Would you buy a refrigerator online?

Discussion in 'General Marketing' started by bob25, Dec 30, 2008.

  1. #1
    I'm thinking of trying to promote a high ticket item like refrigerators. Would you buy a refrigerator online or just do research online and then go to Home Depot or some store and buy there?

    I know there's searches being done, but I'm wondering if this is just research or are people actually buying heavier items online.

    Thanks
     
    bob25, Dec 30, 2008 IP
  2. Vozzek

    Vozzek Active Member

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    #2
    I'm an affiliate for an appliance site (no sales yet) and I've often wondered the same thing. I'm thinking that if I was going to buy a refrigerator, even online, I'd probably call the company to ask questions and do the transaction over the phone. In which case the affiliate gets nothing from the sale.

    I don't want to discourage you of course, but that's my take on it.
     
    Vozzek, Dec 30, 2008 IP
  3. KnewThis.com

    KnewThis.com Peon

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    #3
    In my opinion, never go for branded items. Most of these items have more easier/safe options to buy, and it is highly unlikely that a purchase will happen online. At max, visitors will do price shopping at your place.

    -Knewthis?
     
    KnewThis.com, Dec 30, 2008 IP
  4. Timeeh

    Timeeh Peon

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    #4
    i agree with knewthis.com.. i think people would do research online and go to stores for advice and in the end buy it there.
     
    Timeeh, Dec 30, 2008 IP
  5. PHPGator

    PHPGator Banned

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    #5
    Yeah, I don't see that selling well on the internet. I always ask myself this question, "what problem does it solve?" Most of the time, good selling items on the internet are ones that are difficult to find elsewhere.

    This is why toilet paper isn't sold on the internet. People would rather go a few hundred blocks, maybe pay a little bit more, but get it immediately. Price won't always bring you customers... and if you're in a price war, you probably won't be making much anyhow.
     
    PHPGator, Dec 30, 2008 IP
  6. Dantplayer

    Dantplayer Member

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    #6
    Would you buy it on ebay? If not, then most likely not elsewhere either. Imagine getting a fridge and the dimensions were wrong...ha!
     
    Dantplayer, Dec 30, 2008 IP
  7. copper12

    copper12 Peon

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    #7
    I'm an advertiser, and a researcher, and even I don't know. Try it to see for yourself, Bob. That's the only way to know for sure.
     
    copper12, Dec 30, 2008 IP
  8. bob25

    bob25 Well-Known Member

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    #8
    Yeah that's kind of my feeling. If it were me I'd research online and by locally, something I could see and touch. Hmm... ebay, now that's another idea.

    Thanks
     
    bob25, Dec 30, 2008 IP
  9. kingofoverkill

    kingofoverkill Peon

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    #9
    We did do research and bought a small drink refrigerator online because as PHPGator says, you can't find many of those at BestBuy, etc. I wouldn't buy one for our home that way, though.
     
    kingofoverkill, Dec 30, 2008 IP
  10. Chancey

    Chancey Well-Known Member

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    #10
    I would never buy something online because I am not seeing the actual item. I don't know if the quality is that good.
     
    Chancey, Jan 1, 2009 IP
  11. nihangshah

    nihangshah Prominent Member

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    #11
    I've heard people buying fruits & vegetables online.

    But, it's better to go a local shop and shop for such stuff.
     
    nihangshah, Jan 1, 2009 IP
  12. dynashox

    dynashox Premium Member Staff

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    #12
    Definitely not. The shipping fee will be expensive.

    To buy refrigerator, I just need to go to electric store nearby.
     
    dynashox, Jan 1, 2009 IP
  13. lifeplayer

    lifeplayer Notable Member

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    #13
    Only if i looking for cheap refrigerator and the not charge on shipping fee
     
    lifeplayer, Jan 1, 2009 IP
  14. wlaser

    wlaser Peon

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    #14
    Interesting comments here.
    I am a designer and installer for grid connect systems and stand alone systems, and I am absolutely
    amazed at the number of people buying solar systems over the internet. They spend between $4-5K and $14K to a company half way across the country, and then the company selling the solar system needs a local accreditated installer to get the rebate.
    One of the systems we installed in our area was actually bought on eBay. Unbelievable!!! He spent $20K.
    I guess people do these things for their own reasons, so I would suggest if you want to sell high price fridges, go for it. The trick will be in once the initial contact is made, maintaining the contact till the sale is actually made.
     
    wlaser, Jan 1, 2009 IP
  15. lycos

    lycos Well-Known Member

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    #15
    I don't know about the others but for me, it's better to actually view the fridge online and then head over to the stores and have a first hand look.
     
    lycos, Jan 1, 2009 IP
  16. bob25

    bob25 Well-Known Member

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    #16
    Yeah I guess you're right if it's consistently being sold on ebay it must be selling online. The problem is following up, basically I'll just be sending them to the merchants website and not collecting emails, but it's a thought. I just hate to register some domains and spend time building up the site and receive hits but no sales. The consensus seems to be research only, but Ill monitor ebay for a few weeks and see if sales are being made.

    Thanks

     
    bob25, Jan 1, 2009 IP
  17. primeelite

    primeelite Peon

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    #17
    No fridges are not a good thing to sell online. You cannot give people a good enough of a deal to make it worth it. Lets say the local store such as Walmart is selling them for $1,200 and you take a lot of the profit off and sell them for $850 which is the lowest you can sell it for and still make any profit. Now you have to add on minimum $350 shipping for most places and some even more. In the end it is too hard to do. Only way I think there is money in it is custom small fridges. I have seen many people selling these that are branded with sports team themes, etc. I would say that is the only way to do anything but still would not be a business I would get into.
     
    primeelite, Jan 1, 2009 IP
  18. letsnurture

    letsnurture Peon

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    #18
    there are many online wholesale store ..who sell this kind of items..
    try wholesale products
     
    letsnurture, Jan 1, 2009 IP
  19. whitey99

    whitey99 Active Member

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    #19
    Research your product online - I buy a number of big ticket items from eBay. Online works, but you do need to be careful and researched up.
     
    whitey99, Jan 1, 2009 IP
  20. Lastbutnotleast

    Lastbutnotleast Peon

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    #20
    I researched online and I bought online on the site of a major brick and mortar company

    No charge on shipping fee + free install

    Same thing for (I changed a lot of equipements in 2008): 2 TVs, washing machine, microwave oven and induction cooktop
     
    Lastbutnotleast, Jan 1, 2009 IP