What independent ecps can learn from online optical retailers....................

[Chris Ryser]

WHAT INDEPENDENT ECPS CAN LEARN FROM ONLINE OPTICAL RETAILERS

In recent years, several emerging vendors of optical goods have launched consumer advertising campaigns with claims that they deeply undercut the artificially high prices maintained by the optical industry establishment.

The marketing message of these “disputers,” astrend-watchers like to call them, is that they have the answer: eyeglasses or contact lenses at far lower prices, sold directly to consumers online. They are the consumer’s advocate, they suggest, while optical manufacturers and ECPs are price gougers.


There is a clear fallacy to this claim, of course,but manufacturers and ECPs have a hard time defending their price structures and looking on the level at the same time.


See all of it:
https://eyecarebusiness.ca/what-inde...ical-retailers

[Lab Insight]

WHAT INDEPENDENT ECPS CAN LEARN FROM ONLINE OPTICAL RETAILERS

In recent years, several emerging vendors of optical goods have launched consumer advertising campaigns with claims that they deeply undercut the artificially high prices maintained by the optical industry establishment.

The marketing message of these “disputers,” astrend-watchers like to call them, is that they have the answer: eyeglasses or contact lenses at far lower prices, sold directly to consumers online. They are the consumer’s advocate, they suggest, while optical manufacturers and ECPs are price gougers.


There is a clear fallacy to this claim, of course,but manufacturers and ECPs have a hard time defending their price structures and looking on the level at the same time.


See all of it:
https://eyecarebusiness.ca/what-inde...ical-retailers

Chris, good article. Many owner/operator ECP's simply put the blame on e-retailers for their decline in sales. Truth is, a good percentage of ECP's have over charged for many years while double dipping by pinching their suppliers, and now have to contend with this cost friendly consumer alternative (enter violin music).

Like it or not, good healthy competition always keeps us all honest and the selling price in check.

If an ECP tells me they're getting slaughtered, all they need to do is look in the mirror and see the source of failure. Those that are trying to compete head on with the web shouldn't be in business period. One cannot survive long term on desperation.

Alternatively, most saavy ECP's with a solid business plan are still thriving and are catering to those consumers that prefer in store service and quality advice from a professional.

Interesting enough if you log on to one of these websites and punch in your rx etc, the end price really isn't that great and would still provide a decent margin for an ECP to buy lunch. It's the classic bait and switch.

[Chris Ryser]

Like it or not, good healthy competition always keeps us all honest and the selling price in check.

........................

Alternatively, most savvy ECP's with a solid business plan are still thriving and are catering to those consumers that prefer in store service and quality advice from a professional.

[/QUOTE]



........how about those savvy ECP s who have been in business forever and have patients who have been coming to see them for 15 to 25 years or more.

They are getting older and should be replaced by the next generation who is looking at their cell phones every 2 minutes.

These are the ones that have activated the latest commercial wave, posted right here at:

https://www.optiboard.com/forums/sho...uggling-stores

.........which is plenty of evidence that it also can happen in a specialised field like ours.

That much for commercial loyalty as we were used to..............................

[Chris Ryser]

Like it or not, good healthy competition always keeps us all honest and the selling price in check.

........................

Alternatively, most savvy ECP's with a solid business plan are still thriving and are catering to those consumers that prefer in store service and quality advice from a professional.

........how about those savvy ECP s who have been in business forever and have patients who have been coming to see them for 15 to 25 years or more.

They are getting older and should be replaced by the next generation who is looking at their cell phones every 2 minutes.

These are the ones that have activated the latest commercial wave, posted right here at:

https://www.optiboard.com/forums/sho...uggling-stores

.........which is plenty of evidence that it also can happen in a specialised field like ours.

That much for commercial loyalty as we were used to..............................