For one thing, tables say, "Lean on me." And people do. They lean on a table to sit down and get up from chairs, stools, and booths. They lean when they are tired from shopping, working and running errands. They lean when they are making a point in a strong conversation. They lean to sip on their coffee, beer or cocktail. In less formal atmospheres, people may pile books, purses and bags on a table top. Children may lean, pound and even climb on them.
Tables create one of the first impressions of a place to eat, drink or work. They can inspire confidence in the environment or cause a consumer to think twice. A shaky table, for instance, says volumes that a business owner may not realize. At best, it's annoying. At worst, it's unsafe. And in between, it can raise a lot of concerns about the business itself.
An unsteady table, for instance, might give the customer the idea the owner doesn't care enough about the business. Shoddy furniture suggests there wasn't much thought about the initial investment. The old saying about doing things right the first time holds true in any business. A tight budget means priorities need a lot of consideration and planning. There could be several reasons an owner failed to invest in sturdy furniture.
Perhaps the owner didn't want to invest much in the business out of fear or thinking the business wouldn't last. Perhaps they didn't know enough about the business and how first impressions can impact on customers coming back. Perhaps they didn't think tables were important enough to worry about. But, at JI Bases, we want to set the record straight.
Setting the record straight
The Jacobs family has provided over 25,000,000 world-wide since 1958. And many are still in circulation—sometimes even a second or third time. They outlast the original table tops and are used in rehab projects and simply get a new top. Why replace something that still has life? JI Bases offers a lifetime guarantee on all cast iron products, and a 5-year warranty on stainless steel bases.
Wobbly tables also suggest little concern about the customer. Not only does the table count heavily in a consumer's first impression, but can be a safety issue. A lurching table can cause a fall and possible injury. Second, food and beverages can spill or slide off if a table rocks or tilts. Food and drink spilled on clothes do not make for happy customers. Hot foods and drinks can cause burns. At the very least, a wobbly table is irritating and leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Consider the poor staff that has to deal with the problem of jiggling tables. They have to take special care in placing the drinks and dishes. They have to handle the customer complaints and potential relocation. Furthermore, a displeased diner will, no doubt leave a smaller tip. And none of this is the servers' fault.
Many times these "leaning towers of table" are caused by inferior products that went into the manufacture of table bases. Stamped steel has been used frequently to help reduce the weight and the cost of table bases worldwide. However over the course of time, these stamped steel top plates can bend or flex under the pressures of day-to-day use. The only solution is to go back to a more solid type of metal: cast iron.
Frank Jacobs first introduced and shipped the industry-changing 4-prong table base back in 1958. Since then, because of environmental concerns, or industry closure he's had to move his facilities around the globe. Continuing to manufacturer with quality control from their own staff in China, the quality and expertise has never wavered. Using cast iron just like they did in 1958, the Jacobs family has the only solid foundation you'll ever need to satisfy your customers with sturdier tables.
Last, but certainly not least, an inferior table raises questions about overall maintenance of the establishment. Depending on the initial investment in the equipment, just one table might get the wobbles at any time. The diner sitting at that table could, of course, ask to move to another table and feel the inconvenience of the move. Hopefully, a new table might be more stable. If not, it's doubtful the customer would stay to eat or drink and even more doubtful they would ever return.
A person who experiences a problem with a table might wonder how many tables are unsteady and if they are ever fixed or replaced. Thoughts then might expand to questions about other equipment and what shape it is in. This would include the stoves, ovens, refrigerator as well as materials and supplies to prepare the food. Next one could wonder about the type and frequency of cleaning and maintaining the whole place. Interesting how one tipsy table speaks volumes!
Any business owner should know that customer impressions are vital in staying in business. Returning business and word of mouth make the best advertisement. The tables create one of the first impressions about the establishment and first impressions are the hardest to change.
In return for their investment in their business, your clients deserve good choices on the best way to spend their money. They need to be able to lean on their suppliers to give them those choices. Solid tables and even more solid bases mean a more solid foundation on which to build that business. Our products and customer service provide exactly what you need. You can lean on us to help give you the best options and guarantees to satisfy your customers. Call and speak with a JI table base expert today!