Buzz Session

Not All Employee Discounts Are Created Equal! ECPs Share What Perks — If Any — They Get From Their Place of Work

From the non-existent to the wildly generous, these staff allowances run the gamut.

Published

2 years ago

August 7, 2022

INVISION Staff INVISION July-August 2022

Free pair of glasses after each anniversary; 50% off friends and family. Employees have to be with us for at least a year. — Pamela Marzec, OD, Marzec’s Specs, Streamwood, IL
Free exams for employees and family. Two complete pairs for employees per year, anything else at cost. Or a year supply of contacts and one pair of glasses. Cost for immediate family. — Deb Wood, Wood Vision Clinic, Iowa Falls, IA
They get cost on frames, lenses, contacts and we cover a pair of glasses yearly. — Nytarsha Thomas, OD, Visionelle Eyecare, Zionsville, IN
Free eye exam and one pair of frame/lenses per year for themselves. Immediate family pays 30% over wholesale for materials. Any free frames from reps must be approved by owner first. — Larah Alami, OD, Hudson River Eye Care, Tarrytown, NY
None. — Chris Gregg, IGH Family Eye Clinic, Inver Grove Heights, MN
One free pair a year, 40% off on second and third pairs. — B.J. Chambers, Carrera Optical, San Antonio, TX
One free pair and unlimited pairs at cost annually. — Dan Amyx, Hillmoor Optical, Port St. Lucie, FL
We operate on the theory that if you look great wearing a funky pair of glasses, and that could lead to more sales, then the glasses are yours! I don’t overthink this too much. — Harris Decker, Eye Designs of Westchester, Scarsdale, NY
One free pair every year with no restrictions. Additionally, we offer five pairs at cost to immediate family. — Justin Tenczar, Berkshire Eye Center, Pittsfield, MA
I usually just have them pay wholesale, or if it’s their birthday or they did something extra spectacular, I’ll just give it to them. When you have your people with your product on it’s easier to sell so you’re kind of investing in your people. — Julie Uram, Optical Oasis, Jupiter, FL
Materials at cost for employees. Immediate family members get materials at cost plus 10%. All discounted purchases must be approved by the practice manager. — Barbara Bloom, OD, Weber Vision Care, Harrisburg, PA
Cost to staff and immediate family. — Shawndra Frasier, Taylor Optical, Salt Lake City, UT
Staff get one free pair per year and four vouchers to use for family/friends with a steep discount. We feel the vouchers are the fairest way to make sure everyone gets the same benefit, regardless of number of dependents. — Amber Fritsch, OD, Precision Eye Care, Mt. Juliet, TN
All of my employees get all of their personal eyewear at no charge. Their immediate family’s eyewear is discounted. — Paula Hornbeck, Eye Candy & Eye Candy Kids, Delafield, WI
Our employees can buy anything at cost. — Pablo E. Mercado, Optima Eye Care, Alpharetta, GA
Free exam yearly and one pair of glasses per year. — Laura Logue, Eyecare Max, Davenport, IA
All employees have a $250 allowance every year towards glasses. Once that is spent everything is at cost. — Susan Frein, Ames Eye Care, Ankeny, IA
Cost plus 10%. — Monica Tracey, My Eye Dr, Charlottesville, VA
One free pair for employees. Cost plus 20% for immediate family. — Tim Gray, Visual Eyes, Huntingdon Valley, PA
Cost lenses and frames. — Monique Begin, BJ’s Optical, Manchester, CT
We do everything at cost rounded up to the nearest dollar. — Rob Goedken, Fuerste Optical, Dubuque, IA
Material at cost. — Mark K. Robinson, OD, Lockland, OH

What’s the Brain Squad?

If you’re the owner or top manager of a U.S. eyecare business serving the public, you’re invited to join the INVISION Brain Squad. By taking one five-minute quiz a month, you can get a free t-shirt, be featured prominently in this magazine, and make your voice heard on key issues affecting eyecare professionals. Good deal, right? Sign up here.

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