Online Buying Dangers
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Practically
anything you want can be purchased online, from the convenience of your
chair. Online shopping is particularly useful for price-shopping and
finding great deals. But a great deal on price can come with a great
deal of stress.
Making a big
purchase online can be risky and is something that should be given
careful consideration. If you’re considering purchasing flooring
online, here are a few things to consider before you click:
1. Freight.
Shipping can be very expensive on heavy materials, or items that
require special handling. You may end up paying more to ship your
flooring, than you saved buying it online. If your flooring becomes
damaged during shipping, you may be required to pay freight costs to
ship it back to the retailer or manufacturer and then pay additional
costs to receive the undamaged product.
2. Customer Service.
The flooring industry works like many others in the sense that
manufacturers have local representatives stationed throughout the
country. A single-purchase consumer, such as yourself, may not be as
valued as a retailer who purchases hundreds of thousands of dollars
worth of flooring each year. The manufacturer’s local representative
may refuse to visit you, or take a very long time to do so. Therefore,
if you have a problem with your flooring once it’s installed, it may be
very difficult to have your problem remedied.
3. Product Consistency.
Because there are limited, if any, quality control processes in place
when ordering online, it is possible that you will receive the wrong
product or color, or a damaged product. Even if the retailer is
willing to correct the issue, your installation will likely be delayed
since you’ll need to factor in the time it takes to ship the product
back and receive the correct product.
4. Warranty.
Manufacturers often require that flooring is installed specific to
their requirements in order to remain in compliance with the warranty.
It may be difficult to find an installer near you who is familiar with
the product you’re purchasing and not very likely that the installer
you choose will have a relationship with the manufacturer or retailer
you choose. Should a problem arise during or after installation, the
installer will likely blame the product, and the manufacturer will
likely blame the installer. Either way, you may have voided your
warranty.
The
internet is a great tool for doing your research, but be wary about
making significant purchases online. You’re better off to build a
relationship with a retailer you can trust, who’s available to help you
navigate through any problems you might encounter with your new
flooring.
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2/21/2012 10:54:00 AM
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