NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! Say its not true!!!Originally Posted by Jacqui
NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!! Say its not true!!!
Big volume = big discount.
Little volume = little blip on the radar.
No one is out there trying to woo in the little fish. If they are asking for volume you can't provide move along, if they are asking for volume that you can provide ask for what you get back in return. For Gods sake negotiate, it's a tango not a one step move. You ask for price they ask for volume, you ask for ?, get it N-E-G-O-T-I-A-T-E.
+1 Hallelujah!!
Yup. As a for instance, semi-finished lens manufacturers have clearly stated discount levels based on monthly purchases. Why shouldn't labs do exactly the same thing with their customers? This is a very common practice in the at-large wholesale marketplace. Price depends on volume.
Sorry - ANY lab unable to provide quality/selection/service ALL the time, they have no right to ask for ANY percentage. And while we all agree there are those odd, one off crazy jobs that require this or that specialist's touch - it really isn't that hard to negotiate an honest rate with a quality lab. In fact, 30-45% off their "regular" rates shouldn't be difficult to find for most here - with NO buying group or % commitment required.
If they're able to provide what a dispenser needs, they have no need to ask for more, as the work will be flowing into them anyway.
If you're not avvy enough to be stuck paying full list anywhere, your lab certainly loves you that much more! ;)
A lab to give you that deep a discount based on nothing must be desperate and on the verge of bankruptcy...or clueless, or both.
Sounds like a great partnership, but I do see where they are coming from. I would however pass.
Or perhaps they're just good at both business and service and quality - and they are doing just fine - without buying group demands, or minimums. Interestingly, we work with several labs like this across the country, so it's not a limited or isolated concept.
Not isolated at all. This is the case with the lab I use.Or perhaps they're just good at both business and service and quality - and they are doing just fine - without buying group demands, or minimums. Interestingly, we work with several labs like this across the country, so it's not a limited or isolated concept.
I always say, if you don't like how you are treated, walk down the street. I like to have more than one lab that I use just so if one pisses me off, I shift the majority of the work to the other one so when the rep comes in and says "What happened?" I can tell them and demand something to get them back in my good graces. Leverage is a good thing. If you don't get what you want from Hoya, go to Essilor, if they won't take care of you go to Zeiss. if they won't play, there is Digital Eye Labs and the like. Heck, with Essilor partner labs, Essilor creates their own competition. Remember you have what they want, ( Money) not the other way around.
Does what you think is the best lens for your customer factor into this or are Hoya, Essilor and Zeiss all the same to you?
Hoya has great product, no doubt. Very technical, but IMO they lack some real forward thinking minds today. Just my opinion.
In terms of labs "buying business" I would argue that it creates synergy and saves money. They, especially Hoya are out in the market trying to "buy" business but it often includes ALL business including managed care which Neither they nor the doctor/ECP control or have a right to trade or sell. The managed care companies control those patients and thus if you make a deal with a lab,you're bargaining with chips you don't own. Eventually you're gong to see more work being direct by managed care. How many here just go their new EyeMed contracts? How many are seeing more VSP plans providing work to their labs? From a business perspective, be careful with your businesses......
Yes/No. In terms of earned discounts, yes, but many labs max discounts can be had for less than $5k in lab business per month. That shouldn't be difficult for a viable dispensary to meet. Just beware of what the discount is off of as listed prices vary greatly. Hoya approaches us all the time with 40% off offers...but they want ALL of my work. I wonder why? Could it be that they like being paid by VSP to do my work? They pay timely and well....how about EyeMed.....Hoya won't be seeing much private/EyeMed work from practices now that big E is involved. No thanks, Hoya can keep their offer as even with high discounts, we're better off number wise with other labs.You want to unbundle and play the field, that's fine but you may pay more. Its business. Nothing personal. Just business. Despite the lab consolidation, there are still plenty of choices for those wanting to play the field.
All the above make great products as do many that aren't listed. Patients want to see better. Some want the best and some even specify products, but in the end, you can't go wrong with a good solid proven product that helps people see better. The rest is splitting hairs and putting yourself in front of Marketing Machines that like taking your money and looking out for only themselves.
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