New Roman Blind Range

[BlindWizard]

Received launch information Monday.

Looks good to me having 3 options, keeping current one plus a cheaper and (i presume) more expensive one. This is more the way to develop Hillarys brand name instead of going for the cheap (4 for £99) market where we don't belong.

I sell a lot of Romans, great to fit ( yesterday did conservatory and some of house - £2,400 and home for lunch). Look forward to selling the new range - being able to go cheaper when required but also being able to offer more luxury ( and more commission) ones for our discerning customers.

There's a lot of criticism around at the moment so thought would give credit where credit is due - Well done Hillarys, this is more like it - We have a good brand, many happy customers (well done advisors) who recommend us SO lets fight our competitors on quality and service not by coming down to their level by offering cheap blinds that don't impress customers, give us a bad name and don't produce profit for Hillarys or Advisors.

Whilst talking about Romans, interested to hear (and for head office to see) comments on the following:-

1. Blackout Romans - Often asked for these and customers disappointed when show them the plain twilight offering and decide to buy heavy curtains instead. Do you find this ?? Would it be possible to offer an option of a blackout lining on all fabrics
2. Packaging - The way they a packed they get squashed and creased. How about putting a sheet of cardboard in to keep them flat or any other option so when you put them up they don't look as they need a good iron (and if anyone says they do iron 'em i don't believe you ;D)

regards BW

[keenasmustard]

something positive at last,you are right on all your points but I think Hillarys should think more of the advisors as partners instead of someone to bully and dictate too,at the end of the day we are in this together, so its got to work! If they carry on all they will do is alianate everyone who work with us.when I joined over 10 years ago i was so impressed by the teamwork ethic,but this as going rapidly.

[Augustus]

Nice post BW, not it's nice to hae something positive to talk about !

I'm with you on the BO lining, why can't they do it ?

Not only do you get a karma point for you post but I'm also going to email the board so everyone can see the info on the new range.

Once again communitcation has let us down as I've not had any info on this from Hillarys.

Thanks God for the forum !!!!

[JoY]

Romans...... I'm always getting asked for blackout linings, and then get a negative response from the blackout fabrics we have to offer. (Anyone ever sold one?)

Romans need blackout linings especially in bedrooms ( I know from personal experience - I put a blackout roller behind my own)

Definetely need to be able to offer a blackout lining on all Romans, evn if it costs a little more....

[Augustus]

Why can't we package then in a box with the headrail retained ?

P.

[uptonparker]

DEfinitely need black out romans,surely all romans could be manufactured as black out by just changing the lining.Lost quite a number of orders through not being able to offer blackout.Nice to read some more upbeat posts.

[scotton]

Hillarys machines can't handle the thickness of the blackout lining so I have been told :

[phugly]

Have just recieved the info on the new romans. Have to agree that its good to have the extra options, can only be good for sales calls, but would it be too much to ask if these new options will be available on the next SAM update?
With reference to the current BO blinds in the range, I have sold a couple, but they're more of a dim-out blind than a Black-out

[Augustus]

We will be getting another update on SAM over the next few days and it will include the new romans plus a more bug fixes etc.

I'll do a post about it to the board later once I've gone over all the info so members here can jump the Q !!!


P.

[Augustus]

Why don't we have lables for the back of the samples with a small tech icons.

ie what kind of roman they can be, max size etc.

[JoY]

While on the Roman subject..... should we have the new Roman range on SAM? Mine is still just Standard and Deluxe.

[Augustus]

Mine too, will see what IT says

P.

[Augustus]

The fabrics are on, but the new tpyes will be on the next update ( approx end of Oct )


P.

[BlindWizard]

Had a text message today from hillarys I presume:-

"To avoid pricing errors, please do not order new Roman fabrics on SAM (Astonfield, Flax, Pemberton, Richmond,SSplash). These will be added in the Nov release."

Really should have an update sooner if pricing mistakes can be made

[phugly]

I had the same text, as , I assume, all SAM advisors did. Will this be the new method of passing on info?