We thought we'd share a few of our tips (and burns) on how to compare apples to apples if you've fallen in love with a product. Or where to start if a bargain is your ultimate goal!
If you're smitten for this KILLER faucet your interior designer showed you - and nothing else will do...
- Find it's MFR product number (or SKU.) For example, one of my fav's is by the manufacturer Rohl. It's product number is R7923 in it's lovely Satin Nickel (STN) state. So the entire MFR number is: R7923STN. If you type this into a Google search you'll get about 1311 results for websites that sell this faucet.
- Start clicking and searching for the best price.
- WATCH OUT for websites that do not designate the color at the end of the product number - it's easy to be tricked into thinking that the pricing is for Satin Nickel, when really it's for Polished Chrome... a difference of a whopping $134
- Watch out for impostor pictures. Sometimes websites use the Manufacturers product picture as a place holder for a similar faucet - with not so similar features and functions. So keep an eye on the product number... you could end up with a different sized faucet, one that doesn't swivel, or one that doesn't pull-out.
- Some very popular brands manufacture their own off-brand merchandise. For instance, one of our favorite plumbing manufacturers built it's reputation on quality American-made products with very high standards. Since the invention of big-box stores, they've opened up another facility (with lower standards, quality control, warranties ... in another country) in order to lower their prices and sell inside the largest of the large home improvement stores. Don't fall for "our prices are just better because we sell in bulk" ... IT'S NOT THE SAME TOILET! Want to know how you can tell? The MFR's product number will be just slightly off... for instance, using the example above: R7923STNS. (did you see it? tricky aren't they?)
- Most of the time these variances aren't too big of a deal - I'd just like to know what I'm actually getting, and that I'm comparing "apples to apples" on pricing. That one-off toilet won't flush as well as the American-made one... I'm just sayin... it's in the slipery-er finish. When it comes to differences in furniture, usually it's in the toxins and chemicals in the finish... not good people!
If all you know at this point is that you need a kitchen faucet:
- go to www.build.com Find the kitchen faucet section. On the left-hand side of the page you will be able to click on the features you need in a faucet (I always look for a pull-out hand spray, always match the faucet to the rest of the metal finishes in the kitchen, and consider the dimensions, and number of plumbing holes I have available to the new faucet.) Only click on the features that are an absolute must - the more features you choose, the less options you will have. Once you narrow down a few options, sort by (drop-down field right above the first faucet picture) "Price: Low to High." This will sort your list so you see the least expensive option first. Start scrolling and click on the first faucet you like!
- If I were using this method, I would also consider the reputation of the manufacturer - there are a few that I've used over and over again with no problems, and a few that I will never use again. Want to see my list of favorite vendors? http://http://www.hmdhome.com/interior-designer-discounts.php
- Once you find your one and only (or top contenders) add them to your build.com cart and email me the quote they gave you (you can find the link to "email quote" underneath the grand total - email it to: designteam@HMDHome.com) and I'll let you know how much more of a discount I can arrange for you. (did you notice that there's no shipping cost on build.com? Consider that when surfing for the best pricing as well.) You also now have a few manufacturer product numbers to enter into Google to find the best pricing (see first bullet - and happy shopping!
Just in case you could use a refresher course on online shopping:
- http://www.microsoft.com/security/online-privacy/online-shopping.aspx
- Always use a credit card - not a debit card
- Before entering ANY personal information - look at the web address up top, and MAKE SURE it is https and not http - this designates that the website scrambles up your information so no one else can steal it!
Rather not spend hours upon hours searching for a faucet? Of course we'll help you! if you need help designing an entire room : https://www.hmdhome.com/index.php?idpg=2089a5c8ea5ddbc501cd4d98aa444448
Just need help buying some products (using our time, resources and product discounts) www.HMDhome.com/dd
