SHUTTERS

[russell]

im up on the shutters course on the 22 to 23 may in notts along with des gvm anyone else going

also those of you that have already been is it worth being shutters trained

[glen]

I completed the shutters course 3 months ago, had only about 5 appointments 3 quotes, 1 sale £2300 (6 shutters) and 1 no quote

Will be fitting job I sold on wednesday next week and need to take my mate with me because apparently the box's are to heavy for one man SO it is going to cost me more money in labour for my mate.

I think they are selling better down south, but for me up here it is a crock of sh*t people like them but up here they are a bit more sensible with there money may be

Anyway spoke with our temp FSM down Nottingham and I will not do any more shutter leads I want my license withdrawn and they have agreed I also am not doing conservatory roofs anymore either but hey thats another story. Back to the basics for me less hassle. ;D

Glen

[russell]

thanks glen i thought that they would be a bit pricey i hope its worth the £300 petrol ferry hotel costs not to mention two days lost work in the past hillarys paid us to attend courses to sell their blinds

[hereticus]

Russell - definitely not worth it yet, but hopefully in time.

The product is top rate and the course is excellent (as any course taken by Steve McGrath always is) but some of it is quite mind boggling in theory and only starts to make sense when you get down to the fitting room on the second day.

The price is actually not unreasonable - only people with loads-a-money are going to want shutters anyway so price won't usually be the problem - and in commission terms it needs to that price to justify the time that each job will take to measure and fit, we're talking precision here, not quick in and out.

I was handed two leads at the end of the course, both more than an hours drive away, and did a very thorough and precise measuing job while it was still fresh in the mind. Neither converted to an order, and I haven't had a whisper of a lead since.

I'm sure that the market for shutters will mature, and I want to be ready to take advantage when it does, but for me at least it ain't happening yet. I would guess at eighteen months before it really begins to take off but I'm hoping for occassional leads simply so that I don't forget the training.

[glen]

Please do not be disheartened by my comments, I personally think that up here (north-east) it is for the select few and a conversion rate of say 2 out ten is about right, which considering the amount of time between each appointment you do you forget what you are taught, the training was excellent by the way no complaints there ;D BUT for me to get it wrong when measuring etc. and 6-8 weeks later when fitting find out I have cocked it up is to big a risk especially when they would not tell me how much I would be fined if I got it wrong + you will need two fitters, I personally think it should be set-up as a two man operation with a higher commission rate then I would do them. nuff said. had a few drinks now so thats it from me, does it make sense what I have said ha-ha ;D ;D ;D ;D

Not for me, but as I said I think down south they are selling like hotcakes apparently

Glen

[samsnake]

Have now been on 3 shutter fits and have to agree with GLEN.
It really is a 2-man job. Trying to hold a full-height frame, and spirit level while drilling with your third hand is difficult.
Having said that, the quality is good and they do look good.
Commission is a problem, though, really needs to be doubled to make it attractive.
It is also difficult trying to coordinate either another agent or outside fitter and the customer.
Then if they are not delivered on time (1/3) or the customer defers the fit at the last minute (1/3) you have to coordinate all people again as well as paying your fitter for their wasted day. At current commission levels you could find yourself out of pocket pretty quickly if you are unlucky. Time will tell.

[desmorse]

hereticus said:

The product is top rate and the course is excellent (as any course taken by Steve McGrath always is) ........

Oh Sh1t, we've got David Kent!!!!!!!!!!!!!!







Only joking Dave, Mark, Phil & myself will be in the Best Western, Mansfield Road Sunday evening if you fancy a beer

[desmorse]

Any one else doing the course 22/05?
Or is it just us 4 from Hants & IOW

[dolly]

4 in 1 county. Blimey there is only 1for my county and its the 3rd biggest..............(county)

------------------------------------------

Worse than that, 2 of live us within 15 miles of each other, a third within another 15 miles The 4th is on the Isle of Wight - and none of the rest of us would be seen dead there

Previous FSM wouldn't let any of us do the course - new one obviously views things differently

GVM

[hereticus]

Just taken my first Shutter order this morning - nice gentle start, one average window and one small window, total value £ 530.00, and fitting within the arhitrave on Victorian sash windows - so I can get to know this product gradually. Also, I have known the customer for years so she will be tolerant if the fit takes a little longer while I find the confidence. Perfect scenario really.

[RED]

Some advice needed
A customer wants to order two large sets of shutters. They need to go on to a top rail and fitted externally around the window.
My question is this.
If they are fitted on to a top rail does this mean they will not fold back against the wall and will stick out into the room by the width of the bi folded doors.
Its one month since I did the course and can not remember.

Red

[hereticus]

Red....as far as I can remember you have got it right on this but I'm not completely sure either. Can only suggest that you call Mark Lucas or Steve McGrath, but that means waiting until tomorrow.

[desmorse]

The shutters open to almost 90 deg. but not quite, and the full width of the shutter does indeed protrude in to the room

Hope that helps, I've just done the course, and I got the top track example to fit

[RED]

Thanks GVM and Hereticus.
I dont think the customer will have them now as she wants them to fold back against the wall. Both windows are around 180 wide by 200 drop so it needs the top rail. She also wants a bay window so quite a nice order but as I say, dont think she will want the doors protruding in to the living room

Red

[desmorse]

Of course, it depends on how deep the recess is, and how far in you fit the top track, but it would have to be a very deep recess to take most, if not all, of the shutter width. Even if you went 3 shutters each side, your looking at around 300mm width