ÇETİN OPTİK
A Trusted Address
Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair has helped us develop professionally since our university years and continues to contribute to our growth.
Hello, Mr. Bilal. Could we get to know you a little bit? Could you tell us about your entry into the optical sector?
Hello, I am Bilal Çetin. We operate our store Çetin Optik with my wife, Mrs. Saliha, with our many years of experience in the optical sector. After graduating from Mersin Toros University Optician program, we aimed to implement our experience in the sector in our own business and opened our store in Erdemli district of Mersin. My wife and I continue our services without interruption in order to reflect our passion and knowledge of the optical sector to our customers in the best way possible.
You established Çetin Optik in 2019. How did you make this decision, and what are your founding values?
It was always an idea in our minds, and in 2019, we found the right time to bring it to life. Trusting in our years of experience and expertise, we decided to start our own business. We love what we do and continuously strive to improve ourselves to offer the best service possible. We recognize that the optical industry is ever-evolving and open to innovations. Keeping up with these changes, we aim to provide the most up-to-date and high-quality services. Our goal is to go beyond being just an optical store and become a trusted address for our customers. In this direction, by following innovations in our profession and working with passion, we aim to contribute to the industry for many years to come.
Which brands and products stand out in your store? What are the main factors influencing your customers’ preferences for these brands?
Our store offers a variety of brands. We select products based on the demographics we serve. We provide both locally produced and imported frames. We diversify our eyewear and optical products according to customer demand and closely follow current trends. During the summer months, our district attracts tourists, and they also choose us. As Çetin Optik, we offer a wide range of brands and products with superior service quality.
Could you tell us about the services you offer before and after sales?
What sets us apart from others is our dedication to our work and our customer-oriented approach. We understand the importance of knowing our customers and their needs, so we focus on effective communication. We provide information about brands and products across all segments during the sales process and offer critical recommendations for selections. We take extra care in guiding first-time eyeglass users in choosing lenses and frames. Additionally, we always inform our customers about product warranty periods. Receiving positive feedback from our customers as they use our products is our greatest motivation because customer satisfaction is always our priority. Not only during sales but also after-sales, we provide the best service through warranty support, repairs, spare parts, and ergonomic adjustments. By maintaining quality and reliability, we always prioritize our customers’ eye health and comfort.
With the influence of trends, there is a growing interest in designer brands. Which brands are particularly popular in your store?
Access to designer brands has become more challenging, especially given the ongoing economic difficulties in our country. However, there is still demand for these brands. Despite the disadvantages of our location, we try to offer such brands in our store. Among the globally renowned brands we sell the most at Çetin Optik, both for optical and sunglasses, are Armani Exchange, Burberry, Bvlgari, Dolce&Gabbana, Emporio Armani, Oakley, Persol, Prada, Ray-Ban, Versace, and Vogue.
What factors did you consider when selecting your store’s location? What are the advantages of being a street-level store?
When choosing our location, we preferred a busy area with high customer traffic. One of the main reasons for this was that the clientele we target is concentrated in such areas. The advantage of street-level stores is the ability to establish direct and personal interactions with customers, offering them a more intimate shopping experience.
What is your pricing strategy for your products? How do you manage competition with your peers?
Our pricing varies according to the products we offer. There are price differences among our colleagues in our location. A significant issue is the very low reimbursement rates provided by the Social Security Institution, which often disappoints our customers. In our store, we prioritize only the brands and products we trust in terms of quality and craftsmanship while ensuring affordability for a wide range of budgets.
As opticians, how do you assess awareness of eyewear usage in Turkey?
I believe there needs to be greater awareness, especially regarding lenses. People should understand that eyewear lenses are not limited to correcting refractive errors; with advancements in technology, many protective lenses have been developed. We need to spread awareness of these lenses to a broader audience. Everyone exposed to digital screens and harmful UV rays should be more informed about these lenses to better protect their eye health.
Do you follow international optical fairs and industry developments?
Yes, we make an effort to attend optical fairs almost every year. It’s not just about purchasing products; following the latest trends, brands, and models, and simply experiencing the atmosphere of the fairs is beneficial for us. Since our profession and business are open to growth and development, visiting international fairs and staying informed about new innovations keeps our excitement alive.
What are your thoughts on the contributions of the International Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair to the Turkish optical industry?
The first thing we should say about Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair is that it brings innovation to the optical industry. I personally benefited greatly from Silmo Istanbul during my university years. It served as an ideal platform for me to get acquainted with companies, brands, and their products. It significantly contributed to my knowledge and awareness of both frames and optical lenses, and its impact continues today. In fact, through the fair, I established strong relationships with manufacturers and had the opportunity to visit their factories. In short, Silmo Istanbul Optical Fair has helped us develop professionally since our university years and continues to contribute to our growth. Thanks to Silmo Istanbul, which expands its scope every year, we have the opportunity to closely follow current models, spare parts, the machinery and equipment we use in our workshop, and contact lenses.
Thank you for your valuable interview. Finally, could you share your thoughts on 4 your eyes?
As Çetin Optik, we sincerely thank 4 your eyes Optical Magazine for featuring us. We believe that 4 your eyes is a vital resource for the industry. We highly appreciate its transition to digital publishing, as it allows optical professionals worldwide to access content easily, regardless of country, language, or age. We also take pleasure in the fact that you still publish print editions for international fairs while embracing digitalization. We wish your entire team continued success.
April 2025