No problem with the marketing vision for the folk at Specsavers. Not only do they have a very funny ad campaign – the ‘Should’ve gone to Specsavers’ series (my favourite is the father on the finishing line of school kids running race where he thinks the kid who comes first is his and goes crazy hugging him, while his own son plods up last). They also do some clever stuff with their marketing and sales strategies behind the scenes. On Friday I got an email from AA (automobile not alcohol version) offering me a free sight test with Specsavers plus $50 of their two for one deals. I started needing glasses for reading a year or so ago and whilst being content with my $50 pair of reading specs from the pharmacy, I thought an eye test could be a good idea. So I booked in and today went for my test, which was very thorough and examined my eyes from every angle as well as my near and far vision.
The good news for me is that my eyes are very healthy, my vision is pretty good for an old gal and the cheapo pharmacy readers are all I really need.
The good news for Specsavers is I spent $319 on two new pairs of reading glasses. Well, it was $50 off a $299 two for one deal. Plus of course I needed to spend the $70 on non-reflective coating naturally. I walked out of there somewhat dazed yet bemused by my own shopaholic tendencies. Good eyesight does not necessarily equate to good judgement obviously.
However, I was impressed at the marketing process that got me to spend this money on items I didn’t need. Let’s just recap:
Firstly the email from AA offering a free eye test. Specsavers have clearly have a partnership arrangement with this organisation, which has opened up one of the largest databases in New Zealand to them.
Then the offer of $50 off. I didn’t need to buy glasses. I was told as much by the professional who tested my eyes. But she did guide me towards the rack showing the lovely range of glasses they had, whilst telling me how much I’d enjoyed the extra comfort of an anti-glare coating. It was hard to resist. I mean $50 off. Come on. And the $299 options did look so much nicer than the $199 ones…
And to top it all off, the sales. Oh the sales. Yes by all means look at those ones, but have you seen these ones. And are you sure you don’t want anti-glare coating? Let me show you the difference, take a look through these glasses. One lens has the coating the other doesn’t. Have a look in the mirror. What a difference! Of course I bloody want the coating. Bring it on.
Sold to the lady with the trembling credit card!
Well done Specsavers on a job well done. Am so looking forward to a life without glare and the best looking readers in the cafe next week!
From the desk of liber8yourbusiness. Business mentors and experts in small business exit strategies.