Local vs. Online: Pros and Cons of Finding Catering Equipment Near Me
Whether you run a cosy local eatery or a prestigious Michelin-starred restaurant in Hertfordshire, finding the right catering equipment is pivotal to your success . Based in Stevenage, TAG Catering Equipment is your trusted local partner in the hospitality industry serving Hertfordshire, London and beyond.
There are many advantages of using a local catering equipment company over simply ordering your equipment online. In this blog we look at the reasons why it’s always better to source your catering equipment locally, especially if you are investing heavily in order to improve your business.
A More Personal Service
Never underestimate the power of doing business with people who are based locally as they will feel far more invested in your business. Who knows, we may even be one of your customers which is an additional incentive for us to ensure you get the best equipment and that we receive the best customer service experience.
When you do business locally, it is much more likely that we’ll arrange a face to face meeting on site with a key member of our team who will take the time to get to know you, your requirements, and how you work within your operation.
That way, our team can ensure the equipment you think you need is indeed best for your current and future needs. There may be a much better alternative that you don’t know about or haven’t considered before which we can suggest to help with your objectives, such as reducing cost or increasing speed of service.
If you order a piece of equipment online, there is no personal connection at all. The piece of equipment you ordered will be the piece of equipment delivered to you. If it turns out to be the wrong model, you will need to arrange a replacement with the delay and extra work and expense that brings, if that’s possible at all. Often a business-to-business (B2B) transaction is not covered by the same protection as business-to-consumer (B2C) such as the Distance Selling Regulations (now Consumer Contracts).
Sustainability
Having a local supplier and maintenance contractor helps you work towards your sustainability credentials, in the same way that sourcing your food and drinks locally does.
There will be fewer miles involved when delivering or servicing your catering equipment, helping to reduce your overall carbon footprint.
Speedier Repairs
If you need an emergency repair, having a locally-based maintenance team will help considerably.
With reduced travelling time, it’s much more likely that the repair will be completed before service begins, enabling you to offer your diners the menu they’ve come to expect, with minimal downtime.
Supporting your Local Economy
Sourcing your commercial catering equipment from a local company, you’ll help the local economy thrive. Spending money locally creates a circle of economic success, providing employment opportunities which in turn supports your business. It has been estimated that when people buy from chains, only 13% of the revenue is recirculated in the local economy, but when people buy locally, that rises to 48%.
TAG – Your Local Catering Equipment Supplier
TAG is an award-winning commercial kitchen company based in East Hertfordshire. If your restaurant, café, pub, hotel, or takeaway is based in Hertfordshire or London, talk to us about buying, servicing and maintaining your catering equipment, as well as all aspects of your new commercial kitchen and front of house design and installation.
Our specialist designers, installers and engineers can provide practical solutions that increase the efficiency of your workflow, are energy-efficient, cost-effective and future-proof.
We work with a range of leading brands and manufacturers to ensure you get the best equipment for your needs. And best of all, as a local company, we’ll have the opportunity to get to know you and your business in order to be able to provide you with the best catering solution with the customer service excellence we have become renowned for.
