DELTA, British Columbia (March 17, 2004) – Regency Fireplace Products now offers a way for consumers to design their ideal fireplace in the comfort of their slippers.  The Regency online Fireplace Design Center site gives people the ability to research fireplaces, customize them with available features and preview their dream look before setting foot onto a showroom floor.

“Online research makes the fireplace shopping experience easier to manage,” says Robert Little, founder and CEO of Regency Fireplace Products.  “There are so many choices available in the world of fireplaces that it takes a while just to figure out what’s even possible, or what seems right for a room.”

According to a 2002 study conducted by AOL Time Warner, Inc. and RoperASW, half of all American households now have access to the Internet.  Of these 111.3 million users, the study indicates that 88 percent, or nine in 10 participants, regularly use the Internet to gather information and do research of any kind. 

“The Internet is coming into its own as a research tool, even for fireplaces and freestanding stoves,” notes Little. “We don’t advocate purchasing a product over the Internet because of the technical sophistication of a hearth appliance, but it is a tremendous asset for exploring and planning.  Plus, people can think about all their questions in advance of a face-to-face meeting with a live sales person.” 

The online Fireplace Design Center is available for all four of the Regency Fireplace Products brands: Regency, Excalibur, Waterford and Hampton.  Each brand carries a distinct identity, but all four offer people high-quality, stylish and functional appliances that can be designed specifically with the user in mind by using the Regency customization system. 

Many Regency dealer showrooms are equipped with a software version of the Fireplace Design Center that can provide pricing and a full-color printed quote to take home and help finalize the purchasing process. 

The development of the Regency website is growing as dealers and customers report the need for more online information.  “We see that this area will grow for our company, which we know matches the figures on Internet growth,” observes Little.

The Internet is also an asset for Regency’s international clientele, which spans Mexico, Australia, New Zealand and parts of Europe and Asia.

To locate a Regency dealer in your area, click on “Find a Dealer” at www.regency-fire.com or call 1-866-TOP-HEAT (1-866-867-4328).

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