availability of Shamir Progressive

**jofelk** · 07-16-2004, 06:07 AM

Is the Shamir lense available to labs in the NE USA. If so, who do you contact? I heard there are no distributors for our part of the country.

**karen** · 07-16-2004, 08:06 AM

Joseph, I would just call them at 888) 707-7760 and ask them what you need to do to be a distributor.

**Texas Ranger** · 07-16-2004, 06:08 PM

So, why does the distributor lab have to be in your market area? call them and find out who their distributo labs are on the west coast...the time difference is of tremendous service advantage, just think, you've got a job to get out, it's 4 PM in Pa., your local area lab is just shutting down for the day, the lab I use in Oregon, is just coming back from lunch, and on a routine job without Crizal, they'd likely have it through surfacing before closing, Fedex it, and you'd have it like 10 AM, not wou;dn't that blow away the competition? btw, Crizal adds one day, usually.

**LENNY** · 07-16-2004, 08:19 PM

Tex!

How much is the shipping?

**LENNY** · 07-16-2004, 08:22 PM

You can also order jobs from Russia!
There is an 8-10 hours differnce!

**Texas Ranger** · 07-17-2004, 11:03 AM

Lenny, I believe they charge about $1.75 per job.

**Laurie** · 07-17-2004, 04:04 PM

Hi Joe,

I know that a couple of labs in NYC/Long Island and one in CT distribute Shamir lenses. 21st Century Optics in NY comes to mind...Hirsch, and I cannot recall the name in CT.

: )

Laurie

**Dot the Eye** · 07-22-2004, 06:41 AM

The distributor in Connecticut is Encore Optics.

Dottie

**jofelk** · 07-23-2004, 06:27 AM

We are a wholesale lab. It came to my attention, when an account requested a Shamir lense, that we were unable to acquire their product. Could this be true? Is there a rep from Shamir on this board who could give me some insight into why there would be an issue about obtaining their lenses. We are located in PA.

**karen** · 07-23-2004, 08:19 AM

Joseph, I knew you are a lab-I think you should call them up and ask them what the requirements are to be an authorized distributor. We did that after I came on board with Collard Rose and have had great success with it. My rep is on vacation this week or I would call her and ask her. I know some people at Shamir monitor the board but since Susan left you may not get a response here. Give them a call!!

**Laurie** · 07-26-2004, 04:20 PM

Hi Joe,

I am not a rep for Shamir, but I am an education consultant for them...

(888) 707-7760 (San Diego).

They have a great staff, and I'm sure someone can help you out.

: )

Laurie

**jofelk** · 07-27-2004, 06:18 AM

We have contacted Shamir. The response was they do not have a rep for our area. How prevalent, in other parts of the country, is this with Shamir?

**karen** · 07-27-2004, 08:07 AM

I know they are in the process of bringing new people on over the long haul, they just recently hired a few new reps-I have a rep ( a great one, BTW) who covers pretty much all of Southern California. Are you saying they don't want you to bring the product in unless there is in the field support in that area?

**jofelk** · 07-28-2004, 06:09 AM

Yes Karen this would be the case.

**karen** · 07-28-2004, 08:04 AM

Well, I can see the logic in that. I would stay in touch with them and let them know that you want to be "the guy" when they are ready. Did you get to speak to any management type people??

**jofelk** · 07-29-2004, 06:32 AM

Karen,
After we contacted Shamir about product availability, their response took over a week. Since the inquire was made by one of our faithful accounts, trying to replace Shamir lenses for a patient, they have decided to use another suitable product. With all the fine progressives available, no individual manufacturer should put roadblocks in the way of obtaining their lense!

**Texas Ranger** · 07-29-2004, 08:55 AM

Joseph, it does not sound like good business practice to not let a lab in a new territory to handle their product; since the lab would likely have to inventory the lens blanks, aand if they were enthused about the product, the labs reps would be out promoting the lens, wouldn't they?

**Lab Rep** · 07-30-2004, 11:19 PM

Shamir is a great company to work with and they do make some of the best lenses on the market in our opinion. They are however, trying to grow at a controlled rate without going into the chain market. There is an inventory and contract requirement which they strictly enforce to maintain the product integrity through the wholesale end. (We can't send out semi-finished blanks.) They have bent over backwards to support us here in Virginia and I would recommend their lenses and company to anyone.
I don't know the specifics of your company and can't speak for Shamir, but I will be glad to help you in any way possible.
If you need a supplier of finished lenses for an occasional customer we would be glad to help and the shipping from us is no charge.

Robert Flippin
Schroeder Optical
Roanoke, VA

**johntricity** · 08-03-2004, 09:51 PM

Joseph and any one else looking for Shamir lenses, Our Lab will sell to another lab or to any retailers in the US we also offer our own deluxe A/R with a life of RX warrantee. John Z.

**johntricity** · 08-23-2004, 01:27 PM

I just received a letter from Shamir's attorney, informing me of the policy that distributing labs are not to sell to other labs, I stand corrected!
:finger: Thanks John Z.