Product supply OPENING DOORS FOR INSTALLERS Turrou Landesmann, Trading Manager from online builders’ material supplier Door Superstore, part of the CMO Group, discusses how suppliers can make life a little easier for installers by investing in their e-commerce service. At Door Superstore, we don’t fit the mould of a ‘traditional’ builders’ merchant and the fact that we operate completely online has meant that we have been able to fine-tune our offering to quickly respond to the changing needs of our customers. As we emerge from a period of unprecedented restrictions and face yet further uncertainty in the wake of other global events, we are continuing to invest in our product ranges, technical knowledge and customer service with the aim of debunking one major misconception – that although convenient, online trading is too impersonal. Now more than ever, professional contractors and installers should be able to enjoy the same level of bespoke service and support online as they would face-to-face in store. We also believe that communication and collaboration is what keeps the links in the supply chain strong, and helps our customers satisfy their own customers’ needs. So, what are the advantages of sourcing doors for your next project online? More choice It can be hard to keep up to date with the latest trends in interior design and decoration but as customers become more technologically-savvy, looking for inspiration online and on social media is becoming the norm. Tradespeople relying on a traditional hard copy brochure to seal a deal can find the information they are presenting their customers to be out of date or a little out of touch, particularly if the sales literature only features doors from one specific manufacturer. Choosing an online supplier means that both installers and their customers can see a wider range of internal and external doors from the leading brands, all in one place. More importantly, customers can see the availability of each of the products in terms of delivery, with many of our doors available with next day delivery. All of the necessary technical information and design features are displayed in a simple format and can be easily ‘screen shared’ if virtual appointments are necessary or preferred. To enhance the customer journey even more, we’ve recently added a new ‘Door Visualiser’ tool to our website so that different door styles from manufacturer JBKind can be viewed in different room sets. The use of such interactive features, alongside a library of helpful and regularly updated technical guides, can help your customer get a real feel for the type of doors available so they can make a more informed choice. Competitive costs Without the same overheads as traditional merchants, virtual stores can be much more responsive to customer demands and are regularly able to offer special offers, discounts and deals. All materials come direct from the suppliers too so the best prices can always be guaranteed. Problem solving When time is money, there are huge savings to be made in terms of the speed and convenience that online ordering can offer. But the real value is not just in how easily an order can be placed, but how well that order is fulfilled. Contractors and installers need to know the status of their order at all times and have someone easily on hand to deal with any issues. Rather than being at arm’s length, the team at Door Superstore take a more hands-on approach by providing regular email updates, and being easy to reach on the telephone. This means any issues are flagged as early as possible and solutions immediately identified. Expert advice Another common view about online merchants is that even if the customer service is as personable as it can be in a traditional store, the technical knowledge and expertise won’t be. This is a misconception that CMO has challenged across all of its specialist superstores by not only investing in the technical resources available on each of its dedicated websites, but also in ensuring that the customer advisory team are up to date with all the latest product innovations, design trends and technical requirements. So, if you are looking for advice on installing fire doors and fire-rated hardware, need guidance on choosing thermally-efficient products or want to get a better understanding on the best security options to pass on to your customer, expert help is at hand. Virtual store, tangible benefits Door Superstore may not have a base made from traditional bricks and mortar but our foundations are just as strong, built as they are on our core ethos of offering the best possible customer service, whether the order is for a small domestic job or a large commercial build. That’s why everything, from our extensive product range to technical information, installation guides and special offers, can be accessed via a mobile, laptop or tablet, which in today’s world are essential tools of the trade. Contact Door Superstore: 01752 422 501 www.doorsuperstore.co.uk/ @Door_Superstore 38 T I MAY <strong>2022</strong> PRACTICAL CONTENT FOR THE GLAZING INSTALLER & HOME IMPROVEMENT SPECIALIST
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