Have you ever bought something online for a client just to have it show up and not be what you thought it was? Wrong finish, wrong size, not enough wire, doesn’t hang straight, doesn’t work with sloped ceiling applications (even though the site said it did). Online shopping for lighting & décor goods is far from a guarantee of satisfaction and comes with risks of its own. We’ve heard these kinds of complaints from all of the interior designers that have signed up to join this exclusive program, so today, we are talking about a few of the myths associated with buying lighting online.

“Buying online is less expensive”

The premier lighting showrooms buy for less than the online stores and therefore can easily compete with the major online sellers. Online vendors seem to be good at only one thing; cutting prices. Did you know, that when online stores cut their prices that its mainly because the manufacturer has discontinued those items? That means that those items were not selling which also means that those items were not trending or desirable products. So why would you want them for your projects? 

“I can get my products faster if I buy them online.”

It’s true that you can get your items fast, but that’s only if they have them in stock. Did you know that when you order an item from a showroom or from an online store that it ships from the same place? A showroom has the flexibility to ship an item to your door the same way that an online store does, you just have to ask. In fact, most of the time these items are actually shipping from other showrooms across Canada anyways, not from the online retailer. The online retailer uses a strategy called “third party selling”, which simply uses its website to reach more people nationwide but then puts the sale through a showroom and charges the showroom a fee for the transaction.

“I am not charged shipping when I order it online.”

Nothing is free, including shipping. There is at least a 15% shipping cost built into the cost of each item; it just appears to be free. The online store will appear to be doing you a favor by paying your shipping invoice for you, while in reality you still paid for it.

“I love shopping online because it’s so convenient”.

This is a common statement from most end consumers, but it is something that is being said less and less amongst the design community. Why?

1. When you are purchasing products for a client’s home, you’re not buying toilet paper or hangars for their closet. You are purchasing a statement for their home; a piece of jewelry that puts the finishing touches on the rest of their investment.
2. Most interior designers have a higher standard than the end consumers that they work for. Designers want new and fresh ideas combined with convenient service that adds value to their business and offers an even better experience for their clients. Showrooms have many benefits that far outweigh those of an online retailer.

You can also shop from the comfort of your office or your home on the websites of our partnered showrooms. You will receive ALL of the added benefits as if you were shopping in the store while continuing to support your local economy that you are also a part of!