How to Get Tile Samples And Where
Can’t make up your mind what shower floor tiles to buy? Get tile samples! Few homeowners know that tile manufacturers and suppliers give out tile samples for free; but I tell you, they do! What’s more, it’s easy to get these samples.
Stores give out samples out of charity; they do so because it’s smart business. They give out samples to advertise the quality of their product, the superiority of their design, and most importantly, to help you make up your mind. But where do you get tile samples and how?
Online. Thanks to e-commerce, you can now order tiles directly from a website. All you have to do is make a search for porcelain tiles, for example, and you will get directed to a number of stores. These online stores usually have an online catalog that you can browse and even print out. Typical information found in these catalogs include tile size and price. Get the most competitive price possible by checking out several websites.
Retailers. Most retailers, home supply stores, or local hardware have showrooms where they showcase their products. You can simply ask the staff assisting you for a sample and bring this with you when you go home. You can also ask the staff specific questions about the samples. Some retailers give out samples for free; others charge about $4 per piece. You can also ask for a brochure — this is always free.
Manufacturers. Manufacturers give out the best tile samples. Here’s why. First of all, they will give you a complete line of their present selection the moment you ask about their tiling whereas most stores only carry bestsellers. Secondly, manufacturers are in the best position to offer you discounts. So not only do you get a wider (if not complete) selection, you are sure to get samples for free. At the same time, you can drive costs down by asking the manufacturer for a discount.
There’s a downside to asking for tile samples from your local manufacturer, though. Not all of them have a website or a showroom you can just pop into so you just may have to drive all the way to where they are.
Best thing to do? Look up the manufacturers nearest to your area, ask about their tiling and pricing, and ask if they provide tile samples for free. Then, check out the one that shows the most promise.
See? I told you getting tile samples is easy.