VSP buying who?

[Johns]

There are a few players with tons of cash to spend and they are continuing to look at all possible suitors.

Hear that Fezzy!?!

Our ship's a comin' in!:cheers::cheers::cheers::cheers:

[Jacqui]

There are a few players with tons of cash to spend and they are continuing to look at all possible suitors.

Craig

I wanna know who they are !!! I want my share too !!!

[drk]

VSP has been waging a mud-slinging campaign against Lux/Eyemed on their websites...very immature and unprofessional.

VSP is probably quaking in their boots about Eyemed. They know they can be undersold because Lux makes up the difference on the retail end.

VSP is unable to have it's own provider panel, so they will always have that disadvantage to Eyemed. What they could do is bring the labwork in-house to save a little money, but the headaches! They can also try to make a little money pimpin' frames, and Marchon is right there for the taking.

VSP actually has a very nice frame supply logistic available to providers, and I'm sure they'd be very happy to take independent optician dollars for Marchon frames.

If I were independent opticianry, I'd lobby hard for inclusion on the panel. The whole "promote private practice optometry" farce is a little played out by now. They apparently need the frame income to compete. While most opticians working in optometry/ophthalmology/retailer may not give a hoot, it's possible that the OAA could make a case that a Marchon boycott could hurt VSP.

I think they'll eventually let indies on the panels, but never their mortal enemy.

[HarryChiling]

I heard it through the grapevine and my grapevine is pretty strong. I am making the assumption it's true and stocking or rather destocking accordingly.

[Johns]

VSP actually has a very nice frame supply logistic available to providers, and I'm sure they'd be very happy to take independent optician dollars for Marchon frames....


...I think they'll eventually let indies on the panels, but never their mortal enemy.

And hopefully, opticians won't forget who their mortal enemy is!

VSP has made their money destroying opticianry by their exclusionary practices. And if you're an OD that's been supporting VSP all these years, and now VSP invites their enemy (in some minds) into the tent, how does that make you feel?

[drk]

Hope this doesn't hurt, Johns, but I don't think many optometry practices consider independent opticianry a serious market force. Let 'em on.

[Bethbabie]

I heard that the 15 of this month we will know what and who bought what, but Essilors name keeps coming up. They are buying up labs right and left who knows. This is just a thought:drop:

[Johns]

Hope this doesn't hurt, Johns, but I don't think many optometry practices consider independent opticianry a serious market force. Let 'em on.

\

No Drk, I am under on illusions that most optometrist view opticians as a serious market force. I sure don't.

However, stick around long enough, and I think you'll see that many optometrists will not be considered serious market forces either. Given the way they are content to sleep outside the doors of all the third party plans, and fight over the scraps that their masters throw them (they are the new masters), the ODs will be nothing more than eye examiners. Their window of opportunity began closing a long time ago, and you can already see some of the results.

[Johns]

... how does that make you feel?

I know, I know...we hate it when people quote themselves, but to clarify...

What I meant by this was that VSP signed all the ODs on w/ the promise that it was to have an exclusive club. Well they've alread invited many of the chains in with their far-reaching plans. So if you've played by the rules, and now that VSP has the money they want, they change them, I'd be pretty upset.

Look, we've already got it all figured out, and we don't even know which company it is!:p

[obxeyeguy]

Look, we've already got it all figured out, and we don't even know which company it is!:p

Three forms of communication. Telephone, television, and tell an optician.;)

[drk]

Johns, we ODs do just enough health care as to be subject to the trends in medical care.

The fact of the matter is that the American public "pre-buys" their health care, vision care included. Health care professionals contract with third parties to provide medical services to the third parties' members and not the public directly.

Optical services are still largely exempt from this trend, but it seems to show some "two-tiered-ness"...the free-market fashion accessory purchase and the pre-paid medical device.

For the short term, there will be a dichotomy. In the future, I think there will be a lot of the pre-paid stuff. You have to "be in" to play the game, I'm sad to say.

Contrarians will, of course, do well, but the market will be concentrated, to say the least.

JMHO.

[optirep]

VSP has been waging a mud-slinging campaign against Lux/Eyemed on their websites...very immature and unprofessional.

VSP is probably quaking in their boots about Eyemed. They know they can be undersold because Lux makes up the difference on the retail end.

VSP is unable to have it's own provider panel, so they will always have that disadvantage to Eyemed. What they could do is bring the labwork in-house to save a little money, but the headaches! They can also try to make a little money pimpin' frames, and Marchon is right there for the taking.

VSP actually has a very nice frame supply logistic available to providers, and I'm sure they'd be very happy to take independent optician dollars for Marchon frames.

If I were independent opticianry, I'd lobby hard for inclusion on the panel. The whole "promote private practice optometry" farce is a little played out by now. They apparently need the frame income to compete. While most opticians working in optometry/ophthalmology/retailer may not give a hoot, it's possible that the OAA could make a case that a Marchon boycott could hurt VSP.

I think they'll eventually let indies on the panels, but never their mortal enemy.

Prediction!

DRK If it is in fact Marchon! VSP is sending letters bashing Luxottica. If they are buying Marchon they will then say its Luxotticas fault and they had to buy them. They then will say buy Marchon frames to help us stop Luxottica. JUST MY OPINION NO FACTS HERE!

[Johns]

Prediction!

They then will say buy Marchon frames to help us stop Luxottica.

Stop Lux? Stop Marchon at the cost of pumping up VSP even more? Who cares?

It's like watching a dog fight, and I don't have a dog in it.

[cocoisland58]

Prediction!

DRK If it is in fact Marchon! VSP is sending letters bashing Luxottica.

It IS Marchon. We've known this for weeks and it has been confirmed by the reps. As for the letters, I laughed. So they're telling us something we don't know? And what are they going to do about it? And then we get a fax letter stating that VSP has lost a large contract to(I assume)EyeMed. Ok, why are you telling me this? Should I fax back a "nice going VSP" response? I tell you the insurance racket has got my head spinning. No wonder I need a drink when I get home.

[Johns]

I tell you the insurance racket has got my head spinning. No wonder I need a drink when I get home.

Back in the old days, when I was a rep, teh opticians didn't need a drink when they got home because they drank all day at work!
:hammer::finger::D:cheers:

[Chris Ryser]

Plenty optical
purchases by VSP listed in Google at:

http://www.google.ca/search?sourceid...cal+company%3f

interesting

[orangezero]

So now VSP won't mind be a "for profit" company? Or does this somehow still qualify as nonprofit in their minds even as they buy up other companies?

Do you all taking VSP care they are wasting millions (probably) in lawyers fees to fight this instead of paying you?

[Snitgirl]

Harry,

I just got word from my extremely strong grapevine that YES, it IS happening and FYI, it will be very soon!!!

I heard it through the grapevine and my grapevine is pretty strong. I am making the assumption it's true and stocking or rather destocking accordingly.

[rob.optician]

vsp is a pain to deal with. Especially when we are forced to use their labs...I have never had more problems with a lab than at VSP.

[cocoisland58]

vsp is a pain to deal with. Especially when we are forced to use their labs...I have never had more problems with a lab than at VSP.

You can switch VSP labs anytime you want. If you aren't happy with the one you use now just pick another from the list. We were using a local small lab(we like local if possible)but the quality was going downhill. We switched to one on the other side of the state and though not perfect comes close to what we need and expect.

[rob.optician]

With the Signature Choice plans and Sight For Students my VSP rep has told me I am REQUIRED to use a VSP lab. Everythign else - does not go to a VSP lab.

Though, one good thing I will say about VSP is they have great customer service (well, 90% good). Whenever I call about insurance questions they are very helpful and friendly...now if they could transfer that to the lab they might stand a chance of getting more business.

[DragonLensmanWV]

With the Signature Choice plans and Sight For Students my VSP rep has told me I am REQUIRED to use a VSP lab. Everythign else - does not go to a VSP lab.

Though, one good thing I will say about VSP is they have great customer service (well, 90% good). Whenever I call about insurance questions they are very helpful and friendly...now if they could transfer that to the lab they might stand a chance of getting more business.

Try calling them to ask about billing for a saddleback myodisk. All I got was "It's just a lens! Bill it like a lens!" No amount of explaining how the lens was quadruple the labor cost and that there are extremely few of these in the country would make any difference.

[rob.optician]

Try calling them to ask about billing for a saddleback myodisk. All I got was "It's just a lens! Bill it like a lens!" No amount of explaining how the lens was quadruple the labor cost and that there are extremely few of these in the country would make any difference.

haha...

touche!

[allanon]

Shouldn't it be "VSP buying whom?"

[Johns]

Shouldn't it be "VSP buying whom?"

Only if...

A. You're turning it in for a grade.
B. You've got nothing better to think about.

:hammer: