How I’m Using ChatGPT to Support Showrooms — And How You Can Too

We’re entering a new era in wholesale and showroom operations, one where artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a far-off concept but a tool that’s making a real, tangible impact in our day-to-day business. Over the past year, I’ve been using ChatGPT to improve the way we operate at Luxury Products Group (LPG), and what I’ve found is this: if you’re not already using AI in some form, you’re leaving opportunity on the table.

The good news? It’s not complicated to start.

Why AI Matters for Our Industry

We work in a relationship-driven business, but that doesn’t mean we can’t benefit from speed, efficiency and clarity—three things AI delivers exceptionally well. From answering customer questions to helping draft emails and training materials, AI gives showroom teams and counter staff the power to work smarter without needing to become tech experts.

ChatGPT, one of the most popular AI tools, is a conversational platform that responds to prompts in plain English. Think of it as a superpowered assistant that can write, edit, summarize or brainstorm on demand.

At LPG, we use it to:

• Draft and refine communications with vendors and members
• Write job postings, event announcements and promotional materials
• Summarize vendor programs and rebate updates
• Build training materials for showroom staff
• Assist with podcast scripts, social media posts and even policy documents

But I believe the best use of AI isn’t just at the group level—it’s at the showroom counter, where customer interaction and product knowledge come together.

At the Trade Counter: A Real Example

Recently, while working with a member at a wholesale trade counter, we sold a submersible sump pump. Using ChatGPT, we quickly asked, “What accessories should I suggest to a customer buying a submersible sump pump?”

In seconds, we had a well-rounded list:

• Check valves
• Discharge piping and fittings
• Unions and clamps
• High water alarms
• Battery backup systems
• Sump pit covers and basins

This was more than a list—it was a training moment. It helped the counter staff see how to increase ticket size through consultative selling, not pressure. With AI, we can train while we sell.

In the Showroom: Upselling and Customer Experience

AI also shines in the showroom environment. Suppose you just sold a thermostatic valve, a tiled shower system and a frameless glass door. What else can you offer to round out the experience?

We asked ChatGPT. It suggested:

• Handshowers with slide bars
• Steam systems
• Matching accessories (towel bars, robe hooks, paper holders)
• Linear drains
• Shelving or recessed niches
• Water filtration or softening for long-term maintenance

Instead of depending on memory or price books, AI acts as a prompt to encourage suggestive selling, which is often underutilized.

For Your Team: Training and Support

One of the biggest benefits of ChatGPT is how it supports new employees. Imagine you have a Gen Z team member who’s never heard of a towel warmer. You can prompt ChatGPT: “Explain the benefits of a towel warmer to a homeowner, in simple terms.”

Not only does it generate the answer, but it also explains how to position it emotionally: luxury, comfort, wellness and ease of cleaning.

You can even ask it to roleplay sales conversations, write scripts or help staff practice overcoming objections. In essence, it becomes your on-demand sales trainer.

For the Business Owner or Manager

As a leader, your time is stretched. ChatGPT can help you:

• Draft job descriptions or onboarding checklists
• Write internal memos or customer letters
• Analyze resumes and suggest interview questions
• Develop a social media post calendar
• Create content for email marketing

It’s not about replacing people—it’s about freeing them up to do more meaningful, customer-facing work.

Getting Started is Simple

If you’re new to AI, here are a few easy prompts to try:

• “Rewrite this email to sound more professional: [paste email]”
• “List 5 things I should upsell with a freestanding tub.”
• “Summarize this vendor program into three bullet points.”
• “Create an onboarding checklist for a new warehouse associate.”

What makes ChatGPT valuable is that it doesn’t need training to get started. But if you want it to reflect your tone, mission or product mix, you can tell it. Try this:

“You are my marketing assistant for my decorative plumbing showroom. Our brand voice is confident, upscale and informative. Help me write an email about our upcoming spa night event for designers.”

The more context you give it, the better it performs.

A Word of Caution

"AI is not perfect. It can make mistakes, and it doesn’t know your business like you do. Always review what it creates before using it with customers. But don’t let that stop you from exploring."

Looking Ahead

At LPG, we’re continuing to integrate AI into our services, from training tools to rebate management. But the real power lies in your hands. Whether you’re a showroom manager, a salesperson or a counter associate, AI can help you sell smarter, learn faster and lead better.

The future isn’t coming. It’s here. Let’s take advantage of it together.