DANGERS OF BUYING FLOORING ONLINE

There are dozens of websites and e-tailers that offer flooring for purchase online.  While people may think that buying flooring online can be a money-saving move, it can cost a lot more in many other very important ways.  Besides the most obvious disadvantage that what you see on your computer screen may or may not be an accurate representation of the actual product, there are several other factors you should consider before going to an online source for purchasing your flooring.  Floor Store USA has put together this list of things to consider before making the decision to buy online.

1)       WARRANTY.  Will your product be covered by warranty?  Check out the manufacturer’s warranty, because very often the warranty will not be honored if the product was ordered from an online website.  Additionally, will the manufacturer’s representative in your area represent you when you did not purchase from one of his vendors?  When investing thousands of dollars into a flooring product, a valid warranty can be your life preserver.

2)       KNOWLEDGE.  Anyone with access to a computer can set up a web site where they can sell flooring, even if they know very little about flooring or installation.  Flooring types have limitations to their suitability in various settings—a flooring sales professional can guide you in choosing the right kind of flooring for your specific needs.

3)       CUSTOMER SERVICE.  Who will you turn to if you encounter a problem?

4)       QUALITY.  Beware of private label brands found on internet websites.  They are usually cheap products from China. How will you know you are purchasing first quality goods?   A local company is going to have a well established relationship with the wholesaler delivering the flooring, and therefore, a better product will be delivered.  Also, a reputable flooring manufacturer may make a mistake in a production run that does not meeting their quality standards.  This product becomes “seconds” and may be bulk sold to internet companies, so it will be near impossible to later match your purchase if you need extra.  Your floor was a mistake to being with!

5)       PRICE.  When looking for the best price you should shop your local retailers.  There are plenty of local retailers that are competitive with the internet sites and you will have the peace of mind that if you do have a problem you can go right to the store and get your issues resolved.   Beware of products offered at substantially discounted prices over the internet.  Hidden costs such as freight, etc are generally not reflected in those discounts. Your local authorized dealer offers the benefits of full warranty protection, superior customer service, and manufacturer-backed quality that are reflected in their prices.

6)       PAYMENT.  Unlike a regular retailer who will only ask for a deposit you will be required to pay the internet retailer the full amount up front before they even deliver the product.

7)       DELIVERY.  Delivery of your flooring is not guaranteed to be convenient when you buy online.  Will they just dump it in on your driveway and leave?  Most likely, the delivery company is just a “hired hand” and has no vested interest in your satisfaction.  What happens if the product is damaged, who will take care of you? You will have to inspect all the goods before accepting shipment (this is extremely difficult to do with products that come packaged in boxes). If you don't inspect and note shipping damage before accepting the product you won't be able to make a claim for damage. 

8)       INSTALLATION.   Buying from an online source, you will have to install yourself (usually not DIY-friendly products), or arrange for installation. Manufacturer warranties are voided if the flooring is improperly installed. Poor installation is the number one cause of consumer dissatisfaction. At Floor Store USA, we have a team of professional installers with decades of experience to help ensure a positive experience from product selection to final installation.

If you would like more information on this topic or would like to know more about us, feel free to contact us at (831) 583-9124.  Or come to our showroom at 1666 Contra Costa Street in Sand City, California.  Floor Store USA is available to help you select the right kind of flooring for your stylistic tastes and lifestyle demands.  We look forward to serving you!