How to tell if you're buying decent tiles online? - TilersForums.com

[dottigirl]

I've been surfing various tile websites for the last month, and have noticed several things:
There are some really, really poor and dysfunctional websites out there. In an environment where there's so much choice, they're losing customers.
Even some of the best ones still don't work terribly well (on Walls and Floors' site, view all or sorting doesn't work at all, and it crashes if you spend too much time on there).
Some take days to respond to messages (Tons of Tiles average over 48 hours, and two weeks for samples).
Some are great sending samples (TileMountain) but don't have anything you want.
Some are lacking basic, functional filters (TilesDirect; TileGiant).
Some of them just smell like a scam (TileMonkey - no samples ever arrived, no response to messages, ever).
Some blitz you with spam (BCT; Tons of Tiles, again)
Some are just ouchy-expensive (Topps).
Some have weird navigation (Target Tiles).
Some appear to have massive reductions from 'RRP', but you'll find the same tile cheaper elsewhere.
Some appear cheap...but then you add on postage and the bargain ain't a bargain anymore (Victorian; many others).

(Therefore, I'm probably ordering through my local tile shop who certainly aren't cheap at first glance, but will deliver for free, and were honest enough with me to show a tile I'd selected online (Craven Dunnill Ludlow) had problems with the glaze.)

I've also noticed there's often a more pricey, 'designer' tile (Laura Ashley, Rhian)...but if you look hard enough, there will be a cheaper version, which is almost identical (no names, 'cos).

That said, how do you tell if a tile is of decent quality? Any tips please?

 

[Julian 'Farmer' Bonsall]

@dottigirl
I know this doesnt fully answer your question but maybe helpful:
Topps do give discounts to traders.

Online Traders comments:
Walls and Floors have been good from a customer service perspective, fast delivery of samples. On the pallet I ordered there were 3 chipped corners (from approx 20m2) which they refunded quickly (within the day) - pleased with the tiles and good discounts making them particularly attractive.

Tile Mountain I had some issues with samples but nothing they didn't sort quickly and where my last (for myself) mosaics came from.

Recent Metros were from Wickes making the most of a 15% discount - packaging was a not very robust but the tiles were fine - no issues.

[DIY'er]

 

[Tile Shop]

Even though I work for an online supplier (one that is mentioned above but won't say which ) and this is my own personal opinion, I would advise, don't buy online from your armchair!

As for the quality, I can tell you 80-90% of what you see online might be fine. The sneaky 10-20% remaining will be a polished turd that you will be drawn to for price or because the design stands out and catches your eye, but in reality is on the "permissible limits of tolerance". You must see a sample of what you are getting before you buy, but bare in mind that ordering online and due to stock turnover, it may be from a different batch than the tile you receive for your main order so expect some variation in size, shade, and sometimes quality.

And yes there are some good deals about but on the whole, tiles are not a cheap purchase and you have to live with them for a while. You are far better off getting out the house, in your car, on the bus, whatever, and take the time to visit several [preferably independent] showrooms in your area. Talk to the staff about your project, ask loads of questions, tell them what you want and they will guide you. You are also far more likely to negotiate a good deal with a showroom staff member than a computer, and you have the advantage of seeing in the flesh a good display of what you are getting.

 

[Time's Ran Out]

Just go to a CTD Showroom near you!
Visit there online page if you want but they are quality!

 

[Bill]

My advice is to speak to your tiler and they will tell you what to expect from the tiles you have been looking at.

Try and avoid ceramic for flooring.

Ask the shop what grade the tiles are (porcelain especially, if they do not know, get them to find out (1-5) 5 being the most durable)

If you see a particular manufacturers tile you like - ask on here and we will give you the yay or nay.

 

[Albert]

As above never had much trouble with CTD that
is why i have dealt with them for the last 38 years

 

[dottigirl]

Sidenote: Wasn't being lazy, but as you can see from my location, I'm in the depths of Mid Wales. I also can't drive any more (dodgy hips well before 40 - sigh ) so am at the mercy of my bike, the local train service or increasingly, anyone who delivers.

@dottigirl
Walls and Floors have been good from a customer service perspective, fast delivery of samples. On the pallet I ordered there were 3 chipped corners (from approx 20m2) which they refunded quickly (within the day) - pleased with the tiles and good discounts making them particularly attractive.
[DIY'er]

Interesting you should mention that - yes, good service but the (paid for) samples I received from W&F were chipped!

My advice is to speak to your tiler and they will tell you what to expect from the tiles you have been looking at.

Try and avoid ceramic for flooring.

Ask the shop what grade the tiles are (porcelain especially, if they do not know, get them to find out (1-5) 5 being the most durable)

If you see a particular manufacturers tile you like - ask on here and we will give you the yay or nay.

I'll be DIYing for half of the job, the other half I'm waiting to hear back from someone (another one) who's supposed to be looking at my wetroom. (The third someone who hasn't been in contact or turned up. Another pleasure of living in the sticks...)

I mentioned on another thread that I found it interesting that Johnson Tiles do not have any ceramic floor tiles in their current range - I was looking at some of their old ceramic stock rated 4 on W&F for a bathroom floor, but they couldn't tell me the absorption rate and it could be getting pretty damp.

 

[dottigirl]

Just go to a CTD Showroom near you!
Visit there online page if you want but they are quality!

That's a new one on me - will check them out.

Unfortunately, there's no results when I enter my postcode, but I believe the nearest showroom is Shrewsbury which would be a 140-mile+ round trip.

 

[Porcelainwood]

Some appear to have massive reductions from 'RRP', but you'll find the same tile cheaper elsewhere.

The question should be how do i find the '"RRP" or "MRRP" Even it if exists
I feel that that some companies make up there own "RRP" and discount to the price that they want to sell the product at to make their desired profit

 

[Julian 'Farmer' Bonsall]

Sounds like fun. Well maybe Walls and floors were being very honest with you giving you chipped samples

I have ceramics in both wet room floors and have been down for approx 20 years. One room is used to get clean from the days of the farm and is where the dogs have been cleaned (was once a small parlour) with porcelain walls tiles set in cement render (they didn't give any problems either).

The floors are concrete underneath, a powder cement based 'waterproof' adhesive which I think was from Topps all those years ago. Rooms are circa 10 -12m2.