You know you have a pretty interesting product on your
hands when after viewing it through your storefront window,
a potential customer literally dances into your dispensary
singing about it. And although it may sound unbelievable,
that is exactly what happened to me. Two weeks after I first
started carrying them, an older gentleman waltzed in to my
office, singing "Jeepers...creepers...where'd you get
those peepers?" He was putting a modern spin on a song
that is pushing 100 years old.
What he was singing about is a rather unique line of
eyeglass holders that I first discovered at Vision Expo East
in 2007. Peeper Keepers are hand-carved, hand-painted,
wooden eyeglass holders. They come in a variety of designs,
although most of them are animals. While the gator is
popular here in Florida, as is the moose with my Canadian
snowbirds, inexplicably, the most popular seller is the
long-necked giraffe. Around Christmas time, I must sell a
dozen a day. There are nearly 50 different animals, though
my best sellers include the hummingbird, tiger, fish,
flamingo, pig, rooster, frog, peacock, and of course, dogs
and cats. They are also available in caricature designs of
an angel, policeman, doctor, nurse, teacher, soldier,
golfer, hunter, tennis player, and many more. They range in
height from 4-12 inches.
This product represents another example of how we can, if
we choose to, compete with the big boys. Last year, Wal-Mart
began to carry these in some of their local Vision Centers.
What to do? Lower my price a dollar to match their selling
price? Stop selling them altogether? No way! You see, they
only sell six or seven specific models – and none of the
others. I am able to offer any and all varieties, which I
do. While I imagine they may be available through other
distributors, I buy mine directly from Glass Act Studio in
Fort Lauderdale (800-762-4007).
I know this next product is available many places,
because I bought my first one at a hotel in Savannah,
Georgia a few years ago. Not only do I sell these to
patients, I use them as attractive displays in my
dispensary. They are called Picasso's Noses.
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Picasso's Noses
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Built on a 1-½
inch base, they are approximately 4 inches tall. If you
didn't know any better, you'd swear they really had been
painted by the artist himself. They are bright and colorful,
and talk about grabbing attention! I first purchased them to
display unusual frames, but they caused such interest, and
at the request of several customers, I finally relented and
now sell them as eyeglass holders. While they don't fly off
the shelves at Peepers-pace, they sell well. I buy mine from
Debby Burk Optical at www.debspecs.com. |
Not to be confused with Peepers is Peekers...PC Peekers,
that is. PC Peekers describes itself as "a new,
innovative lens aid that solves the growing problems caused
by Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) at a fraction of the
cost..." As an optician, imagine my incredulity when I
first read that. Now understand my first-offered solution
for one of my customers working at a computer-intensive job
is a Near Vision Focus, progressive lens, such as the Shamir
Office or Hoyalux Tact. If that is rejected I go to Plan B:
a flat-top bifocal, computer spectacle. No? Then I try for a
single vision, intermediate pair. If that idea is also
turned down by my customer, the way I see it, I then have
two choices: let them walk, or try to extract some extra
dollars before they leave. I normally choose the latter and
resort to Plan D: PC Peekers.
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PC Peekers Computer Lenses
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PC Peekers is a simple, clear acrylic lorgnette that is
designed to drop behind a pair of eyeglasses. It is only
available in one power, which is +1.12 diopters. The
manufacturer also makes what seems like (at least to this
eye care professional) another bogus claim. PC Peekers
claims to "Instantly convert any pair of bifocals,
trifocals, or no-line progressive prescription glasses into
precision computer glasses." That sounded impossible to
me, but I have always believed that the proof is in the
pudding. And I promise you this: Drop that lorgnette behind
the glasses of any patient, wearing any type of spectacles
you can imagine, and ask them to view a reading card at an
intermediate distance. Their reaction will simply astound
you. Universally, they appreciate the improvement. It truly
is amazing. But don't take my word for it, investigate it
for yourself and make up your own mind. Their website is www.pcpeekers.com.
Next month I will share three rather unusual products not
to be sold to our patients, but rather, three curious
devices that I have begun to use in my practice of
opticianry, that you may also find interesting and useful.
