New Maui Jim Minimums and Any Alternatives?

**OculusSinister** · 01-29-2015, 03:31 PM

Greetings, it's been awhile since I've done anything except lurk in the forums, but utilizing the search engine for other threads has been fruitless.

I'm currently in a smaller private practice in a relatively affluent area, but also close to 'rural' and a lot of manufacturing so we have a nice mix of clients within the practice. As most dispensaries would admit, our second pair or RX sun sales could always be stronger, but our go-to was Maui Jim. Some of you might have also received the letter stating annual minimums have gone up to 54 pieces. We currently stock half of that. MJ is claiming the same song and dance that having more pieces will strengthen our sales, but our owners are skeptical of the investment vs. return.

The problem lies in: ok, so if we ditch MJ, then who is a suitable alternative? We are currently an anti-lux practice. Ray-bans are an obvious go to but I think they're sticking to their guns about not picking up Lux lines. The doctors' emphasis is on optics, where the other optician and myself feel name brand recognition is REALLY key in this area.

Revo was good historically but we all know about their decline after ownership changed hands. I feel the same way about Oakley. I have looked into certain brands like Kaenon, Spy Optics and Smith, and have found the styling to either be overwhelmingly "young" or oversized 8 base styles that are not friendly for RX. Also would miss the opportunity to order RX in their own patented coatings etc. I also worked with WileyX and my feelings were mixed.

Maybe MJ simply is what it is, and either we buy-in or pull out. I just wondered if any other opti-boarders had the same dilemma, or a suggestion on a line I had not thought of. Thanks in advance, and cheers :)

Sam

**becc971** · 01-29-2015, 04:04 PM

Hey there :) the Ray Ban thing is hard because in order to do suns, you have to do the regular frames as well, so you're probably going to end up with 50 pieces of product anyway. Plus you'll be hard pressed to find a rep to show up if you're carrying a small amount (that isn't as important to some though) and i don't even know if you can get truly "ray ban" rx lenses if you aren't a ************ or pearle or whatever .. so you would most likely just be using your own lab.

One other thing to consider is according to our MJ rep, the polycarbonate option may go away in the somewhat near future leaving only the evolution style, so are you going to be able to get that extra $100 out of your demographic every time? that could just be a rumor, but who knows.

I truly feel that maui optics are superior, but they're getting a little snobby, but their customer service and turn around time is unmatched. Consider how many pair you sell a year and go from there. I will say when we went to the new display at our old job our RX orders went up. not sure if it was enough to make up for the investment because i didn't see the numbers. but the new displays highlight the product a lot better and accentuate the colors

**newguyaroundhere** · 01-29-2015, 04:30 PM

I wonder if the piece increase is in relation to them launching an ophthalmic line later this year. Make you buy more sunglass pieces now, then try to get you to exchange so many sunglass pieces for their new line later on in the year

**CME4SPECS** · 01-29-2015, 04:41 PM

why would they do that?

Originally Posted by newguyaroundhere

I wonder if the piece increase is in relation to them launching an ophthalmic line later this year. Make you buy more sunglass pieces now, then try to get you to exchange so many sunglass pieces for their new line later on in the year

**Craig** · 01-29-2015, 05:04 PM

I just called my rep and told him we had to increase our price by $100 over retail to even keep offering the RX program; the only one who makes money off the RX program is Maui Jim. We almost loose money on every Maui Jim RX we sell; we are better off to not even offer the RX option and we will only do it if we have no choice.
We are now at $750 for the progressives.
We already stock over 100 pieces since the rep is a good friend of mine, but we do not make any real profit by dealing with Maui Jim. It is a service to get the paying work.

**drk** · 01-30-2015, 10:27 AM

That's why I dropped Maui Jim so long ago.

If you do "genuine Maui lenses" at their lab, the labwork is crazy expensive. Sure, you can pass it along to the consumer, but your sales go down as the market niche narrows further.

But Maui got their profit in the frame when you buy it, and their lab made their bones.

And you have to have a big minimum for the pleasure of low margins? Let me get that straight...invest multiple thousands in inventory with a slow turn rate and a low profit margin. Sound like a real recipe for success.

**Jstanfast** · 01-30-2015, 11:13 AM

We are looking into Maui and I have to say I agree with the common sentiment on this board. Maui is asking more from us than any other brand and expecting to give back the least. I don't know about you guys but when it comes to vendors I at least want there to be an illusion of a partnership. I mean this is also the only vendor I talk with that refuses to take care of our 4 employees with a comped pair. That isn't a big deal, but when basing it off of a min 54 pieces and what everyone else will do to help our business is honestly just silly. When it comes to the OP's question though, my opinion on lines is what is your base? In our office we seldom do plano suns. Majority of our sun sales are Rx'd so I have the chance to piece together a really nice lens, usually less expensive than MJ. I love incites Bevelspecs sun line. Women seem to like Kate spades, and for the ultralights we can make a good looking sun Silhouette. For plano, zeal, which is basically a less expensive Maui and way less saturated. (owned by them) I would also take a look at bushness product, Serengetti and Bolle. Smith is a great inexpensive sunglass and their lens tech is constantly getting better.

**optical24/7** · 01-30-2015, 11:24 AM

Update on 54 piece minimum from Maui.. You can maintain the old minimums BUT you will NOT be listed on their website! ( Which I don't give a fig about being listed).

To the poster above; Bolle sells direct from their website to consumers.

**Dirk** · 01-30-2015, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by OculusSinister

Greetings, it's been awhile since I've done anything except lurk in the forums, but utilizing the search engine for other threads has been fruitless.

I'm currently in a smaller private practice in a relatively affluent area, but also close to 'rural' and a lot of manufacturing so we have a nice mix of clients within the practice. As most dispensaries would admit, our second pair or RX sun sales could always be stronger, but our go-to was Maui Jim. Some of you might have also received the letter stating annual minimums have gone up to 54 pieces. We currently stock half of that. MJ is claiming the same song and dance that having more pieces will strengthen our sales, but our owners are skeptical of the investment vs. return.

The problem lies in: ok, so if we ditch MJ, then who is a suitable alternative? We are currently an anti-lux practice. Ray-bans are an obvious go to but I think they're sticking to their guns about not picking up Lux lines. The doctors' emphasis is on optics, where the other optician and myself feel name brand recognition is REALLY key in this area.

Revo was good historically but we all know about their decline after ownership changed hands. I feel the same way about Oakley. I have looked into certain brands like Kaenon, Spy Optics and Smith, and have found the styling to either be overwhelmingly "young" or oversized 8 base styles that are not friendly for RX. Also would miss the opportunity to order RX in their own patented coatings etc. I also worked with WileyX and my feelings were mixed.

Maybe MJ simply is what it is, and either we buy-in or pull out. I just wondered if any other opti-boarders had the same dilemma, or a suggestion on a line I had not thought of. Thanks in advance, and cheers :)

Sam

Serengeti is our top of the line. Stylish design and great lenses.
http://www.serengeti-europe.co.uk/
Good luck!

**merrymaker** · 01-30-2015, 12:52 PM

Enjoying this thread as my current office (private practice) which just upped our MJ minimum and brought in a fancy new frame carousel, are already reconsidering this relationship going forward.

How bout Costa Suns anyone? any experience/feedback?

**AustinEyewear** · 02-01-2015, 03:34 PM

Is it confirmed that MJ is going to produce ophthalmics? (My 2cents, the higher mins wouldn't be such a problem, except there doesn't seem to be much innovation coming from them for the last few years, seems as if they are getting bogged down in too many other issues, i.e. buying another sun line, behind the curve on Rx PAL technology, styles are ..... eh...., selling product at Cosmo, and now an ophthalmic line???? hey, how about focusing on getting the suns back up to snuff!!! ) They are taking but not giving.

**EyeCare Rich** · 02-02-2015, 04:04 PM

Originally Posted by merrymaker

Enjoying this thread as my current office (private practice) which just upped our MJ minimum and brought in a fancy new frame carousel, are already reconsidering this relationship going forward.

How bout Costa Suns anyone? any experience/feedback?

Love em!! I'm sure more opinions will arise, but I have had no beef with Costa. Love their lenses most of all, both Rx and non Rx. the 580 product just keeps getting better with more options. That's my 2 cents.

**Barry Santini** · 02-02-2015, 04:28 PM

I'm a renegade here. We stock over 150 pcs of Maui Jim. Their Rx service is really second to none! I'll take Rx orders on Saturday. They'll be at my door Tues AM...WEd at the latest. All done. All good. No complaints. Rx are excellent. All I do is consult, enter order on WEb. Await delivery. Verify. Adjust. Goodbye. The profit I realize from this type of transaction is more than fair for the time and effort put in, IMHO. Luv MJ!
B

**OculusSinister** · 02-02-2015, 04:32 PM

Wow, thank you for all the feedback. Sometimes the only thing I feel like I accomplish in forums is getting flamed.

I really agree with all of the opinions stated: Profit margin was slim as it is, demographic keeps getting tighter, RX services are expensive on the wholesale side and yes, there's not much innovation in the styles. The problem lies in that aside from Ray Ban and Oakley, they are the only other line requested by name.

I did hear that MJ is getting a lot of push back on these minimums and have backed off: now stating you just won't be listed as a premium dealer and that they won't do trunk shows with you. As long as I can keep ordering I might just leave things as status quo. I did check out the Costa Del Mar's, and they do show some promise, but I haven't had anyone ask me for a pair by name in probably close to a decade. I think part of this is that in Land-Locked Ohio we just don't have that sunwear 'culture' that you would find in areas with water/a lot of extreme sports/mountains and snow. I also found out Smith is carried by Safilo and maybe that would be a possibility being that we already do a lot of business with them without a crazy buy in.

Thanks again for the feedback.

Sam

**Jubilee** · 02-03-2015, 08:07 AM

FWIW: Serengeti allows the consumer to buy direct too. http://shop.serengeti-eyewear.com/

**Barry Santini** · 02-03-2015, 09:16 AM

Originally Posted by Jubilee

FWIW: Serengeti allows the consumer to buy direct too. http://shop.serengeti-eyewear.com/

This, going forward, is going to be a fact of life. Brands have a direct connection to consumers. For plano suns, why buy from a 3rd party onliune when you can buy direct, and know that you'll be taken care of seriously.

Get used to it. Pick your brands wisely, and be a *specialist* It is the only way going forward for B&M opticals NOT located in high traffic areas, where plano suns are low hanging fruit for tourists on vacation (pleasure buying mode).

B

**EyeCare Rich** · 02-03-2015, 03:42 PM

Right on the money Barry!!!!!!

**AngeHamm** · 02-03-2015, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by Barry Santini

Pick your brands wisely, and be a *specialist*

this is true of every single aspect of our business going forward.

**Aberdeen Angus** · 02-05-2015, 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by OculusSinister

Revo was good historically but we all know about their decline after ownership changed hands.

Revo are now with Menrad. It may be worth revisiting them.

**harry888** · 02-05-2015, 09:48 PM

spoke to my Maui rep yesterday, he confirmed that Ophthalmic is coming out.

He says it is scheduled for summer, twenty styles, but release date depends on a lot of variables.

Harry

**AustinEyewear** · 02-09-2015, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by harry888

spoke to my Maui rep yesterday, he confirmed that Ophthalmic is coming out.

He says it is scheduled for summer, twenty styles, but release date depends on a lot of variables.

Harry

Thanks for update Harry. Is anyone finding that MJ advertised PAL range doesn't work, especially with higher base curves? We have ran across that several times and have learned to stay away from certain Rx/base curves when it comes to MJ PAL. In contrast, with Oakley, we have not had this issue.

**newguyaroundhere** · 02-09-2015, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by AustinEyewear

Thanks for update Harry. Is anyone finding that MJ advertised PAL range doesn't work, especially with higher base curves? We have ran across that several times and have learned to stay away from certain Rx/base curves when it comes to MJ PAL. In contrast, with Oakley, we have not had this issue.

I only had this issue once but it was with their poly lenses, not their high index lenses. I try to put everyone in the high index if at all possible

**Barry Santini** · 02-09-2015, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by AustinEyewear

Thanks for update Harry. Is anyone finding that MJ advertised PAL range doesn't work, especially with higher base curves? We have ran across that several times and have learned to stay away from certain Rx/base curves when it comes to MJ PAL. In contrast, with Oakley, we have not had this issue.

Not at all. All Prog issues were ultimately traced to the starting Rx, or to marked POW differences.

B

**AustinEyewear** · 02-10-2015, 03:32 PM

Thanks for your replies on the MJ PAL issue. I was not super concise, I should have said we had experienced this with at the upper end of the ranges. As long as we stay below the upper range MJ is fine. It could be that these pts are sensitive and are used to an ultra premium PAL and they won't accept anything less. I'd have to dig thru some of the issues to figure that out.

**newguyaroundhere** · 09-25-2015, 11:12 AM

Maui is only releasing the ophthalmic frames to certain test accounts, approximately 35-40 total. A full release is expected during second half of 2016