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How flexible is Shopify for a Retail Optical Biz that wants to sell frames w/ presc. lens options?

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Wish13
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We'd like the customer to select a base frame, size and colour.

Upon adding to cart, it would pop-up with a step-by-step product/order configurator - offering options such as: glasses use, prescription, lens type and thickness etc.

Some of these options would impact price. Others would just require customer input.

A degree of logic may also be required before completing a particular step. The logic may lead to an instant notification message or perhaps even a change in input options etc.

Any help would be much appreciated.
#biz #flexible #frames #lens #optical #options #presc #retail #sell #shopify #w or
  • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
    Oziboomer
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    Originally Posted by Wish13 View Post

    We'd like the customer to select a base frame, size and colour.

    Upon adding to cart, it would pop-up with a step-by-step product/order configurator - offering options such as: glasses use, prescription, lens type and thickness etc.

    Some of these options would impact price. Others would just require customer input.

    A degree of logic may also be required before completing a particular step. The logic may lead to an instant notification message or perhaps even a change in input options etc.

    Any help would be much appreciated.
    Why would a retail optical business want to send clients online?

    If a customer has a prescription then they can shop for a new pair of glasses or frames but really?

    really???

    Do you wear glasses?

    Having something comfortable to wear that is also stylish usually requires trying on the frames personally.

    Glasses are a personalized purchase.

    They are usually bought in conjunction with a new prescription.

    Comfort and style are two great considerations.

    How does someone "feel" that comfort online?

    in a few years maybe you can get scanned and buy a titanium or another better hi-tech composite online that perfectly fits and feels great.

    Today...you want to try a variety of frames "ON YOUR FACE".

    Unless I'm missing something here the market for optometrists or opticians is usually in the 40-50 year old who has gradually failing eyesight.

    That demographic still prefers personal service and to personally try on a variety of frames.

    The next generation maybe online.

    My suggestion for now is improve the offline experience with a view to ultimate customisation in the future but it is not quite there yet.

    There are few plugins that work with woocommerce for example were you can add logic and other variables and those variables impact price.

    Best regards,

    Ozi
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    • Profile picture of the author drewkoszulinski
      drewkoszulinski
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      Originally Posted by Oziboomer View Post

      Why would a retail optical business want to send clients online?

      If a customer has a prescription then they can shop for a new pair of glasses or frames but really?

      really???

      Do you wear glasses?

      Having something comfortable to wear that is also stylish usually requires trying on the frames personally.

      Glasses are a personalized purchase.

      They are usually bought in conjunction with a new prescription.

      Comfort and style are two great considerations.

      How does someone "feel" that comfort online?

      in a few years maybe you can get scanned and buy a titanium or another better hi-tech composite online that perfectly fits and feels great.

      Today...you want to try a variety of frames "ON YOUR FACE".

      Unless I'm missing something here the market for optometrists or opticians is usually in the 40-50 year old who has gradually failing eyesight.

      That demographic still prefers personal service and to personally try on a variety of frames.

      The next generation maybe online.

      My suggestion for now is improve the offline experience with a view to ultimate customisation in the future but it is not quite there yet.

      There are few plugins that work with woocommerce for example were you can add logic and other variables and those variables impact price.

      Best regards,

      Ozi
      seriously? that was phenomenally unconstructive. this model has been proven multiple times. Don't show up with your masterpiece painting of knowledge thats poorly founded and poorly researched. additionally, OP didn't ask for your opinion on his/her model.

      That said, I don't know enough about shopify to confirm or deny the possibility of those features, but I know all of this would be possible with Wordpress/woocommerce. my guess is that it's possible somehow!
      • Profile picture of the author Oziboomer
        Oziboomer
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        Originally Posted by drewkoszulinski View Post

        seriously? that was phenomenally unconstructive. this model has been proven multiple times.
        Perhaps you can add something constructive like providing some links to the "proven multiple times" as you have pointed out.

        Usually people's prescriptions do change and when they are getting a new prescription the opportunity exists there and then for the optometrist to sell the new frames with the new prescription.

        If someone already is buying a frame they like and require a different prescription then there may be merit in purchasing those "replacement" frames with the new prescription.

        It's a bit like buying a pair of sunglasses when you lose or break a pair that you are familiar with.

        For example I like a particular Smith pair of sunglasses for fishing but my Dad likes one model of Spotters.

        If either of us loses "our" pair we might go online to replace.

        But...

        ...when it comes to prescription eyewear the purchaser is usually buying a new pair because their eyesight has changed and they require a new prescription.

        They can't get that eye test done online as far as I'm aware so they are going to visit a professional.

        So...

        after the person has had their new consultation and prescription....

        WHY would the optometrist/consultant/store send the customer away to shop online?

        If they are in store wouldn't they just sell them the frames?

        NOW....

        ...if the store has a lousy range...

        ...and bad service...

        ...and bad prices...

        THEN...

        the customer might go and shop somewhere else.

        I just question the validity of an offline store sending a client away to shop elsewhere.

        Definitely pre-sell by showing a great range to get someone to come in. - yes.

        Fail to sell them new frames because of poor range or poor service etc is unforgivable given you have the customer in front of you and you should have a professional store.

        As far as providing un-constructive advice I note the lack of high level of advice @drewkoszulinski has provided in the *many* (5) posts made on the forum.

        I'd also like to add I have run retail type business operations since 1991 and have multiple offline and online businesses that sell several thousands of dollars a day of products so although you might dismiss my advice it doesn't matter to me because I'm doing well and you can take it or leave it.

        I'm just speaking from personal experience both in buying comfortable glasses I'd be proud to wear in public and from the experience I have from running a real business, training sales people and working in sales over the years.

        As far as I can see Drew you don't climb virtual rock faces you go out and tackle the real thing.

        It is one thing looking at the wall you have to climb and another thing getting out there and facing it.

        Webdesign and functionality and online engagement is one thing and delivering "comfort" is another.

        Isn't the buyer of prescription glasses requiring multiple needs to be met?

        Prescription

        Style

        Comfort

        If they have tried on the product and then want to shop online then the failure to deliver value at the point when they are primed to buy has not been met.

        Best regards,

        Ozi
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