Doing work for FREE ??

[eyechick1969]

I do a lot of Little things for free. Like Adjustments, nosepads, occasional re-edges, when I believe it will not be taken for granted & it may lead to good future clients.

But what's up with this do so many things for free mentality? We are in business & we work to earn a living, don't we?

Yes, Like I mentioned, I do little things for free often. Years ago, I met a homeless/bag lady who had saved $ forever to get those huge, drill mount faceted glasses. I was outraged when the place down the street was going to charge her $10/screw to get them back together & she didn't have a penny. She came in with string, wire and bread ties holding them together & I spent an hour helping her & did not charge her. It was work from my heart.

But overall, if it's not a loyal client or a potential future client or a homeless person, yes, I charge, but still not much.

to each his/her own....

[chip anderson]

Some folks does it for free some folks charges for it. It has always been so.
One could say those that charge for it are not loved.

Chip

[Jacqui]

I do lots of work for free, I love doing it. Some professions require that a certain amount of free (pro bono) work be done to maintain a professional license,

[chip anderson]

Jacqui:
You jus doan unnastan how impoatent us is. We got dem little certificationcertifiercates. Some day we gonna have a license. Den we can deside that everythin after the sale is made will not be included in de fee.
We may even get as impotant and dem OMD's and OD's is what thanks a refraction ain' part 'o an eye exam. Hell jus' cause that's what the patient cauled n scheduled the pointmunt fo' ain't relevant non sum-a-tall.

Chip

[eyechick1969]

and the len broke & all da medicine leaked out

[harry888]

helping someone out is good advertising. Most people do remember

Harry

[AngeHamm]

I only charge for frame parts. Never for adjustments, never for repairs, never for nose pads, never for temple tips. I even keep spare nose pads and a screwdriver in my car to take care of people's glasses on evenings and weekends. If that nets one new patient per quarter (and it nets more than that), the opportunity cost is more than worth it.

[doctorjmjb]

I only charge for frame parts. Never for adjustments, never for repairs, never for nose pads, never for temple tips. I even keep spare nose pads and a screwdriver in my car to take care of people's glasses on evenings and weekends. If that nets one new patient per quarter (and it nets more than that), the opportunity cost is more than worth it.

+1 But I am thinking of instituting a fee for taking a PD when the patient is not purchasing eyewear. How many people charge, and how much?

[eyechick1969]

+1 But I am thinking of instituting a fee for taking a PD when the patient is not purchasing eyewear. How many people charge, and how much?

I suggest the 20/20/20 rule. 20 for pd, 20 for adjustment, 20 for us to do a final inspection to see if they were made correct. The amount is up to you tho. maybe 25/25/25 or 10/10/10.

[David_Garza]

I suggest the 20/20/20 rule. 20 for pd, 20 for adjustment, 20 for us to do a final inspection to see if they were made correct. The amount is up to you tho. maybe 25/25/25 or 10/10/10.

Just curious why you charge for this service but give Adjustments, nosepads, occasional re-edges for free????

[eyechick1969]

Just curious why you charge for this service but give Adjustments, nosepads, occasional re-edges for free????

I feel like I mentioned this, but let me try to re-phrase it.
I don't charge Loyal clients, Potential future clients or a homeless person for adjustments or nose-pads or occasional re-edges.
Everyone else I charge $4 for pads (rare), almost never for adj.
Occasional re-edges tend to be $25 for my time because & that's what my lab charges for the same, but if I do it for free it's back to a loyal client or potential client & I did the re-edge myself. (And they are buying a new frame at that time anyway).

20/20/20 rule is what I "intend" on doing If I start getting lot's of onliners. Luckily I've only had one to date & he voluntarily donated to my volunteer work before I had a chance to say well ummm, that'll be.....But why wouldn't I charge someone for my work? Especially if they are not likely to be a potential client!

I'm confused as to why any of my brethren would think I should work for free if not for charity or to possibly gain a potential client or to thank them for their loyality.

I feel sorry for you guys/gals who are getting hit for onliners wanting free stuff!

[harry888]

If you are an OD in Massachusetts, board rules state that the PD is part of the Rx, like the name and address.

Harry

+1 But I am thinking of instituting a fee for taking a PD when the patient is not purchasing eyewear. How many people charge, and how much?

[Fezz]

If you are an OD in Massachusetts, board rules state that the PD is part of the Rx, like the name and address.

Harry

Does it state how it is written?
Must it be mono or bino?

[Chris Ryser]

Does it state how it is written?
Must it be mono or bino?

Her is the one from BC, Original copy

http://www.optiboard.com/forums/show...o-take-FREE-PD

[harry888]

Massachusetts optometry board rules just say Pupillary distance, nothing more specific

Does it state how it is written?
Must it be mono or bino?

[Big V]

+1 But I am thinking of instituting a fee for taking a PD when the patient is not purchasing eyewear. How many people charge, and how much?

In some states the PD is part of the Rx. By law, you HAVE to give it to them. Now, does it have to be a mono PD? No. Can it be from your autoreactor? Sure. The way I see it, the patient is going to walk. Don't fight them for the PD. Take the 10 seconds to give it to them or next time you might not even get the exam....

[ReneeJacobs]

+1 But I am thinking of instituting a fee for taking a PD when the patient is not purchasing eyewear. How many people charge, and how much?

I am of the opinion it is not a good idea to charge for a PD. Having said that, when the patient asks for a PD we have an opportunity to inform about top tier services. The best vision is possible with measures of PD, but also OC, pantoscoptic tilt, vertex distance and wrap. Especially with higher Rxs, there is real value in a great pre-adjustment.

Even if the patient does not buy from you, make sure the patient knows you also offer a "Limited Dispensing Service" for a fee. Online eye wear products seldom include services patients need. You can dot centers, align lenses, verify prescription accuracy, adjust the frame for comfort, and test corrected acuity - for a fee. You are there to help with services patients need when they elect to buy products without professional services.

Realize a patient can get a copy of their record to get the PD, and you are likely to lose a lifetime of routine care if it comes to that.

Keep profitability in your business. Provide services patients need when they elect to buy online - Perhaps more important - make sure patients know about your services, before they need them. The services have value if patients understand the benefits.

[4554lake]

Realize a patient can get a copy of their record to get the PD, and you are likely to lose a lifetime of routine care if it comes to that.

They can still be charged for a copy of their record, and its delusional in today's world to think that any person is going to be a loyal customer/patient for a lifetime.

People move and a lot of them dont particularly care who they see for their vision care. Only a small core group of people are loyal long term patrons...assuming they are happy with the service and goods received.


Personally, I'm starting to think that the big optical chains have the right philosophy,..... in that any customer is expendable ,since there are always new ones walking through the door.....upsell as much as possible ,and most people dont know or care what quality is,and definitely dont want to pay for it.


Giving away service to customers buying else where is insane. I dont know of any other industry that does this.

I dont intend to be in this field when I'm 65 years old,because I gave away my services to keep non customers happy.

[becc971]

+1 But I am thinking of instituting a fee for taking a PD when the patient is not purchasing eyewear. How many people charge, and how much?

Our facility charges a $99 fee and includes a free pair of glasses, mind you our value package single vision is also $99 .. but ya know :) i personally just don't feel comfortable giving it out, because you know the second theres an issue with an online pair theyre bringing it to me and blaming me for it (this has happened multiple times) One lady a month or so ago went from a physio enhanced, Avance and transitions to whatever Zenni's progressive is w/out AR and obviously it was our fault she couldnt see ;)

[Judy Canty]

www.practicemanagementdepot.com. Dr. Jacobs has an excel spreadsheet that can help you make that decision.

[AustinEyewear]

I do a lot of Little things for free. Like Adjustments, nosepads, occasional re-edges, when I believe it will not be taken for granted & it may lead to good future clients.

But what's up with this do so many things for free mentality? We are in business & we work to earn a living, don't we?

After working 20 years in a successful career, I decided to go all in to the optical world and invest most of my life savings toward it. Why? dont ask. But I've been working for free ever since. I like it, and it has been rewarding, so I'm not complaining, but, we all work for free, some how, some way, some time. Just gotta balance it out! Plus, I'm sure a pay check will be coming in the next xxxxxx...... years.....

[Johns]

After working 20 years in a successful career, I decided to go all in to the optical world and invest most of my life savings toward it. Why? dont ask. But I've been working for free ever since. I like it, and it has been rewarding, so I'm not complaining, but, we all work for free, some how, some way, some time. Just gotta balance it out! Plus, I'm sure a pay check will be coming in the next xxxxxx...... years.....

You know, that is true. Even those that espouse to charge for everything do their fair share of "free" work. My mantra has always been that I want to choose my charity, I don't want it to choose me.

And yes, it does feel good.

[THE MEB]

Like most that posted we don't charge for adjustments, nose pads, etc: either. I take a little different point of view on it though. I don't consider doing it for free. I consider doing one more extra thing for the patient than what they were expecting. Thus, the patient finds more of a value for services rendered at no additional charge. It's the cheapest way to pick up devoted patients, differentiating us from the others. Give them the best adjustment they ever had at n/c. They will never leave you. That's been our successful paridigm.

[AngeHamm]

Like most that posted we don't charge for adjustments, nose pads, etc: either. I take a little different point of view on it though. I don't consider doing it for free. I consider doing one more extra thing for the patient than what they were expecting. Thus, the patient finds more of a value for services rendered at no additional charge. It's the cheapest way to pick up devoted patients, differentiating us from the others. Give them the best adjustment they ever had at n/c. They will never leave you. That's been our successful paridigm.

Total agreement.

[Now I See]

We don't charge for adjustments, minor repairs and nose pads...unless we have to special order something. However, today I changed some nosepads and gave the guy a pair of temples from my stash...He needed them badly, wanted to pay me, I said no charge...he leaves and brings back a HUGE box of cupcakes from the cake store down the street! Yes, I do work for food!!