I've had enough of free eye exam vouchers

For years I have gone along with VDU users presenting free eye exam vouchers and receiving what amounts to a pittance in return. I have treated it as a loss leader as these patients very much represent the minority of the client base and therefore have minimal impact on the business as a whole.

Today, though, I get a patient with Eyecareplan producing his paperwork and within it a massive advertisement for a multiple.

The adverts consisted of £10 eye health check for his family and friends, £20 off any pair of glasses over £90 and £30 off any lens upgrade. Enraged I called Eyecareplan for an explanation of a tactic which basically encourages competition against me and was advised that this was fine as any Eyecareplan associate could advertise in this way for a charge making it fair. To my amazement she said that Eyecareplan supports the independent practitioner, what an example!