The idea is to share information, gain information, talk about solutions and answer questions related to Community Home Supply, Co. and CommunityHomeSupply.com.
Within the plumbing industry there are constant changes, upgrades, and new products regularly. We try to keep up with issues, address problems and help move the industry forward.
For example, The plumbing industry is finally beginning to recognize the advantages and disadvantages websites have made available to us. The sale of plumbing products online is becoming increasingly more popular. Some websites sell plumbing products online at a discounted price which is unmatchable for a normal retailer. What regulations should be placed on these companies? How can we as retailers compete against these prices?
My answer is, "Service." We as the retailer have the ability to service the customer through almost any issue they may run across. The customer must be made to understand by the sales associate, that although they may be saving a dollar here, or a dollar there, the online consumer will be left on their own should there be any problems with their order.
In other words, If we don't know the answer...we must find the answer.
As retailers we have customer service people on location daily who can answer customer questions in a timely fashion and make contact with a manufacturer or their representative if need be to get the answers.
4 comments:
Online Pricing and the Value of Buying in a Store: The Genuine Benefits of Working with a Professional Retailer vs Buying Online
Leslie Dorchen, Community Home Supply
It seems more often than not that you can find almost anything you need through an online resource. While it may seem like you are saving money by buying certain things online such as clothing, electronics, or books and gifts, there are some items that are specialty items that might not be ideal online purchases. With kitchens and bathrooms becoming more elaborate and designer oriented, there have been more remodeling projects than ever before. With the increase of home renovation projects online decorative plumbing stores have been popping up like weeds. Before purchasing your plumbing products online there are some things you need to know.
To begin with the sales staff at these online sites may not be educated in the products they sell. They may not know what items are required that go behind the walls in order to make the items on the outside of the tile function properly. Sales associates in decorative plumbing showrooms have had extensive training in the lines they carry, and have a solid understanding of what is involved in a kitchen or bathroom renovation and can be a valuable resource to help you obtain all of the items you need.
Additionally, many of these online resources do not have customer service departments. Typically online stores are simply phone banks of order takers who will supply you with the items you ask for, and do not have any concern for how one item you are buying relates to another. Also, once the item ships, they are done with your order and move on to the next. Because they do not have customer service departments they probably will not be readily available or willing to assist you should you have problems once you receive your order, or more importantly, are installing your project.
Most importantly, many manufacturers will not honor their warranties if the items are not purchased through authorized dealers. What this means is if you purchase something and it doesn’t work, or breaks, or you need assistance with your installation, the manufacturer will not stand behind the product and you may end up stuck with a very expensive, but beautiful non working item that will now have little more value than a paperweight. Whereas if you purchase an item through an authorized dealer not only will the manufacturer stand behind its product, but the store where you bought it will have people that will be the liaison between you and the manufacturer, and will be able to help you if you have any installation issues.
When you shop at what has come to be termed a brick and mortar retailer, which is an actual store with walls and displays and most importantly a staff, you have certain advantages that are known as VARs or value added resources. This means that not only do you have a place to go where you can see the real products and make selections, but you have knowledgeable sales associates who can not only help you with your selections, but ensure that you have all of the necessary parts required to make your installation go smoothly. There is value to paying a little bit more to work with people in brick and mortar retailers because they have their customer service, shipping, and management departments to back them up, and most importantly they have the support of the manufacturers.
While it is possible to find pretty much anything you want online these days at a better price than you find it in a store, think to yourself about how you learned about that product in the first place. With books and clothing, music and travel, you know what you are getting online. When you buy plumbing products or other home remodeling items, you might not get what you wanted and can end up costing yourself more money to remedy the situation in the process.
I agree. Shopping online doesn't always make good sense. Dealing face to face is oftentimes better- depending on the product.
These days its a trend of Kitchen and bath supplies and markets have abundance of it.
The kitchen looks great!!! We had a bad hail storm here a few months back. The ins. co. only paid out half the claim because our mobile home was depreciated by 22 years. We also bought all the same cabinets and we moved our outlets up also. My question is what did you do about the ventless hood?
Post a Comment