By choosing to buy a fireplace online you stand to make considerable savings on high street prices. Although both the high street retailer and the online retailer buy the same products from the same manufacturer. In most cases the online retailer can afford to lower their prices far more than the high street shop because they are selling far more fireplace products to a nationwide target market .Whereas in contrast a high street shop is only selling a limited number of products to a small local catchment area. You could draw the analogy of a Supermarket chain like Tesco's has lower prices than the local one stop convenience shop because Tesco's buy more goods from the manufacturers and therfore they have greater buying power.
The myth that is purported by some fireplace shops is that online retailers can afford to charge lower prices because they do not have the same overheads as a shop, this is simply not true In general an online retailer will have a shop, a chain of shops, or even an industrial warehouse. All of which have the same comparative costs in terms of rent, rates and staffing costs. In addition to that, for an online retailer to be successful they will invariably need to spend £1000's of pounds a month on advertising, through both electronic and traditional media. They also incur huge overheads in delivering their fireplaces anywhere in the UK from Lands End to John 'O' Groats. The truth is that the online retailer sells his fireplaces cheaper because they are relying on quantity of sales.
Whether you buy your fireplace from a shop or you buy it online the law states that you must have it installed by a CORGI registered gas installer or a HETAS registered fitter in the case of solid fuel. The common misconception is that the shop you buy the fireplace from is Corgi registered and it is they who will install your fire surround. The truth is that the majority of shops do not employ Corgi registered installers, rather they sub contract the work out to local registered installers who will either invoice you directly or who will invoice the shopkeeper allowing the shopkeeper to include this price and any extra into your total quote. Even shops like B&Q sub contract the installation of gas fires to local CORGI fitters!
It is very easy to find a Corgi or HETAS registered fitter. Use the links on the left and in the case of Corgi simply enter your postcode and you will have a choice of 10 Corgi registered fitters to choose from all from your immediate local area. Simply choose a few and telephone them. Ask for a quote to install your surround. Most fitters will come out and do a quick survey to make sure that everything is sound with your chimney and gas supply and give you a quote. This will at worst be the minimum a shop will charge you for fitting at best you could find yourself saving £200+ !
Goods bought on the Internet should carry the same manufacturers guarantees as goods bought elsewhere. As an online consumer you are protected by some very important legislation.
In addition you are further protected when you buy online by the Distance Selling Regulations (DSR) 2000. Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Directive 97/7/EC. Electronic Commerce Directive 2000.
A brief outline:
Your usual consumer rights apply online. Goods must be of satisfactory quality
and fit for purpose; adverts and descriptions must not be misleading. With
auctions and private sellers the general rule is 'buyer beware'. The Distance
Selling Regulations provide additional protection e.g. your card company must
refund you if your credit, debit, or store card is used fraudulently and,
in many cases in the EU, the law allows you time to change your mind, within
seven working days of the delivery, and get a refund.
This is only a brief synopsis, you have many more rights. For a more in-depth guide visit the DTI website here
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Buying Fires and Fireplaces Online -What you need to know! |
