We probably hear it as often as you’ve wondered it: why doesn’t kitchen & bath CRATE have a showroom?
For some businesses, it’s the right answer and makes perfect sense to feature a showroom. Customers certainly love it and see value in having the real deal in front of them. It’s almost expected.
So why have we chosen a showroom-less business model?
Our team here at kitchenCRATE & bathCRATE sure doesn’t like to disappoint, but it’s a worthy question and one with multiple layers, stretching from business sense to customer satisfaction to actual dollars and cents. We thought we’d cover it all and lay out the reasons why CRATE is a showroom-free service provider.
1. It Comes Down to the Price You Pay
First things first, bottom line, showrooms cost a lot of money, costs that are ultimately passed down to you, the customer. And while we’d love to have a space to show off our latest designs, it means more for us to provide value to customers and give them the most for their money.
Showrooms are tied to a lot of overhead and upfront costs, which is a considerable commitment given the industry’s changing landscape of styles and designs. They require lining up suppliers, building out the space, and conceiving and implementing the design.
But that’s not the half of it: there’s a manpower cost, too. Showrooms must be fully staffed during business hours, even if there are no customers present. Appointment-only arrangements are a possibility, but it’s still not ideal, as the majority of showroom customers are drop-ins.
2. Why Do It When Others Do It Better?
Unless you can do it better, why do something that somebody else is already doing well?
The wide majority of what drives kitchenCRATE & bathCRATE design decisions are countertops, backsplashes, shower tile, flooring and plumbing fixtures, all pricey products that aren’t all that interchangeable in a time of ever-changing tastes and trends.
Our suppliers, including Arizona Tile in Livermore and Bedrosians Tile & Stone in Modesto, already have outstanding showrooms that fit their business model. Why replicate what customers can go see or have already seen?
Instead, it makes much more business sense to piggyback off those partners and let them do what they do best, run massive beautiful showrooms for their amazing products.
3. The Ever-Changing World of Design
While they are great at what they do, our suppliers do have a limited scope and defined niche in how they fit into the kitchenCRATE & bathCRATE model. With a showroom to maintain, this means changing designs require changing out not only tile and slabs but also cabinets, hardware, fixtures, etc.
Keeping up with changing trends is a never-ending cycle that doesn’t end with one quick fix. As consumers’ tastes become more refined, businesses must be willing to adapt with specific style elements and design approaches to keep up, meaning complete overhauls are more likely and frequent. Simply put, just changing out an outdated backsplash won’t get the job done.
4. Our ‘Mobile Showroom’
At CRATE, a lot of what we do is mobile and on the go. We approach our business with precision and efficiency, putting quality work and customer satisfaction at the forefront.
Much of the heavy lifting during design selection is done through high-definition electronic devices such as tablets and laptops, where consultants can thoroughly research customer questions and provide designs with quality resolution. This gives an accurate and interactive picture of the final product. Additionally, for in-home consultations, we also bring with us plenty of samples to give a real feel and look of the products.
The “mobile showroom” concept already delivers for customers right in their home.
5. We Offer You A Stronger Company Without a Showroom
We already discussed the bottom line, but beyond that not having a showroom also better sets us up for the future. By not being tied down to a huge building lease our business is better able to adapt to unforeseen challenges and changing economic climates.
During the downturn not too long ago, it was evident that companies tied to heavy overhead and fixed costs were not as flexible and nimble to take on the issues of the times. It was simply asking too much, and many unfortunately did not survive.
Being free of those constraints allows us to focus on our customers and service them and any warranty issues long after their projects have been completed. Ultimately, it comes down to value for customers and that trumps having a showroom time and again.
Scott Monday is co-founder and CEO of kitchenCRATE and bathCRATE. Follow him on Facebook or Linked-In.
