BLOG: Classique Floors, A Local Store You Can Trust
Sam Adams
A receptionist is the hub between the inside operations of any organization and the outside world. I
have always enjoyed being a receptionist, I like the challenge of answering people's questions, trying to meet their demands and respond to their complaints. Being a receptionist at an unfamiliar company selling products I do not know a lot about adds an extra challenge for me.
I asked to be here today to get some first hand experience in the trenches of the entrepreneurial battlefield of a local company competing against national retail Goliaths.
Each time she opens the paper, every time she turns on the TV, or listens to the radio and at least once a season in her mailbox, it stares Judy Huck straight in the face that she is competes each day against national chain stores.
So it wasn't without trepidation that a couple of years ago she decided to buy a new building and invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in upgrading it.
Lowe's and Home Depot have access to cheaper capital, multimillion dollar sales campaigns, economy of scale and the ability to demand cheaper prices from their suppliers.
But Judy Huck at Classique Floors located at 14127 SE Stark, knows she and her team have what
Lowe's and Home Depot can never get: know how, attention to detail, larger variety of flooring materials, quality of installation and follow through.
Oh yes, Judy Huck competes on price, too.
While Lowe's and Home Depot sometimes offer a cheaper advertised per square-foot price, by the time the floor actually gets installed by at a subcontractor, and all the special charges are added, Judy, most times, can offer the lower overall cost for a job.
The best third-party verification that Judy Huck and Classique Floors can to compete and win on overall price is the fact that she has the contracts with many insurance companies to replace damaged floors and the big national chains don't.
Since 1977, Classique Floors has been serving Greater Portland with quality floor coverings and installation. They are associated with the nation's largest floor covering retailers to offer better prices, warranties, and service than ever before. Their product line includes the “tried & true” and unique floors.
Judy's customers come from all over the region. She could locate her store almost anywhere. She chooses to stay in Portland because it was across the street that her father started Classique Floors a generation before.
But that doesn’t mean she isn’t tempted. Judy wonders whether Portland city government really understands what's going on in the entrepreneurial world. She knows that many of her local small business colleagues have gone out of business unnoticed.
“How special will Portland be it for all shopping at the same stores most other consumers shop in almost every other city in this country?” asks Judy. “City Hall often doesn't notice when an employer of a dozen people goes out of business but happens everyday.”
Judy seeks to be a good employer. She offers paid vacations, a competitive hourly wage (or
commission) and health care. With costs going through the roof, she recently had to scale back on the health care benefits she offers. She's not happy about it but she doesn't feel she has a choice.
If you want choose from an unparalleled selection of floor coverings from a trusted locally-owned company shop at Classique Floors. I will.
Posted by Sam Adams on August 31, 2005
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Filed Under 100 Hours, East Portland, Jobs & Economy
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We've used Classique Floors a number of times and will again as soon as our remodel is complete! Judith and her staff give great service. I highly recommend them for carpet, tile and other floor coverings.
Posted by: Sue | Sep 1, 2005 4:30:35 PM