Your customer is standing in front of a $1,200 refrigerator. They love it. Then they check Amazon on their phone and see the same model with free delivery.
You offer delivery for $129. They walk out to "think about it."
This happens dozens of times per week at independent appliance stores. Customers want to buy in-store (they can see it, touch it, ask questions), but they balk at delivery fees. So they buy online where shipping is "free."
Here's how providing free trailer access flips the script and beats Amazon at their own game.
The Appliance Delivery Problem
According to retail analytics, 42% of appliance shoppers abandon in-store purchases because of delivery fees.
The typical scenario:
- Customer browses your showroom
- Sales rep explains features, answers questions
- Customer decides to buy
- You quote $129-199 for delivery
- Customer checks Amazon: "Free delivery"
- Customer says "Let me think about it"
- Customer orders from Amazon later that night
You provided the service (education, product demo). Amazon got the sale.
Why "Free Delivery" Beats You
Amazon doesn't actually offer free delivery — it's built into the price. But customers don't see it that way. They see:
- Your store: $1,199 + $129 delivery = $1,328
- Amazon: $1,249 + "free" delivery = $1,249
Even though your total is only $79 more (and they get it today vs. waiting 3 days), customers anchor on that $129 delivery fee.
The Solution: Free Trailer Option
Instead of forcing customers to pay $129 delivery, offer them a choice:
"We have two options for you:"
Option 1: We deliver and install tomorrow for $129.
Option 2: Take it home yourself today with a free 4-hour trailer rental — we'll help you load it.
Suddenly, you're competing on convenience AND price. And most customers (62% in our pilot program) choose the free trailer option.
How It Works
- Customer selects appliance (refrigerator, washer, dryer, stove)
- You offer delivery ($129) OR free trailer rental (same-day pickup)
- Customer chooses free trailer
- Your team loads appliance onto dolly/cart (you already do this for delivery trucks)
- Customer drives to nearest Moovalot location (5-10 minutes)
- Scans QR code, trailer unlocks
- Drives back to your store, you help load appliance
- Customer takes it home, returns trailer within 4 hours
Total time added to transaction: 20 minutes (help load + explain process)
What You Pay
Instead of offering $129 delivery (which customers reject), you subsidize a $40-50 trailer rental (which they love).
Example: Refrigerator Sale
| Sale price: French door refrigerator | $1,199 |
| Your margin (35%) | $420 |
| Trailer rental cost (subsidized) | -$45 |
| Extended warranty sold | +$150 |
| Net profit | $525 |
ROI: You spend $45 to capture a $1,199 sale that would otherwise go to Amazon.
Plus, customers who buy in-store are far more likely to add extended warranties, accessories, and installation services.
Real Results: Houston Appliance Store Chain
Retailer: 3-location independent appliance chain (Houston area)
Products: Refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, ranges
Partnership start: December 2025
The Problem
- Delivery fees ($129-199) caused 40% of showroom visitors to buy online instead
- Delivery trucks cost $2,500/week to operate
- Next-day delivery meant lost impulse sales
- Google reviews complained about "expensive delivery"
The Solution
- Partnered with Moovalot (Tier 2: Co-Marketing)
- All appliance purchases: choice of paid delivery OR free trailer
- In-store signage: "Take It Home Today — Free Trailer Rental"
- Trained sales team to present both options equally
Results (First 4 Months)
| Metric | Before | After | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly appliance sales | 118 | 154 | +31% |
| Same-day sales | 22% | 68% | +209% |
| Delivery costs | $10,000/mo | $4,200/mo | -58% |
| Customers choosing free trailer | — | 62% | — |
| Google review rating | 4.1 | 4.6 | +12% |
Owner quote: "We were competing on price and losing to Amazon every time. Now we compete on convenience — take it home today, free trailer. Our same-day sales tripled."
What Appliances Fit in a 5x8 Trailer?
Moovalot's 5x8 trailers handle nearly all residential appliances:
Refrigerators (All Standard Models)
- Top-freezer (30-36 inch width)
- Bottom-freezer (30-36 inch)
- French door (30-36 inch)
- Side-by-side (36 inch)
Note: Commercial/oversized fridges (48+ inch) may not fit in enclosed trailers due to height.
Washers & Dryers (All Fit)
- Top-load washers
- Front-load washers
- Electric dryers
- Gas dryers
- Stackable units
Ranges & Stoves (All Fit)
- 30-inch ranges (standard)
- 36-inch ranges (professional-style)
- Slide-in ranges
- Freestanding stoves
Dishwashers (All Fit)
- 24-inch built-in dishwashers (still in box)
- 18-inch compact models
- Portable dishwashers
Other Appliances
- Water heaters (40-50 gallon)
- Chest freezers (up to 16 cubic ft)
- Window AC units (all sizes)
How to Present the Free Trailer Option
Train your sales team to present it as a benefit, not a fallback:
❌ Wrong Approach
Customer: "How much is delivery?"
You: "$129."
Customer: "That's expensive."
You: "Well... you could rent a trailer and pick it up yourself."
(Sounds like you're making them do extra work to save you money.)
✅ Right Approach
You (proactively): "Great choice! Now, we have two ways to get this home for you:"
"Option 1: We deliver and install it tomorrow for $129. Our team brings it in, hooks it up, hauls away your old unit."
"Option 2: Take it home yourself today with a free 4-hour trailer rental. We'll help you load it, you drive 5 minutes to grab a trailer, come back, and we'll secure it for you. No delivery fee."
"Which works better for you?"
(Frames both as good options. Customer feels in control.)
Key Messaging Points
- "Take it home today" — Emphasize instant gratification vs. waiting for delivery
- "Free trailer" — Don't say "if you have a way to haul" (sounds like a burden)
- "We'll help you load" — Customers worry about the physical work; reassure them
- "Return the trailer anywhere" — Don't have to drive back to the same location
Handling Common Customer Objections
Objection: "I don't have a vehicle that can tow."
Response: "Do you have an SUV or truck? Most SUVs can tow a small trailer. If you're not sure, I can check your vehicle make and model real quick."
(Use Moovalot's AI tool or towing capacity database to confirm.)
Objection: "I don't know how to tow a trailer."
Response: "It's easier than it looks! The trailer has an automatic unlock via app — you just scan a QR code. Hooking it up takes 2 minutes, and we'll show you a quick video. Plus, you're only driving a few miles home."
Objection: "What if I damage the trailer?"
Response: "Moovalot handles that through their rental agreement. We're not involved — you're just renting directly from them using the free code we provide."
Objection: "Will the refrigerator fit in my house?"
Response: (This is why they're buying in-store — you measure with them.) "Let's measure your doorways and the fridge together. If it doesn't fit, we'll find a different model that does."
Marketing Materials Provided
When you partner with Moovalot, we provide:
- ✅ Window decals: "Take It Home Today — Free Trailer Rental"
- ✅ Showroom signage: Posters explaining the process
- ✅ Counter cards: Hand to customers with promo code
- ✅ Digital ads: Social media templates highlighting free trailer option
- ✅ Staff training video: 10-minute guide on how to present the offer
Partnership Tiers for Appliance Retailers
Tier 1: Pay-Per-Use
Cost: $40 per 4-hour trailer rental
Best for: Independent stores selling 20-40 appliances/month
Commitment: None (cancel anytime)
Tier 2: Co-Marketing Partner
Cost: $30 per trailer rental
Best for: Multi-location stores selling 50+ appliances/month
Commitment: Display Moovalot signage in-store
Tier 3: On-Site Trailer Parking
Cost: $20 per trailer rental
Best for: High-volume stores (100+ appliances/month)
Commitment: Moovalot parks 3-4 trailers on your property for instant pickup
Common Questions from Appliance Retailers
Q: What if we already have a delivery fleet?
A: Keep it! Offer both options. Many customers still want white-glove delivery. But 60% will choose free trailer if given the choice — reducing your delivery costs significantly.
Q: Do we need to help customers load the appliance?
A: Recommended but not required. Most stores wheel appliances to the customer's vehicle anyway. Same process — wheel it out when they return with the trailer.
Q: Can we charge for installation and still offer free trailer?
A: Absolutely. Separate the two: "Free trailer for pickup, installation is $89 if you'd like our team to hook it up at your home."
Q: What about hauling away old appliances?
A: Charge separately: "Old appliance removal is $40, or you can take it to the dump yourself using the same free trailer."
Ready to Beat Amazon at Their Own Game?
If you're an appliance retailer in Houston losing sales to online giants, free trailer access is your competitive weapon.
Contact us today:
📧 Email: partners@moovalot.com
📞 Phone: 1-800-MOOVALOT
💬 Subject line: "Appliance Store Partnership"
Include:
- Store name and location(s)
- Monthly appliance sales volume
- Current delivery process
We'll respond within 2 business days with a custom proposal.
Stop losing sales to "free delivery." Offer instant gratification + free trailer instead.