We often run into issues when customers purchase a product somewhere and then call us to install it.  So, I thought I’d write this blog about some of the disadvantages to buying products before contacting a plumber to install them.  Here are just a few reasons you don’t want to buy your plumbing products before consulting with a plumber, if you’re going to have a plumber install them.

What is the Real Price and Quality of A Product?

You may not really know the quality of the product you are purchasing.  People often look for the best deal or the lowest price.

1. A store will sometimes have a large discount on a product by increasing the initial price before giving the discount.  So the price really isn’t lower as it would appear.
2. Is the price lower because the product is a lower grade, or made with less durable and reliable materials?

This isn’t always the case.  However, do you know enough about the products to really know what’s a good deal? Do you know how well a product is made?  Do you know about the materials it’s made with?  Can you truly determine if you’re really getting a good product or not? You rely on the experts to know what’s best.  The experts have been using these products for many years and know the difference.  Experts see the changes over time. They’ve experienced what lasts and what doesn’t.  They know what’s a good deal and what’s not.

Can The New Product Be Installed Without Modifications?

People will often purchase a product based on the looks or how they think it will function, without knowing if it’s going to work with their current plumbing.  When it comes to plumbing products, there is no universal, standard or one size fits all.   As a matter of fact, it’s just the opposite.  Many manufacturers now like to have their own unique twist, making their product just a little different than anyone else. This is true with many products.  It’s is a great marketing ploy.  Consumers purchase their products but have to use their accessories and replacement parts.  There’s a lot of competition in the market these days.

Just because you have a certain faucet now doesn’t mean something that looks similar will fit in the same space, for example.  It can often be very costly to modify the product or the plumbing to make it work for you.  If you consult with a plumber before you make a purchase, you can be sure what you are purchasing will work, how reliable it is, and if there will be additional costs.

What about the Product Warranty?

We have also installed a faucet or toilet, for example, that a customer purchased elsewhere, only to find it leaks, after we get them installed, due to the product being faulty.  We are unable to warranty the product because our suppliers will only warranty what we purchase from them.  In these situations we end up having to leave without being able to complete the job. The customer has to deal with the return and replacement. Then reschedule to have it installed again, which ends up adding extra costs to the project.  It’s a frustrating situation for us.  We feel badly that our customer is trying to save money and ends up costing more than if they had just purchased the products from us or at least consulted with us in the first place.

Are You a Gambler?

It’s always good to do your homework before buying. Otherwise you’re gambling on a lot of maybes.  If you have any questions, give Terry a call. He loves talking with customers and helping them understand why they should purchase professional quality products or how to figure out what will or won’t work in their situation.