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Thread: VSP In Office Finishing

  1. #1
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    VSP In Office Finishing

    Just pondering VSP's IOF Program and wondering if it makes sense for our office. We have 2 locations and a lab in one of them. We tend to use a ton of Essilor products and coatings. We do enough business to get a pretty good discount on digital and/or free-form progressives as well as Crizal Alize AR coatings (IMO, the best coating on the market). It appears that the IOF Program makes the most sense (read..."You make the most money") from AR coated lenses, especially the Somo UltraClear AR lens. How does this AR coating compare to an Alize coating?

    Seems like an uncoated SV lens does not make you very much for your time/effort....especially if you have the occasional re-do.

    Interested to hear anyone's thoughts as to why they have or have not used the program and if you have, how have you made it work successfully in your office?

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    OptiBoardaholic J.P.'s Avatar
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    We are considering the IOF program also, we've grown so much over the past 3 years that it's almost stupid not to, but yet also having the fear of loss with re-dos and breakages. I'm interested in hearing what those whom are doing this has to say.
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    I reviewed it briefly a month or so ago. Not much savings for our business and I don't like volunteering to feed the beast. I get too good a deal from other suppliers and have the redos down to nearly zero.

    I believe that there are many finished stock lenses out there with very good quality A/R and alot lower prices than Essilor lenses. And I do like Crizal but find myself using other sources since the Essilor lab I used to use no longer allows their Crizal coatings to be put on non-Essilor lenses. Even after years of doing it with Zero problems. It's just Essilor cracking down again on non-Essilor products.
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    Master OptiBoarder DanLiv's Avatar
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    IOF is great for the occasional jobs. I just like the flexibility, though the profitability can be good as well, but as usual with VSP only on premium lenses. I don't use anything different for my stock lenses than I do for surface Rx jobs. The bonus profit from IOF on a top AR high index lens easily justifies paying extra for the best lenses. At the low end, like uncoated plastic, the edging work and redo risks totally outweigh the meager extra profit. I happpily box those frames and ship them to the lab and let them take care of that.

  5. #5
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    Most people report that the program is not worth it. Many people who have started it ended up stopping.

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    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter
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    Bumping this thread. I've reviewed the IOF program again and still think its best for flexibilitly not profit. Are there any positive reviews of the program?

    My doctors (ie: bosses) would take a LOT of convincing to start it up because they have a bad taste in their mouth after their experience being a grandfathered in "VSP Lab"

  7. #7
    OptiWizard
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    VSP is a discounted service, so why are you giving away premium in-house services you aren't getting paid for?

    I tell VSP patients that they got a good price because VSP negotiated a better rate with a far away lab, so the better price came with a waiting time.

    Harry

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    OptiBoard Professional shannon's Avatar
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    Personally, We use it as often as possible. Our lenses in stock we got a great prices and it speeds up the time in getting them to the patient which makes them very happy. Thay are used to that 7-10 day waiting deal (if not longer for that occassional breakage)...if we have a breakage we can ususally fix it right then and there. They do pay a little more for those that do in office, per what the office manager says ...lol, but regardless, making a happy patient that is sure to come back makes up for anythineg else in my book.


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    OptiBoard Professional OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    It is slightly profitable for us. Advantage, we get enough extra per order to make it a break even on the money side. Advantage, we can provide same day service for most SV patients. Disadvantage, VSP labs sell the lens stock with a huge markup. IMHO, if you do it, do it for the same day service draw. Don't do it for the profit per order.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Jarhead Daddy View Post
    VSP labs sell the lens stock with a huge markup.
    Wrong. If you understood the program and why they are doing it you would understand. Talk to them on the inside and come back with the details as to why they opened up the program. I think you'll find it makes business sense and while it's not a losing money deal for them, which it shouldn't be anyway, profit isn't why they are doing it.

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    I think the huge markup comment is correct. I don't begrudge them the markup. They are providing me with the ability to make slightly more profit / pair. Even better, they are providing me with the ability to be more competitive in my market (with same day service). I think the IOF program is one of the best things VSP has done in a long while. The large markup allows them to retain their profits and allows me to gain more profitability and be more competitive. Win / win.

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    OptiBoard Professional OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    Profits are awesome! I have no problem with VSP making profits. I hope everybody is extremely profitable. But let's not kid ourselves. VSP does stuff in order to profit. They don't do it out of the goodness of their hearts, and they shouldn't.

  13. #13
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    Redhot Jumper Uncoated CR39 lenses are inexpensive ......................

    Quote Originally Posted by robbish View Post


    Seems like an uncoated SV lens does not make you very much for your time/effort....especially if you have the occasional re-do.
    Beg to differ .................

    Uncoated CR39 lenses are inexpensive and an open field for tinting, UV protection and you can even add a super slick hydrophobic coating for scratch protection, for very little cost, all done in the office, without having to farm it out.

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    Quote Originally Posted by racethe1320 View Post
    Wrong. If you understood the program and why they are doing it you would understand. .
    The markup is HUGE. About 3-4X what I pay for a stock lens. I understand the program. I know why they are doing. In every case its to make VSP rich and powerful.

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by sharpstick777 View Post
    The markup is HUGE. About 3-4X what I pay for a stock lens. I understand the program. I know why they are doing. In every case its to make VSP rich and powerful.
    I look forward to your elaboration in detail on those several points so that we can discuss further.

  16. #16
    OptiBoard Professional OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    The markup is indeed huge (at least 100% more than I would pay directly from the vendors), and it certainly is intended to bring profits to VSP. But it also brings more profits to me and helps me be more competitive in my market. There is nothing wrong with wanting to become "rich and powerful".

  17. #17
    Independent Owner kcount's Avatar
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    IOF is great given you know what your dealing with. In some states, you are exempt from purchasing your lenses from VSP. One question, where does VSP ask if you have a lab?
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