Internet?

[bandk]

What would be your input on Internet retailers of optical products? (i.e. contacts and prescription eyewear including rx lenses)

[Pete Hanlin]

I would say if e-tailers can provide a quality product with adequate service, more power to them!

However, I think its going to prove difficult for optical e-tailers to provide the professional services associated with the dispensing of contact lenses and eyeglasses.
If their "modus operendi" involves me or my staff providing the services gratis to support their sales- then they can "stick it where the sun don't shine."

Hey, we live in a capitalistic society. If someone comes up with a better way to supply demand, they're going to get business. Today's public seems to have taken a "fast-food approach" to everything (give it to me faster and cheaper- I don't care if its good).

My opinion, however, is that internet retailing isn't as lucrative as people seem to think. Look at the business Amazon.com does- and they still run in the red! It won't take long for the market to catch up with the e-tailers. Opticians will simply start charging a fee for fitting (which is where the industry should probably go anyway). Fitting over the internet? Its hard enough to fit some people in person!

Pete "not particularly worried" Hanlin

[John R]

Good luck to them as they will need it. No matter how hard they try Joe public needs to try frames on to see how they look and feel on them, also the matter of pd's oc's etc which often get left of perscriptions. and other information that can only be got by talking to the punter.

As i see it only contacts and sunspecs can be made to work well on the internet at present but when you can get cheap sunspecs from the local supermarket why bother with all the hassle of online buying. :D

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