ᐅ Tile sampling – significant price differences

Hello,

Yesterday, we visited a tile showroom again.
We had actually already selected and sampled our tiles earlier this year near our construction company (Hanover).
This was the first time we spoke with our tiler, who advised us to also check out two of his preferred stores near us (Hamburg). We did that.

We didn’t find THE tile that really impressed us (except for the prices ), but one tile was among them that we had already chosen before for the bathroom (same manufacturer, same design).
Here, however, it was priced at a whopping 25% more.

Now for the question: how can such a large price difference be possible? Is this due to a Hamburg surcharge?

Or is it more likely that the tiler perhaps gets a bigger discount when the tiles are more expensive and thus makes more profit if we buy from a more expensive bathroom supplier?

Have you experienced anything similar?

I don’t quite understand what this is about. Are these no longer available at the low price in Hannover? Do you have to buy them from one of the more expensive stores?

I believe that especially the sanitary plumbers and tilers make good money from this. My plumber didn’t have a showroom himself but used a “partner” sample studio. Of course, both make a good profit from it. The tiler charged an additional fee (for materials and extra installation effort) that matched the price I paid at another tile store for the same tile. That’s just how it is: take it or leave it!

But 25% is relative — are we talking about 10/12.5€ or more like 100/125€?

25% is 25%... of whatever, in this case €34 for one and €44 for the other... a 25% difference between different suppliers (not online retailers, not hardware stores) is quite significant! In my opinion.

I would like to know if the tiler receives any part of this extra charge. Are there common practices regarding this?
It's not about "take it or leave it." I am just looking for clarification on how this is generally handled there!

As far as I know, wholesalers or retailers have end-customer prices, and the tiler may receive a discount on those.

Our tiler (an acquaintance) gets about a 3% discount from a wholesaler, plus possible volume discounts. He can pass this on to us or not.

However, I can well imagine that tile prices in Hamburg (or here in Munich) differ from those in a remote village, simply due to varying rents and labor costs.

Whether that accounts for a 25% difference, I don’t know...

ypg schrieb:
25% is 25%... of whatever, in this case €34 for one and €44 for the other... a 25% difference between different suppliers (not online retailers, not DIY stores) is significant! In my opinion.

I would like to know if the tile installer benefits from this price difference. Are there common practices regarding this?
It's not about "take it or leave it." I am just seeking clarification on how this is typically handled!

% yes, absolute no

To stay with the example, 100 square meters at a €25 surcharge equals an extra cost of €2,500, which hurts more than 100 square meters at a €1.25 surcharge = €125.

The higher the "base values," the smaller the percentage deviation among companies.

Actually, it’s about 30% more, but never mind...