OpFocus Program Update (FIXED)

[Freediver]

I rejoined the OpFocus program just now and would like to thank Spyderco for allowing health care professionals into the program. There was an oversight in January that didn’t allow pharmacists to join but Mr. Janich and Spyderco quickly resolved the issue. Thanks again.

[VooDooChild]

Sorry to hear that.

If its any consolation, when I was a beach lifeguard I could pretty much never get a first responder discount for anything.

[Freediver]

Sorry to hear that.

If its any consolation, when I was a beach lifeguard I could pretty much never get a first responder discount for anything.

Thanks. A lifeguard is an extremely important profession. Eddie Aikau is regarded as a legend out here. I do not want the discount. I was just disappointed pharmacists aren’t considered “medical professionals” to Spyderco.

[Evil D]

Tow truck driver...at one point our national average was one death every 6 days but I'm not sure if that's still true today. We get to play in traffic and people show us absolutely no respect when we're on the side of the highway trying to help people, but we're not seen as first responders in most states. We just get to clean up the mess.

[PStone]

Sorry to hear freediver. It’s a shame especially when the Pharmacist tends to know more about the drugs being dispersed and than the Docs. Frontline peeps should all be eligible. Including custodians. Talk about “cleaning up the mess”.

[Michael Janich]

Dear Freediver:

I am very sorry to hear about your challenges with the OpFocus program. Thank you for your continued service to our community.

I am not an expert on ID.me or Spyderco's specific policies regarding the categories of workers included in the program. That expert is TazKristi, and she's currently out on some well-deserved vacation time. When she gets back, I will bring this to her attention and determine whether there was actually a purposeful decision made to exclude pharmacists from eligibility.

In the meantime, could you please tell me whom you emailed at Spyderco?

Thank you for your patience.

Stay safe,

Mike

[RustyIron]

It is unfortunate to hear that Spyderco does not recognize pharmacists as “Medical Professionals”.

Meh. For decades, I kept the world safe for the public, and rescuing people was a common occurance. When there's a problem, oftentimes the firemen would just drag their feet and stall for time until I arrived. When covid came around, and everyone locked themselves in their little boxes, some of us were out on the deserted streets keeping the world turning. My group carries knives, and Spyderco doesn't give us a discount. That's ok.

Sal decided that he wanted to do something nice for a group of people. For any of us to complain because we don't receive a gift is self-centered and greedy.

[Eli Chaps]

To each their own I reckon.

I spent years in the military and in law enforcement and have never invoked the OpFocus program.

Once upon a lifetime ago I was an E2 living in a trailer with a wife and newborn. We qualified for food stamps. I know things have improved, but I leave OpFocus for those kids. Good on the Glessers to offer such a thing.

For most of us, these are luxury items. I don't fault or judge those who do use it though.

[The Mastiff]

Once upon a lifetime ago I was an E2 living in a trailer with a wife and newborn. We qualified for food stamps. I know things have improved, but I leave OpFocus for those kids. Good on the Glessers to offer such a thing.

Yep. I am retired ( state job in corrections) and a vet and I don't use any discounts that are not available to all Americans. With the OP it must be a respect thing because every Pharm D I know is management and making big bucks and not really in the same position financially as a young soldier or even most police.

[ZrowsN1s]

I respect Pharmacists. I learned a while back when I had a concern about a drug interaction or side effect, the person to ask was not my doctor, it was my pharmacist. My doctor didn't know half as much.

[JRinFL]

How is a Pharm D not a "Medical Professional"? Spyderco can offer their discounts to whatever select few they wish to, but using a phrases like "Medical Professional" and "medical service providers who have earned professional certification through their studies” while excluding the bulk of persons in the field of medicine is sending the wrong message. Not just Pharm Ds are excluded, BTW.

Don't claim an expansion when you really just offer it to a small subset of the field. Just list the few who qualify and leave it at that.

Love all of you!**



**Just a few qualify for my love and only on Tuesdays.

[Wartstein]

... For any of us to complain because we don't receive a gift is self-centered and greedy.

I think Freediver made it clear that this is not about the "gift"/discount, but about how his profession is seen (resp. not seen anymore)

[on_the_edge]

Lots of people have jobs that are difficult. Some require years of training, others require doing very difficult things. Some routinely risk their lives for others. Many remain largely unnoticed and never receive recognition for their achievements let alone actually ask for recognition.

I think we are in a "recognize me" culture, and one that by definition must recognize EVERYONE in order to be fair. Yet that then defeats the very intent of those who conceived of recognizing a particular group of people to begin with. Perhaps instead of taking something personally or as an insult, realize that your job is still important, that many people do "thankless" jobs and are never recognized, and still they are happy simply doing the best they can every day.

[Fireman]

Where was this? We have to be anywhere in our responsibility area within 6 minutes or have to fill out a report what delayed us. We usually beat the ambiance by a few minutes. We have paramedics on every pice of machinery. I sleep in my uniform to be the first in the engine and not get left behind. It is a matter of service. pride and standards.

It is unfortunate to hear that Spyderco does not recognize pharmacists as “Medical Professionals”.

Meh. For decades, I kept the world safe for the public, and rescuing people was a common occurance. When there's a problem, oftentimes the firemen would just drag their feet and stall for time until I arrived. When covid came around, and everyone locked themselves in their little boxes, some of us were out on the deserted streets keeping the world turning. My group carries knives, and Spyderco doesn't give us a discount. That's ok.

Sal decided that he wanted to do something nice for a group of people. For any of us to complain because we don't receive a gift is self-centered and greedy.

[Freediver]

Dear Freediver:

I am very sorry to hear about your challenges with the OpFocus program. Thank you for your continued service to our community.

I am not an expert on ID.me or Spyderco's specific policies regarding the categories of workers included in the program. That expert is TazKristi, and she's currently out on some well-deserved vacation time. When she gets back, I will bring this to her attention and determine whether there was actually a purposeful decision made to exclude pharmacists from eligibility.

In the meantime, could you please tell me whom you emailed at Spyderco?

Thank you for your patience.

Stay safe,

Mike

Thanks Mike. I’ll PM you a copy of the email. The employee was absolutely courteous and professional and I do not wish to get anyone in trouble.

I also want to say I appreciate everyone’s input here. Many of you understood the message that I want to convey.

[RustyIron]

I sleep in my uniform to be the first in the engine and not get left behind.

Good on ya. May we all be so blessed as to discover the path in life that best fits our personalities and skill sets. I was intentionally vague as to avoid getting into a "contest" to see who is the most important. Police? Firemen? Pharmacists? I don't care. But if forced to take a side, I'll choose the guy who stocks the shelves at the grocery store. He's the one who deserves the greatest respect. He doesn't bring home the biggest paycheck. He doesn't have the best retirement. He doesn't have the best medical insurance. He doesn't have the best PPE. He isn't provided with the best educational material for safe work practices. But he's exposed to the widest segment of the population. We all need that guy, and he's the most at risk.

[standy99]

I sleep in my uniform to be the first in the engine and not get left behind.

Good on ya. May we all be so blessed as to discover the path in life that best fits our personalities and skill sets. I was intentionally vague as to avoid getting into a "contest" to see who is the most important. Police? Firemen? Pharmacists? I don't care. But if forced to take a side, I'll choose the guy who stocks the shelves at the grocery store. He's the one who deserves the greatest respect. He doesn't bring home the biggest paycheck. He doesn't have the best retirement. He doesn't have the best medical insurance. He doesn't have the best PPE. He isn't provided with the best educational material for safe work practices. But he's exposed to the widest segment of the population. We all need that guy, and he's the most at risk.

Always said the cleaners are the most important people at work.
(And usually have the swipe that opens the most doors in my government office building)

[RamZar]

We should all go back to the pre-MAP days (before 2016) when we could all get 45%-50% off MSRP every day!

[Mushroom]

We should all go back to the pre-MAP days (before 2016) when we could all get 45%-50% off MSRP every day!

Ding ding ding!!! Winner winner chicken dinner!!

[wolfeman]

Also a pharmacist here. I was a little shocked to learn that Spyderco decided to exclude pharmacists from their definition of medical professionals, especially when ID.me specifically includes them in that group. I'd love to continue to take advantage of Spyderco's generous offer. I'd already owned several Spyderco knives and sharpening tools before I found out about the discount. I have only used it a few times this year to buy a few Christmas presents for my boys (MULE team knife for both) and my nephew (Tenacious) and also a knife (Para 3 LW) for myself.

If it's the end of my participation in OpFocus, thank you Spyderco for the opportunity to have participated in the past. If Spyderco decides to include pharmacists again, that would be great also.