Obviously, one of the most regularly asked questions I get is the difference between purchasing online versus working with a dealer.
It happens regularly, and frankly, I think we all buy commodities online. Though I do try to buy local whenever I can.
However, the world of online shopping has undergone a significant divergence from purchasing from a dealer in the fitness equipment industry. While there may be some overlap, with certain manufacturers of high-quality brands not wanting to disregard online business, and some online brands that gained popularity during the pandemic attempting to expand their reach to dealers and various spaces, it is important to recognize the emergence of a distinct marketing and business plan for online sales.
And in the fitness equipment world, because of the lack of transparency, it's much worse. You pretty much have real brands that work through dealers and you might find in a full commercial gym or a professional training facility, and then you've got the
online brands which have lots of marketing money and look similar, but you never find them in any real gym or in a dealership. And who show up in every online search. That's where
their money is spent, not on the quality of the product.
We've already covered the fact that due to the money being
made by affiliate sites, there's no such thing as a real review site in the fitness equipment world. Even magazines like runners world are taking affiliate commissions and rating very poor products as decently made. But as with many other industries, fitness equipment reviews, and the amount of them, are purely based on how much
marketing money a company has. You can go look at some of the
main online brands of fitness equipment and somehow they have a number of high reviews and good ratings, but when you go to the
Better Business Bureau, it's a complete disaster.
One of the reasons for the differential between marketing and reality can also be seen in the business plan to spend a lot of money on marketing and a website, but these online brands that really prospered heavily during pandemic spend next to nothing on the after-sale experience. They have very short warranties, lots of loopholes, no parts support, and no money put into the after sale part of the equation. It's literally part of the business model. And that is part of the reason dealers won't touch them. Because you can't get parts, and their whole business model is to avoid taking care of clients after the sale.
And that, by the way, is also the reason a lot of these internet pandemic Wonder companies are having so much trouble now that people can shop again and actually get good service and expert advice.
Remember, I deal with this every single day. A normal week here involves phone calls from frustrated local clients that find us online for service, not to mention the thousands of long-term clients and trainers who bought something from an online site and now are dealing with that lack of support. Not to mention I get calls from these online companies scrambling to find someone to service or deliver their junk.
These established brands like True fitness, Landice, and Hoist have emerged as trusted names in the fitness equipment industry for a reason. They have built a solid reputation by consistently delivering high-quality products and exceptional service to real facilities such as gyms, fitness centers, and professional training facilities. Their presence in these establishments is a testament to their reliability and durability.
One key factor that sets these brands apart is their commitment to offering long warranties, warranties that are backed up by a dealer network that services them. This demonstrates their confidence in the durability and performance of their products. Customers can rest assured knowing that their investment is protected for an extended period, giving them peace of mind.
Working with dealers is another aspect that contributes to the success of these brands. By partnering with dealers, they have been able to establish a strong client base and foster long-term relationships. Dealerships not only provide a physical space for customers to experience the equipment firsthand, but they also offer valuable expertise and guidance throughout the purchasing process. This personal touch and level of customer support are crucial in ensuring that customers make informed decisions and find the right fitness equipment to meet their needs.
Furthermore, the repeat business that these brands enjoy is a testament to their exceptional track record. Customers who have experienced the quality and reliability of their products are more likely to return for future purchases. This loyalty is a result of the brands consistently delivering on their promises and exceeding customer expectations, and since ConnectFit is all about building clients, these are the brands we work with.
In a market saturated with online brands that prioritize marketing over customer support, dealer-based brands like True, Hudson Steel, Octane and Legend stand out as beacons of trust and reliability. They have proven time and again that they are not just here to make a quick sale but to build lasting relationships with their customers. So, when it comes to investing in fitness equipment for your facility or personal use, it's worth considering these established brands that have already earned their stripes in the industry.
it's completely different when you buy an online treadmill with a two-year parts warranty that you should know is going to have about a 3-year lifespan, compared to buying a true fitness PS 8000 with a 10-year parts warranty and the best support in the industry. Again, LOOK AK THE PARTS WARRANTY!
Strength is also an especial wild west category, where there's a good amount of online copycat brands that look great but when you do some research they've got very short warranties and almost all their problems in the better Business bureau happen after delivery. Because nobody is there to support the product. They drop ship stuff. And if there's an issue, there's a phone number that *might* work, with one or two guys who can answer phone calls who have no power and try to avoid giving you any money back.
In addition, it should be pointed out that some of the best dealerships have a huge amount of knowledge about the whole industry, and they have in-house delivery and in-house service so they're going to be very responsive. Here at ConnectFit, we regularly do consults out to our clients houses or their studio spaces or their corporate locations, we CAD them out, we give them options based on that, we recommend the right flooring, will be out there multiple times, and we're only a phone call away when they need service. Completely different from an online site that looks good when you're clicking to buy, but is specifically designed to save money by having no support.
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