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What is inter-material.com´s objective? INFORMATION SOLUTIONS Inter-material.com´s main objective is to offer architects, designers, contractors and real estate developers a medium where they could find and stay informed of the latest products available in the global market. Our Inter-Material Specialists (all architects) constantly investigate the market so that the inter-material search remains the most complete in the world. In addition to the Search by Category or Search by Key Word, users of the site can direct queries directly to our specialists through the Find a Product navigation bar interfaces. Our I-Mat Specialists travel to important architectural product world fairs in order to define the I-Mat´s Choice products and generate Intelligence Reports. These products are generally the ones that have won the most awards and/or the ones our I-Mat Specialists have determined to be Star Products due to their innovative design, superior characteristics and good value. COMERCIAL SOLUTIONS The information service that we provide through inter-material.com is backed by the Inter-Material commercial solution that consists of the search/negotiation, purchase, logistics and local sale of the architectural products that are available in the global market. The focus of the Inter-Material commercial operation is to provide products to our clients at wholesale prices. In order to achieve this we have organized an operation that is free of the costs of a showroom that limits itself to represented companies. Inter-Material concentrates in finding the best solution for the specific requirements of our customers and to provide it at the lowest cost. We hire experienced professionals and work with internationally recognized logistics companies to provide our clients with a turn-key service of the highest quality. Do I have to pay to become a Member of Inter-Material.com? Are there any fees associated with the use of your site? Inter-Material.com is free for the end-user. There are no charges for accessing any of our information. Why does Inter-Material.com require visitors to become members with a User ID and password in order to use their web site? Inter-Material.com utilizes a registration and password program to improve the service for our customers. Registration information allows Inter-Material.com to better understand our users and helps us meet their needs as we continually develop and enhance our web site. In addition, the web site becomes customized according to the user information entered at sign-up. For example, the site will prioritize displaying interiors products to users describing themselves as interior designers. Users' browser must be set up to accept a "cookie" for this automatic log-in to work. Netscape users can find the cookie information under the "Edit" option and Internet Explorer users can find it under "Internet Options". FIND A PRODUCT PAGE: Find a Product is the main page of inter-material.com. Through this page users have access to a database containing thousands of companies and their products. The database can be accessed through both a category and keyword search. SEARCH BY CATEGORY The search by category is organized using the 16 division MASTERFORMAT produced by CSI and CSC (see below). MasterFormat is a standard utilized for the organization and specification of architectural products. All the products are organized into 16 divisions subdivided into a great number of subcategories. Users can click on the divisions and subcategories that correspond to their desired search to access industry related company links. (For more information regarding MasterFormat please access the CSI website in the following location: www.csinet.org.)
This inter-material.com website utilizes, under license from CSI, the 16 division MasterFormat system for organizing architectural products. The system, as implemented on this website, has the following deviations from the original: 1) We have added a "01 – Industry" division. 2) We have added some categories in Division 12 (furnishings) that are preceded by an asterix (*) and have no MasterFormat number. KEY WORD SEARCH The key word search can be executed in many ways. Products are fundamentally organized by product type, manufacturer's name, brand name, product characteristics, country of origin, and industry. By using a key word, or combination of key words (5 words maximum) the search can be highly segmented. Users should favor words in the singular form instead of plural. For example: *correct form: "modern leather chair" *incorrect form: "modern leathers chairs" Suggestions: *For furniture specify if the search is for modern or traditional furniture incorporating the words "modern" or "traditional". *Specify industry by using words like "restaurant, hotel, residential, contract, etc." *To search only the latest I-Mat´s Choice products include the key word "i-mat" to the search. I-MAT´S CHOICE AND I-MAT INTELLIGENCE REPORTS I-Mat´s Choice is the result of our Inter-Material product Specialist´s research. We constantly monitor the market and travel to international architectural product fairs in search for products with better characteristics in terms of quality, innovation and price. When we find that a company has developed a "Star Product" we introduce it to the I-Mat´s Choice section. Almost all the I-Mat´s Choice products and consequently the products featured in the I-Mat intelligence reports are products that have won awards in the fairs and are internationally recognized. In fact, the companies included in the I-Mat´s Choice section are the companies that our specialists have studied in greater depth and have compiled a report catalog in PDF format that users can download and where the products can be seen quickly. From time to time, Inter-Material acquires exclusive representation of the I-Mats choice companies (that have developed star products) for some selected regions. This type of commercial agreement facilitates the sale of products at lower prices and increases the protection that we can offer our clients. Are online transmissions secure? Online transmissions use SSL, Secure Socket Layer technology, to encrypt the consult specialist, request for quote, and contact representative forms information as it travels across the Internet. How are products and services assigned to "Product Heading" categories? Inter-Material.com has obtained a copyright from the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) to use the industry standard 16 division CSI MasterFormat system for the organization of products in the database. 16 division CSI Master-Format is broken down into 16 divisions that include a large range of architectural products. CSI Master-Format divisions have been translated into Spanish and Portuguese by Inter-Material. Inter-Material.com is dedicated to maintaining the manufacturer's industry standard CSI Master-Format headings associated with each product. Our Editors carefully assign product headings as per manufacturer's directive, company or product/service specifications, application form or their own best judgment (They are only to be used as a reference.) Companies, products and services are cross referenced to ensure that our users can find the exact information they need as quickly as possible. REQUEST INFORMATION: ESTIMATES AND PURCHASES Once the user knows what product he requires additional information for or wants a quote, how can he request this information? In the "Product Search" pages navigation bar there are "Consult Specialist", "Request a Quote" and "Contact Representative" buttons. When any of these buttons are clicked its respective form opens that the user must fill out. These forms mainly request information regarding the product in question and the client's requirements. Upon sending the form our Inter-Material product specialists begin to work on the consultation obtaining the required information. Once the requested information has been compiled a report is sent via email to the user. If the user has indicated in the form that he wants an I-Mat product specialist to contact him via phone, he will be contacted as soon as the specialist has compiled all the information. CONSULT SPECIALIST The "Consult Specialist" interface allows the user to request the aid of the I-Mat specialists team in the search of a specific solution, additional information about a particular product, or any other consultation where a I-Mat product Specialist may be helpful. The I-Mat product Specialists are architects that understand well the requirements of an architectural project, therefore, providing a value added service. REQUEST A QUOTE Through the "Request a Quote" interface the user can request a quote of any product he finds through the Inter-Material search engine or any other medium or place. We act as a broker negotiating directly with the manufacturer. Our negotiating power and agreements with logistics companies guarantees our clients a better price. The Inter-Material quotes include all the related costs such as freight, insurance and customs fees unless the user has requested otherwise. The user will receive the quote via email once our specialists have compiled all of the relevant information and costs. If I request a quote, do I have the obligation to make a purchase? No. Quotes are provided without any purchase obligation by the end user. If after receiving the quote I wish to make a purchase, how do I go about it? Through the same "Request a Quote" interface, or by answering the email they received with the quote, users can request that a sales representative contact them directly by telephone to discuss the purchase in further detail and initiate the purchase order. Clients can also request a personal meeting with our local representative. CONTACT REPRESENTATIVE Through the "Contact Representative" interface, users can contact the local Inter-Material representative and request a personal meeting, telephone call, coordinate or request any further information. What form of payment does Inter-Material accept? Depending on the products being purchased Inter-material will accept full payment at time of execution of the Purchase Order in the form of cash, check, cashiers check, money order, electronic transfer of funds or any approved and confirmed letter of credit. In most cases we accept payment in the form of cash, check, cashiers check, money order, and electronic transfer of funds in the following terms: 50% at purchase and 50% at receipt of goods (additional terms apply for all methods.) Will I have to deal with the Manufacturer or Shipping Company? No. Inter-Material will handle entire transaction from purchasing all the way to delivery at requested location. The Inter-Material price quote includes all costs to the mutually agreed upon location clearly indicated by the INCOTERMS that are included in the quote and purchase order. Inter-Material will track order and provide customer with progress reports. Do I need to look for my own insurance for the merchandize? No. Inter-material will include the insurance costs by a major insurance provider in the itemized estimate and will ensure all goods as per owner's request unless otherwise requested by the client. ONLINE AUCTION: Are there any costs involved with the use of Inter-Material.com's Online Auction? No. the Online Auction is provided by Inter-Material as a free service. Online Auctions are automated and are not necessarily regulated or monitored by Inter-Material. Who can initiate an Online Auction (post an item for bid)? An online auction can be initiated by any user that wishes to sell a related product. Inter-Material also initiates online auctions of products it has in stock at promotional prices under the Alias I-MAT. Why do I need to register each time I want to participate in an Online Auction? Responsibility for posting or bidding for online auctions belongs to the individual posting or bidding on that particular auction, by registering users assign an alias, email address and password for that particular auction. This is a contractual responsibility. What if I post an item and then change my mind about selling it? By posting or bidding for an item you are entering into a legal contract, therefore, you should NEVER post an item for bid or bid on an item unless you are serious about the transaction. What kind of information should I include in the description of the posted item? When posting an item for bid you should always include the following information in your description of the posted item: Product Name Product Specifications Product Description Quantity City and Country where items are presently located Description of bid price to quantity. (for example: is the price posted a per unit, per crate, per square foot etc. or is it for entire quantity in description?) Are you willing to ship? Where are you willing to ship? Is shipping included in posted price? Type of payment you will accept. Any other relevant information How can I contact the person that has posted an item for bid in order to ask questions about the product? By clicking the alias of the user posting the item on the particular listing you are interested in you will be able to automatically email the person that has posted the bid. If I have posted an item for bid and the auction has closed, how will I know who the highest bidder is and contact that person? When an auction closes, both the person posting the item and the highest bidder will be automatically notified by email with contact information included. In addition at the Inter-Material.com free auction site's particular listing the highest bidder's username and highest bid are always posted until closing of the auction. How do I place an image of the product I want to place for auction? There are two methods for placing an image of the product the user wishes to post for bid. The first method is by introducing the web address (URL) of the particular image the user wishes to place. The image will automatically appear once the form has been completed and processed by the system. Users are first given a preview before posting is completed. Another simple method is to upload 1-3 images from your hard drive by using the explore (examinar) button. FORUM The Forum section has 2 main purposes. 1) Access to the I-Mat Intelligence Reports of the latest products that are making headlines around the world in international award competitions and product fairs. The I-Mat intelligence reports is the best way that users can quickly see the Top products currently in the global market. The I-Mat intelligence reports are the result of our Inter-Material product Specialist´s research. We constantly monitor the market and travel to international architectural product fairs in search for products with better characteristics in terms of quality, innovation and price. When we find that a company has developed a "Star Product" we introduce it to the I-Mat Intelligence Report Section. Almost all the products featured in the I-Mat Intelligence Reports are products that have won awards in the fairs and are internationally recognized. In fact, the companies included in Reports section are the companies that our specialists have studied in greater depth and have compiled a report catalog in PDF format that users can download and see the products quickly. 2) The forum section is the place where users can interact with users and exchange information. Forum is a highly segmented online classifieds system. The forum section is provided by Inter-Material free of charge to users of the website. All the content is not necessarily regulated or monitored by Inter-Material. For information regarding the use of the Forum section please refer to the "Getting Started" button on the Forum white task bar located at the bottom of the Forum Section. BOOKS AND MAGAZINES The books and magazines section is provided free of charge to the users of inter-material.com. MAGAZINES The Magazines section is the default section with a "find a book" button present on the task bar for access to the Find a Book area. Online magazines can be accessed by key word search or by clicking on the provided categories. When a magazine link is clicked the online magazine home page will open in a separate window. Close or minimize this separate window when finished to return to the Inter-Material.com page. Online Magazines are not monitored or endorsed by inter-material.com. Users enter online magazines by their own choice and at their own risk. BOOKS The Books section is accessed through the "find a book" button present on the task bar of the Books and Magazines section. When entering the books section a "Find a Magazine" button becomes available on the task bar for access to the magazines area. Online books can be accessed by key word search or by clicking on the provided categories. Inter-material is an amazon.com associate. All links in the books section access pages in the amazon.com site. These pages are displayed in a separate window. All interaction at the amazon.com website including purchases, orders, inquiries, deliveries etc. are done/executed by and with amazon.com. Inter-Material does not monitor or necessarily endorse any of the content, service or products offered by amazon.com |
