How would you have handled this.

[drk]

In our email today:

"Hi, I am reaching out to you because I can't find frame "x" that I like here in my hometown (note: somewhere about 200 miles away) and I see you sell this brand of frame (note: probably from us being listed as a seller on the frame's website).

"I have a prescription and I have VSP. Can I order glasses from you?"

What would your policy on this be? Would you be able to help this person?

[dwlk]

depending on the script, really only if its a mild/med SV go for it, give them a forewarning that unless they're able to find a day to come in for proper fitting and adjusting of the frame you cant guarantee PD, OC, fit, etc, and that no refunds would be given (if you do any to begin with) unless there's obviously a issue

[DanLiv]

You won't be able to measure accurate optical centers, you'll just be accepting a PD from the customer, whether they measure themselves or its supplied on their Rx. Which means other than perhaps the limited availability frame, you won't be providing anything better than and online optical.

I hate to put anything out into the world that isn't representative of my best work. In this case one can't, so I would decline. I would sell them just the frame, with a shipping and handling fee worth me going out of my way, and advise them to take it to a nearby professional for lenses.

There are no extenuating circumstances that would be worth catering to, like someone with hardships that make it very difficult to get proper vision care. This person just has a privileged want.

[waynegilpin]

Could be legit.

OR, next message from them will be: "I will be sending check to you for $4593 from my uncle who has trouble getting money out of my native land. Please deduct you fee plus $100 for all your courtesy and mail return amount to me."

[drk]

I don't want to kill the thread, but I did feel like it was no different than an online optical order.

And with all that sweet VSP reimbursment for my trouble.

I guess you know how I proceeded.

It's a first.

[dwlk]

I don't want to kill the thread, but I did feel like it was no different than an online optical order.

And with all that sweet VSP reimbursment for my trouble.

I guess you know how I proceeded.

It's a first.

what, you dont want your handful of couch coins and "good job" stickers from big insurance themselves?

[drk]

How would you measure them for lenses? How would you know if the frame fit? How would they get them adjusted? How would you even know the age of the patient?

[DanLiv]

How would you measure them for lenses? How would you know if the frame fit? How would they get them adjusted?

Can't. Don't. Won't. A willingness to operate this way, as dwlk says for a "handful of couch coins", validates the online optical business model in the eyes of consumers.

This is why opticianry struggles, we can't even come to consensus on what we should be doing.

[ChrisBowers]

We would love to see you! our hours are x to x, best to make an appointment

[AngeHamm]

I'd be more than happy to sell them the frame and ship it to them to have a local shop fit them for lenses.

[KrystleClear]

I would say "Sure, just stop into the office so we can take measurements and ensure the frame fits you properly!" If they aren't willing to come into the office, then they can just order them online. I will do sales for people we have never physically had in office when the person can't physically come in for measurements and frame selection as a last resort (like they have dementia or some other limiting condition and can't or won't come in) only under the acknowledgement that there will be no refunds or exchanges because we're doing a lot of stabbing in the dark.

[KrystleClear]

Also, it's a lot of hassle and risk of them complaining if they don't fit right or that the vision seems off due to guessing OCs and or PDs just to get the three nickels in reimbursement from VSP.

[jiicken]

I work for a specialty clinic (Binocular Vision Dysfunction) so we're used to folks coming from all corners to see us. Longest distance is probably an Italian couple who comes into America every year in part to see us. If it were someone who was not coming to us for BVD, I would probably do some legwork to see if there were any other solutions, ie can we purchase this frame online and submit for reimursement w/ VSP after the fact, are they missing any other nearby cliics that carry the brand, etc. I would relent if the patient insisted on making the trip in just for one particular frame line, but just for their sake, I would probably put in a fair amount of effort to avoid having them make that trip.