Protecting new furniture

[Joel D]

A friend was shopping for a new sectional and was told furniture doesn't come with protectant anymore from the factory because some people have alergic reactions to it. But he said they could apply it at the store for $200.

Just thought it was interesting. Does anyone here do this?

 

[J Scott W]

Most upholstery fabrics do come protected to some degree or another. Dried protectors are inert. I doubt there is one person in a million who would have an allergic reaction to it. (maybe a pyschological reaction if they thought it was somehow harmful.)

Stores sell the protector as an added sale. Actually they are selling insurance. The protector they applied may or may not be more effective than what comes from the fabric manufacturer. BUt the application is often sorely lacking. A salkesmen spritzes on something from a trigger sprayer. I have actually gotten severla jobs to clean off the random spots from "protector" they applied. The factory protection does hte job in most cases. If not, and if the buyer complains, the protector company hires someone for $50 to go and try to remove the stain. If that does not work, they buy the folks a new couch. Since such a low percentage of people ever complain, they come out way ahead by banking a small piece of the $200 each sale price for those few times they must buy a new sofa.

 

[J Scott W]

BTW - Many shoppers for new furniture are willing and eager to pay that extra $200. Does this tell you anything about your carpet protector sales or maybe lack of sales? How good is your sales and marketing?

 

[Nate The Great]

When I bought my new van, the dealership tried to get me for 1k on the protection to the outside and inside of the van........ Later when I wouldn't pay the full price of what they wanted, they said "to be honest" they have all the cars protected with it regardless and are only selling the warranty....

We used to do a lot of work for Scotguard, Guardsman, Phoenix, etc on spot cleaning, and you could tell the customers who knew how to play the system... They'd get new furniture every 2-3 years because of the warranty.... And people wonder why that furniture concession went out of business....


It's basically like @scottw said, it's a numbers game... I believe if you educate and setup the expectations of the protector, you shouldn't have a problem selling it.... Most customers "think" that the protector won't let the stain set it and leave it with no sense of urgency to clean it up.... Those are the ones who give the protectors a bad name....

 

[Cleanworks]

I used to do some protection for a local furniture store. They had a warehouse out back by the loading door so I had good ventilation. I used an electric paint sprayer to apply. Later on, one of my customers who owned an reupholstering business let me know that the majority of fabrics were treated from the manufacturer.

 

[GeneMiller]

I treat plenty of new stuff. Mostly referrals from decorators. People eat the stuff up.

 

[Jimmy L]

So what kind of protector do you use? I'd like one with lots of marketing materials etc. to set them up for a quick sale.

Can PM if you want to keep this secret.

 

[GeneMiller]

So what kind of protector do you use? I'd like one with lots of marketing materials etc. to set them up for a quick sale.

Can PM if you want to keep this secret.

I use what ever brand my supplier is currently carrying. For a long time now it's bridge point I prefer the solvent for new furniture but if they don't like the smell then I'll use water based.
http://bridgepoint.com/products.php?item_num=CP03GL or http://bridgepoint.com/products.php?item_num=CP01GL.

 

[Cleanworks]

Make sure you are wearing a respirator. All of that stuff will coat your lungs and reduce your breathing ability.

 

[Joel D]

I talked to him again and he said 4 different stores told him that furniture doesn't come with protectant from the manufacturer anymore. Not argueing just relaying what he said.

Friend sells carpet and noticed fewer carpet samples say anything about protector on them also.

I thought even polyester came with it?

 

[Mikey P]

yes.

 

[Lint Basket]

yes.



View attachment 14435

And there you have it. Spoken like a true savant idiot MP follower.

 

[Lint Basket]

It would blow most peoples minds how much protector is being sold out there on new upholstery and carpet. I witness it all the time.

 

[Mikey P]

And there you have it. Spoken like a true savant idiot MP follower.

its Idiot Savant, you idiot.

 

[Larry Cobb]

Solvent protectors are ideal for furniture fabric protection.

We sell to many "fabric protection" applicators.

http://www.cobbcarpet.com/zen/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=78&products_id=1226