Plumbing merchants are more than just a place to pick up the tools of the trade and the materials you need for a job. Going to the right merchant can make your work easier and help you provide a better service to customers.

 

Sam Canfield at Graham Plumbers’ Merchant looks at what you should expect from merchants and how they can help.

 

Getting the products you need, when you need them

 

There is nothing more frustrating than not having the products you need to finish a job. Installers both new and experienced often rely on being able to go into a local merchant branch and get exactly what is needed.

 

At Graham we have worked hard to ensure that the products we stock are available when they are required. As such, the stock requirements are constantly analysed at a national, regional and local level to get the levels right. We also have an Always Available range of products, which we guarantee will be in stock. If you order one of our Always Available products and it is not in stock we will give you a £10 voucher to use on your next purchase.

 

 

A further way that merchants can make life easier for installers is by offering an easy returns policy. Sometimes you do not know what parts you are going to need until you start work. The job is made much easier if you can take a few extra bits that you might need and return what you do not use. For example, Graham has a free no hassle returns policy that covers all products. Anything that is not needed and remains unopened can be returned for a full refund with no questions asked.

 

Knowledgeable staff

 

Merchant staff are especially well placed to provide help and advice on product selection and installation. A knowledgeable team in-branch is crucial and often merchants will have members of staff that are specially trained in areas such as smart home technology. Even when you are onsite, the merchant team will be available to provide help over the phone, whether you have a question about the product or just need to check the availability of the part you need. Graham works closely with its suppliers to ensure its staff are trained across all product ranges.

 

Plumbing merchants should also offer a range of brochures, guides and online resources that can be used both for reference and as sales tools for the installer. Furthermore, showrooms are an excellent resource for installers as they allow customers to see and compare a number of different product options to choose the ones they want. Graham bathroom showrooms also offer a full in-house design service with 3D CAD systems to help customers plan their perfect bathroom.

 

Simplicity

 

Traditionally, merchant pricing was based to some extent on the installer negotiating deals with the branch staff. In general, the trade has fallen out of love with this approach as inconsistent pricing makes it hard to cost for a job and installers would much rather spend time completing the work that will earn them money than haggling over prices.

 

A desire for simplicity is something that has emerged strongly in our customer research over recent years. It was this that confirmed our decision to introduce a fixed price offering on all products from across heating and plumbing, bathrooms, smart technology and tools as well as our commercial range.

 

Utilising the support and expertise of specialist merchants can help streamline your work and factors like simple pricing, easy returns and reliable stock make it even easier. For installers at every stage of their career a strong relationship with a merchant is a valuable asset for advice to information about the latest product developments – they represent a unique and valuable resource to those in the industry.

 

For more information or to find your nearest branch, visit www.grahamplumbersmerchant.co.uk.

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