What to Know Before Buying Bathroom Products Online
23 February 2019
There is no escaping the fact that we live in a digital world and are increasingly making online purchases for everything from clothing and footwear, to electrical appliances and groceries.
But before you ‘click to buy’ your bathroom products, here are some tips to help you avoid problems and unnecessary expense.
Let us start by saying, if you are doing a full bathroom design selection, it is always best to do it at a reputable showroom like ours, and deal with an experienced bathroom design consultant.
If that is not possible, or you simply want a few bathroom items, do your homework so that you can shop online with confidence and know you are getting what you pay for.
Do you know exactly what you need?
If you have built your own home, renovated, or even watched a renovation show, you will know that bathrooms are one of the more complicated areas of the home to design and renovate.
This is partly because of the plumbing, tiling and electrical requirements and also because, over the last 15 years, the size and scope of our bathrooms have increased. We have access to more brands, there is technical information to consider when upgrading fittings, and today’s products can have more features built into them. There is also a wider range of colours, styles and configurations to allow you to achieve your dream bathroom.
While online research can provide a good start for choosing your bathroom fixtures, when it comes to shopping online, you really need to know the terminology, specifications, and how products work together. You also should have confidence in the quality of the products and the expertise of the business that stands behind the products.
Are the products approved in Australia?
Once you know that the particular product suits your requirements, you need to make sure they are approved for installation.
In Australia, there are regulations to ensure certain products comply with water efficiency standards (WELS) and most plumbing products must be Watermark certified. If the item does not comply with the relevant standards, a plumber will not install it. The type and size of fitting connections may also differ, making it impossible or more expensive to install.
Can you be assured of the quality?
There are many websites with beautiful pictures of bathrooms and bathroom products, but that does not mean they are good quality or will provide you with value for money. These websites also are not usually backed by a company with years of industry experience and product knowledge. If they sell a wide range of different products and appliances online, it is unlikely that you will be able to speak to a professional with the expertise needed when choosing bathroom products.
You also should take note of the warranty on the product, and how easy it will be to get after-sales service if something does go wrong. It is not enough for a company to simply state the warranty because, if they do not have a physical location, it can be very difficult getting hold of them via email or phone (as we have all no doubt experienced). So, check the credentials of the brand and/or business to make sure they have longevity, reliability and a good reputation.
The fact is, when you see, touch and hold a product, you appreciate the inherent value of it in terms of material, construction and colour finish, which is why we suggest visiting our showroom. But if you cannot do that, you can confidently browse or shop online with us because we focus on superior quality products from long-standing, reputable brands. We also have a strong commitment to supporting Australian business and manufacturing.
Our top tips
- Don’t be fooled by appearances. With a decent website and social media presence, even the most unscrupulous operators can look ‘professional’. Check whether you can contact the business about technical advice and what you can do if something goes wrong.
- Whenever possible, buy locally or from an Australian business to help build our country’s economic future.
- Be wary of Google reviews because businesses can and do pay for these – they may not be genuine customers.
- If you enjoy the benefit of visiting a bricks-and-mortar business to see the products and speak to expert consultants, give them the opportunity to quote for your business.
- While the convenience and opportunity to save a few dollars might be enticing, the complexities involved with choosing the right bathroom products are not going to be resolved by many online stores.
We offer online shopping for your convenience and also have a showroom in Claremont, giving you peace-of-mind about the integrity and location of our business.
