Thanks for all you do. If more optician businesses would follow your advice, the world would certainly be a better place. I can't tell you how many times I've had bad experiences, the opposite of what you teach!
As a former optician and salesman who worked for multiple companies (national and local), it was kind of fun watching this. I always spent time learning the newest products and really trying to understand the mechanics of what made certain upgrades useful. My favorite time working optical was when I worked in a high-end luxury store where we had Cartier, Dita, Oliver Peoples, Alain Mikli, Tom Ford, and all sorts of other brands I rarely saw in most stores. Just a lot of fun to deal with the high-end frames, although a bit nerve-racking when you had single shelves with over 20k of product in just frames.
I’m just getting back into the medical field after many years and wanted to start with an optical assistant position. I was hoping to gain a wider breadth of knowledge for the business, to assimilate into the position faster. I have been in sales for a while, and I will tell you that genuine salespeople (service-minded individuals, like the presenter of this video) feel no guilt about making the sale. If you watch the customer, they will show you and lead you to what they want and need. I totally agree with this presenter that the more prepared you are, along with the more sincere you are about helping the customer, the easier it will be to guide them to the right solution for them. Be friendly and approachable and greet the customer; let them know that you are there for them when they are ready to ask a question. 6:01 These are all great tips! Never judge a person by what they look or sound and if they look like they are interested or not. Just ask them! In which ways are we able to help you with today? It’s better if you ask an open-ended question that requires engagement, which basically gives you a few seconds to try and determine the mood of the customer. 16:28 You always want to be sensitive to their experience. You never know what someone is going through, so always give them the benefit of the doubt. Listen to and create rapport with a customer and the sales will naturally come after.
As I say in every one of the dispensing videos, "I can't tell you what to say." Are your frames expensive? If they are and you are not working for a dishonest employer you should be able to justify the cost. [You will not ever apologize for the cost of a product] Quality, brand name perhaps, materials it is made from, exclusivity, weight. You can defend that you are NOT a discount store. You might recommend a place where you know someone where frames are much less. You can say what I did, "Heck I couldn't afford to shop here either." Are you a Costco member? Do you know where XYZ Optical is? It just takes practice. If you are already working a lower end big-box there isn't much you can do about it except practice and say something like, "Actually our frames are pretty good quality and among the lowest cost you are going to find anywhere." Work on your shtick!
I live in Tennessee, Jackson. I heard that you need an ABO license here. But is it right that you have to work at an optician for three years before taking the ABO test to take the ABO test? Or, can you work right after passing the test? I know it depends on the footnote, but I'm so confused because I can't hear it exactly.
The OpticianWorks website, under About Opticians, has a link to the state board listing. You will need to call and/or email the TN board to get the details. Anyone can take the ABO anytime they want.
Hello, I'm Lee Na-yoon, who has an optician's license in South Korea. My license is not recognized in the United States, so I have to retake the ABO, but what procedures do I have to take to become an optician in the United States? I need accurate information. Can I work as an optician if I pass the ABO test? Or is there a training period? I haven't been able to tell you properly, so I've been wandering for years. What do you need to know to work?
That will all depend on which of the states you plan to work in. Each one has its own rules and regulations to follow. That may be two-years of college, that may be nothing at all. A list can be found on the OpticianWorks website under About Opticians. That is not to say that a store may very well employ a great optician that has not met the state requirements. The ABO does not in any way represent America or opticians. It's a ruse.
Subject: Request for Video on the Importance of Matching Eyeglass Frame PD to Patient PD in High Prescription Cases Dear laramy-k optical, I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to request the creation of a video that addresses the significance of aligning eyeglass frame pupillary distance (PD) with the patient's PD, particularly in cases with high prescriptions. As you know, precise alignment of the eyeglass frame PD to the patient's PD is crucial for optimal vision correction. In instances where the prescription is higher, the impact of misalignment becomes more pronounced, leading to potential visual discomfort, distortion, and reduced effectiveness of the corrective lenses. The purpose of this video is to educate both eyecare professionals and consumers on the importance of ensuring a perfect match between the frame PD and the patient's PD in high prescription scenarios. By demonstrating the potential issues that can arise from misalignment and highlighting the benefits of a precise fit, we aim to promote awareness and adherence to best practices in the eyeglass fitting process. Your expertise and engaging communication style make you an ideal candidate to present this information. We believe that such a video would not only serve as a valuable resource for eyecare professionals but also empower consumers to make informed decisions when selecting eyewear. Thank you very much for considering this request. We look forward to collaborating with you to create a compelling and informative video that will contribute to the improvement of eyewear fitting practices. Best regards,
I cover FPD-PPD matching on the website. If you follow all the rules for proper frame fitting your FPD-PPD should always be about as good as it can get. We can't move their eyes. I hope you aren't confusing FPD-PPD matching and the ability to decenter the lenses so that the OC is always placed in the correct place? Sure, close is a good thing, VERY rarely possible, but you will still be adjusting the position of the lens within the eyewire opening during finishing. That can be for both horizontal and vertical.