Genuine question to all you internet buyers...

clemmatis

I haven't got a car, so I bought fridges etc. online even before I got housebound. Also, when I last bought a fridge/freezer I could not find the right size for my kitchen (reasonable size freezer, but not too tall to fit under some high shelving) offline!

I feel safe because I buy from well known online retailers.

katejo

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.

Thanks Rustyboy 21 for the tips about contacts but I do agree with the other 2 who recommended that you have at least a basic website. Fireplace shops are not the sort of shop available in the average high st. When I want to find possible showrooms, the internet is where I start. I need to see a few photos to know if it is worth my making the journey by public transport to the other side of London.

Squire_Fulwood

Other contributers have put my points a lot more succinctly than I am about to but then you did ask ..............

I am old and can remember the days when you had to queue at bank tills to get verbally abused by the teller. This applied in post offices and similar. When the opportunity came to do postal banking came I embraced it. Since then I have regarded every bit of automation that took the ratty teller/sales person out of the loop as a gift from the gods.

Sales people in shops have a lot to answer for also. hanging on to your plastic while they discuss item insurance schemes at length. I had this happen in Comet once and have never been back. I have bought from Comet since but only over the Internet which has an off switch. It's not so risky since a fridge is a fridge is a fridge and once you identify the model you want you do a screen scrape to find the cheapest. In time there is a knock on the door when they deliver it and I don't even have to sober up to go out.

On the Internet there is feedback system where you rate the seller in public. If I have had to get to know the first name of the customer service department lacky then they don't get top marks. If I give them money and they deliver it without involving me in their problems then they get high marks. Shops should have a feedback system operated by an independent company and compete with the Internet on this.

If I was buying a non mass produced item like an individual fireplace then I would visit the shop but I have central heating.

That's it then. No risk in buying standard items on the internet, you can get a good price and often find out how that firm has treated other customers and as a customer I don't have to put up with the unpredictable moods of assistants.

Squire_Fulwood

One more topic

Rustyboy21: I think you have acquired a lot of fans by what you did today. I, for one, found it refreshing for a retailer to take the trouble to research this topic since I don't remember it ever happening before. I think the people that have replied to you have put the case very well.

Only one additional comment from me. Using perjorative phrases like 'faceless websites' can blow up in your face. Most of the replies seem to say that one of the reasons they like the Internet is because it is faceless.

Right, back to the drink.

lincroft1710

A business which does not have a website will lose potential customers to rivals who do have one. Looking in Yellow Pages for suitable businesses to visit or phone for prices is in decline. A large percentage of people now head straight for the keyboard.

Yes I buy off the internet, same reasons as other posters.

hightara

hi rustyboy,

my brother is in the same business, he used to have a retail shop but now he sells from home. (fireplaces displayed in a purpose built garage)

he advertises now on-line with just a store front so that people know what goods he has and where he is.

customers travel from hundreds of miles as he can now compete with the big on-line stores and give them value for money.

customers get a good deal and advice/help from him.

im not saying shut up shop, but as others have said its important to get yourself noticed on the net.:)

rustyboy21

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

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.

You are certainly not from round west Lancs then. It is normal round here to see people in pyjamas and Ugg boots with hair in big curlers doing their shopping ! lol

Don't mind what you look like, as long as you are interested in what I have to offer, not overdemanding and don't try to pay me by stolen cards or cheques, apart from that pyjamas, boxers, streakers, all are welcome.

I once had an older guy come in my shop, looked like he didnt have 2 pennies to rub together. Saw a £2k fireplace on display, said ' wife would love that, when could you fit it?'' Told him if he would take display one, could fit nexzt day. Says OK and produced a kwik save bag with over £2k cash in it. Stunk of beer, Transpired that he had been lucky at the bookies and had forgotten his wifes 50th Birthday, so wanted to surprise her as she had gone off to her sisters in a mood as he forgot Birthday. She molested my fitters when she arrived home early, thinking she had had a 60 min makeover. Was so funny when she found out her hubby had bought it for her.

Saying up here is ' nowt so queer as folk '

Driver8

For me the pure ease of shopping online and most importantly the cost.

On Tuesday i needed a new USB Headset for Skype. I looked at Argos and the cheapest was £22.99 the cheapest at Curry's £24.99 and Dixons came up again at £24.99.

A quick Google and lo and behold a perfect pair for £3.95 from cables2u and was delivered this morning 1st class all in for £5.51. That's why i buy almost everything on the net and get cash back a lot of the time too, the net, i love it.

I won't mention the literally hundreds of pounds i have saved with prescription glasses too.

martinthebandit

Don't bother with a website, have a read here

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/10/27/google_streetview_comes_inside_business_photos/

And then apply so that you are ahead of the field

scheming_gypsy

rustyboy21 wrote: »

You are certainly not from round west Lancs then. It is normal round here to see people in pyjamas and Ugg boots with hair in big curlers doing their shopping ! lol

not too far though... Born just outside Bury and lived in Preston for the last 10 years