Got the new Davis Tower Frames

[KM]

I see Cover Girl has joined Marcolin's offerings on the Tower.

Does Marcolin seriously expect us to continue carrying their product on our boards while they compete with us
in OUR OWN OFFICE .

This relationship between Davis and Marcolin isn't going away anytime soon.

These are from the press release at the time of the Viva purchase:

STATEMENTS TO THE PRESS FROM HIGHMARK CEO DAVID HOLMBERG:


….. The purchase agreement, which includes a supplier agreement giving Highmark’s
retail stores a broader selection of frames, will allow Highmark to “redeploy” money
on retail expansion and Highmark Vision Units, “where we can get a higher return on investment,” Mr. Holmberg said. 10-24-13 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



“We are very excited about the possibilities that this acquisition will bring to Viva’s
customers and we look forward to developing a strong, strategic business relationship with Marcolin” David Holmberg President and C.E.O. HVHC (Highmark Vision)

10-24-13 PRNewswire


So ……
Do I want to carry a frame supplier who has a “strategic business relationship” with a chain store competitor ? Especially when they are enabling them to “redeploy” money on their retail expansion ? (Highmark previously announced that eventually, Visionworks will have a retail presence in 46 or 47 states opening 70-90 more in 2014 and beyond.)


uhmmmm...... I don't think so.

[Johns]

If they really want to be trendy with their marketing, they should design their displays in this shape:

L

....then, they should have large "L" tatoos that the provider can plaster on their forehead, so there is no misleading of the consumer as to what type of product they are getting. Cynical? Sorry...

[Jason H]

They could be tatoos in gold, blue and red.......

[Johns]

KM,

You make very good points that many ECPS, but specifically independents often overlook. The purchasing and third party relationships you make and foster now, will have a major impact on your business in the years to come.

[David_Garza]

You're choosing to carry Davis and yet you complain about their products????

[KM]

Dr. G My dismay is in seeing Marcolin ,which we dealt with for many years, become a noticable supplier to the
Highmark/Davis Company ( Davis Tower and the Visionworks retail stores) . Their supplier agreement with Highmark
was part of the Viva purchase. There is a re-imbursement difference if the Davis patient picks a tower supplied frame
vs our board frames . This is what I mean by in office frame sales competition. Not to mention the sales "lost" to their presence in Visionworks.

I understand that business is business. I just don't want to feed our competitor

[Golfnorth]

I understand that business is business. I just don't want to feed our competitor[/QUOTE]

So I take it from that statement that you do not carry Luxottica frames?

Regards,
Golfnorth

[KM]

That is correct. No Luxottica frames here.

[Golfnorth]

That is correct. No Luxottica frames here.

It just makes sense!

[David_Garza]

That is correct. No Luxottica frames here.

So drop Marcolin then too, for the same reasons, and better yet dump Davis while you are at it.

[Johns]

There are only a few ways that you can highlight your optical:

1. The products you carry
2. Your staff
3. The environment (location, decor, etc..)

You shouldn't compromise on any of these, but if you do, which will you choose?

Why?