faqs

Frequently asked questions about OPENBOOK

On a large project, I can get trade prices by dealing directly with the manufacturer, so why would I want to use OPENBOOK?

Through the Momentum Group, OPENBOOK has greater purchasing power than any other furniture trader or dealer in the UK. Standard trade prices are only the starting point for our negotiations with manufacturers, so we are confident we can save you more than you can by dealing directly — and in fact we have letters from several manufacturers which bear this out. And, if you deal directly with the manufacturer, your choice will be restricted because you will need to order volume to obtain trade prices.

In contrast, by using OPENBOOK you can obtain the best possible trade prices from a huge range of manufacturers – even if your order includes single items of some brands.

Will I get a better deal across the ENTIRE project by going direct to the manufacturer?

No. OPENBOOK is not just about a wider choice at better prices. It also brings you the highest levels of consultancy and service from an established industry specialist. You have one point of contact through your OPENBOOK consultant but behind the scenes, the team at the Momentum Group will ensure seamless coordination of your project delivery.

Manufacturers, on the other hand, are structured to operate through dealers from both a pricing and an operational perspective. Without the dealer involved, they have to balance cost against service. So, the better discount you receive, the less resource they can dedicate to servicing your contract. The service received directly from manufacturers for post-sale support has a particularly poor reputation while it is given a high priority in every OPENBOOK contract. And, with OPENBOOK, you can add other Day 2 furniture services, such as reupholstery and refurbishing of existing furniture pieces – and these are offered at cost

Why don’t more companies operate on an OPENBOOK basis?

Other companies don’t have the same access to the entire market place or the same purchasing power as the Momentum Group. They lack the infrastructure and quality of personnel to deliver the range of benefits an OPENBOOK solution can offer — all of which combine to make the service possible and effective for both parties.

What experience do Momentum have of running the OPENBOOK service?

The Momentum Group has dealt with some customers on an OPENBOOK basis for over three years. Due to the success of these projects and satisfaction levels of clients, we are now making the service available to a wider range of clients. These projects were all delivered on an OPENBOOK basis.

How does the Momentum Group charge for the OPENBOOK service?

Everything is provided on an OPENBOOK basis with no hidden costs or fees.

The cost of furniture is negotiated directly with manufacturers, with trade prices only the starting point. The costs achieved are passed on directly to OPENBOOK clients. Copies of manufacturers’ invoices are supplied to clients so they may verify this.

OPENBOOK clients pay an agreed fee, based on the project size, to cover the Momentum Group’s ACTUAL organisational costs. These costs are broken down by category, and have been verified by auditors Baker Tilly. A copy of the audit certificate is available upon request.

Momentum will agree an acceptable net profit margin with the client, based on the size of the project. However, we only expect to be paid this amount (ie make a profit) if we successfully meet the project objectives that are pre-agreed with the client and included in the OPENBOOK contract.