HMI customer service representatives are available to answer
your questions
Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST at 800.932.3535,
but you may
find a quick answer in the responses below. If not, please don’t
hesitate to call. |
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What Is An Optical Buying Group And How Does It Work?
What is an optical buying group?
How does an optical buying group work?
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Why HMI ?
How much can I save with HMI Buying Group?
What is HMI’s administration fee?
Why do some buying groups offer better
discounts than HMI?
How does HMI
make money without an administrative fee?
If
I can get a better discount by purchasing directly from a supplier,
why should I buy through a buying group? |
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How To Join
What does it cost to join HMI Buying
Group?
How do I join?
How
long after I return my application will I find out if I have
been accepted
as a member?
If I have bad credit
(or no credit), can I still join HMI? |
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Placing Orders
Will my HMI membership change the way
I place orders?
Do I need to set up
an account with each supplier?
If I have more than one location, do I need
separate member account numbers?
Does my sales representative still get
credit for purchases I make through HMI?
If
I am currently a member of another buying group, or if I buy
direct from some
suppliers, do I have to switch all of my accounts over to HMI?
How do I get the most recent catalogs
from suppliers? |
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Supplier Policies
If I have already purchased from
a supplier that requires a minimum order to
establish a new account, do I need to meet that minimum again?
Am I allowed to have multiple accounts
with the same supplier, i.e., a direct
account and a buying group account?
Why
do the prices for some contact lenses vary from one supplier
to another
on the HMI price list?
How do
I find out about the policies on shipping, returns and handling
of
contact lenses before placing an order?
How
do I get trial lenses? |
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Billing Questions
Do I pay HMI or the supplier directly?
What are your payment terms?
Does HMI charge sales tax?
Does
HMI honor special payment terms offered by my suppliers?
What if I have a coupon from a supplier?
If I purchase a product with my HMI
account number and then need to return
the product, where should it be sent?
If
I return a product to the supplier that I purchased direct (not
with an HMI
account number), do I get credit through my HMI account?
How long does it take to process credits
from suppliers?
Do you accept credit
cards?
What is iDrafts Electronic Payment Services?
What if I can’t pay?
Who do I call if I have a problem with
my statement? |
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| Back to Top |
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| What Is An Optical Buying
Group And How Does It Work? |
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What is an optical buying group?
The old adage of strength in numbers is true. An optical buying
group brings
together eyecare professionals to combine their purchasing power.
Collectively,
our members do a large volume of business, which allows HMI
Buying Group to
negotiate with manufacturers and distributors for lower pricing
on products that
you use in your practice every day.
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How does an optical buying group
work?
Buying group membership gives you advantages that may be impossible
to obtain
on your own. When you join HMI, for example, you — along
with thousands of other
independent practitioners — are able to buy contact
lenses, frames and other
optical supplies from major vendors at prices that make you
more competitive with
the chains and other superopticals.
Unless you have a very large optical operation, your individual
negotiating power
with suppliers is limited. On the other hand, if you belong
to HMI Buying Group,
you will receive discounts based on the purchasing power of
the entire membership.
It costs you nothing to join HMI and there are no administrative
fees.
Another advantage that many practices find just as important
as discounts is
consolidated billing. HMI consolidates all of your monthly
purchases on one
easy-to-understand statement. That means less paperwork for
your staff and an
easier time reconciling your accounts.
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| Why HMI Buying Group? |
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How much can I save with HMI Buying
Group?
Our members save anywhere from 5% to 55% depending on the suppliers
they use.
Typically, our members save an average of about 20% monthly.
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What is HMI’s administration
fee?
ZERO. One of the advantages of being a member of HMI Buying
Group is that there
is no administration fee to add back or calculate each month,
which saves you time
in reconciling your statement.
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Why do some buying groups offer better
discounts than HMI?
Despite what you may have heard, most buying groups receive
identical discounts
from suppliers. Some buying groups list that entire discount
on their price list
because it looks better, but then add a substantial administrative
fee to every
purchase you make. At HMI, the discount we quote is the one
you get. We don’t
believe in administrative fees because they complicate the billing
process, are
sometimes misleading, and often cost the member more money.
Some groups
even add an administrative fee to taxes and handling charges.
Others keep the
fee on items that are returned. Both of those policies cost
you money.
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How does HMI make money without an
administrative fee?
We pass most of the discount we receive from suppliers on to
our members,
keeping a small portion to pay operating expenses. All buying
groups must make
a profit to stay in business and if they pass along the entire
supplier discount, as
some claim to do, their profit must come from somewhere else
— usually an
administrative fee. Buying groups that pass along the entire
discount they receive
from a supplier are perceived as offering better pricing, but
when an administrative
fee is added, the prices you actually pay are significantly
higher than the discounts
quoted. We don’t believe that’s in the best interest
of our members.
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If I can get a better discount by purchasing
directly from a supplier,
why should I buy through a buying group?
If you can get a better deal from an individual supplier by
going direct, you should
do it. Just be sure that you can meet any required minimum purchases
each month
(without being forced to buy more from that one supplier that
you would really like to)
or you may lose your entire discount. Purchases from other suppliers
should still go
through your buying group.
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| How To Join |
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What does it cost to join HMI Buying
Group?
Membership is absolutely free. There are no membership fees,
minimum purchase
requirements or administrative fees.
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to Top |
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How do I join?
It’s easy to apply for HMI Buying Group membership. You
can click ‘How
To Join’
in the menu at left (or on the HMI home page) to complete an
online application.
We will process it and call you once it’s been approved,
usually within 24 hours.
Or, if you prefer, simply print your completed application and
supplier authorization
for billing, and fax toll-free to 800.501.6858 or mail to: 3530
Manor Drive, Suite 6,
Vicksburg, MS 39180.
If you need assistance or would like to join by phone, call
Jackie Dotson, Member
Services, at 800.569.0681.
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How long after I return my application
will I find out if I have been
accepted as a member?
The turnaround time is usually 24 hours. You will be notified
by phone upon approval
and you can start ordering immediately.
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If I have bad credit (or no credit),
can I still join HMI?
Depending on your individual circumstances, our credit department
will do
everything possible to assist you with opening an account. Call
to discuss your
needs and we will work with you.
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Top |
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| Placing Orders |
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Will my HMI membership change the
way I place orders?
No, you will continue to order directly from suppliers (just
be sure to use your
HMI member number/supplier drop-ship number when ordering) and
the suppliers
will ship directly to you. All suppliers bill HMI monthly for
your purchases and we
consolidate your monthly purchases on one statement. You receive
full discounts
as long as your remittance is received by the 20th of the month.
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Do I need to set up an account with
each supplier?
Although a few supplier account numbers are pre-assigned by
HMI, 90% of our
suppliers prefer to establish a new account when you are ready
to order. When you
place your initial order, just identify yourself as an HMI member
to ensure your new
accounts have been set up to bill through HMI Buying Group.
A small percentage
of suppliers require additional credit information and/or will
give you special
instructions for establishing a new account.
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to Top |
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If I have more than one location,
do I need separate member account numbers?
Only if you want to keep the billing separate. Otherwise, you
can have one account
number with different drop ship locations.
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Does my sales representative still
get credit for purchases I make through HMI?
Yes. You can order from your sales representative or directly
from the company.
Just be sure to inform your sales representative that you are
a member of HMI
Buying Group to ensure your discounts.
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If I am currently a member of another
buying group, or if I buy direct from
some suppliers, do I have to switch all of my accounts over
to HMI?
No, only the accounts you wish to bill through HMI. Keep in
mind, however, that it
saves your staff time if they receive just one bill each month.
So, unless there are
significant additional savings, you may want to bill everything
through HMI.
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How do I get the most recent catalogs
from suppliers?
Just call the supplier and they will be happy to send you a
copy. You can also click
on ‘Supplier
Directory & Links’ on the HMI home page to go
to the supplier’s
website
to view current products and/or to request the most recent
catalog.
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| Supplier Policies |
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If I have already purchased
from a supplier that requires a minimum order
to establish a new account, do I need to meet that minimum again?
In most cases, no.
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Am I allowed to have multiple accounts
with the same supplier, i.e., a direct
account and a buying group account?
Most suppliers have the technology to set up more than one account,
allowing you to
choose how you wish to be billed. However, there are a few suppliers
that will only
allow you to have one account. In those cases, you will need
to decide if you wish to
have your purchases billed through your buying group account
or billed direct.
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Why do the prices
for some contact lenses vary from one supplier to
another on the HMI price list?
Price isn’t always the only consideration in choosing
a manufacturer or distributor.
Our members have their favorite suppliers, so we offer a diverse
selection of the
nation’s leading suppliers of contact lenses, frames and
other products.
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How do I find out about the
policies on shipping, returns and handling
of contact lenses before placing an order?
Because policies differ, you should contact each supplier before
placing an order.
In some cases, you will find this information in their catalog
or on their website.
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How do I get trial
lenses?
Trial lenses are available directly from the suppliers.
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| Billing Questions |
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Do I pay HMI or the supplier directly?
You will pay HMI for any supplies purchased with your HMI account
number.
Each supplier from whom you have purchased (using your HMI member
number/
supplier drop-ship number) each month will send us an invoice.
HMI will consolidate
your invoices and send you a monthly statement. Payment should
be remitted to
HMI by the 20th of each month to ensure your discount.
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What are your payment terms?
To receive full discounts, payments are due in our office by
the 20th of each month.
Your statement is available online at www.hmibg.com by the 7th
of each month.
Mailed statements are also sent by that date.
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Does HMI charge sales tax?
HMI does not charge sales tax unless you are located in Mississippi.
Some of our
suppliers do charge sales tax and that will be passed on to
you unless you are tax
exempt. If you have a tax-exempt certificate, please forward
it to the suppliers so
they can adjust their records accordingly.
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to Top |
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Does HMI honor special payment
terms offered by my suppliers?
Yes. If a supplier has offered you any special terms, they will
be honored by HMI.
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What if I have a coupon from a
supplier?
Please forward coupons to that supplier for credit. They will
notify us and any savings
will be reflected on your HMI statement.
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If I purchase a product with my
HMI account number and then need to return
the product, where should it be sent?
Returns should always go directly to the supplier from whom
they were purchased.
Any products sent to HMI will be returned to the member.
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If I return a product to the supplier
that I purchased direct (not with an
HMI account number), do I get credit through my HMI account?
Usually, returned products that were purchased directly from
a supplier will be
credited back to you by the supplier, not by HMI. If a supplier
does issue a full credit
through the buying group, that credit will normally be applied
against your account
balance. NOTE: Products should never be returned to HMI Buying
Group, even if
they were purchased with an HMI account number. They should
always be returned
directly to the supplier.
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How long does it take to process
credits from suppliers?
We process all credit memos the same billing cycle they are
issued from the supplier.
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Do you accept credit cards?
Visa and MasterCard electronic transactions
can be made to HMI Buying Group
through the iDrafts Electronic
Payment Services gateway. They
will validate card
numbers, expiration dates and bank account/routing
information — as well as obtain
authorization from
card issuers and banks, provide confirmation to members and
forward payment information to HMI Buying Group for same-day
posting.
iDrafts charges a small convenience fee for processing electronic
transactions.
When you click the ‘iDrafts Pay Now’ button,
you will be redirected to our
secure, third-party payment processor, iDrafts
Electronic Payment Services. Just
enter your banking or credit card information and click ‘Submit Payment’ to
complete your transaction. You will receive 2 confirmation e-mails: 1) iDrafts will
send you an e-mail confirming that your payment information has been submitted
and 2) We will send you a confirmation once payment has been processed and
applied to your HMI account, usually within 24 hours.
iDrafts eliminates concern as to when payment will be received
and when funds will
be withdrawn from your account — now you control both. And, if you
prefer… you
can enroll in iDrafts ‘Automatic Payment’ option
to have your account drafted the
same day each month. Just call 800.322.3815 to request a fax-back iDrafts AutoPay
enrollment form.
For more information click here.
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What is iDrafts
Electronic Payment Services?
Convenient, secure and easy-to-use, iDrafts lets you pay your statement
online
anytime, anywhere.
A single-source provider of electronic payment solutions since 2002,
iDrafts partners
with businesses to offer reliable processing services
via a secure and simple-to-use
gateway.
The iDrafts payment gateway validates card numbers, expiration dates
and bank
account/routing information — as well as obtains authorization
from card issuers and
banks, provides confirmation numbers to customers
and forwards payment
information to payees for same-day posting.
iDrafts allows you to pay when it’s convenient for you — including
non-business
hours — and gives you the flexibility to better manage
your cash flow as well as the
opportunity to participate in rewards
programs offered by your card issuer.
Try iDrafts today — no more checks to write, no payments to mail,
no postage.
For more information click here.
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What if I can’t pay?
Please call our credit department to make payment arrangements.
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Who do I call if I have a problem
with my statement?
You may speak with any of our knowledgeable customer service
representatives at
800.932.3535, Monday thru Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
central standard time.
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