Linda
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| 24 Aug 2008 11:24 AM |
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Just curious if the rest of the country is getting as old as our customers.
A big percentage of our retail customers have always been over 60 but it seems like the medium age is getting older and older. It is very common for the 70-80+ year old to be remodeling.
Has anyone noticed if certain age groups select one product over another?
Linda
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| Linda
Olive Mill |
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Reuben
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| 24 Aug 2008 01:18 PM |
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I seam to be seeing the older age group 60 to 70 wanting to upgrade and choosing solid surface. The 45 to 60 age group tend to ask about granite and then choose either laminate or solid surface.
The ones 25 to 30 seeam to want granite and if they can not afford that then choose a custom laminate. the 30 to 45 age group doesn't seam to have a trend just getting what they like cause they are not doing it again for another 20 years.
Seams to be the trend in my area.
Oh and if they are in the 70 plus they seam to take laminate cause thats what they always have had before.
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Tom M
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| 24 Aug 2008 01:28 PM |
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It's awfully difficult to ask an older repeat customer to upgrade from an old laminate top to a premium material of any kind, without first showing them the type of laminate tops we make. Once trhey see the edges we can put on a coved laminate top, and they realize the last coved top we gave them lasted twenty or more years, why should they move?
Many move up because want the easier maintenance and renewability of solid surface, and they will be looking to pass it on to the family. I think that is an excellent reason to upgrade, and they will almost always choose a coved splash when they do.
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| "Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." - Shakespeare |
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Tom M
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| 24 Aug 2008 01:30 PM |
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I agree with you, though, Linda. My clients are definitely getting on in age. I see new comers as well, but I almost never have to push the quality over cost with seasoned customers. Excellent observation on your part. |
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| "Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." - Shakespeare |
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Andy
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| 24 Aug 2008 01:38 PM |
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If your willing to provide what you say, when you say, working with older customers is actually easier. They want everything in writing but at least you know what they want.
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FabNet Administrator
andy@thefabricatornetwork.com
Countertop Company - www.OliveMill.com |
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Linda
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| 24 Aug 2008 03:07 PM |
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Laminate is just not used in our area for remodels. Even apartment remodels are going with a solid surface, quartz or granite.
Why would you put granite in an apartment?????? Just asking for trouble.
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| Linda
Olive Mill |
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Mike Gladstone
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| 24 Aug 2008 07:04 PM |
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 ummm.... I just walked past a mirror and I'm getting older too  . That being said, here in FL our market is always aging due to all the folks that retire here...  |
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Mike G
GCI Solid Surface Countertops |
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Wags
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| 24 Aug 2008 08:45 PM |
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Just read an article in my current AARP magazine:).. Those 55 and older have 70% of the wealth. |
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Linda
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| 24 Aug 2008 11:51 PM |
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Does anyone do anything different to target this market?
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| Linda
Olive Mill |
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Wags
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| 25 Aug 2008 08:11 AM |
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I would say that price is less important than reputation when selling to this group. Were fortunate here, we keep em locked up in Sun City, Sun City West and Sun City Grand, easier to find that way :) |
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Tom M
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| 25 Aug 2008 08:32 AM |
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Linda, see if you can get on the Weather Channel crawl. I'm not kiddiing. |
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| "Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt." - Shakespeare |
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Linda
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| 25 Aug 2008 09:53 AM |
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Posted By Tom M on 08/25/2008 8:32 AM
Linda, see if you can get on the Weather Channel crawl. I'm not kiddiing. That's funny but probably true.
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| Linda
Olive Mill |
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SAI Gordon
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| 25 Aug 2008 11:04 AM |
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Posted By Linda on 08/24/2008 11:51 PM
Does anyone do anything different to target this market?
I speak slower and avoid large, sudden arm movements.  |
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Gordo (a.k.a. The Fro Bro)
Surface Authority, Inc.
www.surfaceauthority.com |
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Gene McDonald
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| 25 Aug 2008 06:26 PM |
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I havent been selling to anyone over 60...I meet them, but they dont end up buying...the millionaires of today are not as flamboyant and pretentious as the younger generation who live beyond their means........the older crowd just dont seem to find it useful to purchase a countertop that will last forever...or an illuminated top with inlay in it.. I sold a bammboo countertop to 24 years old couple...they were spending their money wise too...all the appliances were good...so not all younguns are money braggers
A sign of wealth should be to have a paid off house not the BMW
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www.gotgreencountertops.com
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revans1
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| 26 Aug 2008 05:47 PM |
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I've been following this thread with some interest. Makes me think of my Mom, who is 75. Tom has her pegged.....she's not rich, by any stretch of the imagination, but she could write a check for any premium top and never miss the money. But, good luck to anybody trying to sell her anything other than laminate. Just wouldn't happen. |
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Randy
The Hold Steady is the best band in America! |
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Wags
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| 26 Aug 2008 06:16 PM |
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I had this conversation with a builder a few years ago. He was putting Laminate in his homes because they were only 1500 ft. I asked him, who is your customers. He said for the most part empty nesters. I said thats me... I don't need a big house but I think not offering an upgrade is a mistake. I finally got him to offer Avonite as an upgrade. Bottom line was most people upgraded. Just because a home is small, doesn't mean they don't want nice stuff. That being said, laminate has come a long way, with great looking patterns and finishes and with a little care will last for many many years.
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Linda
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| 26 Aug 2008 08:17 PM |
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We don't find the older customer to be cheap at all. In fact, some of them say they want what they can finally afford. They are not stupid and they are not out to impress anyone. They just want to have what they have always wanted.
Most are very easy to work with if you do your job.
Linda
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| Linda
Olive Mill |
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