Just $16,000 for a New Briot Edger

Spring is a time for new beginnings — the perfect time to replace your old edger or to set up a new in-office edging lab. Now, Briot is making it easier than ever for you to spring into action. For a limited time, you can purchase a brand new Briot Accura Silver edger for just $16,000. That's a lease payment as low as $339 per month.

Briot's Accura Silver edger is an easy to use all-in-one edging system with a small footprint that requires minimal lab space. Its space efficient design incorporates a frame tracer, built-in blocking and polishing functions, and the capability to edge most of today's popular lenses automatically. Multiple pre-set and manual bevel options can process materials like Trivex, polycarbonate and hydrophobic lenses easily and accurately. The Accura Silver's user-friendly design guides the operator through the edging process with simple, intuitive icons on an LCD control screen.

For more information about the Accura Silver edger, visit us at www.briot-usa.com or call (800) 292-7468.

•     •     •

Briot's Innovative Technology Makes a Difference

Not all multifunctional edgers are created equal. They may offer a similar range of computerized functions, but important differences can be found in the design features that distinguish the best from the rest.

Briot has been making edgers since 1934. It was the first company to introduce major innovations like patternless edging, the all-in-one finishing machine, and the first edger with a fully integrated rimless drilling. But it's also the operating features found on Briot edgers that tell a story of innovation. For example:

Retouch Control: When things get hectic, mistakes can happen with even the best of operators. That's when Briot's patented retouch control takes over to prevent the operator from cutting a lens to the wrong eye specs. It's a simple failsafe feature found only on Briot.

Customizable Screen Settings: If an edger is used primarily for certain types of jobs or operating style, why clutter up the computer screen with icons that don't apply? The Briot Alta offers a 3-D customizable screen that allows the operator to select the icons used most often and hide the rest, so jobs are easier and faster to process. This small feature yields a big impact on speed and productivity.

PROS Imaging: This Briot exclusive feature enables the operator to use a demo lens or pattern to trace the shape of a rimless lens, and identify the best placement for holes and slots. It is also used to customize rimless shapes to meet a patient's specific cosmetic or lifestyle requirements.

These operator-friendly features make processing easier, faster and more accurate, to avoid costly redos and improve profitability. When you are investing your hard-earned dollars in a costly piece of equipment, it's worth the effort to look closely at the "small" features that make a big difference.

•     •     •

Customer Service Keeps Patients In Your Dispensary

One of the challenges facing the independent optical practice with a dispensary is keeping patients from walking out the door with their new eyeglass prescriptions. Studies show that 15% to 30% of customers opt to leave their doctor's office and go elsewhere for their eyeglasses, often lured by discount pricing at optical chains.

How can independents retain more of these customers? Competing on price alone isn't the answer. The key is providing friendly patient service that sets your practice apart. Today's consumers expect convenient, fast service. They look for a selection of frame styles and prices, and importantly, they want high quality products and good vision results. The success of your dispensary depends on meeting those needs more effectively than your competition.

• First, a knowledgeable, friendly optical sales staff can make a big difference in determining where patients choose to get their prescription eyewear. Patients respond to a caring environment that makes the process of selecting eyewear easier. Your staff should be trained to explain clearly the spectrum of lens and frame choices available today. Encourage the use of visual aids including in-office videos, posters and brochures that help clarify the benefits offered by different lens features like AR coatings.
• Second, after you complete an eye exam and write a new prescription, take a moment to mention the features that might enhance a patient's vision needs. Many people aren't aware of products that can make their vision experience better, like progressive lenses or sports eyewear. As patients leave the exam area, have an office assistant walk with them to the dispensary while further explaining some of your dispensary's services.
• Third, assuming you have an in-office edging lab, let patients know they can get their new eyeglasses ready quickly, the same day if necessary. Even if patients don't require same day service they will be impressed and remember this benefit in case they need it in the future — i.e., if their eyeglasses break before a business trip or vacation.
• Fourth, be a stickler on quality and make this a practice mandate for your staff. Nothing destroys a patient's confidence — and repeat purchases — faster then getting a pair of glasses that are poorly made. With an in-office edging system, you can set up quality standards for your employees to ensure that every pair of eyeglasses reflects those standards.
• Finally, offer a good selection of frame styles across the price spectrum. Some consumers are influenced primarily by price. Others will weigh price against important vision benefits. Still others will be swayed by style trends. Some practices differentiate their dispensaries successfully based on a specific target market, like children's eyewear, sports eyewear or high-end frame styles. Briot edgers can process all of today's popular styles.

On average, dispensing practices derive some 60% of their revenue from their dispensary. Staying focused on ways to improve customer service will increase both patient satisfaction and practice revenue, a win-win outcome.

•     •     •

Superior customer service is essential to the success of any independent optical practice. And it starts with a philosophy and attitude that you, the owner, establish within your office.

Start by examining your practice from your patients' point-of-view, from the time they enter your office and are greeted by your staff. Is the environment friendly and helpful? Do your technicians explain the tests they perform? During the eye exam, do you take the time to ask about any vision concerns? As you hand over a new prescription, is your staff trained to describe the personalized services offered in your dispensary?

Each time a patient interacts with you and your employees, positive or negative impressions are being formed. Check out the article under "Practice Notes" in this newsletter for some valuable guidelines on enhancing patient service, and share these ideas with your staff.

At Briot, we are committed to superior customer service. This starts with designing innovative edging equipment that provides years of reliable performance. (See Briot Product Spotlight) Our knowledgeable sales consultants thoroughly understand the optical marketplace and can help ECPs select the best systems to build their practices. We have a technical support team that is responsive and trained to help customers keep their edgers in top operating condition.

We know that our edging equipment is critical to providing your patients with the high quality eyeglasses and fast service they expect. Our goal is to make sure your Briot equipment gives you the performance and competitive advantage you need to succeed in today's marketplace.

Tom Pfleging

·   ·   ·

Springtime Lease Special: 3.25%

If you're thinking about buying a Briot edger, here's a great leasing opportunity. For a limited time, you can finance a new Briot edger with a low 3.25% prime rate on a 60-month lease. Based on this rate, the monthly lease payment for a $40,000 state-of-the-art Briot edger would amount to just $721 a month.

Leasing offers numerous benefits, including the fact that it allows you to preserve your cash for other business expenses or future growth opportunities. Your balance sheet is unaffected by a lease, allowing you to maintain your lines of credit. Moreover, there are significant tax benefits associated with leasing depending on the type of lease you choose.

Briot's leasing partner, Univest Capital, can provide creative lease arrangements and financing programs tailored to your specific needs. Call Briot to get all the details regarding this springtime lease special.

·   ·   ·

Q. Why is the edging cycle taking excessively long or timing out?

A: Most likely you need to clean the lift jack bearing and contact plate inside the edging chamber. When dirt or debris accumulates on either of those parts, the job completion signal doesn't occur. If you are not certain about how to clean these parts on your Briot edger, call Briot Technical Support for guidance. Briot recommends scheduling a preventative maintenance service call every 6 month to 12 months depending on job volume, to have a trained technician thoroughly clean and check your edger. This will improve speed and productivity, and avoid unnecessary downtime.

Is there something you'd like to Ask the Tech? Send your questions to: info@BriotUSA.com

·   ·   ·