Losing my thin porcelain virginity - Tile Advice

[Dumbo]

I feel manufacturer’s are at fault here, I think it limits its availability.
I find it’s only clients with seriously deep pockets that go direct to manufacturers, the rest seem to be kind of impulse buys of 2/3 slabs.
What purpose does it serve undercutting their outlets, they just don’t bother pushing it after they find out why they’re loosing sales.
The manufacturers still get their money through an outlet, I find it hard to believe it increases their sales that much that it’s worth trampling over their stockists/suppliers.
Praps I’m wrong, praps @Paul C. would be able to shed more light on the subject.
I appreciate the client gets discounted products, but I feel that long term it’s limiting the number of clients because the material isn’t in plain view for everyone to see.
It comes down to only those who know about it that will use it.
I find 90% of people that I encounter and who are not actually the client, have never seen it or are even aware it exists.
That’s not a scenario that’s going to increase my client base.
But I think that’s a whole new thread for discussion and I’m rambling.
Yeah, nothing new there either.

If I was a shop supplying and my supplier was selling it to gen public I would stop dealing with them .

 

[Old Mod]

If I was a shop supplying and my supplier was selling it to gen public I would stop dealing with them .

It’s already happening Jerry.

 

[Waluigi]

I can see the smaller stuff (120 x 60cm) hitting the domestic market quite easily but nobody displays it. Shame really because the price of the products is reasonable. OK, installation isn’t particularly cheap. Still very affordable though IMO.

Only one solution ........get Topps Tiles involved

 

[Dumbo]

It’s already happening Jerry.

Its the only way . I know bathroom showrooms that have thrown out porcelenosa because they cannot compete with porcelenosa online sales prices its makes them look like highwayman .

 

[Old Mod]

I can see the smaller stuff (120 x 60cm) hitting the domestic market quite easily but nobody displays it. Shame really because the price of the products is reasonable. OK, installation isn’t particularly cheap. Still very affordable though IMO.

Only one solution ........get Topps Tiles involved

Topps tiles are already involved, they have a subsidiary outlet called Parkside, they’re about to open a massive showroom in Leicester I think it is, they also have an outlet in the fulham road.
There’s a reason why it’s separate tho, let’s just say it doesn’t follow the same business model, it’s far from cheap.

 

[Dumbo]

Topps tiles are already involved, they have a subsidiary outlet called Parkside, they’re about to open a massive showroom in Leicester I think it is, they also have an outlet in the fulham road.
There’s a reason why it’s separate tho, let’s just say it doesn’t follow the same business model, it’s far from cheap.

Topps tiles so called decent tiles are not cheap for the customer to buy even though they are cheap tiles .
They hope its not about cheap tiles and even larger margins .

 

[Old Mod]

Topps tiles so called decent tiles are not cheap for the customer to buy even though they are cheap tiles .
They hope its not about cheap tiles and even larger margins .

No, you’re right far from cheap, but their pr machine is so good that people think they’re a cheap outlet.
Mind you, Parkside are not quite so switched on it seems haha

 

[Dumbo]

No, you’re right far from cheap, but their pr machine is so good that people think they’re a cheap outlet.
Mind you, Parkside are not quite so switched on it seems haha

I remember my brother in law saying to once about these tiles he got from topps . I know they're cheap but w e like them . 100 mm square . How much were they 40p each . Thats £40 a metre . Oh
Now he should of worked that he is a surveyor for his own remedial company you may of even seen his vans in that London (McLennan lse )

 

[Old Mod]

.....he is a surveyor for his own remedial company you may of even seen his vans in that London (McLennan lse )

No can’t say I have mate.

 

[Dumbo]

No can’t say I have mate.

That's lucky you know us yokels drive

 

[Waluigi]

I’ve done a bit of a U Turn with Topps recently. They do have an excellent range of metro tiles. They must have 50 odd variants. Very impressed. Credit where it’s due and all that. Expensive though no doubt.

 

[Tile Fix Direct]

Great post, looks good.

 

[Tile Shop]

I feel manufacturer’s are at fault here, I think it limits its availability.
I find it’s only clients with seriously deep pockets that go direct to manufacturers, the rest seem to be kind of impulse buys of 2/3 slabs.
What purpose does it serve undercutting their outlets, they just don’t bother pushing it after they find out why they’re loosing sales.
The manufacturers still get their money through an outlet, I find it hard to believe it increases their sales that much that it’s worth trampling over their stockists/suppliers.
Praps I’m wrong, praps @Paul C. would be able to shed more light on the subject.
I appreciate the client gets discounted products, but I feel that long term it’s limiting the number of clients because the material isn’t in plain view for everyone to see.
It comes down to only those who know about it that will use it.
I find 90% of people that I encounter and who are not actually the client, have never seen it or are even aware it exists.
That’s not a scenario that’s going to increase my client base.
But I think that’s a whole new thread for discussion and I’m rambling.
Yeah, nothing new there either.

Agree Marc, I can't understand why they sell direct either.
Brexit effect??? @Paul C. will know more I agree.

To be honest, I don't have many dealings with the buying and selling side so can't really add too much. But will admit, to some extent we do the same because we supply trade, wholesale, specification, and then online and in our showrooms to sell straight to Mrs Miggins for almost the same price to keep up with or beat the retail competition! Yep..... caused us a good few arguments in the past and lost us some good bread and butter customers. Took a few years and some re-balancing to keep everyone happy.

But having said that, in a hypocritical kind of example, its one of the reasons we sent a well respected adhesive manufacturer's rep packing a good few years back when he visited. Anyone can get an order out of them if the quantity is right. Good for a tiler and I certainly don't begrudge anyone going out and getting the best deal for them, but not so good for a supplier that's being blatantly under-cut. Unfortunately, some tile manufacturers are prepared to go the same way. No advantage that I can see for them doing it other than convenience to the person handing over the cash.

 

[Tile Shop]

Anyway, back on topic, good job @Plan Tec Tiling and co. All looks amazing.

 

[Dumbo]

I’ve done a bit of a U Turn with Topps recently. They do have an excellent range of metro tiles. They must have 50 odd variants. Very impressed. Credit where it’s due and all that. Expensive though no doubt.

Wait till you try getting the glue off the front then you won't be happy .plus the backs are heavily ribbed so not so easy on the adhesive.
All in a