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Thread: VSP just bought Visionworks

  1. #1
    Eyes eastward... Uilleann's Avatar
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    VSP just bought Visionworks

    Apparently.

    They seem a great fit for each other really.

  2. #2
    What's up? drk's Avatar
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    So we have chains, chains, and more chains.

    And we have websites, websites, and more websites.

    And we have less independents, independents, and independents.


    Is it just me? Is it going to reach the point, somewhat soon, where a VSP-Eyeconic-VisionWorks sales rep and an EyeMed-Essilux sales rep will be offering an employer group (or benefits group) a sweet deal for their group:

    "Hey, we have 5,000 locations. For just $200/member, we will offer them a plan that gives a routine exam, frames, and lenses. The savings will be amazing!"

    "Nah, our employees just go online to your websites and buy their glasses and online exam for $50. We give them a $50 annual allowance. We save $150 per employee. Our savings on benefits is amazing."

    I think VSP just purchased an outmoded vision care delivery system, and they don't know it. Maybe next they'll be buying some shopping malls.

  3. #3
    Master OptiBoarder AngeHamm's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by drk View Post
    I think VSP just purchased an outmoded vision care delivery system, and they don't know it. Maybe next they'll be buying some shopping malls.
    Not if they use VW the way Warby Parker uses their brick and mortars. That's what I would do.
    I'm Andrew Hamm and I approve this message.

  4. #4
    Compulsive Truthteller OptiBoard Gold Supporter Uncle Fester's Avatar
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    This is the kind of story where I'll miss Mr. Ryser's search and post skills.

    Quick google shows no hard news. Uillean- is this just Optidirt for now?

  5. #5
    Compulsive Truthteller OptiBoard Gold Supporter Uncle Fester's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by AngeHamm View Post
    Not if they use VW the way Warby Parker uses their brick and mortars. That's what I would do.
    Here's the Big Bang to come (right now we're in the first millisecond):

    https://www.cvs.com/content/optical

  6. #6
    Rising Star Lori's Avatar
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    How will this affect and what does it mean to Independents? Love to hear what people think.
    http://www.visionmonday.com/latest-n...6AE64CBF1B101C

  7. #7
    One eye sees, the other feels OptiBoard Silver Supporter
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    Quote Originally Posted by Uncle Fester View Post

    Quick google shows no hard news.?
    From the horse's mouth.

    http://newsroom.vspglobal.com/vsp-gl...re-visionworks
    Science is a way of trying not to fool yourself. - Richard P. Feynman

    Experience is the hardest teacher. She gives the test before the lesson.



  8. #8
    Rising Star Lori's Avatar
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    Sick of VSP's antics and hype that their for the Independents. B.S.! I'm so glad I'm nearing the end of my career in this industry. 5 years and I'm out.

  9. #9
    Master OptiBoarder CCGREEN's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Lori View Post
    Sick of VSP's antics and hype that their for the Independents. B.S.! I'm so glad I'm nearing the end of my career in this industry. 5 years and I'm out.

    Right there with you, 6 and I'm out then throwing it to the wolves

  10. #10
    What's up? drk's Avatar
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    The future is bright...for the experts. There will be demand.

    For the "meh", well, you might need a hook.

    For the crappy: you have more crap competition.

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    Just another example of Big Optical continuing to get larger with no concern for what happens to independents. If you're an independent and tired of BO’s negative impact on our industry then make a stand!

    There are hundreds of great private label frame designers. We work with practices constantly that want to break away from managed care when it comes to their lens options. Producing your own premium multi-focal lenses in-office is easy and economical with FastGrind. I am not trying to push FastGrind, or say that it’s the only route. But I am saying that you shouldn’t just keep letting VSP and all the other conglomerates beat you up and dictate how you run your practice.

    Take a stand and do something different! If you’re still accepting VSP next week you’re directly funding all of the VSP+Visionworks marketing that is about to roll out.

    If you want to learn more about producing multi-focals in-house with FastGrind, call our office 513-321-2456 and ask for Hugh. Nothing makes me happier than helping someone get out from under Big Optical’s thumb. We are proudly independent and have been serving independents since 1923!

  12. #12
    Master OptiBoarder optical24/7's Avatar
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    There will be a big asterisk in the “Doctor must own 51% to be accredited “.... (*Except doctors affiliated with our corporate owned stores)....

    You doc’s that feed the beast by signing up on their (and other) insurance programs now get to enjoy a big disadvantage trying to compete for your local market share. I will bet a bright shiny PD stick that VW will be a “Premiere “ provider. Bigger discounts and incentives for members to use their own locations.

    The writing has has been on the wall for years that VSP has wanted and craved a National chain to purchase so they can control where their members go to purchase. They envy eyemed having LC. Once they have enough market saturation they will be dropping independents and/or dropping reimbursement to the independent outlayers....

    This is bad news also for Opticianry. Since most Opticians work at locations that take insurance, your doc is going to see a squeeze on income and profit which will affect how much he/she can afford to pay you...

  13. #13
    Master OptiBoarder OptiBoard Gold Supporter
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    We still take VSP here, but it is the only managed vision care we take. We do take direct pay from a few benefit plans that still do it that way also. Thank goodness we are at least 50% private pay, I know we are "lucky" that we are that way, but we have worked hard to make it that way. I could drop VSP tomorrow and exist, but for now the juice is still worth the squeeze.

  14. #14
    Master OptiBoarder AngeHamm's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by HughMcManus View Post
    If you’re still accepting VSP next week you’re directly funding all of the VSP+Visionworks marketing that is about to roll out.
    If I stop taking VSP next week, I lose about 30% of my patients, so....
    I'm Andrew Hamm and I approve this message.

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    My old company actually helped to set up the CVS opticals and we provided their lenses as their lab. After 6 months they canned their contract with said company because they wanted a 3 day turn around. Our lab was not set up to handle that kind of job flow unfortunately. They honestly have no idea what running an opticals entails so unless they've wised up since my leaving it may fizzle out as quick as they opened.

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    Quote Originally Posted by AngeHamm View Post
    If I stop taking VSP next week, I lose about 30% of my patients, so....
    You don't think you will lose your VSP members when they get twice the "benefit" going to VW instead of your store?

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    Quote Originally Posted by Kwill212 View Post
    You don't think you will lose your VSP members when they get twice the "benefit" going to VW instead of your store?
    Global consolidation continues via the network backs of independents.

  18. #18
    Compulsive Truthteller OptiBoard Gold Supporter Uncle Fester's Avatar
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    Can someone remind me of their original slogan?

    I think it went "By Optometrists for Optometrists".

    After a pitch to my Doc's who signed up early on (paper only) I remember one coming in saying how it was going to dominate and destroy over time independent opticals. Dr. Frankenstein created a monster alright.



    https://vspglobal.com/cms/about-us/history.html

  19. #19
    Eyes eastward... Uilleann's Avatar
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    I always found their "non-profit" claim to be spurious.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VSP_Vision_Care#Non-Profit_Status


    http://www.visionmonday.com/latest-n...-decision-6815

    Though this recent move is no surprise really either. At some point, the public, and their associated HR departments, *might* realize that quality care =/= "cheap". Maybe not. *shrug*

  20. #20
    Master Jedi King of the Lab's Avatar
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    Any else notice that if you order a non VSP/Unity product, its taking 3-4 weeks to complete?

    Even simple Single Vision finished jobs are taking this long.

    I am sooo fed up with VSP and their BS claim that "they" are for the private practices.

    They are only receiving VSP Choice jobs from here on out.

    Politics or not, they are not here for us.
    Erik Zuniga, ABOC.

  21. #21
    Master OptiBoarder AngeHamm's Avatar
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    VSP has a contact lens channel launching soon as well.
    I'm Andrew Hamm and I approve this message.

  22. #22
    Compulsive Truthteller OptiBoard Gold Supporter Uncle Fester's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by King of the Lab View Post
    Any else notice that if you order a non VSP/Unity product, its taking 3-4 weeks to complete?

    Even simple Single Vision finished jobs are taking this long.

    I am sooo fed up with VSP and their BS claim that "they" are for the private practices.

    They are only receiving VSP Choice jobs from here on out.

    Politics or not, they are not here for us.
    I wonder what would happen if OD's and independent labs nationwide banded together and committed 50 cents of each VSP job to form a professional lobbying group to try to claw back some say in the tsunami that's coming.

    Or are too many OD's like opticians and cannot see the forest for the trees thinking money cannot change things?

  23. #23
    Eyes eastward... Uilleann's Avatar
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    Frankly, private OD's are the problem in terms of VSP - not opticians. Independent opticians still can't panel, and the smart ones don't want to anyway. It's a fear driven business model - panel or else loose all these mythical hordes of patients VSP promises to otherwise shove through your front door...blah, blah, blah. Commit or die mentality. And many American ODs eat it up. Talk about feeding the beast. *shrug*

    Not saying it's bad, or good, or right, or wrong. That's the simple reality.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Uncle Fester View Post
    I wonder what would happen if OD's and independent labs nationwide banded together and committed 50 cents of each VSP job to form a professional lobbying group to try to claw back some say in the tsunami that's coming.

    Or are too many OD's like opticians and cannot see the forest for the trees thinking money cannot change things?
    What exactly should they be lobbying for?

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    Compulsive Truthteller OptiBoard Gold Supporter Uncle Fester's Avatar
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    Last edited by Uncle Fester; 07-08-2019 at 09:31 AM. Reason: ...

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