Inexpensive Frame lines

[UtahOD]

All of us have niches - some lower, some higher end. My practice deals mainly in high quality frames, but I have found that it is nice to have a low end line for Medicaid, etc.

I currently use some Vision Trust, some Modern which are both great low end lines. What other ones have you dealt with that seem to be good quality and a great price? By low end, we are talking our cost below $20. I know that Silver Dollar has great frames, but they are also just above the $20 mark.

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[ziggy]

Welcome to the Opti-board!! Doc, we use a line called Ce-Tru. Price point @ $2.95ea. Great frames at a great price. You have to buy a min.of 100 frames at a time. But they have around 30 styles. There web address is www.ce-tru.com or give then a call at 1-800-5175. Most all of the frames have spring hinges. They also have lenes and cases. Happy hunting. Paul

[PAkev]

Hi Doc!

Most Frame Reps actively exhibit their cash cow frames with a higher price point. They seldom mention closeout or discontinued frames but many reps will inform you what they have if you ask. If you purchase higher end frames from these reps, they will also hook you up with some closeouts at a lower price as a favor.

Also there are companies which will fax you a list along with prices of their closeout frames upon your request. Two companies that come to mind are Hart Specialties / NY Eye and Kenmark. Many of these frames are still good sellers and have a very low price point to offer as promo eyewear.

However, if you do purchase closeouts or discontinued frames, it is usually best to purchase at least a half dozen of each style and size so that you have a few back ups.

Kevin

[Ryan]

I agree with Ziggy. The Ce-Tru frame are great for only $2.95. check them out, good quality for the price.

[pedseye]

Love Modern Optical myself. They don't always hold you to the minimum order if you need to spontaneously order a frame here or there if you do good business with them. They have a good warranty too. I love hearing from fellow optician's though, because I had never heard of Ce-tru frames and I went to the web site and they look great! Thanks guys! P.S. had bad luck with Hart and Silver Dollar in the past.

[Jim Seebach]

Hi Doc;

Does A & A come out that far. They have a line of both plastic and metal that you can get real cheap if you have a good rep. It is called the New Globe collection. Plastics for #.95 and Metals with spring hinges for 9.95. Yoy can get a much better price from the rep. You also get a one year warranty Jim Seebach

[LENNY]

Capri Optics in Brooklyn NY (They just bought Welling)has a nice selection from $2-$15
Check them out

[Carol D]

I agree with Jim Seebach. When I used to do medicaid, I generaally used A&A for my supplier. The New Globe collection had a pretty good variety and the company was easy to work with.

Carol D

[UtahOD]

I ordered 102 Ce-Tru's in November and have had OK success with them. They are great for Medicaid, since I get very little reimbursement here ($27). They are definitely not the most desireable, however. I love the styling and feel of Modern (their Best B-Eyes I and II in metal and plastics) much more. If you work with your phone rep, they WILL give you the extreme volume discount. I got it for my first order. It equals between $2.99 and $5.99 for zyls and $4.99 and $6.99 for metals. Their Modern Times are a little more, but come with a 2 year warranty. They like to market their Modz collections, but I see little difference between the Best B-Eyes and the Modz. Go with the BB's, mark them up to $70-90 and give a 2 year warranty anyway. Replace it 3 times on your own and you still get a 2.5X markup.

Hope that helps.

[harry888]

Check out Ben-glo by Continental optical imports. The "exclusive" line has excellent metal frames I use over and over, so now have a good supply of parts.

I try to avoid closeouts because of part availability. People in the cheap frames don't seem to mind that half the town has the same frame.

Harry