Surface Labs and Surface Lenses

**DocInChina** · 03-05-2005, 08:02 PM

I am interested to find out what criteria other professionals here have in choosing their surface labs. Since Essilor and Hoya labs are everywhere in the US, do most professionals insist their lab carry Essilor or Hoya progressive lens products? What is your criteria for returns/credits? What is your expected turnaround time for your surface lens work (progressives with AR, regular lens product, etc)?

I appreciate everyones input.

**OPTIDONN** · 03-05-2005, 10:06 PM

I manage a small in house lab and have a relationship with many others. I use two labs. I like a an indipendant lab (like Expert Optics), they tend to work harder for your business and are willing to work with you on returns, credits etc. And of course we use a major lab (Hoya) they tend to have a greater buying power and can pass that on to you. As far as the other criteria just call around and compare notes. And work from there. I do sugest that you work with at least two labs, and working with an indipendant and a major name you can get one that the other cannot offer.

**DocInChina** · 03-05-2005, 10:43 PM

Originally Posted by OPTIDONN

I manage a small in house lab and have a relationship with many others. I use two labs. I like a an indipendant lab (like Expert Optics), they tend to work harder for your business and are willing to work with you on returns, credits etc. And of course we use a major lab (Hoya) they tend to have a greater buying power and can pass that on to you. As far as the other criteria just call around and compare notes. And work from there. I do sugest that you work with at least two labs, and working with an indipendant and a major name you can get one that the other cannot offer.

Thanks for your reply, Optidonn. Actually I am not looking for a lab. My company is a lens company in mainland China. We are setting up our Rx lens lab and are interested in what the 3 O's criteria are for working with surface labs and what kind of product, turn around interests them.

**rbaker** · 03-05-2005, 11:29 PM

If ya gotta ask . . . . .

**DocInChina** · 03-06-2005, 03:33 AM

Originally Posted by rbaker

If ya gotta ask . . . . .

it means you are listening to your current and future customers. If you don't have to ask....who is asking YOUR customers?

Doc

**impact500** · 03-06-2005, 07:25 AM

Great response, DocInChina.

This also ties into the recent thread on consumers posting here.

The better we see things through end user eyes the better we'll serve them and the faster our businesses will grow. It may be easy to think we know it all, but it seldom is easy to actually know even half. The half we don't know is where business opportunities exist.