Talking shop

ShopHardinge, the successful USA developed concept for online selection and purchasing of Hardinge workholding, rotary products, tool holders and machine tool accessories has now launched in the UK.

With 65,000 products in its online inventory, the e-commerce website offers purchasers the opportunity to browse, select and purchase a wide range of products ranging from simple collets to sophisticated rotary tables.
“ShopHardinge has been up and running in the USA for the past two years so they have first hand operational knowledge of how it works in a live environment,” explained Rob Beckett, Hardinge UK's workholding product manager.

“In adapting the idea for the UK we have had to make changes to the pricing structure and various aspects of the site behind the scenes, but in essence the model is identical and we are now live in the UK.”

According to Hardinge, from the customer viewpoint ShopHardinge couldn't be easier and is based on a three step simplistic concept of: log in; shop; checkout. Customers can charge purchases to their account in the normal way for monthly billing but there is also the opportunity to purchase via a debit or credit card.

“There are other areas of the site that will prove particularly helpful to our distributors.” Mr Beckett added. “After we have allocated a unique password, as with direct customers they can check stock online and then purchase what they need without having to call us directly. This will greatly streamline the whole purchasing process and will ultimately mean a better service for our customers.”

Regularly purchased items or repeat orders are facilitated by a ‘Quick Shop' feature that enables a reorder at the click of the mouse. There is also an order history section.

Hardinge
www.hardinge.co.uk