When furnishing your outdoor space, understanding the pricing structure can lead to significant savings. Ordering directly from a factory and purchasing through a retailer represent two fundamentally different models, each with distinct cost implications.
Purchasing directly from a manufacturer typically means you are buying at or near the source. This model eliminates multiple middlemen—wholesalers, distributors, and the retailer itself. The price you pay primarily covers material costs, labor, factory overhead, and a margin for the manufacturer, plus shipping directly to you. The primary advantage is cost efficiency; you avoid the layered markups added at each stage of the traditional supply chain. This can result in savings of 30% to 50% or more compared to retail prices for similar quality items. However, this route often requires more effort from the buyer, including thorough research on factory reliability, managing logistics, and handling any post-delivery assembly or issues without the buffer of a local store.
In contrast, buying from a retailer incorporates all those avoided supply chain costs into the final price. The retailer purchases inventory from wholesalers or distributors (who have already added their margin after buying from the factory), then applies its own markup to cover operational expenses like showroom rent, staff salaries, marketing, and inventory holding. This creates a convenient, service-oriented experience. You can see and touch the products, receive professional advice, and often benefit from delivery, assembly, and after-sales support. The trade-off is a higher price tag that reflects these bundled services and the financial ecosystem supporting the retail operation.
Ultimately, the choice hinges on your priorities. Factory direct offers maximum value for money, ideal for buyers who are cost-conscious and willing to manage the process. Retail provides convenience, immediate availability, and service support, for which you pay a premium. Knowing this breakdown empowers you to decide where your money goes—purely into the product, or into the full-service buying experience.
