Why You Should Shop Online for Your Next Home Improvement Project

(ARA) - The last time you went into a store seeking help for a home improvement project, what kind of experience did you have? If it was anything like what happened to Doug and Diana Johnson of Battle Lake, Minn., it wasn't good.

"We're in the process of remodeling a four-bedroom lake home on a beautiful Northern Minnesota lake," says Diana Johnson. "Last fall the plumber hired by our contractor sent us to a showroom in the metropolitan area to select our plumbing fixtures. That was a disappointment to say the least. The company had a nice showroom, but the staff was not knowledgeable and the hours were limited to one night a week with few openings. We overstayed our allotted time and were told to call back for another appointment to finish our order at their convenience."

Fumed over how they had been treated, the Johnsons decided not to go back. They are among the growing number of consumers who say they are so fed up with poor treatment and lack of adequate inventory at conventional stores, they are turning to the Internet for options.

In the Johnsons' case, a Google search led them to Faucet.com, a company with a vast inventory which includes all the fixtures and accessories they would need for their bathroom and kitchen remodels, and other upgrades throughout the house.

"I will admit that at first, I was very fearful of spending close to $20,000 through an Internet showroom," says Johnson, "but the prices were right, and they had incredible customer service. Between all my questions, the actual order process and follow ups regarding delivery, I must have spent hours on the phone with them, and not once have I been made to feel like a nuisance."

The Johnsons ended up ordering showers, bathtubs, pedestal sinks, faucets and lighting for the bathrooms; a farm house sink, bar sink, faucet and lighting fixtures for the kitchen; lighting fixtures and a sink for the bar; a sink for the laundry room; and top grade hardware for all interior and exterior doors. Among the brands they had to choose from, just to name a few, Kohler, Moen, Delta Faucet, and Price Pfister for the tubs, showers, toilets, sinks and faucets -- Schlage, Baldwin and Kwikset for the hardware. "The selection was just incredible," says Johnson. "More items that you'd ever see at one of the big box stores."

According to Daniel Auer, owner of Decorative Product Source, the parent company of Faucet.com, customers come to his store for three key reasons. "Our customers are buy-it-yourselfers, not necessarily do-it-yourselfers. In a lot of cases, they're picking out fixtures they'll end up having someone else install. They come to us because they know they can find quality merchandise at a good price, that they can expect the products to be delivered quickly, and that they'll have all their questions answered either in the informational articles on our Web site, or on the phone when they talk to one of our customer service representatives."

Diana Johnson says they definitely delivered for her. "Our experience at Faucet.com has defeated the old saying, 'price, service, quality -- pick two.' Faucet.com offers all three."

If you'd like to check the site out for yourself, log on to www.faucet.com. Customer service personnel who are knowledgeable about all the products the company carries are available via e-mail or phone. They can be reached toll-free at (866) 417-7670.

Courtesy of ARAcontent