ᐅ Do you buy from a local building supply store or order online?
Created on: 13 May 2017 14:18
M
Mizit
We are generally not the type of people who need or want to watch every penny, and we understand the difference between cheap and affordable. I also see several advantages in buying something locally, where I can potentially go back to the store, make a complaint if needed, and have a contact person standing right in front of me—compared to ordering something from websites and possibly regretting it later because I tried to save a little and ended up receiving low-quality goods.
However, the budget is of course not unlimited, and where it makes sense, we want or need to save money. And this seems possible at first glance for all the products you want to install or lay.
Especially with doors, the price difference between what I have seen in local specialized stores and doors sold online seems huge. These websites even look reputable and have many reviews. It makes you wonder if it is justified to pay four times as much for a door at the local timber merchant when the product description indicates that the products should essentially be the same…
The same applies to flooring. Prices online for similar wear layers and wood types appear to be completely different from local prices, which seem significantly higher in some cases.
Now we are already considering whether we should order doors online or possibly also three new important windows online and then find someone through MyHammer to install them…
What are your experiences with online versus local shopping?
However, the budget is of course not unlimited, and where it makes sense, we want or need to save money. And this seems possible at first glance for all the products you want to install or lay.
Especially with doors, the price difference between what I have seen in local specialized stores and doors sold online seems huge. These websites even look reputable and have many reviews. It makes you wonder if it is justified to pay four times as much for a door at the local timber merchant when the product description indicates that the products should essentially be the same…
The same applies to flooring. Prices online for similar wear layers and wood types appear to be completely different from local prices, which seem significantly higher in some cases.
Now we are already considering whether we should order doors online or possibly also three new important windows online and then find someone through MyHammer to install them…
What are your experiences with online versus local shopping?
H
HilfeHilfe14 Jul 2017 11:14Nordlys schrieb:
From the craftsman’s daily life. Workshop. Five people, four plus the boss. An old PC in a corner. The case: a customer wants a parking heater installed on his boat. Difficult installation situation, lots of additional materials needed. The 2017 version would be: the boss researches the best equity online, digs through countless PDFs for the extra parts, then places the order, let’s say, with distributor XY in Bremerhaven. Price would be $3400 net.
Classic version. He calls his trusted wholesaler. “Bruno, give me a price for this and that plus a one-inch (25mm) connecting piece, you know, the ones from Allpa, also a flue pipe extension, the one with the bend, yes… exactly that, plus the mounting bracket with the rubber feet… ah, $4300 net for everything… Bruno, I’ll pass that on, I’ll get back to you… Karsten”the classic way is simply easier...
And why doesn’t Karsten just call the respective online retailer directly? Someone already mentioned it – online retailers have also become specialist dealers by now!
There is an online bathroom shop here that is surely not unknown, which has always offered order checks, meaning even customers without much knowledge could order there and be sure they receive everything. This particular shop recently took another step and now also offers its service to specialist dealers. So, I get all the advantages of local wholesale combined with online prices (although I believe wholesalers just want to earn too much, and their manufacturer purchase prices are not any better than those of an online retailer).
The topic of auxiliary heaters on boats might be a bit unusual... I find it more likely that washbasin cabinets are needed more often than auxiliary heaters for boats.
There is an online bathroom shop here that is surely not unknown, which has always offered order checks, meaning even customers without much knowledge could order there and be sure they receive everything. This particular shop recently took another step and now also offers its service to specialist dealers. So, I get all the advantages of local wholesale combined with online prices (although I believe wholesalers just want to earn too much, and their manufacturer purchase prices are not any better than those of an online retailer).
The topic of auxiliary heaters on boats might be a bit unusual... I find it more likely that washbasin cabinets are needed more often than auxiliary heaters for boats.
Of course, this is a specific example. However, in everyday skilled trades work, trade b) involves a), which is organizing the work, acquiring orders, completing the existing ones, preparing the invoices, and monitoring them. Trade runs alongside this. Is it any different for a plumber? I don't think so. He also has his two heating companies, let's say Junkers and Vaillant, plus a wholesale bathroom supplier, for example Jensen in Hamburg, and his building materials provider, say Meesenburg. And he gets everything by phone, which doesn’t slow him down much.
If he were a dealer, his focus would be completely different. Karsten
If he were a dealer, his focus would be completely different. Karsten
I agree with you on all points; the fundamental problem of inflated prices—whether due to excessive wholesale margins or other factors—remains unchanged.
And you can also pick up the phone when dealing with online retailers—the only real difference nowadays is that online retailers usually don’t have a showroom.
After spending the last six months visiting almost every bathroom showroom in the Rhine-Main area, and seeing that nearly all of them display the same products, I can say that you can safely do without visiting one.
And you can also pick up the phone when dealing with online retailers—the only real difference nowadays is that online retailers usually don’t have a showroom.
After spending the last six months visiting almost every bathroom showroom in the Rhine-Main area, and seeing that nearly all of them display the same products, I can say that you can safely do without visiting one.
Especially with small contractors, I believe convenience plays a big role.
If you forget something when ordering, you can quickly stop by the local supplier on your way home and pick up the missing item, without having to wait 2 to 3 days. If you ordered too much, you can return the excess with your next order and get a refund. All of this without complicated returns or shipping fees.
Handling complaints is easier too. If a sink is damaged, you load it into your van, go straight to the wholesaler, pick up a replacement, and continue working.
With an online retailer, the contractor first has to arrange for a freight company to pick up the item. Someone needs to be available at the office, warehouse, or job site at that time. After another two days, the new sink finally arrives. Meanwhile, the contractor is already at the next job, and so on.
If you forget something when ordering, you can quickly stop by the local supplier on your way home and pick up the missing item, without having to wait 2 to 3 days. If you ordered too much, you can return the excess with your next order and get a refund. All of this without complicated returns or shipping fees.
Handling complaints is easier too. If a sink is damaged, you load it into your van, go straight to the wholesaler, pick up a replacement, and continue working.
With an online retailer, the contractor first has to arrange for a freight company to pick up the item. Someone needs to be available at the office, warehouse, or job site at that time. After another two days, the new sink finally arrives. Meanwhile, the contractor is already at the next job, and so on.
These distant, quirky online shops are also a part of culture. Schrauben Köhler Lübeck—if they don’t have it, it doesn’t exist. Polyesterzentrale Lübeck, same story. Filterhandel Klöpper has everything from mopeds to combine harvesters, from Ford Mustang parts to Ford Lehmann fishing vehicle components. Waage Farben Hamburg is a different league compared to selling brands like Caparol and Consolan; they still carry red lead paint—but not for just anyone. Richter Wellsee supplies everything the world knows in acrylic glass. I also love the people working there, real contrasts to typical sales personalities—for example, Schrauben Köhler and Martensen at the equipment department. What’s it about? Well, not quite like, “We have it,” but if you order a hundred units, they’ll consider making it. Otherwise, it’s not worth it. Karsten
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