Free Exams- how does this work?

**cocoisland58** · 04-06-2010, 06:49 PM

Our doc is considering free exams for students this summer. In the past we have only done free screenings during the month of August. This time she wants to do it all Summer long and make it a real exam. Our concerns are....can you make it contingent on a purchase? I think not since they may not even have an Rx. What if they want to take the Rx to say..Costco? I say there won't be many who are that uncouth. She say's there will be plenty. Have any of you done this? What "rules" did you have in place? Did it bring in enough business to be worth it?

**MIOPE** · 04-06-2010, 08:27 PM

I am in Panama Central America. This is a small country where we, Optometrist examine and run the store, I do not know of any independent Optometrist, Social Security hospitals also have Optometirst to do the exam but the goverment does not provide the glasses. Maybe 20 years ago we did charge for the exam but there was this chain of stores that started doing exams for free and finally we all had to do it too. I am not happy with this but you have to survive.
Since we do not charge for th exam, we do not give the prescription to the customer unless he has made at least a pair of glasses with this prescription. Also they do not have to buy glasses with us even they need them. In case of students if they come to know if they need glasses, but has no complain about how they see, we do not have to do a complete exam (exact prescription) if we considere they do not need glasses. Finally, since our income is from selling glasses, contact lenses, etc, we has increased the prices on our price list to be able to pay the Optometrist and all the expenses that comes with the exam.
So if your optometrist has plenty of free time instead of paying here for waiting for some comes in, do not do a free full exam to everyone that comes in. Evaluate each case and if you thing the customer might need glasses, the do the complete exam. Do not give the prescription (numbers) to the customer just a diagnostic and a recomendations.

**rbaker** · 04-06-2010, 08:39 PM

Free exams! $9.95 glasses! Sounds good to me.

**LandLord** · 04-06-2010, 08:43 PM

most unprofessional thing an OD can do is free exams. If you need to deal, better to offer free glasses. Never undervalue your services. Eye examination is why you went to school. If your exams are worth nothing, so are you.

**Johns** · 04-06-2010, 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by cocoisland58

Our doc is considering free exams for students this summer. In the past we have only done free screenings during the month of August. This time she wants to do it all Summer long and make it a real exam. Our concerns are....can you make it contingent on a purchase? I think not since they may not even have an Rx. What if they want to take the Rx to say..Costco? I say there won't be many who are that uncouth. She say's there will be plenty. Have any of you done this? What "rules" did you have in place? Did it bring in enough business to be worth it?

I've done it, but only as a quick type, grand opening promotion...just to put us on the map, create a little (a lot actually) buzz, and let folks know we're here. We had NO expectations of selling anything, and we sold much more than I would have guessed we would.

I would definitely NOT do this more than a short time, and YES...you will attract the Costco shoppers, and those looking to support some of the bottom feeding optiboarders selling online. Free attracts cheap.

**OHPNTZ** · 04-06-2010, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by LandLord

most unprofessional thing an OD can do is free exams. If you need to deal, better to offer free glasses. Never undervalue your services. Eye examination is why you went to school. If your exams are worth nothing, so are you.

I completely agree with you. Excellent post...

So do you then do free follow-ups for amblyopes? Free vision therapy? Free contact lens fits?

**mcrae** · 04-06-2010, 11:01 PM

I managed a corporate optical store in Manhattan for several years, and with all the competition, bargaining was commonplace. I agree with "Landlord" that discounting professional fees is a bad idea because it discredits the exam and the practioner. Instead, I would discount the glasses purchase so it was a 'wash' so everyone was happy in the end, and yet the credibility and dignity was left in place. I know that whenever I see a 'free' anything I automatically assume that it's poor quality, and we should remember that when wanting to offer free exams.

**cocoisland58** · 04-07-2010, 05:34 AM

Originally Posted by LandLord

most unprofessional thing an OD can do is free exams. If you need to deal, better to offer free glasses. Never undervalue your services. Eye examination is why you went to school. If your exams are worth nothing, so are you.

That has always been my inclination as well. I am not the owner however they do sometimes listen to me.

**cocoisland58** · 04-07-2010, 05:37 AM

Originally Posted by Johns

I've done it, but only as a quick type, grand opening promotion...just to put us on the map, create a little (a lot actually) buzz, and let folks know we're here. We had NO expectations of selling anything, and we sold much more than I would have guessed we would.

I would definitely NOT do this more than a short time, and YES...you will attract the Costco shoppers, and those looking to support some of the bottom feeding optiboarders selling online. Free attracts cheap.

Exactly what we are trying to do, a sort of Grand Opening promotion since we have changed names and are out from under an old franchise name that we had hanging around here for too long. What we need is a quick shot in the arm.

**LandLord** · 04-07-2010, 10:00 AM

Why does anything have to be free besides smiles and parking?

**cocoisland58** · 04-07-2010, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by LandLord

Why does anything have to be free besides smiles and parking?

Just trying to get busier and not opposed to doing whatever we have to do.

**optical24/7** · 04-07-2010, 04:22 PM

You can't give a free exam on condition a patient buys glasses from you....

B. Condition the availability of an eye examination to any person on a requirement that the patient agree to purchase any ophthalmic goods from the ophthalmologist or optometrist;

The above from the FTC Prescription Release Rule .

You can have a "sale" and discount the exam amount off a pr. of glasses.

**varmint** · 04-07-2010, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by optical24/7

You can't give a free exam on condition a patient buys glasses from you....

B. Condition the availability of an eye examination to any person on a requirement that the patient agree to purchase any ophthalmic goods from the ophthalmologist or optometrist;

The above from the FTC Prescription Release Rule .

You can have a "sale" and discount the exam amount off a pr. of glasses.

It's all in the wording, like Americas Best ads that say "$39.99 eyeglasses, two pair complete including eye exam"

If you don't get the glasses they charge you for the eye exam. Of course only a couple frame styles are included for that price.

**fjpod** · 04-08-2010, 05:49 AM

Very disconcerting to hear this discussion. I don't think ANYTHING should be for free.

**cocoisland58** · 04-08-2010, 07:25 AM

Originally Posted by fjpod

Very disconcerting to hear this discussion. I don't think ANYTHING should be for free.

Well if anyone has any better ideas to stir up some much needed business in Michigan's depression I'm all ears.

**fjpod** · 04-10-2010, 03:24 AM

Originally Posted by cocoisland58

Well if anyone has any better ideas to stir up some much needed business in Michigan's depression I'm all ears.

How about free glasses with the purchase of an eye exam?? Then you won't have to worry about perceived ethics violations.

**LandLord** · 04-10-2010, 09:47 AM

How about a free eye exam AND free glasses?? That will really get some attention.

Or you could think a little harder and do something that helps people while not killing your business and the entire profession.

**EdgeOptical** · 04-10-2010, 10:19 AM

Why not do free vision screenings, then if they do get an exam and glasses discount the amount of the exam off the glasses for a final bargain of like $50

It might be tough to work yourselves out of that bargain basement clientele though. Once people get to know your business as the place that gives everything away, you are setting yourself up for tough expectations down the road.

Maybe just offering free screenings would be enough

**FVCCHRIS** · 04-10-2010, 07:59 PM

Wait till the insurance companies see that you've lowered your "usual and customary" fee for exams to $0 . I imagine you'll get some mail.

**APBOD** · 04-11-2010, 12:02 AM

free eye exams? Why even open? I thought the point of business was to make money.

Never, never, never give away your services.

Once internet glasses take off, your services will be all you have left. Good luck getting any of those patients back once they find they have to pay for the same exam you gave away last time.

**Johns** · 04-11-2010, 07:45 PM

How about free eye exams, free glasses, a $50 voucher for internet glasses, a $20 gift card to McDonalds, and a free back rub?

**LandLord** · 04-11-2010, 10:41 PM

Originally Posted by Johns

How about free eye exams, free glasses, a $50 voucher for internet glasses, a $20 gift card to McDonalds, and a free back rub?

Imagine all the attention you'd get with that promotion!!!!!!!!!!!!

**FVCCHRIS** · 04-12-2010, 12:04 AM

Originally Posted by Johns

How about free eye exams, free glasses, a $50 voucher for internet glasses, a $20 gift card to McDonalds, and a free back rub?

Oh Si! Quando?

**Johns** · 04-12-2010, 05:33 AM

Originally Posted by FVCCHRIS

Oh Si! Quando?

Nada!

**cocoisland58** · 04-12-2010, 06:17 AM

Originally Posted by Johns

How about free eye exams, free glasses, a $50 voucher for internet glasses, a $20 gift card to McDonalds, and a free back rub?

Ha! How about I talk to the doc today given all the feedback I got here from my peeps and let her know (gently of course) that the whole idea blows? Then we'll talk about marketing 101 and the perception of value.