Making the Most of HVAC Distributors and Wholesalers

Contractors, dealers and service companies understand advantages of working with HVAC equipment distributors
By Heidi Crossman HVAC distributors and wholesalers act as the middle man between manufacturers and the contractor, dealer or service company. As a buyer here, you have an important position in selecting the best products, as you are the middle man between the distributor and the consumer. Making your customer happy is determined in part by your making the most of HVAC distributors and wholesalers.

Qualified HVAC wholesalers are authorized to carry the manufacturer's warranty on the equipment they sell. Another benefit to ordering from an HVAC distributor is the wealth of product options available. Distributors carry equipment from many different manufacturers in order to offer you, their customer, the biggest market options for your business. Some of the HVAC products they stock are:

1. Wholesale furnace equipment

2. Building controls

3. Air conditioners

4. Wholesale furnace parts and air conditioner parts

Do your homework on the products offered by HVAC equipment distributors

Industry periodicals and Trade Associations can supply you with the best information on quality products and the latest technology. Often, the associations represent a collection of the top manufacturers in the industry. By gleaning information from these resources, you can link to information not offered elsewhere. The manufacturer can also be helpful with product training and then referrals to a local, qualified HVAC wholesaler.
Try:  Check the Directory of Certified Product Performance from the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute to ensure you are getting the best of the best products to offer your customers, as the items listed must possess certain criteria to be listed. Industry magazines like Contracting Business can also be a great source for HVAC dealer information. To make your searching easier, The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration NEWS has a searchable resource guide of products and distributors.

Get face to face with HVAC distributors

Your best friends are usually the ones you spend time with on a regular basis. The same is true of your business relationships. Meeting a distributor in person can establish a special relationship and give you the upper hand on competition. Befriending a distributor can also put you in a spot to receive special HVAC prices.
Try:  Get to know a lot of manufacturers and wholesalers and their products all in one place at the AHR Expo. Another way to get to know your HVAC distributor is to meet them individually when your company can be the complete focus of the meeting. At Yahoo Directories you can access a list of HVAC distributors to choose from.

Select HVAC wholesalers and manufacturers that offer the services you need

Some manufacturers will be better to work with than others, mostly determined by the services they offer. Be selective about the products you want to carry and partner with wholesalers who understand your needs. Other companies will be a better fit for you because of services they offer that others do not, like financing, technical assistance and training.
Try:  HVAC Wholesalers explains some of the services they offer to you as a contractor. These services include free technical assistance, specialty equipment sales and warranty claims processing. If it is a certain product you are looking for, most wholesalers, like Gensco, supply a list of the manufacturers they carry.

• HVAC distributors and wholesalers may have restocking fees for returned items. Save on HVAC prices by ordering carefully to avoid returns.