10 Reasons to Buy from a Local Custom Integrator
We know why we want people to shop local, and yet we sometimes forget to remind the public of the great benefits. We get lost in the day-to-day of running a business and forget to remind the world of the importance of supporting local merchants. Here are 10 reasons one should shop with their local AV integrator.
1. Money stays local: According to the 3/50 Project (www.the350project.net) “For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home.” It is a feel-good reason to shop local, and an economical one.
2. The difference between reviews and integrators: Sure someone out there online says one brand or model was better than another. If they are not integrators, they do not see these products every day. They do not know how it handles in the field; we do. We, as integrators, more than anyone else, know what works, and that is the reason we sell the products we do.
3. We can help you with a long-term plan: Maybe one only desires music in two rooms but knows he or she is adding a back patio next year. Wouldn’t it be nice to have an AV plan? Only one's local AV integrator can help with this.
4. Test drive before you buy: No one (in their right mind) buys a car online, so why would someone ever want to purchase a speaker or a TV via the web? This frustrates me, especially if he or she has not experienced the device before. Visiting one's local AV integrator allows customers to experience “solutions” before they buy.
5. Technology Partner: Who does one call when the screen is black? One can call Amazon or Best Buy (good luck with that) or the cable company, where they read answers out of a book only to tell you it is not their fault. Or they call us, and we have them reboot their set-top box, and the issue is fixed within minutes. What was that worth?
6. We can program a remote: Such a silly thing, but there are so many people out in the wide world using two or more remotes. Buy your TV from a custom integrator, and they will program your cable box remote to work your TV. That’s minutes of time to save on annoyance every single day.
7. We live for this stuff: Sure, one can do a quick Google search and learn a few things about AV technology, but we are in the thick of it, every day. We attend trade shows and classes and webinars. We take tests and get to put fancy letters after our names. Our only goal is to help the consumer.
8. We know what works together: Some products work better together than others, and custom integrators know what the big box stores do not. We know what products have discreet codes to make one's life less stressful. No online review will tell you that.
9. We know what technology will survive.
10. We know magic: Yes, we know how to wave a wand and make Netflix appear. Well, really, we just know that if you have an iPhone, then you should have an AppleTV. Sure, we deal with Netflix every day, but having it easily accessible for our clients is pure magic. Do not forget the little things; although we are immersed in the great world of tech, most people are not.
People have been burned by the cheapest price, and everyone has an online horror story.
Do you shop local?
Have you taken the time to look for a business in your town you need before rushing online?
Contact us today to tell us your local shopping experience. 1-203-659-4734 or email [email protected]