Now up and running Gearmarket UK has seen a steady growth in business, report industry veterans, John Lethbridge and Keith Dale--creators of the Gearmarket concept on selling equipment online.
Lethbridge registered the name Gearmarket UK in 2001, and for the last few months of 2002 Dale and worked with specialist software developers to come up with a concept that is possibly unique in the lighting and sound industry--a web-based customer loyalty scheme. The Gearmarket site offers both products from several key manufacturers around the world. Buyers can shop and pay in Euros or Pounds Sterling.
While most e–commerce sites present the potential buyer with a single price, invariably discounted, one can never be sure how good the price is without comparing it with those available elsewhere. At first sight, the Gearmarket website – www.gearmarket.co.uk – is similar, only appearing to show the manufacturer’s recommended retail price and the Gearmarket discounted price. However, once a customer registers as a member--a simple process conducted on–line--the discounted price is reduced by a further 5%. In addition, if you order £500 worth (or 800 euros worth) of goods on–line, Gearmarket will acknowledge the order at an even better price until the customer’s turnover reaches £1,000 YTD (or 1,600 euros), at which point the discount on all product lines increases yet again.
Most product lines on offer have several tiers of discount that relate to the customer’s total spend in the preceding 12 months. Once a customer reaches the highest discount tier they remain at that level provided their annual purchases do not fall below a given level.
As a registered buyer, customers can produce their own discounted quotations twenty–four hours a day, 365 days a year on–line. U.K. customers can obtain and include delivery charges--overseas customers can produce their quotations either with or without VAT.
Payment can be made by interbank transfer, credit card, debit card or NOCHEX. There is also a wide choice of delivery methods available. All orders are shipped direct from the manufacturer and payment is not taken until the day of dispatch although in most cases, this will be the day the order is received.
If customers need additional advice, or something special added to the quotation, they can get hold of Dale or Lethbridge by telephone 365 days a year between 9.00am and 6.00pm. Additional contact information is Telephone +44(0)1737 357 806 . Facsimile +44(0)870 169 2851. Email: info@gearmarket.co.uk