Thomas Sanderson

hollydays

Sounds more like the salesmen have "sold " you the idea they are great products.

vikingaero

Conservatory blinds are generally marketed in the same manner as good old double glazing. That is, ridiculous figures are pulled out of the air and discounted, to create a bargain, albeit at a high price.

TS do operate at the more premium end of the market and their prices are higher than local companies but I agree that the random pricing structure sucks.

asea

trisontana wrote: »

I can't understand where you say that the quality of their product is great and then it goes wrong after 7 days. What did they give you , a 48 hour guarantee? And then you say they after sales-service seems to be non-existent. :question:

We have TS blinds, they were fitted a year or so ago IIRC. We have been given a free check after a year, so probably due around now & if anything happens in the first 2 years, they will fix it for free.

I let my better half do all the negotiating etc but I will say that the saleswoman was friendly but also a bit pushy. When I told her that we were not going to make any decisions that day and that was that, she completely let it go (although did call rather alot afterwards). We're quite happy with the blinds although the blooming remote controls are a bit tempremental. I think we spent around £6K on our blinds (but it is a massive area that we had the blinds fitted to).

So overall, not a terrible experience. Just my 2ps worth. Oh & I don't work for them, bah humbug to you if you think I do :P

berryman81

I have been reading this post and feel i have to post something.

I used to work for thomas sanderson in the telesales department.

there is no random pricing policy, there is a set one, the sales people can give upto 25% off any prices they wish to, that discount comes off there commission,

The reasons why they can be a bit pushy is becouse they are commision only paid, so if they dont sell they dont get paid so when you see that point of view you can see why, If you do feel like your being pushed too hard jus ask them to leave and ring up there customer service department who will sort that sales person up (chances are they will get a warning, if it happens again they will be sacked)

The prices are higher then everyone else as the blinds are different from what hilays sell, they reflect the heat rather then asorbing them, and all the blinds are hand made not machine made to make sure there off a better qulaity.

If you keep them for 10 years and they start to fad (which they will) thomas sanderson will buy them back and replace them for you

trisontana

As I have said before on this board. I think commission-only wages are a bad thing. This is because they bring out the worst in a lot of people. If it's getting towards the end of the month and they haven't made many sales they will do anything to to close a deal.This includes high-pressure selling., not taking "no" for an answer, and telling downright lies.

Angie46

I've had TS blinds for many years and been satisfied with them. Last year we did a buy back deal with them for the roof blinds and had electric ones fitted. However, although TS make great blinds some installers and customer service are C**p.

I needed to have the blinds removed to have the conservatory roof replaced, you would think that an easy request but NO. First CS said I have to give 2 weeks notice, the installer said he only wants 4 days and at first refused to make an advanced booking, after much arguing he booked it for today. Yesterday he phoned and wanted to do it there and then, but I said it was not convenient, he said he was trying to help me out!!!, I said no tomorrow as arranged he said OK I'll see you in the afternoon, No I said 8am as arranged, he then told me his manager had double booked him and nothing he could do about it. This chap must think I came down in the last shower, because I just so happened to have the managers phone number. I rang the manager and surprise surprise he knew nothing about it and to cut a long story short made the installer turn up at 8am this morning, which he did although he was not happy.

I was told by cs that the blinds would be boxed up for safety and kept at our property, did he want to box them NO, said we don't do that, but after I said if they get damaged on your own head be it, and refused to sign the paperwork until he boxed them up he stormed off muttering I'll be back with a box. Some 7 hours later he returned with a box but only for the blinds not the fixing strips with the cables etc.

Then he was most annoyed that when I signed his paperwork I inserted the word NOT, in the sentence that said I was extremely satisfied with the work.

When the blinds are ready to be re-installed my husband is going to deal with them to see if he has better luck. I detest men that show no respect for the home owner especially if it is a woman. The last two installers I have had certainly have had bad attitude.

Will I use TS again, NO. I do not use companies that employ liars.

ellaclaire

I had a 'designer' out from Thomas Sanderson to quote for shutters. He came up with a price and then reduced it on the condition that I signed the order straight away. I did as the shutters are better quality than Hilarys and delivery time with H's was 10 weeks. With TS's the delivery/installation time was 4-6weeks and I was promised a surveyor would be out within 7 days. I made 4 calls to the HQ over a 3 week period to be told on every occassion that there wasn't a surveyor covering my area but that they would get someone to give me a call. I finally got one last night from the area sales manager informing me that there was a problem with the price quoted and they needed to increase it by £350 was that ok! Obviously it's going to cost them to get a surveyor to come to my area and I either pay for it or I cancel the order. The 'designer' who sold me the blinds has now left so I assume he took his commission with him and the ASM is trying to make some money for herself. Either way it stinks, I placed an order in good faith, it is incredibly bad business practice. I am waiting a call from the ASM's boss ....I wonder how long that will take! If I have to place an order with H's I'm now right back to the start of a 10 week wait are they going to pay compensation? They've also had my deposit money for 3 weeks so do I get it back with interest if I cancel?

milliemonster

I can't believe how many of you have paid thousands for conservatory blinds!, I guess its each to their own but surely they would get a bit dirty after a couple of years and you would want to change them anyway?

Regarding their prices though, its standard practice in all sales to start at a top whack price, you can't blame them after all some people will pay the top price and its all about making maximum profit (as any business is) if they started off at £1500 people would still think that was too expensive so want to knock the price down, people like to think they are getting a bargain

mobyfix

All this "we can only do this price if you sign tonight" rubbish...

Does any of you really believe that if you rang up a few days later and accepted the price they would turn your business away !! Actually a better method is to tell them you are not signing on the night... get a cheaper quote the next night fro a cheap company and then ring the "quality" company back and ask if they want to match it...

It worked for us with Anglian windows and we had thousands off the original quote..

regards

dafranmo

I've read the postings with interest. As is so often the case, there is a mixture of truth, misconception and luck - both good and bad!
Looking at quality first: the TS brand does represent a step up from most of what is available on the market. I go into people's houses where there have been pleated conservatory blinds installed for ten or more years; they still look and perform to a very high standard and the householders are still very happy they bought them. Our awnings have cast metal components as opposed to pressed mild steel - the difference is additional years of use. Most of our shutters are made in the UK (the rest in Spain); nearly all other suppliers (whatever they tell you) sell shutters that are made in the same Chinese factory and are of poor quality. All our products carry a five year warranty - compared to most suppliers three for shutters and one for other products.
Sales practices: in any company you will get a mix of attitude and ability. I was astonished to read of swearing and sexual references; not only is it offensive, but also counter productive. I ask people what they want from window dressings (privacy, shade, appearance etc.) and then recommend products to help achieve that. Obviously we do try and get people to make a decision, we are there to sell our product not to make small talk. I tell people we cost more than other companies, but explain why that is so. During the life of a TS product, you may go through two or even three generations of competitive products - yes, we cost more, but we represent better value.
Discounting: it's easy to publish a 60 page price list once a year and control short term promotions, stocking positions etc. via variable discounts. A short term price change can be notified to the sales force by text and email as, say, 20% off venetian blinds. Better than a reprint.
Lets be frank, TS products are aimed at people who appreciate quality and can afford it. Not everyone can; I shake their hand, wish them luck and give whatever advice I can.
Two final points. Fitting: "we bought the blinds off him, then he came back to fit them". That can be followed by "I pulled the cord, and it all fell on the floor". I'm a salesman, I'm actually good at DIY, but would never fit blinds, shutters etc. in people's houses! That is a skilled job, we use dedicated fitters. Don't spend a lot of money on the product and then submit to a botched fitting job. Second point - looking at other suppliers first: I love it! When people have seen what else is on the market and then see my product I'm more than halfway there!
If anyone has any questions, try [EMAIL="dafranmo@homecall.co.uk"]dafranmo@homecall.co.uk[/EMAIL] and I'll answer them if I can.