We see it happen all of the time. The customer has built or bought a home and they have beautiful specialty shaped windows . These typically are ones that sit above the main square windows.
I have a friend who has a second home in Insbrook Missouri. He has an A frame place which is very typical for the places in Insbrook. During the hot days of summer, he was “cooking” inside his place and literally could not stand to be there. The air conditioning could not cool off the place because it was basically a home with windows throughout. (more…)
Ahhhhhhhhhh..the good old vertical blind.
My experience is that customers either love them or hate them. In the 80’s and particularly the 90’s, vertical blinds were going up in homes all over Missouri and Illinois. They were used throughout the house – sliding glass doors, patio doors from the kitchen and walk out basements. We were installing these in bedrooms and all over the house.
Here in 2011, do they still sell? The answer is yes, but the styles have changed. Do they sell like hot cakes as in the 80’s and 90’s? No! (more…)
I was recently speaking to the owner of another St. Louis Company, Forshaws Furniture, who has been in business even longer than us at Sunshine. Joe Forshaw who is a very nice and down to earth man was telling me about his business and said something that reminded me of why I am in the business of selling custom window coverings. He was telling me that in his business with patio furniture, he often hears of customers who paid less and went to a big box store to buy their furniture. A year or two later, those same customers come back and end up buying from him.
Why? Well, the old saying of “You get what you pay for” really is true. The less expensive furniture did not hold up and ultimately the customers realized that his furniture would last longer.
In the custom drapery, blind, shade and shutter business, this is also true – especially for draperies. I must admit that the “packaged” draperies have come a long way in terms of the fabrics. But, this is where it all ends – there really is no comparison. (more…)
The Sunshine Difference
Today, my installation/service manager Myron Parker came to me with a “situation” Turns out that a customer called and had purchased some motorized shades from a “competitor” a few years back. The customer was frustrated because for all of their money, the product was not working. They asked us if we would reprogram the shades and we sent one of our installers out for a small fee. It turned out that much more was needed and we found out the company they bought the product from had “washed their hands” and wouldn’t help. The other company had been in financial trouble and it all added up. I am not here to “rip” on any competitor. Competition is good and I admire competitors. You as a consumer have choices and if you are looking for product based upon only price, then you might find yourself in a similar situation.
There’s nothing worse than trying to watch TV with the sunshine blasting in. TV glare makes you want to pull your hair out! Luckily, we’ve got some help for you:
But first – a question: What kind of exposure do you have? Is it south, north, east or west? How long and what part of the day is it effecting you?
A few years ago, my Uncle Rich and Aunt Carol became empty nesters and downsized to a beautiful condo in Grover Missouri. They being great relatives called and asked Sunshine Drapery to do their window coverings. Their downstairs area was awesome. They had a spare bedroom and bathroom and it also had a wet bar and “lounging area”.
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