Genuine question to all you internet buyers...

Gleek

I went into Lush a few weeks back to get some bits for Christmas, I was only in about 5 mins tops but I was stopped by 4 shop workers all trying to get me to buy other bits and pieces, it was a nightmare. I had to hurry up as I was getting a train back home in a few moments and had to get out and to the train station and I knew what I wanted as I told each of them.

Every single one of them tried to show me something different to what I wanted even though I explained that I knew what I wanted and that I really couldn't stop and chat as I had to get on.

They were all really polite, don't get me wrong, but it was all too much. That's why I usually buy off the website. I like my own thing and taking my time and researching things/finding best price.

ETA: Having said that, I'm going to buy a chest freezer locally on Friday as they've taken £52.50 off it for me (inc the delivery charge of £12.50)

hockey1

rustyboy21 wrote: »

Wow !


All the fireplace showrooms now are independantly owned, mostly man/wife teams, a lot of them their sons/daughters fit for them. There are over 2000 showrooms nationwide all family run......


I try to present myself and the shop in a fair and relaxed image, we sell our reputation, our long time in the same business and have many thankyou cards dotted around the shop to show how we deal with people. Many times my fitters have popped out to help people out if they have had problems lighting their fires, it is normally that they haven't cleaned the soot from the pilot light, and not charged for the callout. It is things like this, I feel help me get more custom through recommendations. The majority of the smaller showrooms only ask for a deposit up front and the rest on the day of fitting, when you are happy and satisfied with the fire/fireplace you have bought. Any small retailer who asks for the money all up front, walk away, it is not standard practice in this sector.Same goes for anyone without a credit card machine in the shop, don't trust them.

.... Sorry but I think I am a little too far away from you to be of any help, I am in west Lancashire. I would give you this advice though, look at the websites for companies like Gazco,Wonderfire,Morso,Legend, Brilliant,Farmington . the major decent players in this industry. They will have retailer addresses on their sites........
Once again, many thanks for the responses. I think I am doing things ok, perhaps be a little more open to asking what price range
they have in mind, or have seen and I wont stop anyone coming into my shop in pyjamas if they want to ! As long as you supply the coffee !

You should really get a website even if it's only pictures of your showroom, location, parking and your team. You notice you told a poster to look at companies websites who have retailers addresses on there, well think how much more business you could get if you could put your website link. In return the companies could have a presense on your site so you both win.

People will travel for specialist things and gas fires are quite specialised because they like to see them. It's great if you are going to a strange place and know what the building looks like and just being able to see the range in the showroom will tempt people to travel.

Not sure about asking people their price range as I always want to keep that to myself in case of bargaining! Better to just display your price prominently so people don't fall in love with what they can't afford.

Ectophile

I agree with hockey1 - you really need a web site even if you never intend to sell anything on-line. Just something simple showing what you sell, and giving useful contact details, is better than nothing.

I do like to visit shops to see the product, and talk to a salesman who can discuss what I need.

I don't like waiting for things that might be delivered any time in the next 28 days. Especially since I will probably be out when they try to deliver it.

But if I'm looking for anything specialised, then my first action will be to hit Google and look for any likely suppliers in my area. If you don't have a decent looking web site, then the chances are I will never visit your shop.

rustyboy21

hockey1 wrote: »

You should really get a website even if it's only pictures of your showroom, location, parking and your team. You notice you told a poster to look at companies websites who have retailers addresses on there, well think how much more business you could get if you could put your website link. In return the companies could have a presense on your site so you both win.

People will travel for specialist things and gas fires are quite specialised because they like to see them. It's great if you are going to a strange place and know what the building looks like and just being able to see the range in the showroom will tempt people to travel.

Not sure about asking people their price range as I always want to keep that to myself in case of bargaining! Better to just display your price prominently so people don't fall in love with what they can't afford.

Have looked into a website before, more like an e showroom, just advertising the shop and the staff, but never really got round to it. Don't want to sell online, too much hassle. may visit that idea again.

Know what you mean by price range, I worded it wrong. Have everything priced up, but wary of advertising the fact that I would try to price match with the internet, done so before and brought a load of trouble with people quoting prices lower than I can buy them for, usually from the firesgalore website which is the one taken offline, with involvement from this site. it was music to my ears when I got the email saying they had been suspended. Some sites quote prices for product they cannot get, just to upset other retailers and manufacturers alike. I do ask if they have been quoted cheaper elsewhere, will reduce the price if able to, but wont go to the extent that it is not commercially viable, with the overheads I have. The shop isn't on a main street fortunately, most of us retailers are the same, it's just too expensive for rent/rates etc.

I am doing ok, always want a bit more ( like everyone) just looking to see if anyone gives me an eureka moment, trying to think outside the 'box' as they say. Could do with the weather getting a bit colder soon, to fill up fittings book up to christmas, up to end of November at present

It is a pity that the industry doesnt come up with a list of recommended dealers, who have a good reputation,and who you can be referred to. problem is a lot of the people who organise the trade news/press are only in it for what they can make out of it. Heard one such company make enough money out of 2 days hosting an exhibtion to see them through the rest of the year. Costs the manufacturers a fortune to display their wares for 2 days trading at a trade show.

MCLF

My reasons for buying online are very similar to what's already been posted - no travelling, times to suit me, no-one trying to push me to buy etc.

If I'm buying a replacement washing machine for example, I don't feel the need to see the product. I like to be able to check the measurements at home (sure I could measure up before going to the shop, but if I see something I really like that's 6cm bigger than I intended, I can move stuff about and measure again at home).

I also like to check on the available features and compare them for the different machines. I read reviews. If there's a feature that's new to me I google it to understand it better.
You might say that a salesperson would do all this for me and save me time; I like to read up on it for myself and get a (reasonably) unbiased opinion.

If I was buying a fireplace I think I'd want to visit a shop and see it first. And to find a local shop I'd search the internet.
I agree that you definitely need a website!

LittleMissKitty

Same as everyone really, #1 for me is definitely no travelling (which is like an expedition with 4 young children) and unfortunately you're never gonna be able to contend with that for a lot of people. Otherwise it's just ease really, I can get measurements in seconds, impartial reviews, and most high street stores tend not to have the vast range you can get from an internet presence. The only time I shop in person is if I need something immediately and price is un-important.

Also, as MCLF asaid, if I were to go shopping on the high street I'd visit shops I'd 'browsed' online first so without a website it's possible you're actually missing out on custom that IS out there because they can't scope you out first. Even our local charity shops have websites!

secret.

In no particular order :

Convenience of when you can sit down, browse and order - no need to rush to make the shops before they close.
Best price and comparison.
Discount codes.
No pushy staff and pressure of add-on sales to total.
Comfort of own space.
Cashback / points leading up to vouchers.

Esoog

hockey1 wrote: »

You should really get a website even if it's only pictures of your showroom, location, parking and your team. You notice you told a poster to look at companies websites who have retailers addresses on there, well think how much more business you could get if you could put your website link. In return the companies could have a presense on your site so you both win.

People will travel for specialist things and gas fires are quite specialised because they like to see them. It's great if you are going to a strange place and know what the building looks like and just being able to see the range in the showroom will tempt people to travel.

Not sure about asking people their price range as I always want to keep that to myself in case of bargaining! Better to just display your price prominently so people don't fall in love with what they can't afford.

For sure. You need to do this, you can get a cheap domain and either make a site yourself or get a friends son (daughter) etc to make you one if you don't want to outlay loads of costs.

bap98189

rustyboy21 wrote: »

But do you feel safe in the transaction, if it is a large, high priced product buying it on the click of a button? I am aware that you are covered by your card, but at the end of the day the banks wont lose out money without getting it back somewhere else, like the insurance companies with your premiums. They dont get the money back from the retaier all the time, they just lose it or go into a long list of creditors when they go bust and get maybe 50p in the pound if they are lucky.

In the past few years I have bought my TV, fridge, cooker and various other household items online.

Do I feel safe buying large items on the internet - the answer is 100% yes. There are of course many dodgy websites on the internet, and I would be wary of buying expensive items from a company I had never heard of, but there are quite a few with good reputations, some of which also have a high street presence.

Online suppliers are even getting delivery right now. When you buy a large item, quite a few will let you choose a delivery date or will call you to arrange delivery for a specific time so you know when the product is arriving.

As for why I would buy large items online, the answer is simply that they can be found cheaper. If it's a branded item, it really doesn't matter where I buy it from, so why would I purchase it from a shop where the price is probably higher. I have the same rights should it break down as I would have buying it in a shop.

The only reason I can think of for going into a shop it to physically see the products I am interested in. I do still do this sometimes, but then having made a choice, I go home and see if I can buy it cheaper on the internet. This is clearly unsustainable in the long term as if everyone does this there will be no shops but I doubt very much I am the only person to do this.

scheming_gypsy

rustyboy21 wrote: »

Hi All

Firstly, I am not posting this to have a pop at anyone, it is something that has been needling me for a while and I would love your genuine feedback on the reasons why you purchase, what i would call ' large size purchases' off the internet, instead of retail shops/showrooms.

Most show rooms would complain if i wandered in at midnight just wearing my boxers and drinking a can of lager, or wearing a wedding dress and a viking helmet but with online shopping I can buy when I want and I don't have to get dressed to do it.
I also hate people, not shop assistants as I can stare at them from 50 yards and they get the message that I'll ask them for help when I need it; so they don't come and hassle me. It's other shoppers that annoy me, people who stand in the way or ask !!!!!! questions to the assistants in a busy shop. Or the ones who spend half an hour queuing up to pay for something, complaining that there should be more people on the tills; and when they get served they spend half and hour yapping and then dig to the bottom of their bag for the money - holding up the queue even longer.

oh yeah.. and have you tried to get anything big in an MR2?


Although I know where you're coming from. As online shopping has less overheads people will look at what they like and then hunt it down online to save a fiver and then pay an extra tenner in deliver.