Essilor & The Coastal Acquisition: A Candid Discussion

[Alan David]

Anybody know if they're abiding by Vistakon's new UPP?

 

[Jeff Kiener]

My question to essilor, then, if we're the primary customer, is "why"?

Why cut us out? Why go direct to consumer?

What are essilor's fundamental values, here? Dominate the market with every possible means? Buy labs. Force EyeMed providers to use them. Incentivize their products, only. Sell direct to consumer via the internet.

And don't forget, of all the internet purchases in the whole wide world, they purchased the one that is absolutely least regulated, and deliberately positioned to off-shore US glasses manufacture to a Rx-free zone.

Look, Vistakon has made a commitment to private practice. They've put their money where their mouths are. Look at essilor.

 

[AdminWolf]

It is hard to believe its been a year since that webinar with Howard.

Does anyone know if they've substantively made changes since the show? (Listen to it again to hear the points of contention from a year ago.)

 

[Ed Makler]

It is hard to believe its been a year since that webinar with Howard.

Does anyone know if they've substantively made changes since the show? (Listen to it again to hear the points of contention from a year ago.)

Howard has a tough job trying to represent optometrists while being an employee of Essilor. I did go on Coastal's website and they are selling acuvue for the upp price and now offering 50% off a second pair of glasses but not a second free pair.

I have had some conversations with Dr. Purcell in the last year. Texas Retina Associates has permanent free clinics in Haiti and Honduras. They needed basic frames and lenses to use in these clinics. I called Howard and he made this happen for Texas Retina through the Essilor foundation at no charge. I don't know if this is ongoing, but he did go out of his comfort zone to help.

He can only do so much, but I think he is trying

 

[Jeff Kiener]

And he's collecting a big fat paycheck.

 

[AdminWolf]

What the heck took them so long, and where are the announcements by the 7 other provinces (Quebec Order of ODs did attempt court action, BC is, well BC...) and what US states with actual dispensing laws?

Anyway, better late than never...

I recall in that webinar the Optometrist spokesman mentioned Essilor would "divest" itself of the retail stores.....Not gonna happen. When is he doing a follow up presentation.

You can ask him yourself, if you'd like. His webinar was one of the most watched in 2014, so i'm sure a follow-up would have big interest.

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[AdminWolf]

BTW, we've asked Essilor for a comment about the specific issues at play, we'll of course let you know what we hear back.

I confess to not following the evolution of Coastal too closely after the acquisition -- my assumption was that there were to be changes to their SOP in a number of areas, described in the show.

 

[Ed Makler]

You're right, I could ask him myself, but I think corporate spin makes me dizzy!

Howard is not a member on OD wire, but I will send him a personal email to get in touch Adam for a follow up show

 

[James D. Williams O.D.]

It's been hard, but I've been Essilor and Luxottica free for > 10 yrs. I refuse to do business with my competitors. In my mind, they are out to destroy optometry.

 

[Dr. Ricky V. Alaniz]

It's been hard, but I've been Essilor and Luxottica free for > 10 yrs. I refuse to do business with my competitors. In my mind, they are out to destroy optometry.

Amen to that James.