Turns Out Participating in Buying Groups Is a Divisive Topic

question:

Do you or don’t you belong to any buying groups?

Yes: 63%

• Newton. — Shannon C., Fort Dodge
• HMI. — Dr. Paul M., Manasquan, NJ
• IDOC. — Mason C., Ozark, AL
• The Alliance. — Tammy W., Luzerne, PA
• PECAA. — Robert L., Jefferson City, MO
• IDOC. — Scott K., Dover, OH
• ADO. — Jami K., Wausau, WI
• ADO because it is convenient to pay all our statements in one convenient place. Also, we use them for marketing and our website. — Brent M., Lancaster, PA
• PECCA, PERC, still figuring it out. — Marc U., Pine Beach, NJ
• Villavecchia. — Harry R., Millburn, NJ
• Vision Source. — Lisa S., Vancouver, WA
• Vision Source. — Betsy B., Zionsville, IN
• AAB. — Danielle D., Detroit, MI
• One but only begrudgingly. — Kevin C., Glenview, IL
• PECCA and ProVision. — BJ C., McQueeney, TX
• We use IDOC. — Nick S., Frisco, TX
• Villavecchia. — Bev T., East Stroudsburg, PA
• Villavecchia. — Ron C., The Villages, FL
• Utilize for additional vendor discounts and access to added rebates. One we are connected to now is not a buying group as far as invoicing. We still control our invoicing. It is not just one large bill. — Jocelyn M., Lancaster, MA
• We belong to PECAA/HEA. I used them at my previous practice. We’re VSP Premiere so it makes sense. — Amy F., East Brunswick, NJ
• PECCA … group billing. — Chris C., Panama City, FL
• Vision Trends, they do an amazing job with our billing and posting insurance to accounts. — Kristina J., Mishawaka, IN
• HEA. — Robbi M., Tamaqua, PA
• I am with Block/HEA/PECCA whatever it’s called now but I am moving all my accounts to PERC. It seems that it’s a buying group for larger practices and ODs, not optician-owned businesses. Some of my vendors have offered equal or better discounts for going direct! — Jennifer L., Dansville, NY
• PECCA. — Ann-Marie W., Lewis Center, OH
• IDOC, great discounts and good information shared among the members. — Cynthia S., Lewis Center, OH
• IDOC, FAIT, Newton. — Deb J., Bismarck, ND
• PECCA. — Dave S., San Luis Obispo, CA
• PERC, no fees, good access to better deals, innovative. — Robert E., Oakland Park, FL
• Alliance. Bills get paid on time and keeping track of one bill rather than many is far less hassle. — Rick R., Girard, PA
• ADO, the practice was part of it when I purchased and I have not encountered a reason to leave yet. I am not a fan of buying groups that require additional information on my finances. — Zachary D., Saint Peter, MN
• HEA. Always used HMI and they merged so we’ve kept them. — Deborah T., Austin, TX
• Vision Source HEA. — Jeff G., Spring Valley, CA
• Fait. — Marcia E., Dublin, OH
• ADO for free frame shipping. — Michael L., Reno, NV
• ADO. — Sarah B., Harrison, MI
• We are a part of WVA which is also linked to our contact lens orders. — Samantha H., Birmingham, MI
• IDOC. — Anna K., Kittery, ME

No: 37%

• In my opinion, these are a scam. I get the same (or better pricing) negotiating directly with each vendor. If you like the convenience of the buying group billing with just one bill a month, put your vendors on autopay. Some vendors even give you an additional 1-3% discount when you sign up for autopay. Just ask your vendor! — Diana C., Chicago, IL
• We’ve found that most of the companies will offer the same discount with paying direct and you don’t have the same fees associated with a buying group. — Lorie F., Bakersfield, CA
• I have never had the need to join. Plus, I don’t believe the benefits apply to my business. — Mitchell K., Brooklyn, NY
• Most of my frame brands are independent and small and don’t offer any discounts through buying groups. — Kyla S., Atascadero, CA
• Not being part of a buying group gives us more authority and control over our accounts. In the beginning, when money was a rarer commodity, we had some delay time for bill paying. We didn’t have a huge bill that had to be paid on time when we had separate accounts. Now that issue is moot, but we still prefer single accounts. — Dan A., Port St. Lucie, FL
• Not worth it. Get good enough deals if you just ask for them, without the commitment. — Jen H., Sandpoint, ID
• Most buying groups are owned by major corporations, and we aren’t about that life. We go out of our way to not support corporations. — Kelsey B., Winston Salem, NC
• We have used them before but we are typically able to get as good or better discounts and terms without them. — Travis L., Logan, UT
• I’ve been a part of almost all of them. I’ve learned of you just ask for a discount; you’ll get it. — Ben T., Miami, FL
• Don’t see any value from it. — Jennifer Y., Canandaigua, NY