Quote:
Originally Posted by Bugsinrugs
I owned a floor covering business for over 40 years. I’m retired now. I used to have a store front but established a clientele of realtors and contractors over the years so that I didn’t need a walk in store front. When we did have a retail shop most people were comparing prices. Yes, we would discount prices to get the job. It was something we had to do when Home Depot started selling floor covering. We could usually beat their prices with a better product and way better installation.We never got insulted if someone asked to lower our price....it was part of the game.
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I can understand having to compete locally like with Home Depot...who charges sales tax just like you did. Now imagine having to try to compete with "Floors Galore!" in BFE that sells from supplier inventory rather than from stock AND doesn't have to charge sales tax on an out of state sale.
Don't take what I'm writing here wrong, I totally get why you went the route you did. It's just that internet sales to me is an unfair advantage unless that internet seller stocks the same item. I've bought appliances from online retailers only to find out that the item was coming from a supplier. I've bought appliances from locals. I asked if the items were coming from stock or from their supplier. If the answer is from a supplier, I expect them to negotiate as long as the item I wanted isn't on the floor. Again unfair to the local to go look at it and then go buy online.