Considering going on my own

[earman]

I am a Hearing Aid Specialist who is looking into opening up my own retail store in the Northeast. I would appreciate any advice from some of the professionals on this forum who have maybe done this.

A few questions;

1. Is there a major difference in the quality of the circuitry and software for the major Hearing Aid Manufacturers, like Siemans, Starkey, Miracle Ear, Opticon, Widex, Phonak, Sonic, Sebo-Tek, Sonus, Micro Tech etc.

2. What is the future of digital programmable hearing aids? I am hearing about self programmable aids?

3. It seems there are so many hearing aid places out there, four in my town alone, yet they all seem to survive.

4. How much of a budget for advertising, newspaper/direct mail is recommended?

Again, any answers to my questions and additional opinions, advice, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

[xbulder]

I am a Hearing Aid Specialist who is looking into opening up my own retail store in the Northeast. I would appreciate any advice from some of the professionals on this forum who have maybe done this.

A few questions;

1. Is there a major difference in the quality of the circuitry and software for the major Hearing Aid Manufacturers, like Siemans, Starkey, Miracle Ear, Opticon, Widex, Phonak, Sonic, Sebo-Tek, Sonus, Micro Tech etc.

2. What is the future of digital programmable hearing aids? I am hearing about self programmable aids?

3. It seems there are so many hearing aid places out there, four in my town alone, yet they all seem to survive.

4. How much of a budget for advertising, newspaper/direct mail is recommended?

Again, any answers to my questions and additional opinions, advice, would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

there is a great article on Advance (the magazine) about Dr Yazer who open her first office, perhaps you ought to read it... If you plan to sell HI, I would stick to the big boys, Siemens, Oticon, Phonak and or Resound

[matthewneal]

When Thinking about, "how much should I spend on adverising" there is a simple answer that is hard to achive. With direct mail the national average is 10 appontments per 5K. People always are looking at the wrong number though. Everyone asks me, "what is the cost per piece?" some mail companies charge as little as .45. If you spend that and get nothing back was it worth it? You need to focus on the return on your investment. Do your homework, and research the mail company, ASK FOR REFERENCES!!! A average return on your investment would be about 10% for advertising example: if you spend 3,500 you should make 35K. An even more important issue is, are you getting leads from your advertising that are well qualified, and ready to buy. Foot traffic is horrible if it is just traffic. Most direct mail in the industry is same old same old for the last 20 years. Find folks who are doing something different. Cheap things are generally not good, and good things are generally not cheap

[zwears]

I started my own shop in the netherlands 5 years ago. I think I am almost the only one there who offers the posibility for making an apointment til 22.00, two evenings a week. That's a very great succes for the young working people.