You are here:Home Archives for rev-a-shelf

Increase your profits with hampers….

I’m sure if there is enough space in your design most of you will add a hamper…

If you’re like most in the industry it’s a tilt out… Why?

It’s not the least expensive option and the argument can be made that it’s a service call waiting to happen…

Is it because this is what you have always done?  Did anyone else just yawn?

Here are some hamper options that may help you stand out, increase the dollar value of your sale and hopefully increase your profits…

  • The least expensive and most versatile option is to use an 18” high pull out wire    basket.  It comes in all of your standard widths, three different depths, and three different finishes.  I’m sure that you will be able to find one that will work with your design.  Sell a canvas liner to add to your sale.  The downside to this option is that you can’t add a drawer face without some carpentry magic.

  • The mid-level option is also the biggest.  It’s a 20” wide X 14” deep X 24” high, vented white plastic hamper.  The basket can be easily removed and installs with four screws into a fixed shelf.  A door mount kit is available.

  • The Cadillac of hampers is a double wire hamper with an aluminum frame and soft close slides.  It’s made for a 14” deep vertical and fits snuggly in a 24” wide section.  Your door mounts to the frame and can be easily adjusted to give you the right reveal.  Sell the canvas liners to add to your sale.

Your turn… What are your tips or tricks when adding hampers to your designs?

If you would like more information please feel free to contact me at richdemarco@optonline.net.

Filed Under: Closet Hardware, Closets Tagged With: , , , , , 4 Comments

Your Hardware Tip – What do you do when running wires through a vertical?

 

 

 

 

In most cases a one sided wire grommet works fine, but what do you do when you are running wires through a vertical panel that needs to be finished on both sides?  I’m guessing that many of you have wasted time trying to fit a standard grommet back to back in the same hole.

Leave it to Fastcap to come up with the solution.  They call it the “Dually Grommet”.  It’s a double sided, grommet, that is trimmable every ¼”.  It will work on countertops up to 2-1/2” thick.

The best part is that ease of installation; it requires a 2-1/2” hole and locks together.  There is no glue required!

Your local Fastcap distributor should be able to answer all of your questions.  If not, feel free to contact me at 347-723-7433 or you can email me at richdemarco@optonline.net.

Filed Under: Closet Hardware Tagged With: , , , , , , , Leave a Comment

Your Hardware Tip – Design Trends that you should Listen to…

Over the last month we have reviewed adding lighting to your designs, how installing sliding doors can add to your bottom line and the overall European influence on our industry.  This may be more prevalent in the New York market, but this trend is spreading across the country.  It’s much easier to ride the wave than to try and fight it….

I know lighting is expensive, I know installing sliding doors can be difficult if the opening isn’t square, but I am telling you this is what your customers want…

I’m the Mayor of Hardware, not the Mayor of Design so what do I know…

Well I’ll tell you – actions speak louder than words – Rev-A-Shelf recently purchased Tesco Lighting, Hafele is promoting the new LOOX LED lighting system.  I’m sure that these companies have done their research…

Still not convinced, check out this article from Pulse magazine – http://www.lipulse.com/real-estate-home/article/european-american-synergy/

There will always be a market for the least expensive closet, but is that what you want to be known for?  Do you really want to be in a race to the bottom?  Is the bottom ever hit?

Don’t you think it’s worth your time to develop a system and train your designers on these products?  If you sold lighting and sliding doors to only 10% of your customers, what does that equal at the end of the year?

What are your thoughts?

I help individuals and organizations to be successful… For more information about lighting, sliding doors or just to say hello, feel free to contact me at 347-723-7433 or you can email me at richdemarco@optonline.net.

Filed Under: Closet Hardware, Closets, Hardware Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Your Hardware Tip – Lights, Camera, Action!

If you missed the 2012 Closet Expo, one item that many of the booths featured was LED lighting…

Rev-A-Shelf, Hafele, Home Décor and Eveready Hardware all had their exhibits lit from top to bottom… Some featured LED lighting that was turned on by motion detectors, others had LED lighting attached to a magnetic switch that turned on and off when the door was opened or closed…  No matter how it was done the outcome was the same – lighting gives you that “wow factor” that can separate you from the competition…

I know your concerns – “I’m not an electrician” “How do I turn the lights on and off?” “I don’t know what to order to accomplish what I am trying to do”… These are all valid objections and manufacturers are starting to address them…

You don’t have to be an electrician, most manufacturers sell UL approved lighting and it is all plug and play…  Meaning everything is a male/female connection which makes it very easy to wire.

Lighting has come a long way and there are many choices for turning the lights on and off… Some options are touch pads or rocker switches.  Other options are wireless remotes or motion detectors.  All work great and none will require an electrician…

What do you need to order – well that’s the easy part…  You will need a transformer, a switch and the lights that you are installing.  There are different lighting options to choose from and all have their place…

Lighting is like everything else that you do…  Give your customer one or two choices and develop your “lighting program”.  The first job may be difficult, but by the third one you will be an expert…

Could you increase your average sale with lighting?  Could you close more sales with lighting?  Maybe…

I would love to hear some of your experiences.

If you would like more information please feel free to contact me at richdemarco@optonline.net. 

Filed Under: Closet Hardware, Closets, Hardware Tagged With: , , , , , , Leave a Comment