Buying Pet Steps Online vs. In-Store

Monday, March 8th, 2010 at 11:36 pm

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…

The beauty of shopping online for your pet stairs is that you have a large selection right at your fingertips. This is especially helpful if you are looking for something out of the ordinary--a particular finish, color, weight capacity, etc. You can use a search query on most sites to instantly weed out the steps that don’t meet your needs. If you’re looking for large dog stairs, your search for such will pull up only the products that match that criteria. You might not be in the market for cherry wood steps with a weight capacity of 300 pounds, but the option is likely out there on the Internet somewhere. The variety offered in your local pet shops is likely to be very limited, unless you’re lucky enough to find a shop that takes custom orders--which is not unheard of.

Assembly?

If you aren’t very handy with building things, you might want to consider something pre-assembled. This is something that neither the Internet-based nor traditional shops particularly surpass one another in. Some local shops might have pre-assembled “display” steps--which is good because you can get an idea of the sturdiness and overall quality before you buy them--but the steps for purchase will likely be boxed and require assembly. The same goes for buying online. Because online purchases require a shipment through the mail, the business will save on postage if the item is sent in pieces in a small box. There are still online companies who ship their pet stairs fully assembled--such as HelpYourPets.com--so don’t feel as though assembly is a definite in your future. Just dig around either online or in local shops and see if you can obtain something pre-built.

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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