Window Blinds – How Do You Choose a Stockist?

With a plethora of blind companies and retailers now stocking window blinds as part of their home ware ranges, it's very difficult to know what separates them or how to choose who to buy from.

As with most things, you get what you pay for. There are window blinds available to suit all pockets, but the more you spend the more likely you are to get a quality product and service. The stockists who specialise in the cheaper end of the blind market may not offer the amount of advice or service that you will find from a specialist who provides a quality product, as the price will often reflect the amount of effort a retailer will make to gain your order.

However even the same product can vary in price, and as times get harder it’s worth shopping around and looking on line for offers, sales or on line discounts. Many companies offer sales at specific times of the year such as New Year, with promotions on new or individual products during the course of the year. With a range of stockists out there, there are always deals to be found online and many companies who offer blinds this way are able to do so more cheaply than traditional high street retailers due to lower overheads.

One of the biggest deciding factors will of course be whether the material or style of the blind the stockist offers actually suits your room. You may fall in love with a particular product that can only be bought from one company, but remember some manufacturers will make window blinds from fabric you provide if you specifically want to match your furnishings. Larger retailers tend to stock well known brands, as it’s their reputation on the line if the product is poor quality.

Experience does count, and the person providing you with advice should have knowledge and experience of their products. Many retailers who stock a range of home products will expect you to know what you want and it’s down to self-selection. Using a company who specialises in blinds or window dressings means that you are more likely to be given good advice, and they will be able to explain the differences between their products or the merits of the range they stock. If you are paying for a window blind to be fitted make sure the person doing the fitting is experienced, however, most blinds are simple to install so it might be worth considering doing it yourself and saving the fitting fee.

Big isn’t always best, as some of the very large blind retailers may not offer the personal service or after sales care that you might need. It is worth looking at any reviews, customer comments or testimonials to find out what a company is like, as well as reviews of their products. Some of the smaller independent blind companies specialise in a particular make or brand, may know it well, have a long and close relationship with their supplier, and may also take more personal care over your order.

Consider your own needs, what do you want from this window blind and where will it go, and what do you want from your stockist. Make sure the stockist you select actually sells blinds that meet the right criteria, for example, a cheap material blind will not survive long in a bathroom or kitchen, so a specialist company who offer a product designed for these rooms will be able to offer better advice and more suitable products. Although the initial outlay might be higher, the products are more likely to be durable and withstand the day to day wear and tear for longer. It’s also worth asking about delivery and after sales care such as guarantee periods, as specialists who offer quality blinds may be able to arrange pick up’s for broken blinds and replacement parts. If you just want cheap and cheerful to do your home up while saving then a ready made off the shelf blind or an on-line deal may be perfect for you.

Finally, whoever you choose to buy from in these difficult times, its worth selecting a retailer or quality brand that is likely to be around through the recession. This means that if there are any issues with your window blinds you will still be able to return it or get replacements should you need them.