-- Installinc Signs Ace Hardware and Blinds To Go As Charter Partners --
NEW YORK, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Installinc (http://www.Installinc.com), a
professional installation service for retailers, cataloguers and online
merchants, launched today and announced its first two retailing partners --
Ace Hardware and Blinds To Go. Through these partners, Installinc provides
customers with a reliable way to purchase timely, high-quality home
installation services at point-of-sale.
Installinc offers retailers a comprehensive installation solution that
includes high-quality customer service, a directly supervised workforce and
Web-enabled scheduling technology. With these services, Installinc aims to
set a new standard for quality and accountability in the home improvement
industry.
"Americans are unsatisfied with their current options for finding
competent home improvement professionals, and especially aging baby boomers
are looking more and more for these services," says Richard Johnston, senior
research analyst, Home Improvement Research Institute. "Installinc goes above
and beyond industry standards to train its installers in a way that creates a
trustworthy workforce that consumers feel comfortable bringing into their
homes."
Installinc's goal is to infuse superior customer service standards
throughout the installation process, enhancing customer retention for
retailers. By creating an easy-to-schedule installation process, and
performing high-quality installation and "white glove" customer service,
Installinc aims to increase revenue for its partners by turning browsers into
buyers and eliminating installation as a barrier to purchase.
Sales research conducted by one of Installinc's retail partners suggests
potential customers oftentimes hesitate to purchase products requiring
installation because they do not have the expertise to install the products
themselves or the patience to find a qualified installer.
"Installinc is filling a crucial need for retailers who value customer
service; they seek a reliable installation service for their customers and a
last-mile solution for successfully installing their products," says
Installinc CEO and Founder David Kaskel. "By providing comprehensively
screened and trained professionals, dedicated customer service representatives
and seamless scheduling technology, Installinc offers premier retailers like
Ace and Blinds To Go a way to strengthen their relationships with their
customers, drive sales and improve the consumer experience with their brands."
How Installinc Benefits Retailers
Directly-Supervised, Certified Workforce Installinc is the first service
that offers installation performed by its own directly supervised workforce of
uniformed, skilled and carefully screened Installation Professionals. Through
its partnership with TradeSource, America's largest construction staffing
firm, Installinc has exclusive access to a nationwide team of skilled,
directly supervised tradespeople. After a rigorous screening process,
Installinc requires that each Installation Professional complete comprehensive
customer service training, including extensive hands-on training on retailers'
specific product offerings.
Dedicated Customer ServiceInstallinc's Customer Service Center features an
integrated telephone and Web-based response system staffed by employees to
answer consumers' questions and solve problems on the spot, seven days a week.
For retailers, this resource fills the gap in customer service by serving as
the support center for the retailers' products, allowing the merchants to
focus on sales.
Proprietary Scheduling TechnologyInstallinc offers a range of scheduling
solutions to make the installation scheduling transaction simple for both the
customer and the retailer. Customers choose a two-hour arrival window for
their appointments, and are guaranteed on-time arrival. Customers can
schedule appointments when it's convenient for them, even on evenings and
Saturdays. For retailers, Installinc offers Web-enabled scheduling technology
that can be easily integrated into the point of purchase transaction.
Installinc's back-end technology supports all fulfillment processes end-to-
end, from scheduling to customer service to field logistics and routing.
One-Year WarrantyInstallinc backs the quality of its service with a one-
year service warranty, ensuring a positive customer experience from the point-
of-purchase through completion of the installation.
Ace Hardware
Installinc's partnership with Ace Hardware, the nation's largest hardlines
cooperative, is the retailer's first corporately-promoted national
installation program. Installinc is currently rolling out installation
services to 100 Ace member stores along the East Coast, and will be expanding
to additional retail outlets across the country. Installinc is the anchor of
Ace's "Trust Ace" initiative, an installed sales and services program and
marketing initiative designed to help independent co-op member stores provide
added value to their customers and drive sales.
"Ace has always been committed to delivering quality, friendly and helpful
hardware service to our customers, and by partnering with Installinc we can
further extend our high standards of service," says Bill Moore, Director of
Marketing and Advertising for Ace Hardware. "Installinc enables Ace retailers
to supplement their existing business in order to retain their competitive
edge, and we look forward to expanding the Installinc partnership to support
additional Ace retail stores and their customers."
A recent survey of Ace dealers concluded that nearly 70% of Ace retailers
would like to offer installation and services to their customers but found
that keeping quality, licensed contractors on staff was very difficult.
Through Installinc, Ace will provide participating Ace retailers with a
reliable installation service to meet their customers' needs.
Blinds To Go
Installinc has partnered with Blinds To Go, North America's leading
manufacturer and retailer of window treatments, with 120 superstores in the
U.S. and Canada. Through this alliance, customers now have a reliable
solution for measuring and installing Blinds To Go's full line of window
treatments. Currently Installinc is working with Blinds To Go in nine of its
stores in New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts.
"Installinc helps us expand our customer service capabilities by providing
a seamless measurement and installation process for our customers," says Jeff
Rayner, VP of Marketing for Blinds To Go. "Installinc trains its Installation
Professionals on our specific product lines, so we know our window coverings
will be installed correctly in our customers' homes." By offering
installation services through Installinc, Blinds To Go enhances the total
customer experience, and minimizes the amount of time its salespersons spend
managing the process of arranging measurement and installation.
About Installinc
Installinc provides premium installation services efficiently scheduled at
the consumer's point-of-purchase, generating increased sales for retail
partners. Installinc enables its retailing partners to provide their
customers with an easy, convenient and dependable way to arrange installation
of merchandise in one simple transaction. Installinc's proprietary scheduling
technology offers retailers and their customers real-time scheduling of
installation services at the point-of-purchase-whether at the cash register or
in the virtual shopping cart. Through its partnership with TradeSource,
America's largest construction staffing firm, Installinc has exclusive access
to a national team of skilled, directly supervised tradespeople. Founded in
1999, Installinc is a privately held company backed by venture funding from
Pequot Private Equity Capital Partners and is headquartered in New York City.
Retail partners include Ace Hardware and Blinds To Go. For more information
about Installinc, please visit the Web site at http://www.Installinc.com.
CONTACTS:
Tracy Spencer
Installinc
212-284-0248 / 917-613-3524
tspencer@installinc.com
Sandy Yusen
CONE Interactive
617-272-8317
syusen@coneinc.com
Kenny Juarez
CONE Interactive
212-973-1356 x2142
kjuarez@coneinc.com
SOURCE Installinc
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Related links:
http://www.Installinc.com
CONTACT:
Tracy Spencer of Installinc, 212-284-0248, or
917-613-3524, tspencer@installinc.com, or Sandy Yusen,
617-272-8317, syusen@coneinc.com, or Kenny Juarez, 212-973-1356
x2142, kjuarez@coneinc.com, both of CONE Interactive
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