Last Word
True COLORS
by Karlen McLean, ABOC, NCLC
Fashion tints are making a comeback in eyewear and sunwear. This month, dispensers answer the question: How do you show off tint options most
effectively? If you have a story to share, or would like to see a subject covered, please E-mail us at editor@eyecarebusiness.com or send a fax to 215-643-1705.
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techniques, etc. |
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ECPs
around the country use these techniques to profit from lens tints: ►When necessary, offer tinting as a cost-conscious alternative to other lens treatments. Offer tints as part of a package sale. ►Use custom colors for impact and differentiation. Promote custom tints as an in-office exclusive. ►Stir excitement with radical tint techniques such as vertical rather than horizontal, angled, edges only, or personalized blush. Experiment on trial lenses to create your own designs. ►Make a business fashion statement by researching current media, runways, and fashion trends to tie in tint colors tightly to the latest seasonal styles. ►If you don't have an in-office tint machine, get one. This helps control costs and colors and allows quick touch-ups. Today's tinting equipment and dyes allow easy, quick tinting of polycarbonate and high-index lenses. If you haven't updated your tinting equipment in several years, look into current technology. ►Consider UV blocking treatment as part of a tint sale. Know which lens materials offer inherent UV protection and use a spectrophotometer to measure UV, then offer UV protection in lenses that don't have it. |
We display several name-brand fashion frames as plano sunwear and sell them as planos or Rx them in coordinating fashion sunlens tints. Current popular colors are burgundy frames with burgundy tint, green frames with green tint, and tangerine frames with peach tint. We also sell specialty Rx sunwear in manufacturer-supplied exclusive polarized colors.
— Patti Galko, director of retail operations, Northeastern Eye Institute, Scranton, Pa.
Since a lot of clothes for the spring 2006 collection are in subdued tones, people are looking for sunwear to add punch.
We offer custom-tinted lenses in a wide range of colors, including varying shades of green, blue, yellow, violet, and orange. In addition to gradients and flash mirrors, polarized and photochromic lenses also suit lifestyles and tastes.
— Jamie Niblock, retail manager, Robert Marc Eyewear, New York City
Double gradients like blue/rose or green/peach have a loyal following. Female seniors in our ophthalmology-based practice still order the timeless blue/rose tint.
Tints aren't always trendy; tints are about traditions, too, and that's what makes the customer happy.
— Roxanne Slancik, ptical department manager, Anderson Eye Associates, Saginaw, Mich.
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