Hunting for the perfect set of stairs for your dog doesn’t have to be a stressful experience–as long as you know where to look. There are two main places that you can conduct your shopping, and that is either on the Internet or in one of your local stores. There are benefits to using either shopping method, but you might find that one better suits your needs than the other. To help make your decision a little easier, we’ve written this guide pointing out the most obvious advantages and disadvantages to both in-store and online shopping.
Your Budget
Let’s face it, most of us are definitely feeling a pinch in our wallets these days, so one of the most influential factors of where you will purchase your pet stairs is how much you can afford to spend. Unless your hometown has a specialty furniture store that offers a “pet furniture series,” you’re probably going to find that this product will run a little more expensive in-store than on the Internet. With Internet-based stores, businesses are able to specialize in a specific item (like dog stairs/furniture) and offer their products at cheaper prices because they aren’t limited to the consumers in a certain demographic area. Online businesses WILL get customers because they can reach out and serve the entire world! So as far as finding a competitive price, you’ll probably find better luck online.
Decisions, Decisions…
If you have a specific type of steps in mind for your dog–say you want a beech wood finish with handles and a storage compartment–you’re going to find that online stores are going to have much more to offer in the way of specialty items. If you’re lucky to find a local shop that offers a made-to-order service, that might also be an option for you–but likely an expensive one. Finding a website that specializes in large dog stairs or any other type you may be looking for is as easy as typing in a search query, or you can simply browse the many websites until something special catches your eye.
Assembly?
Assembling something–with or without instructions–is not a very fun process. Unfortunately, both online and traditional stores are more likely to sell their steps in an “assembly required” state. For local shops, it saves on warehouse and sales floor space if they don’t have a massive amount of pre-built steps lying around. For Internet-based businesses, it costs a great deal more in packaging and shipping to send a full-sized pet stair through the mail, so many online retailers also ship their pet steps flat-packed. Don’t feel as though you have to resign to the idea of spending hours on assembly for the sake of your pet. There are still online pet stair websites that ship their items pre-assembled, such as HelpYourPets.com, you just have to look around and even send an enquiry to see if it’s possible to have them built before shipment. One perk of ordering online and having the steps delivered, though is that home delivery means you can bypass having to load and unload the stairs from your car!
Budget, availability, and assembly requirements aren’t the only factors to keep in mind when searching for a pet stair supplier, but it’s definitely a start. Don’t be afraid to browse a bit before making your purchase—and good luck!
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