Walk-in Bathtubs have been extremely popular in Great Britain, Europe and the Far East for almost three decades. Bathtubs with doors were introduced in the US 6 or 7 years ago, and public demand has increased exponentially since then. Nonetheless, in this country the Walk In Bathtub industry still caters to what most would call a "niche" market - the elderly and the physically challenged.Primarily because of this very specific potential client base and still limited market awareness Walk-In Bathtubs are generally not available in stores or showrooms, but must instead be purchased by visiting a website or having a "representative" come to your house.
Unfortunately, this creates opportunity for the unscrupulous to take advantage of those who might have no valid frame of reference/comparison and therefore be gullible and often, vulnerable.
If you call a Walk In Bathtub Company and they refuse to give you any price information on the phone, hang up!
In home "representaive" or Predator vs Prey
Prices for most big-ticket items sold by most in-home salespeople are arbitrary. Whatever they think they can get, they ask for. If that doesn't work, they have a whole repertoire of reasons it just so happens they can actually offer you a better price/deep discount i.e. models left over from a trade/home show, uncrated, never used; another customer ordered the wrong bathtub door model; you live out of the way, buy today so a return trip is not necessary...etc. All rehearsed lies. The price tag for a WalkIn tub at the end of this sales pitch can be up to $15,000 to $30,000.
There are, of course, exceptions to every rule, and we assume there are some Walk-In Bathtub companies that do employ ethical representatives who care as much about your needs as they do about their own bank account....
The Walk In Bathtub Store has a strict one price for all policy.We sell the best products for the best price, and we do not play dishonest games.
On our "WILL IT FIT?" page, we have provided step-by-step instructions on what you (or a friend, companion, relative) will need to measure and how to do so. Armed with this information, and knowledge of your personal needs and desires, we can easily assist you in determining which of our Walk-In bathtubs will work best for you in your house without sending a commissioned salesperson to call.
We are also happy to accept digital pictures by e-mail, or photos by mail to enable us to advise you.If you absolutely, positively have to see, feel and touch something before you buy it, you are more than welcome to come to our showroom in beautiful downtown Mount Dora, FL.
You will find a map of our location, and discover what a wonderful place Mount Dora would be to visit by going to the "Our Location" page.
Guarantees and Warranties
It is extremely important that you ask the company from which you are considering buying a Walk-In Bathtub who actually issues the guarantee/warranty!!!Some distributors and retailers imply or actually state they are the manufacturer of the bathtub when they are not. Verify this information. Ask lots of questions.Additionally, many on-line vendors advertise long guarantees on Walk In Bathtubs that are the retailer/vendor’s own guarantees NOT the manufacturer’s. The actual manufacturer’s guarantee is usually substantially shorter in duration than that being advertised by the retailer. For example, one of the best known websites advertises a "Standard 5 Year Manufacturer's Warranty on the Tub" on three of the models it carries, when in reality, the manufacturer's warranty is only ONE year.Unfortunately, if you have a problem, the manufacturer will NOT honor the retail merchant’s guarantee.
Also, in most cases, if you need parts or have other issues that need to be addressed during the actual manufacturer’s guarantee time frame and that manufacturer is in China or England, it can take a very long time, sometimes months, to get satisfaction from overseas.
Purchasing products made in North America where manufacturers are compelled to adhere to certain standards and can be legally held accountable is much more prudent than purchasing imports and supports the U.S. Economy.
Inaccurate and Misleading Walk-In Bathtub Measurements
Make absolutely sure you question the accuracy of the dimensions advertised for the Walk-In Bathtubs you are discussing! The seller of the bathtubs mentioned above which misrepresents manufacturer's guarantees also uses great license in describing tub height, door width and other dimensions. This company indicates 42.5’’ & 38.5" in height for their “best” models. In actuality, the tubs are 41” & 37” high with a very small “headrest” on the seat that is 1.5” taller than the rest of the tub. Their website proclaims the door is 18” wide. Again, not true. Only the top of the door where there is a wider notch is 18”, the bottom of the door is only 14” in width. Worst of all, the step-up into the tub (threshold) is advertised as being "...as low as 6"..." but is actually EIGHT inches high!!!
There is nothing wrong with the real dimensions of these Walk-In Bathtubs, but in our opinion, definitely something wrong with misrepresentation. Unfortunately, many on-line Walk In Bathtub companies engage in these deceptive sales tactics. Be careful. Make sure that before you spend thousands of dollars you have the facts!
Quality Control/Getting your Walk-In Bathtub with all of the correct parts and in working condition!
Many distributors warehouse the products they carry that are manufactured overseas.Many distributors never open the crates upon arrival from thousands of miles away, or prior to shipment to the retail customer. In other words, there is a good chance the company from whom you buy your Walk In Bathtub MAY HAVE NEVER OPENED THE CRATE THE WALK-IN BATHTUB WAS SHIPPED IN, NEVER SEEN THE CONTENTS OF THE CRATE, and may HAVE NO IDEA WHETHER THE WALK IN BATHTUB YOU ARE BUYING IS DAMAGED, OR PROPERLY EQUIPPED WITH ALL OF IT’S PARTS!!!!Ask the salesman if your Walk-In Bathtub will be opened and inspected prior to shipment, and if so, by whom.
A Walk-In Bathtub can literally change the way one feels physically and enable you to retain or regain independence in your own home. Just make sure you don't fall victim to shady sales tactics, and end up with a poor quality product, and a dramtically depeleted wallet!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Planning For Your Home Improvement
Home improvement involves a great deal of planning. There are many things one needs to prepare for like goals, a budget and a general outline of how you want things to look and work in the end. Whether it's an actual home improvement or a simple repair, planning ahead can save you a great deal of time, money and especially grief, in the end.
Goals Having goals means a lot of things. In the case of home improvement, first, it's having a clear idea of what's wrong. Second, how you want something to look, and why. For example, are your eavestroughs forever getting clogged and rusting? Does the roof look a hundred years older than the house itself? Water damage finally showing up on the ceiling and/or walls after the last rain storm?
Once you've grasped the source of your angst, you can start thinking about what you want done about it. New eavestroughs or a roof? A new coat of paint? Different shelves? Brainstorming and imagination need only be dictated by function. For instance, the purpose of the eavestroughs. Alternatively, maybe it's not the eavestroughs but the dowspouts. Irrespective of your goals, this is also when you need to consider how much you can afford to spend comes into play.
A Budget Establishing a realistic budget for any home improvement comes with an understanding what needs to be done. Naturally, it's important not to exceed what you can afford to do or have done. This is why shopping around for prices will give you a better understanding of what's possible within your given budget. In other words, it's time to do some homework.
Consequently, your home improvement budget may need to change to reflect your goals. Otherwise, a consideration of what less costly options are available will be necessary. Do you really need to hire someone to do your roof? Or is it a small enough job that you could do it yourself? Is it absolutely necessary to use a particular brand of material for your upgrade, when a less expensive, quality substitute exists? On the other hand, sometimes it's better to hire a professional. After all, the last thing you'd want to have happen is a home disaster that could be even more costly to fix. In other words, balance when and where you want to save that extra dollar.
An Outline For Action If you've done your homework - shopping around for pricing - at this point, you should have gained some idea of how big - or small - your home improvement will be. Whether it will take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. In addition, you'll have discussed some of this if a contractor is to be involved.
This is when you need to set a course of action for yourself. What you want to achieve, under a particular budget, within a certain time frame. The bigger the project, the more critical this becomes. The reason being is that you may need to plan for any potential inconveniences that may occur along the way. No electricty for a day? Or do you simply need to get an old pair of clothes to work in for setting up a new downspout?
In the end, whatever you plan and however you plan to do it, it's always wise to plan ahead with your home improvement.
Goals Having goals means a lot of things. In the case of home improvement, first, it's having a clear idea of what's wrong. Second, how you want something to look, and why. For example, are your eavestroughs forever getting clogged and rusting? Does the roof look a hundred years older than the house itself? Water damage finally showing up on the ceiling and/or walls after the last rain storm?
Once you've grasped the source of your angst, you can start thinking about what you want done about it. New eavestroughs or a roof? A new coat of paint? Different shelves? Brainstorming and imagination need only be dictated by function. For instance, the purpose of the eavestroughs. Alternatively, maybe it's not the eavestroughs but the dowspouts. Irrespective of your goals, this is also when you need to consider how much you can afford to spend comes into play.
A Budget Establishing a realistic budget for any home improvement comes with an understanding what needs to be done. Naturally, it's important not to exceed what you can afford to do or have done. This is why shopping around for prices will give you a better understanding of what's possible within your given budget. In other words, it's time to do some homework.
Consequently, your home improvement budget may need to change to reflect your goals. Otherwise, a consideration of what less costly options are available will be necessary. Do you really need to hire someone to do your roof? Or is it a small enough job that you could do it yourself? Is it absolutely necessary to use a particular brand of material for your upgrade, when a less expensive, quality substitute exists? On the other hand, sometimes it's better to hire a professional. After all, the last thing you'd want to have happen is a home disaster that could be even more costly to fix. In other words, balance when and where you want to save that extra dollar.
An Outline For Action If you've done your homework - shopping around for pricing - at this point, you should have gained some idea of how big - or small - your home improvement will be. Whether it will take anywhere from a few hours to a few weeks. In addition, you'll have discussed some of this if a contractor is to be involved.
This is when you need to set a course of action for yourself. What you want to achieve, under a particular budget, within a certain time frame. The bigger the project, the more critical this becomes. The reason being is that you may need to plan for any potential inconveniences that may occur along the way. No electricty for a day? Or do you simply need to get an old pair of clothes to work in for setting up a new downspout?
In the end, whatever you plan and however you plan to do it, it's always wise to plan ahead with your home improvement.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
