Boasting one of the largest showrooms south of San Francisco (3,500 square feet), San Jose’s SplashWorks has just about every high-end bathroom and kitchen fixture imaginable, says owner Eric Nelson, and its huge selection is constantly changing. “We bring in new merchandise and get rid of the old,” he says.

SplashWorks aims to keep its showroom fresh. Every May, it has a display clearance sale to make room for new arrivals, which gives savvy customers the chance to take advantage of specials. “Everything we sell during our clearance sale is typically in perfect condition,” says Mr. Nelson. “That’s when customers can get a really good deal. But our prices are good all year.”

Mr. Nelson says customer service and product knowledge make SplashWorks a great place to shop. Its informed sales staff receives training guides from the Decorative Plumbing and Hardware Association (DPHA) so they can stay current on all the latest products, materials and specifications. “The knowledge of our staff is superior to what you’d find in most other showrooms,” says Mr. Nelson. “We’re fully staffed, which means customers don’t have to wait long to get help when we’re busy.”

If customers need design assistance, the employees at SplashWorks are there to help. “They’ve been in the business long enough to know what styles and colors go together,” says Mr. Nelson, “and they’re more than happy to help you find the right design combinations.”

SplashWorks cares about the quality of its products, including where and how they’re made. “We’re conscious about trying to promote and sell better-quality products made in countries that use better materials, have a better workforce, pay more attention to detail, and don’t skip steps when manufacturing a product,” he says.

When you’re in the market for kitchen and bath fixtures, consider buying them from a locally-owned business. Look for an authorized showroom that sells the products you’re interested in. “I wouldn’t buy on the Internet, even though cheaper prices are very enticing for a lot of people,” says Eric Nelson, owner of SplashWorks in San Jose. “A lot of manufacturers don’t offer warranties anymore if a product is bought online,” he explains. “They only offer warranties if it’s bought through an authorized showroom.”

A potential problem with online sales is getting an incomplete shipment with missing parts. “Price shouldn’t always be the driving factor,” says Mr. Nelson. “Customers have to consider the whole picture. They may think they’re saving 10 or 15 percent, but in reality, it’s going to cost them much more in the long run.”

Another good reason to buy locally is because 45 cents of every dollar stays in the regional economy, whereas none of the money you spend on the Internet gets reinvested back into the community. And if you buy through a national chain, only 13 cents of every dollar goes back into the local economy. It’s a responsible choice to buy from a local shop and keep your money in the community, says Mr. Nelson.

Q: How long do orders usually take?

A: It depends on what the customer chooses. Most orders take a few days to a week, but we carry some products that take up to eight weeks to get, depending on where they ship from. Another factor that determines order time is whether it’s a stock or custom item. But we can usually get anything as fast as—or faster than—anyone else, because we mostly deal directly with manufacturers. We don’t ‘two-step’ products.

Q: How do your prices compare to other businesses?

A: They’re as good as most businesses with brick and mortar showrooms like ours. Our pricing is very competitive with every other showroom that’s located within the greater Bay Area.

Q: Do you have a list of contractors that you can recommend?

A: Yes. People often ask about contractor references. We have a comprehensive list of contractors, plumbers, electricians, designers, and others.

Q: Do you deliver, or do customers have to pick up their merchandise?

A: Everything is on a job-by-job basis. We can arrange to have purchases like a cast iron tub delivered directly from the manufacturer’s location to the job site. But most of the time, contractors or customers pick up the products here at our showroom.