With many consumers using these giant retailers, we thought we would start this blog to encourage the public to start using local family businesses more.
The main thing is PRICE.
People have the perception that big retailers are cheaper than the independents, but this is simply not the case.
With all of the overheads that these stores have to cover (hundreds of premises across the country, dozens of employees in each store), how can they beat the prices from the local independents who have one shop, a couple of staff and pretty much no overheads?
The truth is that they can’t.
In most cases, the customer will see big sale signs at a chain store reading “WAS £39.99m2 NOW £19.99m2” and think they must buy this carpet as its a brilliant deal, but how can a carpet drop to half price?
Well, the answer is that the carpet never cost £39.99m2 in the first place. If it were, how could they then sell it at £19.99m2 and still make money?
Answer: because they were overcharging in the first place.
We recently had a customer in our shop a few months back – who had been to one of these big retailers – asking us “do you stock this carpet and what price do you sell it for?”
I told them our price which just so happened to be the exact same price that one of their “half price” carpet was selling at in their “Sale.”
As a result, the customer went with us because we sold the carpet at an honest price in the first place.
Then there are all the hidden costs big stores charge but do not tell you, i.e. the delivery charges, how can you charge for delivery when the fitter will be coming to you to fit your carpet in any case?
The second reason why most consumers will use these main stores is TRUST.
Many people have formed the impression that these stores are the best and that they know what they are talking about, simply because they are a big name.
The truth is the majority of the salesmen/women are only sales orientated and trained, with little to no previous experience in the flooring trade. As a result, it’s less likely they will know what they are talking about, often just telling you what you want to hear to get a sale. The majority of local independent store owners have started “on the tools” i.e. grass-roots fitting and measuring, and have firsthand and relevant insights into the flooring industry and the knowledge to correctly and adequately assist you.
Independent store owners will also tell you the truth about particular products and whether or not it would be suitable for your particular project, regardless of the potential loss of income or sale profit this might involve.
These are just a few good reasons why you should support your local retailers rather than the big name stores:
You will get a better service, you will be told the truth about the products you are going to spend your hard-earned money on, and you will get a fair, honest price that in most cases be significantly cheaper.
We are always open to discussion about this or any carpet & flooring-related issue, so why not drop us a line and we’ll do our level best to help you. If you’re in need of a coffee out of the winter weather, why not visit our showroom at 7 High Street, Dymchurch, TN29 0EY where we have 1000s of brilliant carpets, vinyls, woods and LVTs to choose from.
Bay Carpets also offer a FREE home-selection service throughout Hythe, Romney Marsh, Ashford, Maidstone, the Medway towns and all surrounding areas, so please call your local flooring expert now: 01303 870999
