It is illegal to sell contact lens trials....correct??

[beaneek]

The office I used to work for did some illegal stuff (hence why I quit). One of them being....they would actually sell trial lenses to patients....like $20/pair or so, depending on brand.

I know this is not right to do. However, who would need to be notified about this? The Contact Lens Rep? The state optometric association?

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[KHE]

The office I used to work for did some illegal stuff (hence why I quit). One of them being....they would actually sell trial lenses to patients....like $20/pair or so, depending on brand.

I know this is not right to do. However, who would need to be notified about this? The Contact Lens Rep? The state optometric association?

Yes it is.

What kind of an office is that? An optometrist is doing that? How lame.

But no one will care. It's also illegal for me to kiss my wife on Sundays in Connecticut. But I sometimes do it anyways. lol

 

[nc2tarheels]

a LOT of offices to this. They order the trials and acuvue is stupid enough to send them a pack of 6. Then the office takes them out of the box that says "do not sale" and they dispense them. Thus, the OD isn't charged and they make 100% profit.

 

[beaneek]

Well, the OD themself is not doing it....the "office managers" are, but I can guarantee that the OD owners are fully aware of it (they own several practices and I know of 2 managers at 2 different locations that do this exact same thing). Totally lame, I know. They are a very money-hungry practice.

So, do you think a CL rep would really even care that they were doing this?

 

[Commando303]

It's also illegal for me to kiss my wife on Sundays in Connecticut. But I sometimes do it anyways. lol

I don't get it... 😕.

 

[4Eyes]

I know an OD or two who will sell a pair of trials to folks who continue to pitch fits about needing another set of trials. In an effort to get them to stop abusing trials. But I don't know any who sell trials instead of regular 6 packs. Shady.

 

[socal2014]

Calm down folks. It really isn't a big deal. Certainly, you shouldn't quit your job over it.

 

[blackhole2]

It's also illegal for me to kiss my wife on Sundays in Connecticut. But I sometimes do it anyways. lol

😱 Are you serious?

 

[KHE]

😱 Are you serious?

Yea, I think that's one of those old whacky laws that's still on the books from the puritan days. lol.

 

[KHE]

Well, the OD themself is not doing it....the "office managers" are, but I can guarantee that the OD owners are fully aware of it (they own several practices and I know of 2 managers at 2 different locations that do this exact same thing). Totally lame, I know. They are a very money-hungry practice.

So, do you think a CL rep would really even care that they were doing this?

Every practice should be money hungry. Practices aren't non-profit entities.

But at the same time, that's a lame way of generating revenue. I hope it doesn't happen much. It's not only lame on it's face, it rips people off.

Once in a blue moon, I'll have a patient that will proudly tell me that they bought a pair of colored contact lenses from some flea market or gas station for $25 a pair.

They're usually upset with themselves when I point out that they come 6 in a box and that we charge $25 a box. So they could have gotten THREE pairs from me for the same price. lol.

 

[beaneek]

Calm down folks. It really isn't a big deal. Certainly, you shouldn't quit your job over it.

Hehehe...No, that's not why I quit 😉 I basically quit because when they hired me they told me I'd be seeing a patient every 30 minutes. When I actually started working, it ended up being a patient every 15 minutes PLUS whoever would walk in (even if I was already double booked and a whole family walked in the door). So usually I'd see about 20 patients/day without justifiable pay. Also, they increased my hours without increasing my pay. There are other things they did on top of all of this, but I won't go into it now. Not a very fun place to work, when it came down to it...

 

[ohiostateboy]

😍beaneek, are the initials to your name A.M.? I used to work at EyeGlass World and they did the same thing. First, they decreased pay. Then, I had to work multiple locations. Finally, they tried to take 4 exams/hour, plus walk-ins.

All that with a DECREASE, not increase in pay. I am much happier now that I am gone.🙂

 

[Meibomian SxN]

The office I used to work for did some illegal stuff (hence why I quit). One of them being....they would actually sell trial lenses to patients....like $20/pair or so, depending on brand.

I know this is not right to do. However, who would need to be notified about this? The Contact Lens Rep? The state optometric association?

$20/pair!!! 😱

Yes it is illegal. You could try Better Business Bureau (I always hear the patients threaten with that). But it would be hard to prove they were doing it.

You could try the IRS also and say they're not reporting it as income? HOnestly speaking, its probably not worth the hassle and risks.

 

[Meibomian SxN]

😍beaneek, are the initials to your name A.M.? I used to work at EyeGlass World and they did the same thing. First, they decreased pay. Then, I had to work multiple locations. Finally, they tried to take 4 exams/hour, plus walk-ins.

All that with a DECREASE, not increase in pay. I am much happier now that I am gone.🙂

Reminds me of the thread about Eyeglass World....I think its good that you expose these mills, that way new grads won't get sucked into them!

 

[nc2tarheels]

i find it odd that you only have a problem with it now that you are no longer working there. I doubt you ever spoke up while employed there.

 

[socal2014]

Hehehe...No, that's not why I quit 😉 I basically quit because when they hired me they told me I'd be seeing a patient every 30 minutes. When I actually started working, it ended up being a patient every 15 minutes PLUS whoever would walk in (even if I was already double booked and a whole family walked in the door). So usually I'd see about 20 patients/day without justifiable pay. Also, they increased my hours without increasing my pay. There are other things they did on top of all of this, but I won't go into it now. Not a very fun place to work, when it came down to it...

That is insane...how long did you put up with this, before quitting?


I don't understand how these people have the audacity to lie, cheat & steal. It's not just with your employer, but many corporate entities like W. Mart and a few OD's as well.

 

[Hoffy]

i find it odd that you only have a problem with it now that you are no longer working there. I doubt you ever spoke up while employed there.

haha how do you know!

And also, does the BBB have any authority honestly? They usually just try to mediate consumer/provider disputes and unless you are actually a member of it I think you have the choice in dealing with them. The BBB seems like a joke, quite simply stated if you don't like the business you are getting - go elsewhere!

Anyway, if you contact the rep directly or any of the companies at best they may restrict disbursement of trial lenses to the business, but honestly I can't think of anything else they would do. At our office if a patient gets stuck or needs lenses we just give them a pair for free and make them buy a box.

 

[eyegotcha]

HMM....

what if an office charged a handling fee for diagnostic cls lenses...?? For shipping & whatever charges there may be to replace the diagnostics??

Is that a little more legit? haha

 

[cjensen20]

maybe illegal is a bit strong of a word

unethical, would be a better word

 

[mclem222]

It is unethical. I would report them to the state optometry board.

 

[Commando303]

It is unethical. I would report them to the state optometry board.

You'd narc on someone, for this?

 

[Shnurek]

You'd narc on someone, for this?

Will you enjoy paying for samples in the future?

 

[mclem222]

If you take that perspective, you would be no different than the Iowa Optometry Board..basically a local doc there was doing breast exams on patients and examining their nipples. He even asked one patient on a date. When several patients reported him to the Iowa optometry board, they ruled he was doing nothing wrong. However, after a public outcry, the board suprisingly "reviewed and changed their decision" and gave him a suspension of several years. If we don't police ourselves who will?

 

[optsuker]

If you take that perspective, you would be no different than the Iowa Optometry Board..basically a local doc there was doing breast exams on patients and examining their nipples. He even asked one patient on a date. When several patients reported him to the Iowa optometry board, they ruled he was doing nothing wrong. However, after a public outcry, the board suprisingly "reviewed and changed their decision" and gave him a suspension of several years. If we don't police ourselves who will?

Not sure what this has to do with the on-going discussion anyway, but do you have a reference for this claim?

Unless you're referring to something different, as I recall, the OD was doing a study between scoliosis and strabismus, the patients faced away from the doc, & he had a female assistant in the room with him.

Still a little odd, but not quite what you're describing here.

 

[nc2tarheels]

Will you enjoy paying for samples in the future?

and/or allow your competitors to charge half price on contacts while your stuck charging the normal fee?