Frame Buying

**obxeyeguy** · 05-07-2009, 08:22 AM

For those of you that own/manage multiple locations, how do you handle your frame buying?

One person buys all? All buy separately? I have in the past set up vendor guidelines of who to use, and left the specific styles to the optician at that location, but I am not sure this is working now.

Please tell how you handle this, and any ups and downs you found.

**Chris Ryser** · 05-07-2009, 09:10 AM

Employees on the floor do have a like or dislike attitude to certain frames. They can push models they like and ignore the ones they don't.

You should let them have some input in what you are purchasing.

**obxeyeguy** · 05-07-2009, 04:04 PM

Fifty looks and no one buys for multiple locations? Buehler? Anyone?

**For-Life** · 05-07-2009, 04:13 PM

1 decision maker, others are influencers. If everyone buys what they want, you will be buying a lot. You need the influence, but you have to limit it to a certain amount.

**lensmama** · 05-07-2009, 04:28 PM

I buy for 2 locations. I work with the other optician to choose frames that he thinks will work well in that location. He is from that area and I am not, so I trust him. I think that it's good to have variety between the shops, although the final say goes through me.

**HarryChiling** · 05-07-2009, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by obxeyeguy

Fifty looks and no one buys for multiple locations? Buehler? Anyone?

When I was in a multi location practice, we had a core prodcut that we put into every store and then a percentage of the space was store specific since some products would do better than other in certain locations.

Core product was ordered in bulk for savings, the store specific was ordered once a month with the other stores to try and maximize savings. Then each store could order product based on customer orders or when needed within reason. If the core was diminished they would call the main location, once a month they would let the main locaion know how many store specific and what models and when the reps came in the store specific stock would be replenished. I don't remember all the details but I think I may have jotted down some guidelines somewhere if I can find them they're yours.