There have been many changes in our industry over the recent years, with several larger companies spending a lot of their profit advertising their discounts. Black Friday, up to 50% off, free upgrades - it’s all there.
How can a small independent business compete?
Well, here’s the secret - we often can. What we can’t do is take out a TV ad to tell you.
We also offer the personal service, that larger companies cannot.
Our industry talks to each other a lot. Both Neil & I are on several forums between them that offer/ ask for advice on products, projects, problems people have never come across before. It’s a great way of keeping in touch with your peers and encouraging new people to join the industry with support and advice.
Big company discounts - not all they seem...
The issue of larger corporations often raises it’s head, but this time feels a little different. There’s lots of chat about how customers are being “lead astray” with promises of big discounts that aren’t as big as they seem.
A very recent example is this comment from a lovely curtain maker in one of the forums:
“I costed out a Roman blind the other week. Exactly the same size and fabric but my price was interlined and hand sewn. The online company's was lined only and all machine stitched. They were £121 more expensive than me! People are now paying a higher price for worse quality and they don’t even realise it.”
We're often the same price or slightly lower
Another example is in our showroom: I have recently been asked quite a lot if we price match. On paper we don’t - we are very happy that our pricing structure is sensible and fair, and we always give the best price we can up front. We always ask the customer if they will allow us to provide an estimate, without any knowledge of the national company quote.
In many cases, when it’s like-for-like, we are the same price or slightly lower. Without a Black Friday offer, without a 50% discount. Not always, but more often than you would think
But it’s more than that…
We are here. You speak to us, we install it. If there is a problem (thankfully rare), you know where we are. We push to keep you informed throughout the process. We are not a call-centre and an email address.
Are larger companies bad? No.
Most of the big names offer good products, and cover whole swathes of the country.
Some of them are well established and have been for years. There is room for everyone.
But are they cheaper than a local business?
Not always.
Is price the only thing to consider?
That’s a decision based on your circumstances. Do your research and hopefully you will "shop local" - we will help you as much as we can.