The appeal of sunwear is tied to the "peek-a-boo" effect
By Barry Santini |
It is said that our eyes are "windows to our soul." Scientists have deteremined that we take in 430 times more information per second through our vision than through our next most sensitive sense, hearing.
I think that the hidden appeal of sunglasses is is tied to a similar effect with clothing, where the less revealed is considered more. Whether you hide the eye with a solid tint, or tease 'em with a gradient tint, you are in effect, *titillating* the viewer to catch a glimpse of the wearer's soul. With gradient tints, I think this "peek-a-boo" effect is heightened even more. This also applies to almost any *degree* of gradient tint.
If you agree with the assumption that all sunwear is fashionable, but Rx eyewear is not (for the most part), then you almost have to conclude that eyewear's transition from fashionable to unfashionable (or less fashionable) occurs precisely at the point where the degree of tint no longer appears to "hide" the wearer's eye.
Where do you think that point occurs?
Barry |
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Maybe AR coatings have worked against elevating eyewear's appeal
By Barry Santini |
What do you think?
Barry |
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Re: I Love Sunglasses
By Patty Oehrlein |
| Barry, that is an interesting idea... given that the message "du jour" is AR or bust, dispensers have lost that fashion opportunity that tinted lenses provided. Possibly this is where we can start to initiate a wardrobe concept, and educate on having more than one "all purpose" pair of glasses. Back in the day when tints were so popular, and every dispensary had that god awful plastic pallette display it seems it was a natural part of the presentation. Now as we promote AR for everyone, and the fact that most labs can not tint lenses and also treat with a non glare process to any level of perfection, (due to product or process) we have patients opting for one or the other to avoid disappointing them. Bold colored zyl frames are very popular today, and I find that patients are ready to take on more significant looks with temple designs, ditching that non existent disappear on the face look. It's true that sunglasses are perceived to be fun, where regular RX are viewed as more functional. I guess it's up to us as opticians to begin to shift the patients mindset. Possibly patients can have those clear AR lenses for when they are in an open state of mind and that fashion tint when they need a little privacy or mystery as you put it...or maybe just on Monday mornings, after a wild weekend.Patty |
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Re: I Love Sunglasses
By Arnold De' Burdo |
The optical world is a small one. Many of us know each other, and share similar
experiences. Lately, we’ve all been experiencing the same thing; a decrease in sales.
People are spending less across the board, and we are not immune to the current state of
the economy. One of the most affected areas in our field is prescription sun wear.
People simply aren’t willing to pay for an additional pair of prescription sunglasses.
OKO Custom Clips is a profitable solution to the problem at hand. Instead of loosing
that additional sun wear sale, offer the affordable clip-on alternative. You make pure
profit, and your customer gets the sun protection they need. And, because OKO clips are
custom made, you can be sure your customer will get a beautiful, quality clip that matches and fits their frame perfectly.
We offer three designs, AR coating, mirror finishes, polarized, and any tint under the sun.
So why not turn any pair of glasses into stylish sunglasses at a fraction of the price.
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Re: I Love Sunglasses
By CA402CE4-1A39-4464-B412-0E07DF2281E6 |
| Considering the harsh times I'm going to permit this overt ad-attempt. Perhaps OKO Custom Clips would care to share some pictures of happy consumers or retailers in their product. It is the least you could do considering the free ad real estate being provided on the 2020&u blog. |
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Why is this?
By Barry Santini |
"People simply aren’t willing to pay for an additional pair of prescription sunglasses" was a statement made by someone above.
Why, as an industry, do we accept this part of the public's disposition toward rx eyewear?
More importantly, what have *we* done to create and facilitate this attitude?
Barry |
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Re: I Love Sunglasses
By Patty Oehrlein |
We kinda created our own "monster" by deciding for the consumer that one pair does it all, or the idea that cheeper is somehow better. Clips may be the answer for some but why not a full pair of sun RX?
Economic times are presently a challenge but not a reason to abandon your tried and true beliefs. If you know your patient is going to benefit from an RX sunglass then stick with that idea. Be firm.
Nothing is more powerful than a professional who holds true to their convictions. You certainly diminish your professionalism when you start to offfer"deals" on quality vision.
In my 20+ years in this biz and having the pleasure of speaking with
many dispensers there seems to be a prevailing fear of even entertaining multiple pair sales, that includes sun RX and task specific pairs for computer, sports etc.
IMHO you have to get over that fear and work at building sales, it's
not easy but not impossible either.
Most dispensers I have worked with when asked if they would personally
invest in second sets for themselves or a family member said suprisingly ..No
They will take a free voucher from a vendor but do not feel personally they would invest their hard earned money in eye wear.
These are eye care professionals !!!!
Don't you think we should be examples for the very people we care for?
Ya know walk the walk, talk the talk and get over the fear of being preceived as sales person just because you want to share your knowledge on improving a persons visual experience.
Show me a golfer who has one club to play every shot? show me a women who has one pair of shoes for every function? etc....
It is time to shift our thinking...don't you agree?
Patty
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Re: I Love Sunglasses
By Barry Santini |
Patty:
Better than "show me a golfer who has one club...." is:
"Show me an ECP who really believes that today, we can truly offer superior and advanced eyewear technology."
They're "afraid" to ask for more money for just about anything!
"I have met the enemy, and it is us!"
Barry |
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