I'm planning on dropping both Marchon and Viva. I guess me rational is 'why should I support companies owned by "insurance" or discount plans?"
I do not carry any Luxo products what so ever.
What are your thought?
I'm planning on dropping both Marchon and Viva. I guess me rational is 'why should I support companies owned by "insurance" or discount plans?"
I do not carry any Luxo products what so ever.
What are your thought?
dont cut your nose to spite your face
we are selling down our marchon. no lux or viva. no loss,plenty of great lines out there with out needing the big dog's.
My thoughts? They don't care.
It is my belief that you (and I..and Fezz...and OBX...and...) are such a minority, that they don't even notice when you don't buy from them.
Case in point: Before Marchon became VSP, we did around ($ a lot $) per month with Marchon, on just their Nike product. I dropped them the day they became VSP. The rep was a friend of mine, and she called me before I called her, as she knew I wouldn't deal w/them once the deal went through. From that day on, the only correspondence I've had with the company is when the reps change, and I get the form letter stating how excited they are to introduce me to their latest rep. Most times, I don't hear from that rep, which is really Ok, as I like to keep things positive, and having to say "no" over and over is not positive for either me, nor the rep.
So really, I don't think they care. I do...it makes me feel better about myself and my business, but I don't think you/we even register on their meter.
(If you go over to the professional forum, I'll tell you a funny story!)
Ophthalmic Optician, Society to Advance Opticianry
I agree on not supporting those big guys that are insurance based. Too bad that none of the frame manufacturers care as much as we do for our business.
My attitude towards Lux has changed though.
I now see the big on-line opticals as my biggest "thorn".
Lux will protect their product by keeping it off line to protect lenscrafters. This will protect somewhat any brick and mortar.
Other companies without retail brick and mortar will be tempted to sell to on-line when times get tough.
Not popular, but my opinion anyway.
Harry
Harry,
I was looking for the "tongue in cheek" avatar at the end of your post, but didn't see it. I read your post twice, and have come to the conclusion that you are serious.
Which products does Lux NOT sell online? The only one I can think of is Oliver Peoples.
In the past, I would never post a link to one of these online companies, but since I don't carry any of the frames they feature, I really don't care. Have you seen the biggest lately?
http://www.framesdirect.com/search/e...spx?qs=versace
YOU, as a "valued" retailer, cannot buy these w/out buying the minimum, and by keeping a designated (their designation) number of sku's in stock. Of course they do this to "protect" the brand from being diluted.................................................not.
Do you really feel "protected"?
Ophthalmic Optician, Society to Advance Opticianry
Not to mention that you have a unilateral agreement (That means you are forced to agree to their terms) that you cannot discount RayBans. Of course everyone else, including Lux online, sells them at discount, often at your cost.
How is that protecting you or your brand?
DragonlensmanWV N.A.O.L.
"There is nothing patriotic about hating your government or pretending you can hate your government but love your country."
I strongly believe that luxottica is not against internet sales. And if they need to they will make separate brands for their own stores like Genny, Byblos, Sergio Tachini .....
Johns,
Fifteen years ago it was easy to see who the competition was, namely the big chains. I didn't carry Lux because I didn't want to be a showroom for lenscrafters (but now their prices are higher than mine), Now I don't want to be a showroom for the internet.
Now with internet sales and integration of insurance, manufacturers, and stores, it's more difficult to see what we are competing with.
The internet and internet sales are here to stay. Libraries are closing due to downloads, phonebooks are gone, publishers and journalists are struggling. To survive we have to carefully rethink our strategies.
PLAN: Inverst in UPS and Fedex. With only two major carriers they won't undermine each other the way cell phone companies do.
Keeping all options open and thinking different than I did 15 years ago.
Harry
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