Beware the Fireplace Cowboy…

As with most online retail industries there are those companies that just can’t be trusted or relied upon. We have been receiving a few reports recently where people have been let down hugely by fireplace companies and also of companies just disappearing into the wind without a trace. Unfortunately for those customers who trusted the businesses they have now been left out of pocket. This is very disheartening for us to hear and we just wanted to point out a few tips for when you are purchasing a fireplace – if you decide to go somewhere else that is

1) Always check to make sure the company is established.
A good well established company will be able to provide you with all the support and answers you need when buying a fireplace. This advice will help you hugely as with most established companies they will have years of experience and will be able to offer you a wealth of knowledge to aid you.

2) Always check to make sure they are people.
Because when you are browsing on the internet you only see what somebody wants you to see it can be very easy to deceive you into thinking that they are a good reputable company.

They can make their website look nice, with similar features/design, information and images as a good reputable company.
They can also show feedback online which may not be true.

One very reliable and easy way of identifying a good company is to be able to visit their premises. Some companies who are online only do not have the security of a bricks and mortar business.

3) Don’t always take price as a deciding factor
Obviously price is more often than not high on the agenda when buying a fireplace – but if you place price as too high a priority you could be risking more money out of your pocket.

Saving money is always a nice thing but when you risk losing more is it really worth it? We have often had to help customers who have been left in the dark from, when something goes wrong with their fireplace and the company they bought it from disappears. They don’t answer telephone calls or emails and the customer has to foot the bill. All this because the fireplace was £10, £20 or £50 cheaper than a good reputable company who would of got it right or fixed it straight away. It is human to make mistakes but it takes a bigger person to rectify those mistakes… and foot the bill.

It’s not always just the money costs involved to, sometimes it can take a heavy emotional toll on the person who is fooled by the fireplace cowboy.

4) Always get as much information as you can
Buying a fireplace is more often than not a purchase which most customers will have very little knowledge about and the last thing you want is to buy something from the fireplace cowboy, have it delivered, then not be able to use it because it is not suitable. You then call the cowboy to get no reply, email him 100 times to no avail and are then stuck with a fireplace which is useless to you!

99 times out of 100 buying a fireplace goes perfectly, you choose a good reputable company who delivers you fireplace exactly how you want it (or they don’t get it just right but make sure they do, at their own cost), your fitter comes and puts everything in place and you sit back relax and think “wow those guys at Victorian Fireplaces were amazing – I am so glad I chose them over the fireplace cowboy… If not keep your eye out for the fireplace cowboy!