Try before You Buy - What Do You Think?

Store RepL[Deactivated] @ Jason Agustina on 22/03/2016 - 14:03
Last edited 22/03/2016 - 14:09

Hello,

Like to ask for your opinions.

We all have moments when we fall in love with an item of furniture only to get it home and realise every single thing you thought was right is actually wrong!

It can happen to the best of us – you are out shopping and come across what looks to be the perfect piece of furniture or decor accessory. You are thrilled and without hesitation purchase the item in a haze of giddy excitement. This is more evident when it comes to online shopping.

After hearing much of the feedback from the customers, we planed and finally introduce this brand new Concept: Try Before You Buy. How does it work? You select the furniture you like, pay for a deposit, we send the product to you, you inspect and style it at the comfort of your own home, return the furniture, we refund you the deposit. You decide if you want to make the purchase.

Cost involved: Deposit + $39 shipping fees.
Free return shipping will be provided.

Total cost required: $39.

Why is it even better than buying at big chain or your local furniture store? You get to see how it styles with your existing furniture at your home.

For more details, please visit
http://beinspired.jasonagustina.com.au/2016/03/11/introducin…

What do you think about this idea? Keen to hear your opinions.

Jason Agustina
Exquisite Furniture at a Fraction of the Cost

Poll Options

  • 3
    I like the idea and I will use it
  • 4
    I like the idea but I will not use it
  • 20
    I don't like the idea and I won't use it
Home & Garden

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Jason Agustina
Jason Agustina

Comments

  • SnoozeAndLose on 22/03/2016 - 14:05

    It is all depends on the price, how much to pay if not happy after try?

    • Store Rep[Deactivated] @ Jason Agustina on 22/03/2016 - 14:10

      Thank you for the quick feedback. Thread has been updated with the cost information. Total cost required would be $39.

      • SnoozeAndLose on 22/03/2016 - 14:11

        is $39 for every piece of furniture or $39 for a lot?

        • Store Rep[Deactivated] @ Jason Agustina on 22/03/2016 - 14:16

          It is per piece. $39 for a lot would be too expensive for the business. :D

  • QuickToThePointless on 22/03/2016 - 14:12
    +1

    Interesting concept….what about dwellings with sticky children and filthy animals (human as well as feline / canine) ? Some of your wares may come back in a pretty shabby state after only a day or two…and people wont put down say 50% as surety i wouldnt think

    With discrimination laws, very hard to 'screen' customers too

    • Store Rep[Deactivated] @ Jason Agustina on 22/03/2016 - 14:18

      Good points. We once received a feedback, what if people just order the sample because the mum in law is visiting? We suppose we will just have to bite the bullets on those scenarios.

      • QuickToThePointless on 22/03/2016 - 14:21

        Can i ask if you are new to the furniture game? Did you just buy in to the business?

        • Store Rep[Deactivated] @ Jason Agustina on 22/03/2016 - 14:23
          +1

          New to the furniture game. Prefer to build the things from the ground up instead of buying an existing one. It may be costly but that's the fun of running your own business and life.

        • QuickToThePointless on 22/03/2016 - 14:28
          +7

          @jasonagustina: thought so….i doubt a veteran of the industry would entertain a try before you buy set up.

          Sorry to say i doubt it will work. While the majority of people are decent , all it takes is one or two of these to turn sour and you will be losing money.

          Another issue is that without a decent bond and police checks etc people may just take your stuff and sell it on gumtree

          Decent prices and cheap advertising are your best bets for success - daytime / late night/ weekend TV, local newspapers etc

          Good luck

    • spackbace on 22/03/2016 - 14:25
      +1

      Good points, and for that reason you really should require a deposit, which in itself would probably kill the idea.

      • Store Rep[Deactivated] @ Jason Agustina on 22/03/2016 - 14:28

        Yes, we do require a deposit. We can't afford to have complete blind faith, I suppose?

        • spackbace on 22/03/2016 - 14:31
          +1

          Not in your original post:

          Cost involved: Deposit + $39 shipping fees.
          Free return shipping will be provided.

          Total cost required: $39.

          Nor can I see it anywhere in the blog post you linked to, with a precursor of "For more details, please visit", when it actually has less details.

          Maybe be up front about everything, and people will take you seriously. Hide details, and we'll wonder why

        • Store Rep[Deactivated] @ Jason Agustina on 22/03/2016 - 14:36

          @Spackbace:

          Thanks for the thought and pointing that out.

          Still a newbie in the business, learning everything whilst running, that includes asking for advice at a forum like this. Will definitely be more careful and be providing all the necessary information in the future before posting. Will certainly pass the feedback about the blog post too.

  • bobbified on 22/03/2016 - 14:22
    +1

    The most important question that will be on every customer's mind will be:

    How difficult is it going to be to get the deposit back?

    You may have a list of reasons in your mind that you think is "reasonable" to get a deposit refund, but every customer has their own unique needs. Is it simply going to be a case of "no questions asked"?

    The whole scheme can backfire if people start complaining that it's difficult to get their deposit back, so it's in your interests to clearly define when they can and can't get their deposit back - for eg, if there's any stains on the furniture, rips or anything, what's considered normal wear and tear, etc.

    There's also things like transport costs and who's going to pay for that.

    What would you do if you have lots of returns - meaning you'll have lots of used furniture that noone wants.

    Or if you're sending out used items just for test, it means that the transport costs could be tripled up. That is, once to get the sample item to the customer's home, then back from the customer's home to the shop. And if the customer actually wants the item, then another time from the shop to the home (with the new item).

    • Store Rep[Deactivated] @ Jason Agustina on 22/03/2016 - 14:31

      We have had a few customers tried it out and we refunded the deposit once we receive the return.

      Customer pays for the initially shipping cost, which is currently $39, and we will pay for the return shipping.

  • [Deactivated] on 22/03/2016 - 14:51

    condoms try before you buy?

    • Looking4Bargians on 22/03/2016 - 15:41

      IF your Mr Johnson is made of wood .. Then yes..

  • Cheeper on 22/03/2016 - 16:14
    +3

    Destined for failure. Fully research your business model.
    Your product will immediately become "used" once trialed and therefore take a massive drop in resale value. Used furniture is rarely worth anything unless it is in mint condition and of considerable quality.
    Also what is to stop people from testing your products, returning them and then buying elsewhere?
    What if someone pays their $39 for a trial and is slow at returning the item? They are not concerned as all it has cost them is $39 plus a deposit, assumably only a small portion of the purchase price .. and you have to chase them up to get it back. That could become very involved and may need court appearances etc… The loser in the end is definitely you… :-(

    Dont forget to include all running costs including salaries, ALL insurances, vehicles, utilities, premises, etc, etc, etc,… In the end you do need to make a profit.

    • Store Rep[Deactivated] @ Jason Agustina on 22/03/2016 - 16:39

      Thanks for the feedback.

      • Gotchas on 22/03/2016 - 19:42

        People would also use your furniture instead of renting
        Eg display furniture to get a house ready for sale

  • OBEY YOUR MASTERS on 23/03/2016 - 07:18

    Wouldn't it make sense for the customer to pay the full price before trial? That way you're not chasing them for money and if they try to return spoiled or damaged goods you're covered.

    • Store Rep[Deactivated] @ Jason Agustina on 23/03/2016 - 10:01

      Yeah, the deposit itself is the full price of the product.

  • backpaqer on 23/03/2016 - 08:28

    IKEA already does 365 day hassle-free returns if you end up not wanting the item - and they don't care why. It could be that you don't like it, it could be that you suddenly need all that cash back nearly a year later.

    • Store Rep[Deactivated] @ Jason Agustina on 23/03/2016 - 10:04

      All those 30 days or 365 days hassle free return generally mean that the label is still attached and the product is still in the box so that it is in a resale condition. In the case of IKEA, it means the product has not been assembled so you can't really take it out to test it, style it at your home.

      We currently have 30 days return policy. We did think about 365 days but it's probably a bit risky for a new business.

  • Store Rep[Deactivated] @ Jason Agustina on 24/03/2016 - 12:38

    We have 3 people liking the idea and will use it. Thank you for that!! :D

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