choking the local professionals who own shops. It is INSANE. Much of what the Quebec government does qualifies as insane, so I guess it is par for the course....

**Chris Ryser** · 02-18-2014, 06:35 AM

The final adjustment at point of delivery is the last point of difference between an opticians and online sale................and if not done, pricing will be visibly the only one left.

Figure out longterm result by yourselves.........................................

**coupe** · 02-18-2014, 10:06 AM

IMO the client that picks up the eyeglasses VS the client that they are mailed to, will both suffer in the long run. I dare someone to tell me that each and every client, they have fitted face to face, is better off than the one that the eyeglasses were pre-balanced and shipped. My reason for saying this, is that in both case there is a high likelyhood that neither client will return for regular adjustments and tune ups over the next 3 years. The only time you will most likely see that client, is if something breaks or that have a serious pain on their nose or ears. I would also bet that, in the general public, 80% of all glasses worn are mis-adjusted ( after being used for a certain time ) and the clients wear them very happily. Adjustment is important, but it is simialr to your personal apperance. Some people are more acutally aware, and take great pride in dressing sharp, looking presentable and being clean. Others look like they just left work in a factory, go to funerals and baptisms in T-shirts and never seem to care. How many of EPC are disgusted with even having to hold or work on some clients eyeglasses, because they are so filthy and cruddy. To use adjustments as the soul reason for having to see the client face to face is BS. As mentioned above the test pair I purchased online, were straight, confortable and very wearable , when they arrived. Probably in better condition than most eyeglasses worn by your clients after a year of use.

**Bill West** · 02-23-2014, 12:30 AM

Originally Posted by Joe peshi

I had a disagreement with 1 optician in my shop the other day. Customer comes in and purchases progressives.she lives quite a distance away so asks if her friend can pick them up. The optician says yes thats fine she will just have to come back if they need adjusting.When the friend comes back to pick them up he simply puts them in a case and sets them on the counter for her to pick up. After she leaves I have the discussion with him about this and he replies Ï didnt dispense the glasses "they were in a case she took them " he says this is legal I say it isn't glasses must be dispensed to the person with the Rx. We generally leave the markings on the lenses to ensure they are sitting proper etc. then clean them up and fit properly to the patient none of this was done just cleans the markings off and let them go. I tried to explain this is condoning on-line purchases but it falls on deaf ears.Who's right?

PETTY,PETTY nit picking.