When stores started selling their wares on the Internet several years ago, they opened a Pandora’s box. Customers are now faced with so many options that they can easily feel overwhelmed and suffer “paralysis by analysis”. I have clients who delayed starting a remodeling project for twelve years because they had the misconception they could save time and money by doing all the planning and shopping themselves. They spent hours perusing the web and became thoroughly confused about what was a good investment, which products were reliable long term and where to begin the project. All they discovered was that the task was too daunting to undertake without professional experienced guidance.
Shopping on the Internet doesn’t save money unless you consider that all your time is of no value. Mistakes in Internet purchases can be difficult and costly to resolve. Some companies don’t even have a phone number on their website for customer assistance! The customer is responsible when they order a product in the wrong size. This can be a major dilemma when measuring for window treatments or not considering the clearance for the swing of the door on an appliance when it is installed in cabinetry. Then there is the problem of tracking the product from purchase to delivery and installation-all without damage to the product or the home. The California Board of Equalization now requires the consumer to retro-actively pay sales tax on all out of state Internet purchases, so there isn’t even any saving in sales tax. When a customer shops for furniture, appliances and plumbing fixtures on the Internet they are unable to sit on the product, test its’ functionality or judge its’ quality.
Working with a designer keeps the customer from being overwhelmed with choices and decisions. Designers guide their clients towards durable products and companies with proven track records of excellent customer service. Often making a slightly larger investment in the initial purchase will yield a product with a history of lower maintenance and better warranty service. After all, doesn’t everyone want the dollars they spend today to provide years of pleasure and worry-free maintenance in their home?
What happened to the clients who delayed their remodeling project for years? Within weeks of hiring a decorator, they had a team that included an architect and a contractor who transformed their wishes into a specific floor plan with detailed attention to their needs for storage as well as dedicated spaces for music and video gaming. Now they can proceed with confidence to build their “forever “ home.
— Jean Cary, Jean Cary Interiors
To find the solutions to your home dilemmas, give Jean a call: of (650) 593-9622