Now that I have spent some time in the WordPress program, my imagination is going wild about all the topics I could have selected. My husband and I are self employed, and to apply my growing knowledge of web design immediately to a site that will benefit my company’s exposure just seemed the most practical!
Read more: Why I Chose Walk In Tubs for my WebsiteWhen we entered the walk in tub industry, we were literally horrified. There were perhaps two manufacturers that were generally known, and the most prominent one contacted us to install their tubs. The product was completely new to us. Because I have a disability that affects my balance and strength, our interest was piqued. You can imagine how excited we were by this technology! But as we soon learned, this was not a client centered industry.
The standard sale went like this: the manufacturer would send out a lead to turn into a sale. The salesman would visit the prospective customer and explain the intricacies of the tubs, the benefits, and the installation. If a sale occurred, the salesman would arrange the installation and everyone was happy. Right?
Even before we laid eyes on a walk in tub, we knew from the installation details that they were using inadequate materials as a tub surround. It was a flimsy tileboard. As we looked into the installation further, we learned that they permitted handymen, without a license or insurance, to complete the work. That work includes running a separate electric line for the tub that is attached to the GFI to help prevent electrocution. In Arizona, you must be a licensed electrician to run a GFI line. We had a residential remodeling contractor’s license and we were required to hire an electrician for such a job.
At that point, we were appalled and didn’t want to get involved. They were only offering $1500 for installation, and their tubs cost the client $18,000! For reference, it cost $400 for an electrician. That’s a significant dent in the installer’s profit. But the disturbing details kept coming.
- In Arizona, only a licensed electrician should run a GFI line
- Walk in tub installers should be licensed, bonded, and insured.
- Check the installer’s license at https://azroc.my.site.com/AZRoc/s/contractor-search
The sales techniques, which I have since learned are very common, included fearmongering; if you don’t get a walk in tub, you might fall and go to a nursing home. They inferred that spouses and adult children who didn’t purchase a tub actually didn’t care enough to invest in their loved one’s safety. They cited statistics about how falls result in imminent death. And if the homeowner still wouldn’t sign, they were authorized to offer a massive discount, saying that they have a floor model available, but the offer expires when they walk out the door.
So, when we began Arizona Walk In Tubs, we did none of this treachery. We created affordable packages that started at $6,000, installation included. The models straight out of the factory only cost $1200! We had a dedicated electrician that we partnered with. Our sales had no pressure, no discounts, no horror stories. We were devoted to the client, who needed compassion, not a trip to the cleaners.
When I designed our first website in 2007, I listed the prices for everything. There was an outcry from the industry and we received push back. But we took it in stride. Someone needed to set a standard.
We never did become wealthy, or even well off from walk in tub sales. We now have a plumbing license and that is our primary work. But we still get walk in tubs from time to time and in 2024, our prices remain half of what the competition charges. We stand for the customer and always will. Having a website that empowers the client to choose from a selection of quality products from reputable manufacturers, to purchase a tub affordably without manipulative pricing, and to have the option of a separate installation from a licensed plumber is the service that we can offer.
Read more: Why I Chose Walk In Tubs for my Website
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