Mail order companies

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chaps89

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This is quite long, but I would appreciate as many replies as possible please, for a possible business idea.

Reading a post last week (I think it was) about yet anotehr disgruntled person having problems made me realise there seems to be a lack of good customer care and a decent equestrian mail order company with reasonable prices. Robinsons and Ride Away seem to get good reviews but are a bit £££ and everyone else seems to have delivery/stock issues from what I can tell.

Anyway, I currently work for my dads company which is mail order (albeit in a different industry) I enjoy the work but don't have much knowledge of the products we sell so can't get fully involved in that side of things, but enjoy it and am good with customers and the day to day parts of the jobs, purchasing, stock control, accounts, web maintenance etc etc.
So I'm thinking of either trying for a job with an equestrian mail order company, or potentially starting my own up *gulp*

So a little market research please
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When buying new stuff for you or horsey, do you prefer to go to a tack shop, or buy online? Or maybe try on in a shop then try to find it cheaper online? Are there any products you are more likely to buy in a shop than online?
How important is it that a website is easy to use? Secure? Has a range of products?
How long do you feel is a reasonable time for an order to be processed and delivered? What do you feel is a reasonable delivery charge- does it depend on the size of order or not?
How important is price- if somewhere is cheaper but has a reputation for not delivering promptly, would you still shop there or prefer to spend a bit more somewhere more expensive but you know you're likely to see it in the next 2-3 days at most?
What makes you choose one company over anotehr?
Would you be willing to buy from a new company?
What makes you recommend them to some-one else or bear them in mind for future use?

Any further inputs, ideas or feedback regarding other existing companies welcome (via PM welcome if you'd prefer
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). It's a new idea to me and if there's not space in the market for another equestrian mail order company then I won't entertain it for too long!

Thank-you
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When buying new stuff for you or horsey, do you prefer to go to a tack shop, or buy online?
<font color="red"> </font> Prefer tack shop but i dont have one near me so usually buy online these days
Or maybe try on in a shop then try to find it cheaper online?
<font color="red"> </font> Have also done this, you can usually find things cheaper online once you know your size for that make.
Are there any products you are more likely to buy in a shop than online?
<font color="red"> </font> Clothes for smater use, feed, large items if i have access to car
How important is it that a website is easy to use? Secure? Has a range of products?
<font color="red"> </font> Very, website should be user friendly as not all of us are techno! lol
How long do you feel is a reasonable time for an order to be processed and delivered?
<font color="red"> </font> Within 1 week woul dbe very good 1-2 weeks good 2 weeks plus is sloq for smaller items but larger items this can be expected
What do you feel is a reasonable delivery charge- does it depend on the size of order or not?
<font color="red"> </font> Yes does depend up to £3 for smaller items but if you dont charge OTT for delivery you will retain customers
How important is price- if somewhere is cheaper but has a reputation for not delivering promptly, would you still shop there or prefer to spend a bit more somewhere more expensive but you know you're likely to see it in the next 2-3 days at most?
<font color="red"> </font> I would prefer to shop somewhere i trusted and knew would deliver on time over price (but not massive price difference obviously)
What makes you choose one company over anotehr?
<font color="red"> </font> Quality, price, reputation, customer service
Would you be willing to buy from a new company?
<font color="red"> </font> Yes, i try new companies, if i like i go back, if i have a bad experience i dont
What makes you recommend them to some-one else or bear them in mind for future use?
<font color="red"> </font> Speed, quality, service, competitive pricing Id say are the main ones
 

When buying new stuff for you or horsey, do you prefer to go to a tack shop, or buy online? Or maybe try on in a shop then try to find it cheaper online? Are there any products you are more likely to buy in a shop than online?

<font color="green"> I prefer to go to a shop if it is something I have to try on - e.g. jods, jacket etc. Especially if it is going to be expensive - I don't like having to send things back to experiment with sizes. I might then look online if the shop was vastly more expensive - for a couple of quid I don't mind paying extra as I appreciate the shop has overheads. I do shop online for other stuff that comes in more standard sizes </font>

How important is it that a website is easy to use? Secure? Has a range of products?

<font color="green"> I try to use sites that stock a wide range of products, because otherwise you end up getting small orders from lots of different places and paying several lots of p&amp;p. Obviously it has to be secure, and if it is not easy to use, I can't be bothered (also makes it look like a dodgy operation!) Stock controlled sites are also so much better as they save you wasting time ordering stuff you will have to wait weeks for</font>

How long do you feel is a reasonable time for an order to be processed and delivered?

<font color="green"> these days most firms are pretty quick, I'd want it within the week, and to receive a phone call /email if something wasn't in stock. </font>

What do you feel is a reasonable delivery charge- does it depend on the size of order or not?

<font color="green"> up to a point - I don't like standard £5 shipping when you have only ordered a hoofpick! But most major companies have a standard rate even if you place a massive order - there needs to be some flexibility </font>

How important is price- if somewhere is cheaper but has a reputation for not delivering promptly, would you still shop there or prefer to spend a bit more somewhere more expensive but you know you're likely to see it in the next 2-3 days at most?

<font color="green"> depends on the item (and the price), but service and reliability is top of the list for me. I hate not knowing whether you are going to receive your order or not. </font>

What makes you choose one company over anotehr?

<font color="green"> helpful staff, easy to contact, sensible returns policy, reasonable and fast shipping, good range of products </font>

Would you be willing to buy from a new company?

<font color="green"> yes, and if they tick all of the boxes above I frequently try new companies </font>

What makes you recommend them to some-one else or bear them in mind for future use?

<font color="green"> same as above. good luck! </font>
 
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