Buying a Treadmill Online - What You Need to Consider!
Not too many years ago the idea of buying a treadmill online
would have been absurd. Now a significant portion of sales are
conducted through the Internet. And with those Internet sales,
many are through a shopping cart.
More and more people are buying treadmills costing as much as
several thousand dollars, without ever having any human contact.
Who would have thought?
What are the benefits of buying online?
The Convenience of Shopping From Your Home
When you purchase online you avoid the hassle of traveling all
over town checking out various models. For city dwellers you
know how time consuming and frustrating that can be.
You also are not subjected to pushy salespeople, particularly
the ones who work on commission. They are more likely to try and
upsell you on features and functions that are not necessary for
achieving your fitness goals. But even worse are the salespeople
in the mass merchant stores. They don't have a clue on what they
are selling, and what would best accommodate your needs.
Without ever having to walk out your door you can comparison
shop numerous brands and treadmill retailers. There are no fast
talking salespeople, only the facts in black and white. The
Internet is a treasure trove of information. And if you are
thorough in your research, you will probably know more then many
of "Fitness Equipment Experts."
Saving Money Buying Online
Another important benefit from buying online is the potential
savings. Of course, you can save a considerable amount from not
paying taxes. Depending on where you live that can be as much as
10%. And with a quality treadmill that can add up to more then
just pocket change.
Although it is not always the case, you will often find the
retail prices lower online. When a business sells online, in
comparison to selling through a retail store, their overhead
costs are substantially less. If a salesperson is involved, than
you have to factor in commissions. All those costs can factor an
additional 10%-15% to the price tag.
But don't just assume that when you buy online you are saving
money. There are a several Internet fitness equipment retailers
who inflate the MSRP, and than suggest they are offering drastic
discounts. If you do your homework, you'll figure out where the
real bargains are.
Drawbacks of Buying Online
Of course, the biggest drawback is you don't get to take the
treadmill for a spin. And that is a consideration if you are not
familiar with treadmills and their features. You may need to go
out and face the crowds in order to get a feel for different
brands and their features. Fortunately the Internet can give you
a virtual experience through reviews, ratings and customer
testimonials. And in many cases this information is more
reliable then a few minutes walking or running on a treadmill.
Considerations when buying online:
1) Check to makes sure the treadmill is a name brand, backed by
independent ratings and reviews. There are a number of sources
that provide reviews, including my site Treadmill-Rating
s-Reviews.com.
2) Make sure the treadmill is built with quality components.
Like computers, treadmill manufacturers use similar parts. Be
certain the parts are reputable and that the overall
construction meets or exceeds the standards required for your
needs.
3) A warranty says a lot about the quality of a treadmill.
Companies are not going to offer an exceptional warranty if
the machine tends to breakdown in a short period of time.
Warranties are an indicator of the overall quality. I recommend
that you buy a treadmill that offers at least a one-year service
warranty. There is one company selling treadmills under $2,000,
with a two-year service warranty. If you plan to buy a budget
treadmill consider an extended warranty.
4) Make sure your treadmill is backed by exceptional customer
service. Treadmills are complicated pieces of machinery. There
is a good chance during the life of the machine it will require
service. Whether you buy online or at a retail store, make sure
the company has an excellent customer service record. Online
company reviews can be found at Shopping.com and BizRate.com.
As with any high-ticket item do your homework before you make a
purchasing decision. Shop and compare using the indicators
listed above. Buy smart and you'll end up with a treadmill
designed to reach your fitness goals.