Safilo going online?

[APBOD]

Smith Optics, a Safilo frame line, has recently launched their website where they are now selling their frames AND lenses online. While Smith had been independent and has been purchased by Safilo, it wasn't until after the Safilo purchase that they have decided to sell online. It doesn't look good for Safilo.

Will the rest of Safilo's lines follow suit?

I don't know, but I have let my Safilo rep, and the Safilo regional manager know I am no longer interested purchasing more Smith product.

[merrymaker]

while I don't have any specific knowledge to this, i do recall that when Safilo bought Smith Optics that there was always the intent to keep it a 'separate' company from Safilo. Apparently that means selling the product online directly. Was that not a possibility with Smith's previous distributor?

With Safilo losing the Gucci manufacturing license, I wouldn't be surprised to see Safilo make changes to their collections in order to compete with Lux and Marchon, both of which offer online purchasing.
I've already seen Kate Spade eyewear listed on a Lux owned frame website.

[Craig]

I just went to the site and they are not selling to the public in RX; they send you back to a dealer. Everyone sells plano on-line; who are you going to carry?

[Chris Ryser]

To get the real news you have to go on their corporate website at:

http://safilogroup.com/en

[mervinek]

We got burnt by Smith. Our Dr decided we had to have them in ASAP...so we ordered a whole bunch...turned out it was just before they did the switch to Safilo. Called the rep the day we got our inventory because we were missing part of a display and found out he wasn't the rep anymore. (I'm sure he knew there was going to be a switch, but he got his commission and was happy....Came in one month later and tried to sell us another line of frames!) Long story short, everything we ordered had pretty much been discontinued and was not being carried by Safilo. It was a nightmare trying to return the stuff we had for less than one month. Didn't have great sales. Returned everything and exchanged it for Safilo product that sells well. Just had a warranty issue the other day for a frame that was discontinued. Lucked out and Safilo had the part. Hope I don't have anymore....like I said bad experience with Smith....I think I'll stick to their skis and skip the frames!

[Uilleann]

Safilo is now an unmitigated dumpster fire.

Smith is becoming the same sort of soulless empty husk that became Rēvo.

Sucks too, as we *used* to do a very brisk business in their winter ski Rx optics. Well, here's to the next company that can innovate...until they get bought out and sold up the river.

[Tallboy]

But but but I love elasta emozioni banana republic and carrera.

[mervinek]

We do really well with Kate Spade and Liz Claiborne. Also the older men like the Elasta's, but lately with the back orders I have had to substitute. What is going on with them??? I have a frame on order for someone that is backordered until October. Are they trying to sabotage their own company?

[APBOD]

http://www.smithoptics.com/us/Root/M...2/prescription

Craig, here's a Durant, Matte Brown, SV Trivex, with free AR for $329.00

[becc971]

But but but I love elasta emozioni banana republic and carrera.

I'm finding that my Carrera stock is breaking more easily and having more chipped paint recently, anyone else?

[mervinek]

http://www.smithoptics.com/us/Root/M...2/prescription

Craig, here's a Durant, Matte Brown, SV Trivex, with free AR for $329.00

Not cool...

[Uilleann]

Funny - they offer "Free" A/R...but the "upgrade" to "digital" will cost you an extra Benjamin!!

[Chris Ryser]

Here is another one :

http://www.calibex.com/safilo-frames...672766EB99DDB1

very high Alexa traffic rating of Global 23,503 and USA 6,822

[kat]

I took them on for the "free" display cases (they are very nice and paintable). Whatever stock I have left, once it's sold it's sold.

[mervinek]

I took them on for the "free" display cases (they are very nice and paintable). Whatever stock I have left, once it's sold it's sold.

Not sure if it was the same "free" display cases that we got, but they came missing parts (Like the door) and I had a heck of a time getting the parts I needed.

[Cat-Eyes]

I'm finding that my Carrera stock is breaking more easily and having more chipped paint recently, anyone else?

ugh mine too