Online shop for plumbers: clear fixed prices and reassured customers

“How much to replace a mixer tap?” The customer is afraid of a nasty surprise: they have read stories about call-out firms charging 400 € for a leaking seal. The honest plumber pays for the others, and spends the day reassuring people on the phone.

Prices shown clearly on a 123ventes.com shop are the best answer to that fear. Here are the questions plumbers ask before getting started, and how 123Ventes answers them.

What can a plumber sell in an online shop?

Anything that can be priced in advance: leak detection, unblocking, replacing a mixer tap, a toilet flush mechanism, a toilet or a water heater, descaling, annual servicing. Each service becomes a product, with what is included and its price.

For a complete bathroom, sell the measuring visit or a deposit: the shop brings in the customer, and the detailed quote stays between you and them.

How do I offer several models of water heater?

With the 123Ventes lists of options: capacity (100, 150 or 200 litres), vertical or horizontal, parts included or not, removal of the old unit. The price changes with the choices, and every choice is written on the order: you know what to load into the van. See catalogue management.

How do I show my travel charges without any nasty surprises?

The “your own delivery” option serves as your service area: you choose the towns you go to, grouped into zones, with a travel charge for each zone. The customer sees the total before paying. Outside your zones, they can’t order. See the delivery options.

And for emergencies, like a leak on a Sunday?

You can create an “emergency” fixed price at a different rate, and set the hours when people can order: day by day, you open or close ordering. Outside those hours, the shop stays visible with your phone number, but orders can’t be confirmed. 123Ventes doesn’t replace your on-call phone, it stops it ringing for a simple price enquiry.

Can the customer book a time slot?

There is no appointment diary in 123Ventes. The customer gives their availability in the note attached to their order, and you call them to set the time. Each new order sets off a sound alert in your dashboard, on a phone as well as on a computer. See order management.

How do I take a deposit before buying the materials?

A “Deposit” product is all you need, for the amount you set. The customer pays by card or by bank transfer, the PDF invoice is created straight away, and you order the shower tray or the vanity unit with peace of mind.

What information do I have to give before a job?

For repairs and servicing at private homes, French rules require you to inform the customer before the work: fixed prices or hourly rate, travel charges, and a written quote above a certain amount. Write them on your product pages and in your terms of sale. Also mention your insurance, and your gas qualifications if you work on gas appliances.

For the exact rules, check with your chamber of trades (chambre de métiers) or your trade association.

How do I keep my customers from one year to the next?

The customer file keeps the history of every order: you know which water heater you fitted and when. A newsletter reminds people about the annual boiler service or descaling, and the promotion rules give a discount to loyal customers. See customer relations.

How much does a 123Ventes shop cost for a plumber?

The subscription costs 29.90 € a month or 319.90 € a year, with hosting and the security certificate included. 123Ventes takes no commission on your sales: only your payment provider’s fees apply. The turnkey set-up costs 400 € if you would rather we built it for you. The details are on the pricing page.

Your questions

Why 123Ventes rather than a platform that puts you in touch with customers?

Platforms often sell the same customer to several tradespeople, or take a share of the job. On 123ventes.com, the shop is in your name, the customers are yours, and the subscription is fixed, with no commission.

Can I pause a service while I’m on holiday?

Yes. From your phone, you hide a service or close ordering by setting your hours. The shop stays visible.

Do I need to know how to build a website?

No. The 123Ventes shop is created in a minute and filled in with forms, with no code. Allow an evening to put a dozen fixed-price services online.

Do my customers get an invoice?

Yes. 123Ventes creates the invoice as a PDF as soon as payment is made; the customer finds it in their account, and you in yours.

Who helps me if I get stuck?

123Ventes support answers in French, by email and by phone, and it is included in the subscription. Your data is hosted in France.