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Post by thelloydgang on Mar 2, 2007 10:54:08 GMT 1
I have had the 3 4 99 in my area and must admit it is a pain and an awful offer and has really lowered the customers price expectation before we've stepped in the door. To be honest with you the majority of customer's expected the offer to be on bad fabrics..........I think I only sold it once or twice. Most customers bought better fabrics and the customers who I wouldn't normally dream of selling to anyway, had a moan, some became quite aggressive also and didn't buy at all. If those areas came up in my diary again I refused to go to them. We all get customers from nice areas who don't buy from us either so it works both ways. My sales didn't really suffer that much, I just had to put up with a few grotty customers which did make it stressful for me and Alan wanted to go round and bop a few noses!!!! We're lucky not to have this offer in our area now........a few months ago an advert did appear in a free paper but I just refused to sell this. I still constantly get customers asking for the 3 for 99..........some won't buy because their friends/neighbours bought blinds in this offer but the majority do. Like you say, we've all got the choice, we're self employed........where else would you find a job so flexible that does normally pay such a good hourly rate? Don't get me wrong, I've had my issues with Hillarys, and some are still ongoing. If you go about it the right way, contact head office direct, they normally can be resolved. We have tried different jobs but always seem to find our way back to Hillarys! Just complaining on this site won't make a jot of difference! That was what i meant by Yawn!!!  K ;D |
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Post by thelloydgang on Mar 2, 2007 10:58:05 GMT 1
Also Owl, just a thought..............what benefit would it be to Hillarys or any new buyer to reduce our business to a shadow of what we're used to? If they did that to all advisors, Hillarys wouldn't make any money either. Why buy a sucessful business then run it into the ground..............just doesn't make sense to me! K |
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Post by owl on Mar 2, 2007 13:21:20 GMT 1
Also Owl, just a thought..............what benefit would it be to Hillarys or any new buyer to reduce our business to a shadow of what we're used to? If they did that to all advisors, Hillarys wouldn't make any money either. Why buy a sucessful business then run it into the ground..............just doesn't make sense to me! K Hi Karen I totally agree with you. But that is what has happened, just from reading some of the posts on here tells us so. We can all see the damage the offer does ie price programs customers, so why cant the suits. If the new crew carry on in the same way  we're all doomed I tell ye, doomed. ;D I will try to stay optimistic |
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Post by thelloydgang on Mar 2, 2007 17:13:23 GMT 1
Hi Owl You must admit also, that only a tiny percentage of UK wide advisors post on this site so reduced business is not the case for all advisors. Many Advisors are doing well who are both full time and part time and I strongly believe you can't just blame it on 3 4 99. There are many other factors to take into account. I agree that a minority of advisors have been affected by the 3 4 99 offers but many others have not embraced the change to the way Hillarys works over the past few years and this may be one of the causes also. It's a well known fact that us humans are set in our ways and really don't take to change very well. I'm just the same but I will give something a good go and if it doesn't work go back to my old way of working. We had an advisor in our area who started of really well, but just ended up taking the mickey, giving Hillarys a bad name by not turning up to appts and not having the decency to phone the cusomter either and generally giving shoddy workmanship. Both myself and Alan had worked hard over the past 7 years to build up a good business to have it's reputation ruined by this yee ha! I believe his availaibility and post code areas were reduced gradually by H/o and I now believe he has finally left. If he hasn't left, you know who you are if you're reading this, so pull your socks up please or get out!! Keep optomistic!!!  Karen ;D |
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Post by ascreaton on Mar 2, 2007 22:26:34 GMT 1
Hi Karen
I agree with what you are saying I have found Hillary's have always delivered on what they have promised, I think the wood venetian FIASCO LAST YEAR was the worst time I have had with Hillary's I am surprised they have recovered from it, but generally you can achieve a good stanard of living doing something you enjoy, without the head aches of true self employment, VAT returns Sourcing customers all overheads that eat into your earnings, the 3 4 99 offer was a bad move in my opimion as it dowmgraded the publics image of the company imagine if John Lewis did the same thing, Hillary's have the same reputation and people trust in the name John Lewis have gone forward without cheapening thier image,just selling quality products at a high price,Hillary's should do the same and work on the foundations of good quality and price not cheapen the image and destroy the name
ade
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Post by RED on Mar 3, 2007 0:57:06 GMT 1
Hi Karen I agree with what you are saying I have found Hillary's have always delivered on what they have promised, I think the wood venetian FIASCO LAST YEAR was the worst time I have had with Hillary's I am surprised they have recovered from it, but generally you can achieve a good stanard of living doing something you enjoy, without the head aches of true self employment, VAT returns Sourcing customers all overheads that eat into your earnings, the 3 4 99 offer was a bad move in my opimion as it dowmgraded the publics image of the company imagine if John Lewis did the same thing, Hillary's have the same reputation and people trust in the name John Lewis have gone forward without cheapening thier image,just selling quality products at a high price,Hillary's should do the same and work on the foundations of good quality and price not cheapen the image and destroy the name ade John Lewis went into receivership last week. |
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Post by BlindWizard on Mar 3, 2007 1:26:36 GMT 1
John Lewis went into receivership last week. Don't think it did. The company is held in trust on behalf of its employees (called partners) who have a say in the running of the business and receive an annual profit distribution which is usually a significant addition to their annual salary. |
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blindmansam
Full Member
P/T advisor (over 5 years)
Posts: 225
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Post by blindmansam on Mar 3, 2007 1:37:26 GMT 1
The company is held in trust on behalf of its employees (called partners) who have a say in the running of the business and receive an annual profit distribution which is usually a significant addition to their annual salary. Great idea - As a way for the NEW Hillarys to work ! Hillarys way 2007 LOL |
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Post by owl on Mar 3, 2007 2:07:28 GMT 1
Hi Karen I agree with what you are saying I have found Hillary's have always delivered on what they have promised, I think the wood venetian FIASCO LAST YEAR was the worst time I have had with Hillary's I am surprised they have recovered from it, but generally you can achieve a good stanard of living doing something you enjoy, without the head aches of true self employment, VAT returns Sourcing customers all overheads that eat into your earnings, the 3 4 99 offer was a bad move in my opimion as it dowmgraded the publics image of the company imagine if John Lewis did the same thing, Hillary's have the same reputation and people trust in the name John Lewis have gone forward without cheapening thier image,just selling quality products at a high price,Hillary's should do the same and work on the foundations of good quality and price not cheapen the image and destroy the name ade Here here. I Know I keep going on about the same subject, but the fact still remains, its killing the business. But EVERY week an A4 leaflet with 3 for £99 blazened all over it drops on every doormat. Every time it states "offer ends" date,then continues like it never ended,!!!! just like a furniture sale I know of that ends Sunday!! If this continues, I will be applying for marketing Directors job at Hillarys. WHAT A DODDLE ! |
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Post by RED on Mar 3, 2007 8:30:41 GMT 1
John Lewis went into receivership last week. Don't think it did. The company is held in trust on behalf of its employees (called partners) who have a say in the running of the business and receive an annual profit distribution which is usually a significant addition to their annual salary. Is this the same company as John lewis or a different one altogether?. Lewis's bosses call in receivers The store in Liverpool is continuing to trade The owners of Liverpool department store Lewis's have called in receivers following "cashflow difficulties". Owen Owen Ltd has appointed the firm Kroll to handle the store's affairs. Kroll said Lewis's would continue trading as a going concern, but it could not give any information about whether jobs would be affected. Sir Paul McCartney once worked as a temp at the store which is famous for a naked statue by Sir Jacob Epstein above the entrance. David Thompson, chief executive officer of Owen Owen Ltd, said: "Despite today's announcement, I would like to reassure customers that it is business as usual for the stores." According to Kroll, the company experienced "challenging retail conditions over a sustained period". 'Concerned workers' Philip Duffy, of Kroll, added: "We are continuing to trade the business as a going concern while we evaluate options. "These department stores are strong local brands and we are therefore hopeful of securing the future of the businesses. "We fully appreciate that this is a concerning time for employees as well as local consumers, and we will keep all stakeholders as fully appraised as possible." Paul Croft from the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (USDAW) said: "At this stage there are no job losses - we have spoken to the company who have told us that the store will continue to trade. "The staff have been briefed and will come in to work as usual. "If the people of Liverpool want this iconic building to be preserved, they need to come in and shop there so that the administrators can sell it as a profitable venture." Owen Owen Ltd also operates department stores Esslemont & MacIntosh in Aberdeen, Robbs in Hexham and Joplings in Sunderland. |
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Post by BlindWizard on Mar 3, 2007 10:38:44 GMT 1
Ah Red nope not same company, I thought you were talking about the large John Lewis Group:- All 65,000 permanent staff are Partners who own 26 John Lewis department stores, 183 Waitrose supermarkets, an online and catalogue business, John Lewis Direct (johnlewis.com), a direct services company – Greenbee, three production units and a farm with a turnover of nearly £6 billion last year. Partners share in the benefits and profits of a business that puts them first. www.johnlewispartnership.co.ukThey've been around years, since I was a kid and that is years ago !! |
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Post by kakalanka on Mar 3, 2007 18:10:38 GMT 1
Ah Red nope not same company, I thought you were talking about the large John Lewis Group:- All 65,000 permanent staff are Partners who own 26 John Lewis department stores, 183 Waitrose supermarkets, an online and catalogue business, John Lewis Direct (johnlewis.com), a direct services company – Greenbee, three production units and a farm with a turnover of nearly £6 billion last year. Partners share in the benefits and profits of a business that puts them first. www.johnlewispartnership.co.ukThey've been around years, since I was a kid and that is years ago !! I can confirm this John Lewis |
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Post by lukan61 on Mar 3, 2007 19:18:32 GMT 1
It used to be called Cole Bros in Sheffield
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reginald
Junior Member
agent 27 years
Posts: 70
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Post by reginald on Mar 3, 2007 20:12:27 GMT 1
Karen you say that 3 4 99 caused you some problems!! try having 3 4 99 advertised every week in your area for the past TWO YEARS, then you will see what problems it causes. The company has been cheapened in this area so much so that we are now down at the level of market traders. I have worked for Hillarys continuously for the last 28 years and I can remember when we were the marks and sparks of the blind world, now we are the poundshop. It becomes very difficult to motivate yourself and almost immpossible to "sell up" when peoples expectations are at the 3 4 99 level. You also tell me that you have a good relationship with your FSM that is wonderful. I am on my 4th FSM in 6 months and this one has spoken to me once even though we were told that we would get a phone call each week. I truly am pleased that your business is doing really well,but I must confess I am bloody jealous and wish that this area would stop the 3 4 offer and let me sell something decent for a change. Any way moan over and off to the pub
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Post by RED on Mar 3, 2007 21:11:57 GMT 1
We had a meeting around a month ago and our FSM asked us what is causing us the most problems. All of us to a man said the 3 for 99. She offered to drop this offer and see how it goes. True to her word no adds went in this week with 3 for 99 offers, no leaflets either.
Now, my diary has been full up till now, but full of 3 for 99 ers which never buy anyway because they want the best quality for the cheapest price.
My diary for Monday has only got 3 leads in compared to around 9 since Xmas. Am I complaining. No way.
Now I will be able to concentrate on genuine customers that want quality and will be able to give them time. I wont be half as frustrated with all the useless driving around, my petrol bill will plummet from around 60 quid a week from all the wasted driving, but I am now wondering if the sustained 3 for 99 offer over the last 2 years has damaged our reputation beyond repair.
As said in an earlier post, we have, in certain areas, become the pound land company for blinds.
This is not true for the whole country of course, but is for a great many of us that live in deprived areas.
My own area consists of around a 50/50 split of the haves and the have nots. The 3 for 99 offer has attracted more and more of the have nots whilst alienating the haves that now consider us as a cheap company like all the other cheap companies.
We are at war, but not with Hillary's. We are at war with Hillary's against all the cheap nasty cowboy companies that are dealing in blinds at ridiculously low prices. These people will be unlikely to have insurance, very unlikely to follow up guarantees and are totally unprofessional about what they do. No matter, people still buy from them because they are cheap. One I know of round here goes in with blinds in a Tesco carry bag, but people still buy off them.
Let those customers go to the cowboys. Lets look after the real customers that are loyal and come back to us because we do a good, professional job.
Red
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we're all doomed I tell ye, doomed. ;D
