We're different in lots of ways, but here's a list of things we think are worth humbly bragging about, followed by an explanation of each:
1. We Happen to be “Green”
2. We’re Charitable
3. We’re Informed, Well Rounded and Unbiased
4. We Don't Try "Sell You Up"
5. We Don't Exploit Impulse Buyers
6. We're "Organically Grown", not "Corporately Built"
Here's an explanation of the above:
1. We Happen to be “Green”
I often roll my eyes when I hear the term "green" being used by a business because I resent how the “the environment” concept gets exploited by companies and politicians to promote their own agenda - so I hesitate to work this angle too aggressively. We certainly don’t claim to be environmental activists, but I believe we’re more eco-conscious than most other places out there.
In fact we’re the only hot tub company in BC that was invited to be featured in the “environmental pages” directory.
We run a hot tub recycling depot, where people can drop off their old tubs. We dismantle the tubs, then separate and sort the metal, plastic, wood, fibreglass, insulation, etc.. Whatever can be recycled or re-used is kept out of the landfill, and the rest is chopped up and disposed of in a responsible manner or used as fuel to a secondary source of heat in a super-efficient airtight wood-burning stove.
Sometimes we can take two or three non-functional used hot tubs and turn their combined parts into one good, perfectly functional single hot tub. Plus we accumulate spare used parts to offer at a discount though our parts and service department so they get re-used.
Our service department makes an effort to fix things that most repair places would simply replace, saving the client money while reducing waste. We use eco-friendly products in the shop, we recycle paper and plastic at the office & store, and our service van runs on natural gas.
We may not win a Nobel Prize for our efforts, but we think our contribution is significant.
2. We’re Charitable
Every time we sell a new hot tub at our storefront location, we donate a significant amount of money to charity. We don't do this as a promotional gimmick - it's just the right thing to do. Feel free to ask Steve for more information.
3. We’re Informed, Well Rounded and Unbiased
Most franchise stores only sell hot tubs from one or two brand names (usually their own brand and one “economy brand” alternative).
Since we represent a wide variety of manufacturers from mediocre to very high end, we don't try to convince you that "our brand name is better than all others". We objectively explain the differences in quality, design, engineering and performance and let you decide for yourself which way to go.
We inspect, move, repair, consult, refurbish tubs and sell new and used parts for hot tubs. We have probably dealt with every kind of jet, motor, spa pack and plumbing part out there, and we're familiar with all the different systems and brand names.
The knowledge we acquire through our diversity helps us really understand what’s important when it comes to performance, reliability, repairability and longevity. Based on that, we earn more credibility and trust than the typical retailer.
4. We Don't Try "Sell You Up"
Retail sales profits are usually based on percentage, so the more something costs, the more money the seller makes. That's why salespeople usually try to steer you toward the more pricey models.
Not so with us. We price our new hot tubs in such a way that we make the same amount of profit no matter what model we sell, so we have no vested interest in “selling you up” to a more expensive model. We give you accurate unbiased information and let you decide for yourself which one is best for your particular tastes and budget.
5. We Don't Exploit Impulse Buyers
Anyone who's worked in sales knows that a large percentage of clients are "impulse buyers" who overspend in the heat of the moment. Statistics show that after a major purchase, it is fairly common for people wake up the next morning with "buyers' remorse". Successful salespeople are very aware of this, and are experts at securing a non-refundable deposit so that the client is stuck with their decision to buy.
We may miss out on thousands of dollars of potential profit every year by going easy on impulse buyers.
Although we are confident that our product and pricing is excellent, we understand that a new hot tub is a major purchase and people sometimes need to “sleep on it” in order to process their decision.
Even after our clients have “signed on the dotted line” and paid their deposit, we don’t hold them to it if they wake up the next morning with regrets. In fact if our clients cancel their order for a new hot tub within 48 hours, they get their "non-refundable" deposit back in full, with no hard feelings.
6. We’re "Organically Grown", not "Corporately Built"
The traditional way to do things is to buy into a franchise, which provides clear procedures and strict guidelines to follow. A large initial investment is required but everything comes professionally planned, clearly explained, and neatly put together. Staff training is key, and there's a big emphasis on "presentation" (ie: create an environment of luxury and establishment).
Within a month, a business franchise can set up an impressive-looking store to establish credibility and attract customers.
Many such places went out of business since the economy slowed down, but contrary to the trend, we continue to slowly evolve. In fact we keep having to change things to accommodate growth and expand our services.
We are different in that we have been slowly growing this business for over a decade. We started off as a home-based business on an acreage, gradually learning things, making progress and creating policy as we went along. We grew it like an organic tree allowing for its unique DNA as opposed to building it like a structure with a contrived blueprint with a predetermined finished product.
It may have been smarter and definitely would have been easier to do things the more conventional way. Instead of relying on a program and following directions, we had to creatively adapt and rely on our own instincts and imagination to make things work. But by doing it the hard way, we think our roots run deeper than would a typical foundation of an apparently more "established" business.
Contact us at (604) 787-4441 or hottubsgalore@gmail.com
