At what $/% do you chance the internet to buy something?

[Dee*Jay]

As many of your know I am replacing the flooring in my condo for the second time in three months. I have found the product I want to go with and there are three local suppliers and one internet supplier I can use. Total cost for materials, including tax (for the local guys) and freight are:

$11,825 - big fancy store, have done a lot of biz with them over the years
$11,718 - another big store, giving me fabulous customer service
$10,751 - total hole in the wall and guy really knows his stuff
$ 9,200 - internet supplier with very good reviews but no returns (and at 3,600 lbs of merchandise shipping it back would be a nightmare!)

So of the three local suppliers, guy #3 is my choice. But for a savings of $1,554 would you chance the internet supplier? I could also go back to guy #3 and say look, I *want* to buy from you from I've got an option that will save me two grand, what can we do here? I'm even willing to split the difference becuase there is value to me in (a) suporting local business and (b) if something goes wrong I'm driving two miles down the street and having an in person talk with this guy.

ETA: updated two numbers to correct the shipping amounts.

ETA2: I just talked to the guy at the internet place and he says all the right things -- this product is not any sort of "second", our price is lower because we don't have a lot of expensive overhead, etc. -- but I'm still mulling this over...

 

[Lady_Disdain]

It depends on the product, possibility of return, need for customer assistance, etc.

In your case, my answer would depend on who is installing the flooring. If the supplier is selling both the flooring and installing it, I would go for someone local, who is able to help you out if something goes wrong and where you can reach the owner, if needed. If they are only supplying the flooring and someone else is installing, I would consider the online source (if I was sure of what I wanted, that the product was good, etc).

And by all means negotiate with the third guy.

 

[OreoRosies86]

I like to support local business owners who take the time to do it right. By all means, see if a deal can be arranged though!

 

[Dee*Jay]

Lady D - the beauty of this product is that my boyfriend (with assistance from some of his own guys in needed) can install it. That's another thing that makes this product appealing because everything else I've looked at requres another $7,500 - $12,000 for installation costs ON TOP of the material. Having already spent $15,000 in May for these floors the first time I'm a fan of saving some $ the second time...

Elliot, I'm all for local biz too, which is make this hard. If it were two internet suppliers I wouldn't think twice for a difference of $1,500.

 

[marymm]

Me personally, I'd go with #2 or #3 - and I'd be inclined towards #2 due to the great customer service - something tells me this is not your last project for your current abode. I really do not care to do business with vendors with a no-return policy.

 

[Dee*Jay]

marymm, when I started this thread I made in mistake in the shipping on my spreadsheet and the difference was over $2,000, but when I corrected that I'm down to only $1,550 so I'm moving much more toward the local folks.

As for projects... I'm currently approaching the $200K for renovations out of pocket (I stopped paying too close attention at $150K and my brain totally shut down around $175K... ). And that's just RENOVATIONS, not including what I paid to buy the place. Can we get a puking emotie please? This flooring replacement and the kitchen (the appliances and cabinets are paid for, the marble is not) are all that's left in terms of big stuff. Thank god...

 

[purplesparklies]

Me personally, I'd go with #2 or #3 - and I'd be inclined towards #2 due to the great customer service - something tells me this is not your last project for your current abode. I really do not care to do business with vendors with a no-return policy.

This exactly.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Me personally, I'd go with #2 or #3 - and I'd be inclined towards #2 due to the great customer service - something tells me this is not your last project for your current abode. I really do not care to do business with vendors with a no-return policy.

This exactly.

So would you guys try to negotiate with them or just go with the price? My inclination is to say, "I have found a less expensive supplier but I prefer to do business with you. Is there anything you can do on the price?" I wouldn't throw out any hard numbers, and honestly would probably go local even if they told me to go blow in terms of reducing the price, but I think a little gentle asking might not be offensive... right?

 

[alexah]

I don't think it's ever offensive to ask if someone can give a little on the price, if it's asked nicely.

If someone got upset with you for asking, why would you want to do business with them?

I just "finished" fixing up our foreclosure home and I would always get several quotes. I'd go with the one that felt right to me but if the price were higher, I'd nicely ask if they could come down.

If you felt cumfy with #3, I'd tell him "I have a quote for $9200 but I'd prefer to go with you" and ask if he could do $10k even. He may come back at a different number or he may say sure. I saved thousands doing just that. They're still making money and I'm saving some, while going with the vendor that I liked best. Win/Win.

 

[NewShiny]

I just went through the same thing (1,000 ft2 but around the same price point you are talking) and I went with the local guys. It was just too risky to save a bit of money. Also, the people I purchased the flooring from installed it and provided a warranty. It would have been nice to save the extra money, but I don't think I could have even hauled all of those boxes off my doorstep. Happy renovating!

 

[packrat]

I'd go number three and see if he can knock a bit off the price. Something like flooring that you can't return, IF something is wrong w/it, you've not saved anything in the long run. For an extra 1k, the peace of mind of going w/someone local who "really knows his stuff" would be worth it to me.

 

[CJ2008]

I'd go number three and see if he can knock a bit off the price. Something like flooring that you can't return, IF something is wrong w/it, you've not saved anything in the long run. For an extra 1k, the peace of mind of going w/someone local who "really knows his stuff" would be worth it to me.

I agree with this...

And I don't think there's ever anything wrong with saying "I'd love to buy from you for many reasons, but I can get the same flooring for x. Just to help me be a little more comfortable with the price difference - is there anything you can do to close the price gap a bit."

And I'd probably be OK with whatever he said.

 

[texaskj]

This probably isn't an option, but have you tried the cash question?
A lot of people will come down on the price when you mention paying in cash.

 

[Dee*Jay]

Alex, Newshiny, Packrat and CJ, I think you’re all totally right and that is what I should do. The worst thing he can say is “no” and I’m almost certainly still going with him because it just makes me more comfortable with a local source.

Texaskj, I am more than willing to pay cash and thank you for suggesting that – I’ll give it a try! Even if he just discounts me whatever fee he would have paid to the credit card company we’re both ahead that way.

 

[texaskj]

Dee, I've been amazed how that magic word has worked for me.
Not to thread jack, but how have your migraines been? Especially with all this?

 

[Dee*Jay]

Texaskj, I had very low level migrains for four months in a row, which was fabulous! I ran out of the magnesium and ordered the same thing from the same company but it tasted different (slightly tart and a rough texture, whereas the other pills had no taste and were smooth) so I emailed the company and was assured the active ingredient was exactly the same, they just changed the manufacturing process.* Two months in a row now (ever since I've been taking the pills) I've been back to icepick in the eye. Needless to say I am going to find a different brand and hope for the best. Thank you for asking -- it's very kind of you!

ETA* - I was thinking of this as I read the thread on generic vs. name brands the other day. The active ingredients may indeed be the same but apparently the non-active stuff makes a difference to my head too!

 

[rainwood]

My inclination is to say, "I have found a less expensive supplier but I prefer to do business with you. Is there anything you can do on the price?" I wouldn't throw out any hard numbers, and honestly would probably go local even if they told me to go blow in terms of reducing the price, but I think a little gentle asking might not be offensive... right?

That's what I'd do and did when it came to buying hardwood floors. If you're nice about it, it never hurts to ask.

 

[NOYFB]

My inclination is to say, "I have found a less expensive supplier but I prefer to do business with you. Is there anything you can do on the price?" I wouldn't throw out any hard numbers, and honestly would probably go local even if they told me to go blow in terms of reducing the price, but I think a little gentle asking might not be offensive... right?

That's what I'd do and did when it came to buying hardwood floors. If you're nice about it, it never hurts to ask.

Agree with this. I've you've done business with this vendor previously there's a good chance he'll be willing to work with you to get your business again, and in the future, if the need arises.