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I am looking for advice on how much frame inventory to carry in an optical located within an Ophthalmology practice that has 4 doctors. Formulas for inventory level, acceptable number of frame vendors, any of this information would be helpful. If you have resources on these topics please share them.
Thanks.
Will depend a lot on whether they like to refract, have techs that refract, or are primarily surgeons or physicians that just concider refraction a needed part of the field. I have seen some OMD's that would kick out 35 Rx's on a Saturday morning (back before they got too proud to work on Saturday). And some O.M.D.'s that might kick out 15 Rx's on a busy week.
I have even met a few that hate refracting.
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Your wholesaler will tell you too many if he is selling you the frames and too few if he is putting up the money and putting up everything on consignment.
I know some companies will offer things on consignment without any penalty. One of my accounts was telling me about Lux offering them at least 20 frames for six months without any penalty for returning them. I saw some new rayban rx and sferoflex that looks good. But lux isn't on the top of everyone's list right now
A general and easy rule of thumb to follow is 40,30,20,10. 40% Womens. 30% Unisex, 20% Mens, and 10% Childrens = 100%
Another idea is to look through some frame catalogs of different manufacturers to gather an understanding of how many frame styles are available under each category.
The prevailing retail demands of each practice will indeed be different enough that you will need to adjust your figures according to your specific needs.
Kevin
How much space do you have available? Big factor! PAKev formula looks good as far as mix. 200-300 frames will give you a good representation. Also, how much are the MD's willing to pony up?
The forula to us that seems to work is by exams
1000 exams a year and under=450-550 frames
2000 exams a year=600-700 frames
3000 exams a year and over=700-1000
This number includes understock, medicaid frames, etc.
The proper number of vendors is probably 5 based on companies like Marchon, Safilo, etc. each have 5 reps. with different products.
Remember very few MD's see alot of kids so the amount I would carry would be low.
If this practice is Lasik driven, keep suns with poloroid lenses high on your list.
Purchasing frames can be expensive, time consuming and frustrating at best, rely on the reps. you trust. If you don't know any in your area call someone you trust to recommend a couple...they will help you. It makes good business sense for a rep. to help you do business because that is their business, without you they are nothing.
very important!!!! dont buy a bunch of cute little frames with a 26 B if most of your patients will be in some type of multi-focal.:bbg:
Have you tried paying a "courtesy call" on your compeditors with similar situations and glanceing at the inventory while you are there?