Do you charge for nosepads?

**emile18** · 06-28-2009, 02:41 AM

I totally agree with Jo and John. We never charge for any adjustments, nosepads, cloths, or lens cleaners. We only charge for cases. But we most definitely get referrals up the ying yang and those customers come back to us and get exams and buy a complete pair from us. They are so grateful. It's just all great karma. =)

**obxeyeguy** · 06-28-2009, 04:29 PM

No one in todays marketplace expects something for nothing.

Seriously?? You are in this country, no?

**bob_f_aboc** · 06-28-2009, 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by emile18

I totally agree with Jo and John. We never charge for any adjustments, nosepads, cloths, or lens cleaners. We only charge for cases. But we most definitely get referrals up the ying yang and those customers come back to us and get exams and buy a complete pair from us. They are so grateful. It's just all great karma. =)

Its amazing how tough some of those nosepads can be to change

. Sometimes when I am changing nosepads for free, the patient has to wait in the dispensary for 10-15 minutes looking at all the frames I have on display :D. Sometimes the girls behind the desk will even comment on how good a frame would look on them :bbg:.

Its absolutely terrible to subject these poor folks to that and then charge them for it. I would rather charge them for the new glasses they fell in love with and give the nosepads away ;).

**Johns** · 06-28-2009, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by bob_f_aboc

Its absolutely terrible to subject these poor folks to that and then charge them for it. I would rather charge them for the new glasses they fell in love with and give the nosepads away ;).

You're a torturous SOB, aren't you?

**KStraker** · 06-29-2009, 08:28 AM

We don't usually charge for pads. Every once in a while I'll charge a buck or two to help cover the cost of the bag of pads. I will not however, clean off green fumunda cheese from the posts or dig it out of the eyewire for free. If you consider green fur as an accent for your frames, then by all means you can keep it. If someone suggests that I clean off the green stuff and they are not one our patients, I tell them to get an old tooth brush and have at it.

au · 06-29-2009, 10:14 AM

In my shop, I have a box for Orbis, usually I do not charge for nose pads,

temple tip. In my experience, not regular customers after adjusting their

frame, they will ask "how much is it ?" I tell them it is for free, however if

you can do something for the Orbis organization, everyone will be very

pleased ! It can build up the shops image, show your professional and

generous and also can help those organization !

:cheers:

**Bill West** · 06-29-2009, 10:31 AM

Would all you folk who give nosepads away please send me two or three pair. I'm running low selling them for $4.00 when I choose.:cheers:

**braheem24** · 06-29-2009, 10:38 AM

Originally Posted by Bill West

Would all you folk who give nosepads away please send me two or three pair. I'm running low selling them for $4.00 when I choose.:cheers:

If you're willing to spend $500 2/3rds of the time I give you a nosepad, I'll PM you my hilco account number.

**gmanlook** · 07-14-2009, 02:45 PM

We do not charge our current customers...but especially the ones that come in and you have to scrape crud off of them just to find the screw, we charge $10 to be donated to our charity of the month. We play every situation by ear as sometimes it's better to give a free pair of nosepads to walk into a sale. Gary

**Ms Hyperope** · 07-15-2009, 06:25 PM

We've discussed this many times within my office. We have skus and pricing readily available for the replacement of nosepads, screws, and temples. The standard price for these items is $5 each. Have I ever seen it be standard operating procedure to use those skus and assess the charge? Nope. Never seen it happen across the many stores I've been to in my chain. I think nosepad replacements are part of offering a properly maintained product. However, I also know that most customers that come in for these types of replacements are prepared to pay for any service rendered to their eyewear. They always ask if there is a charge, and 99% of the time, I politely answer that it isn't necessary and happily hand them their refurbished eyewear. They leave the store happy, and bring their familes back. The handful of times I -have- charged for items such as nosepads, screws, or replacement temples, it has been directly correlative to the customer's attitude... :D

This catches on. I bought a truck from a dealership that offers free oil changes for the life of the vehicle, a courtesy car wash with each visit, and free replacement tires. What's a nomial cost to them in the face of financing thousands? Or in our case, what's a pair of nosepads when they'll return next year to buy with their family and friends. Sometimes loyalty is more compensatory in the long run.

**opticianbart** · 07-28-2009, 07:56 AM

we charge $5 for nosepads about 70 % of the time....mainly because about 70% of our customers have medicaid - which barely pays for the glasses. People who decide to spend the money for the better frames we will do it for free some of the time. It really depends on the situation -for example if someone is going to get a new pair we don't usually charge for the nosepads on the old pair.

but after having delt with medicaid the other insurances don't seem so bad.:shiner:

**Barry Santini** · 07-28-2009, 09:06 AM

I've found that charging for:

adjustments
minor repairs (sometimes major too)
screws (even in street vendor rimless suns and OTCs)
Cases
Nose pads and temple covers
etc.

has far to much potential "political downside
and...
has a far greater potential political upside.

I think this is so in optical because so much about eyewear is, at its root, a negative for John Q.

So *any* perceived negative in piled into the already bulging bag of negativity

And *any* positive shines (disporportionately, perhaps?) like a beacon of light in the dark.

So much for my opinion...

Right, Chris?

Barry

**regional_manager** · 07-30-2009, 10:20 AM

The bottom line is CUSTOMER SERVICE. Whether you are changing pads for an existing customer or a potential new client, free pads is the standard.

**Mr.Goggle** · 07-30-2009, 10:47 AM

I worked at a place that starting charging for nose pads. It lasted about a month. We would say "When you buy a new car, and you wear out the tires, you don't expect the dealer to give you free tires!" But there are 2 problems, one, the place down the street is not charging for them. And two, it is a certain argument every time. Its not worth it, and to put your employees through that is a hardship for them. They have enough crap to deal with.

**Barry Santini** · 07-30-2009, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Mr.Goggle

I worked at a place that starting charging for nose pads. It lasted about a month. We would say "When you buy a new car, and you wear out the tires, you don't expect the dealer to give you free tires!" But there are 2 problems, one, the place down the street is not charging for them. And two, it is a certain argument every time. Its not worth it, and to put your employees through that is a hardship for them. They have enough crap to deal with.

Again, it's easy:

People want cars.
They don't want *glasses*.

See? Their negative attitude colors everything about how they think about eyewear.

Barry

**conor** · 07-30-2009, 11:20 AM

I charge for everything including simple adjustments . Only a very small
% of consumers complain . What other business does something for nothing ?
Time to get real folks .

**regional_manager** · 07-30-2009, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by conor

I charge for everything including simple adjustments . Only a very small
% of consumers complain . What other business does something for nothing ?
Time to get real folks .

Sounds like a good way to lose customers.

**conor** · 07-30-2009, 11:34 AM

They are not customers if they aren't spending money .

**regional_manager** · 07-30-2009, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by conor

They are not customers if they aren't spending money .

I guess. I just know that if asked someone to pay for nosepads they would most likley ask for their records and go to the next shopping center to get their free nosepads.

**conor** · 07-30-2009, 11:40 AM

Cheapskates , good riddance !:D

**regional_manager** · 07-30-2009, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by conor

Cheapskates , good riddance !:D

Your customers may be saying the same of you for charging for nosepads.

**conor** · 07-30-2009, 11:59 AM

Yes , if they are cheapskates they may think like that .

**Happylady** · 07-30-2009, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by conor

I charge for everything including simple adjustments . Only a very small
% of consumers complain . What other business does something for nothing ?
Time to get real folks .

Maybe it's done differently in Ireland.

**conor** · 07-30-2009, 12:51 PM

Fair point Happylady !

**obxeyeguy** · 07-30-2009, 01:55 PM

Originally Posted by Happylady

Maybe it's done differently in Ireland.

Originally Posted by conor

Fair point Happylady !

Yeah, opticians there don't give things away for free, like they do here as if its the norm.:hammer:

First a pair of pads, then a free adjustment because the optician at the "big box" doesn't do it right. A free cleaner or microfibre here and there, heck, next thing you know people will actually WANT glasses just because of all that free service. Yeah, right.