The Assets and Liabilities of Shopping Online for Window Treatments
I read recently that approximately 5% of American consumers shop online for window blinds and shades. That means that the vast majority of people are either not aware that they can or are nervous about purchasing these kinds of products online.
More and more people are turning to the Internet to shop for all kinds of things, the list is too long to mention. I am wondering why more people have not caught on to the benefits of shopping online for window blinds and shades. As with most things, there?s good news and bad news, including shopping online for window treatments. So, I guess I am wondering if the assets outweigh the liabilities. I will start with the liabilities.
First, when you purchase blinds and shades online it is usually a custom product which means that they are non-returnable, unless they are defective or you received the wrong product. So, if you mess-up and order the wrong size or simply don?t like what you ordered, you are most likely out of luck.
Second - and I think that this is the one of the big problems - choosing the right window blinds and shades from a website is a somewhat nebulous concept. I for one am a very visual person and would have a hard time choosing something that I can?t see and touch. So, the online retailer needs to do a very good job of illustrating the various products they are selling. It had better be darn easy and straightforward. Unfortunately, many of the online retailers do a fairly poor job of selling their products. By that I mean that they have not done all they could to make the shopping experience easy and nearly fool-proof.
Third, if you want to extract maximum savings from shopping for window blinds and shades online, you will need to learn how to measure your own windows. To have someone come out and do it for you is fairly expensive. The good news is that measuring your windows is really easy you need only know the basics to do it properly. There are even short, informative videos floating around on You Tube that will walk you though it.
The fourth issue, similar to measuring your own windows, is having to install them yourself. Again if you want to fully realize the cost saving, you will need to install your newly purchased blinds or shades. It?s the old sweat-equity equation, do it yourself and save money. Installing window blinds and shades is not complicated, but it is work. Don?t be too put off by this because there?s a certain satisfaction in having a hand in improving your own home and many people are willing to do the work to save the dough.
Now for the good news. In my opinion one of the best aspects of purchasing blinds and shades online is the large selection available in one location. Most online retailers carry all or most of the major manufacturers, like Hunter Douglas, Bali, Levolor and so on. And, they carry all the different types of blinds and shades like: mini blinds, cellular shades, verticals, roman shades, bamboo, pleated, roller shades and so on. So, one website gives you a tremendous number of options. And, you don?t have to run all over town shopping at different stores, you can do it from the comfort of your home.
The next positive attribute of shopping online is price. Generally speaking, buying blinds and shades online is cheaper then the large department and home improvement stores. There prices are pretty good but most of the online retailers are a little better.
The last positive attribute to shopping online for window treatments, and one you maybe wouldn?t have thought of, is customer service. If you walk into the Home Depot you may or may not get the help you need. You may even have trouble finding someone at all. I know this has happened to all of us. Many of the online retailers of window blinds and shades have customer service teams who are there to help. They can answer questions, make recommendations and walk you through the various processes. I for one really like this. So, in a sense, you are getting price, selection and service. I know that sound clich? but it is true. They want to sell because they make money when you buy and because this is their business they are generally pretty knowledgeable.
So there you have it, the pros and cons of shopping online for window blinds and window shades, which may not be for everyone. The take-away for me is that if you are willing to do a little of the work yourself, you can save time and money. - David Brooks
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