I Have a Curosity Question for Everyone

[Ron@ Ron's Dixie Metal Detectors]

If we had a completely Online store for your ordering, had No Toll Free #
And Could Offer you the Best Deals on the Net, how do you think it would affect our buisness? Good or Bad, Pros and Cons please. Thanks, Ron

 

[DukeOBass]

I like a toll-free number so I can talk to a live person.

 

[Bugar In. USA]

I think the toll free # would be a must , so you can talk to the customers

 

[Old California]

Hi Ron,

I don't know if you mean not having a phone at all and running your business completely online with out a phone or just not having a Toll-free line available and use a regular phone only?

If you do plan on using a phone then I would do without a toll-free line and keep an open regular line, Those that call will be serous in buying a detector and don't mine paying for the call when looking for a detector or detector related product.

It's one less expense for you to worry about, Most all dealers including yourself are already giving us super deals so don't hurt yourself with giving us free calls on your dime.

HH, Paul (Ca)

 

[savage]

n/t

 

[John LA]

With the Manufacturers setting prices, I don't see how you would be cheaper than anyone else. Even if you could be cheaper, many customers prefer long conversations when making purchases. This personal touch is what makes your business. Whither you are a MD expert or not you are viewed as one and this will go away without the personal conversation. From time to time such as receiving a defective detector or failure of delivery service will required speaking to a human. My son-in-law has a business similar to yours (not MD). He spends his days talking to customers and his nights packing and shipping. Good luck to both of you.

 

[RLOH]

Ron, I think that it would hurt your business. Many people, including myself, don't buy on line. Most people who are thinking about getting into this hobby will be more likely to buy a detector if they can talk to a nice, knowledgeable guy like yourself. R.L.

 

[sandnsea49]

you need to cut expenses by eliminating your toll free number I would still want a number so I could talk to you. If I wanted to buy using the internet there are many other places to go, and some offer better prices than you or any other dealers on this forum. However, I like the personal touch that comes with a name, and a warm body to talk to. Just my opinion. Thanks for listening.

 

[Hotcz70]

and had it not been for the toll free number I saw in your ads here on the forum...I may have shopped somewhere else. There are tons of dealers who sell on an online store...but you were there available to talk to and get opinions about detectors.etc. Anyone can offer a cut rate price or great deal...but few people can make a sale they didn't even try to make because of their honesty and pleasant experience they offer a possible buyer. You are one of those few.

 

[NH Bob]

and buy something from. sometimes even when I really don't need that something right now. Why? Because he is a great guy to talk to and always gives me a deal over the phone. I don't call him for the deal, I call him because he makes me feel important.
Loose the personal touch and loose business.

 

[raptro5618]

I have purchased from vendors who are primarily Internet and those that are a combination where you can talk to a person. My deal with you was nearly exclusively over the Internet because I was certain what I wanted. But some conversation was necessary to complete the deal

I think a lot of what you would chose has to be based upon how you want to define your business. I think that part of the decision to purchase from you is the value added to the sale price. The ability to talk to some one about the purchase and any followup questions is something that I consider when paying a bit more than I could get it from a totally on line vendor. When I have decided to spend as much as the top line MD's cost the best cost is not the factor I consider the most.

I think that going the best price route is pretty risky because competitors only have to challenge you on one level and your prices are right there for all to see.

To directly answer your question, I would buy from an on line store if their price was significantly less than anyone else out there. In my mind it seems like Kellyco has a pretty good approach. Internet store with people they present as MD experts to support you in a purchase if you feel the need.

 

[erikk]

I don't do CC's over the Internet. Just old fashioned

 

[gobble-gobble]

Dealing with people in a personal way is good buss. When I call you to order something ,we always talk about metal detecting .Without that personal touch you will lose buss. If possible don't do it. Good Hunting & Good Luck

 

[jimp]

and they are now a sponser on this forum. Through thick and thin they have always done right by me. that is why I will remain a loyal customer no matter what deals someone else may have. I trust their honesty and integrity to dofor me what they have done for over 20 years. I wish you well in your business adventures and Merry Christmas to all. Jim Palmeno Rockford, Illinois

 

[StephenA]

Hey Ron,
Being a small time dealer and having bought from you in the past as well, (always enjoyed dealing with you) I have concluded that the walk in business really does not dictate enough sales to warrant the floor space. Most everyone in my area buys the low end detectors and the real hunters are pretty scattered and buy on-line a great deal. My sales are word of mouth and I sell ten detectors by phone or email to every one I sell as a walk in. At one time I displayed twenty or so detectors and now just leave them in the box until someone wants to see them or I get a call. Ron and Dixie are well respected even by other dealers and I think the on-line format is the way to go now days. I know that Dixie will still provide wonderful support by phone and on-line as anyway. The good dealers are always willing to help. I would say go for the web concept.

 

[James N.D.]

I think if you got rid of the Toll Free #, you would lose business since not everyone has a Computer and also, there is always people checking around for the best prices and also having questions about products that you may have in stock. I think it would be best to have both. But there is always someone else that is going to go just a bit cheaper to bring in a sale or add something extra for Free to sell inventory. I know that I like talking to the Dealer personally but would also prefer to talk with someone over the phone just to make sure that the Dealer knows exactly what the buyer is talking about and what he is looking for. So I think it would be bad to get rid of the Toll Free #. But that is just my opinion. Hope this helps out and Good Luck and HH.

 

[Ron@ Ron's Dixie Metal Detectors]

I myself enjoy detecting as much as anyone and being in this business for 10 years I have made a lot of friends that I enjoy chating with. The Toll Free # is not a big deal, it will continue until we close or go out of business, Hopefully no time soon! Other dealers can relate to what I am going to say. For the past 6 years there has been a steady decline in detector sales. Several factors come into play that we are not going into. There is not enough business to go around to make this a business you can make a living at. 5 years ago you could. I am being forced to looking at different options which include going back to work so I can take care of the Family. They are the most important thing to me, more so than sitting around waiting on the phone to ring. How would you feel if we Kept the Toll Free Number and changed our ours to 3 pm till 10 pm? Would you be willing to leave us a message and we would call you back in the afternoon? Or would you just hang up and call another dealer? These are questions I am weighing my options before making a final decision. What ya think? Thanks, Ron
PS' We still will sponsor Find Mall, so that is not an issue.

 

[txbluesman]

I know this may sound crazy but why not have two completely independent sites, one discount and one full service. As you have probably gathered by the responses above, there are two type of shoppers out there. There are ones who like the personal touch of speaking with a knowledgeable person who puts forth the effort to help them chose the right item. These people usually don't mind paying a few dollars more for this extra level of customer service. The other type of shopper is the price sensitive one who is looking for the rock bottom price/best deal. This may because they either a) have limited funds and want to maximize their dollars spent OR b) they have already researched the products and know exactly what they want.

If you created two independent sites, you could cater to both type of shoppers. It would be VERY important to design them such that they appear to be TWO DIFFERENT companies or else you will find the discount site cannibalizing the sales from your full-service site (i.e. they call the full-service number to ask all the questsions, then order from the discount site).

And that is my two cents worth.... Good luck.

 

[DukeOBass]

I think being open later like that will get you more sales than being open during the day. Most people are working all day and can't make a call until the evening. 3 to 10 PM sound like a good idea. I've always been frustrated by businesses that close at 5 PM. Who are they there for? Not the working people.

 

[okieroy]

Ron
I agreee with Bryce. That persoal touch and that person to person talk is what I look forward too. Thanks for being there for us.
Roy