What you don't realise is Gardiners have virtually nill sales pitch. I don't see a Gardiners leaflet on my door mat. I don't get phonecalls and texts, I don't get emails asking me to purchase, I don't have to sign in to view their website. I buy their products based on previous experience. If there were better products out there at better prices I might try them. So far I have felt no need.
Customer service has always been brilliant - sometimes their products haven't been perfect but a quick call and anything is taken care of not at my expense I hasten to add. With service like that and great products why would I need to go anywhere else?
By the way my Protecta balls come from Tescos, some pole hose came from Polarbrite, valve holsters from Wintecs, Resin from Doug in Scotland, Tank from Pure Freedom, pumps from Pure Freedom, filters from either Gardiners or Pure Freedom, heater from Peter Fogwell, trad gear from Scrim City, Wagtails from Windowcleaning Wharehouse, scrapers, 'o' rings, gloves from ebay but all poles and brushes from Gardiners.
here is a prime example of my un-biased post to this post -
You are being naive
Gardiners has been a member since 16th november 2005 and has made nearly 5,000 popst and is the 4th person to spend the most time on line in the forum with over 136 days, more time than the forum adminstrator
that is relentless advertising/marketing from a supplier, more than the other methods you mention.
So for you to post "Virtually nil sales pitch" most people of sound mind would find that astonishing when taking into account gardiner forum statistics, to suspend your own judgment or worse have it impaired shouild be a concern
learn not to react to differences of opinion about equipment, its just equipment for you to operate your business. Its not about defending or help line the pockets of any supplier.
thats a resonable post, make your own mind up