Saturday, July 5, 2008

Pros and Cons of Buying Bathroom Remodeling Supplies on the Web

Are you planning to remodel your bathroom? Trying to hunt down bargains both on and off-line? Like many homeowners looking for a good deal, you may be considering the purchase of your remodeling supplies on the Internet, but you're wondering if that's a good idea. Keep reading to learn about both the benefits and the disadvantages of buying your bathroom remodeling supplies on the web.

Pro - Great Savings

Home renovators can typically save between 20-50% off the standard retail price when purchasing their products online. As a consumer, you're not paying for retail overhead like building costs and store staff, meaning you save money.

Con - Hidden Shipping Costs

Hidden costs for online purchases, like shipping, can easily tip your budget overboard. Because building materials are often bulky and heavy, you can wind up paying a hefty premium to have online-purchased items shipped to your house. One strategy is to look for products that can be picked up in-store or for online specials that include free shipping.

Pro - Easy Cost Comparison

Because all the price information is right in front of you, the Internet makes it simple to do a fast cost comparison between different products and suppliers. With just the click of a mouse, you can find out who has the lowest price on Moen faucets or Ceralux sinks.8F3

Con - Lack of Product Testability

When we're browsing through a bricks-and-mortar retail store, we're able to really examine a product. We can look at it, touch it and even shake it if we want. Unfortunately, with online shopping we don't get that tactile testability.

Pro - Online Consumer Reviews

Even though you may not get to test the product yourself, it's often easy to find numerous product reviews written by consumers just like you. By browsing through review sites or even doing a web search for your product name plus the word "review," you'll quickly find honest product summaries that speak directly to quality, ease of installation and the manufacturer's level of customer service.

Purchasing online may not be for everyone. Some of us like the ease and convenience of one-stop shopping from the comfort of our home office while others prefer to browse the store aisles, getting ideas and checking out products first-hand. If you are going to try online shopping for bathroom remodeling supplies, always read product reviews, do a thorough price comparison and be aware of hidden costs like shipping.

For information on practical home flooring recommendations, please visit http://www.home-flooring-styles.com, a popular site providing great insights concerning help with floor renovation ideas, such as Armstrong Vinyl Flooring, Mannington Flooring, and many more!

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