The College of Optometrists

I am looking at updating my practice with new spectacle display stands. However, the professional 'optical' shop fitters seem to charge extortionate rates for the work they carry out. I have recently come across the stands ny International Eyewear, which cost just £50 and each holds 15 frames. Has anyone used these, if so what are they like??

Could anyone also guide me towards any suppliers they are aware off who charge similar reasonable rates for fittings...

I have been warned to stay well clear of the prof optical shop fitters. Have been advised to use local fitters/shop fitters who can do a similar job for half the price. Luckily I know of a few shops who have been kitted out by such, so I intend to check them out first. Maybe you should ask around

thats my experience as well. Go local - and save. They are then on hand for any repairs etc.

I agree with smurfit & palfi. Crib the professionals mercilessly for ideas & then get a local builder/joiner/shopfitter to copy for you, easy to get at if something goes wrong & a fraction of the price eg Lynx Framebars from a few years ago were easily copied using white drainpipe and golf tees, Lynx cost £120 each, the homemade version about £6 plus a bit of time spent

Not sure that I agree at all with this. How do you like it when a px comes to you for a 30 min NHS consultation; picks your brains on the pros and cons of lens types, coatings, tints etc; questions you endlessly on the nature of ARMD or on what symptoms he should look out for because his great uncle had suspect glaucoma; and then goes to an unregistered seller to buy his specs. (Subsequently coming back to you have them adjusted.)

If you go local, get the local man to do the design work too. If you want a top notch professional job, then pay up and smile.

We have the International stands and they look great!! Per frame displayed they are excellent value and stand out from the identikit displays you get from a lot of optical shopfitters!!!

We got a local shopfitter to refit the place, did an excellent job, and came in at less than a quarter of the price of the optical lot!!!

not understand yr argument phil - in business you have to look out for your own. Some of these shop fitters use subby contractors so you get anyone anyway. I made my shop display units myself - freely copied from a design I saw in a large family firm of opticians. Made from golden colored curtain rods within a beautiful bookcase. Others were made a la a design similar to that of the great michel le curie.

GPX group specialise in plastic displays for all sorts of retailers.

They do a good rotating sunglass display that I use for frames - holds about 40 frames in the space that you could only get 15 with a static display.

That, plus fancy shelves from IKEA does it for me!

Who are GPX group, have you a contact number

Thanks,

Finkle

I used a local joiner/fitter for my practice at a less than a quarter of the asking price from the optical shop fitter. including wheel chairs ramp,floors,walls,painting,ceiling, frame stands,new front desk & dispensing desk, and only 4 days work.( payment 30% for materials in advance and rest when finish).

GPX - phone 020 8327 3232 & ask for a catalogue.