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Hi, I have small surgery in a small town outside brighton (south coast england). I have started selling footcare goods recently and am finding that the gehwol creams and flexitol heel balm are quite popular. I wondered if anybody could suggest some goods that sell well. Thanks, James.
This is becoming a big deal in the USA. Get hold of some back issues of Podiatry Management and Podiatry Today - they regularly carry articles on what to sell (obviously in the USA context) and how to do it ethically etc.
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Craig Payne
Department of Podiatry
La Trobe University
Melbourne, Australia http://www.latrobe.edu.au/podiatry
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________ God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things - right now I am so far behind, I will never die.
The views expressed above are those of the author and not that of La Trobe University This is where I am, where are you?
Hi James,
I used Gehwol for ages, then tried the "Akiliene" foot creams as the end foot rub. Now I have patients dropping in just to pick up their next fix in a tube. There's no basis to say why, but the 'burning nighttime feet' crowd love it as it seems to settle them. I have been selling lots.
Barb
Chiropractic Economics has the full text of this article: Does it make sense to carry products? Inventory basics can help you decide
Quote:
Should you carry inventory?
Carrying inventory has its pros and cons. On the plus side, carrying inventory:
• Ensures patients the use of products you recommend;
• Is convenient for your patients;
• Provides good customer service; and
• Increases your practice revenues.
As compelling as those arguments are, however, there are strong reasons not to carry inventory. If you do not carry inventory:
• Your business is simplified;
• You do not have to worry about inventory control;
• Your accounting is easier; and
• You do not have to acquire point-of-sale (POS) system capabilities.
The key is to find an appropriate level of inventory for the size of your practice. In a small practice, it may be better to utilize drop-ship programs from your suppliers. This means product is shipped directly to patients from the factory, potentially generating commissions for you or the practice.
Dermatologists are also wrestling with this topic. Medscape has the full text of this article (free registration required):
The Dermatology Dispensing Debate
Z. D. Draelos,
Quote:
Abstract
The in-office dispensing of topical skin care products by dermatologists is a source of frequent debate. Guidelines for proper dispensing have been penned by various medical organizations, yet the controversy continues. With the increasing number of physician-dispensed lines available for sale, combined with mounting medical financial issues, the ongoing debate surrounding inoffice dispensing will continue.
Silopads are also a great thing and even fleecy web squares. Patients always want to buy them from the Health Centre as you can't buy them in the chemist.
Basically any padding cut into squares so they can make pmps themselves. Orthoheels possibly??
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Tomorrow is promised to no man! My location
Interesting thread - I've just put a display actually in the clinic - even with a retail pod background - I'm not into "selling". If asked where a product can be bought I say "your local chemist, or we sell it here". Wimp that I am!!
Must try the shoehorns!
Hi, I have small surgery in a small town outside brighton (south coast england). I have started selling footcare goods recently and am finding that the gehwol creams and flexitol heel balm are quite popular. I wondered if anybody could suggest some goods that sell well. Thanks, James.
I find that antifungals sell well ( e.g. lamisil) and CCS range of creams.
Interesting post here. Have any of you been to the vet of late?? They have a full retail shop, with all the pet needs you can think of. Very often my local chemist won't carry all the toe and foot bits I require, and only have the basic few. I see it as convienent to have the products on offer. I also struggle with sale price, but am also aware that the pharmacist is not shy in charging a full 100% on all products.
By having the products, like the silicone and pre fab insoles, which I consider the right quality, then I save the patient going around looking for them and also dispense the right product at a fair price.
I know there is a swing for the physios to concentrate on "on selling". Hopefully this won't turn it into over selling. If clinically required/indicated and can be provided at time of consultation, then this is a value added benefit for the clinic.
Biofreeze gel, Amerigel. Traumeel, Zeel, Healthibetic Cream, Urea 40% cream; Powerstep insoles, EMSOLD insoles, Spenco cross trainers. Just my opinion after 24 years in practice.
Selling is something that I have never wanted to get into- but I wondered what the normal mark up would be on goods? I imagined 40 to 60 percent in my naivity but have come across an insole being sold for 1000%mark up and a diamond deb foot dresser for a 500% mark up. Is this ethical?
Do you mean mark-up or margin? if you mean margin then 40-60% is not naive, as that would be a typical retail margin (ie approx 100% mark-up). I am quite happy combining retail as part of a practice as I think selling items people need at a reasonable price is beneficial to everyone. From a business point of view a lot of people would be happy to pay a slight premium for the convenience of you stocking something. It is difficult to say at what point margins become unethical, but ethics aside at some point it just takes the p***, and may damage the perception of your practice.
Selling is something that I have never wanted to get into- but I wondered what the normal mark up would be on goods? I imagined 40 to 60 percent in my naivity but have come across an insole being sold for 1000%mark up and a diamond deb foot dresser for a 500% mark up. Is this ethical?
Cornmerchant
We generally double our cost as a charged price for the item, however, we try to be sensitive to the other retail and internet sources.
To clarify- a pair of £20 orthoheel were sold to a patient for £200
Definitely taking the p*** and I would also say unethical.
I think the next time they go into a chemist and see a pair it doesn't reflect well on that practice or the profession when they realise they've been ripped off.
We are a profession that people place trust in, but I think there is a responsibility not to abuse that trust when it comes to retail, just as in any other area of practice
Udderly Smooth Extra care cream.
I've been using this product in my practice for a few months now and I'm impressed with it. Patients love it so I've started to sell it. I found out about it through a patient of mine going through chemotherapy. Oncology nurse had recommended it for his poor 'skinning and sore feet and hands'. I noted the improvement in his skin over the course of a few appointments and decided the cream was worth trying myself. Googled it and had some sample sent to me......I use it now as a replacement for my routine cream (ccs)
The Following User Says Thank You to Wolves Cat For This Useful Post:
Selling goods in clinic
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