Saturday 9 May 2009

Why on earth do double glazing companies in Bucks use high pressure selling tactics?

Having been in the double glazing industry just over 14 months, I am amazed by the number of complaints my firm gets from potential customers about the pressure selling tactics used by some of the national brand names. So aggressive seems their approach, that it appears to drive custom to the firm I work for which has built up a reputation in the region for letting customers make up their own mind in their own time.

In a funny sort of way double glazing companies who use "hard selling" tactics are doing companies like mine (Hazlemere Windows, Doors & Conservatories) a real favour, as all they are doing is highlighting the benefits of dealing with us, a family owned, independent manufacturer, established back in 1985, with a large 4,000 square foot home improvements showroom in High Wycombe that is open 7 days a week, offering free expert help & advice on a no obligation basis.

Furthermore, Hazlemere Windows offer on the spot no obligation free estimates at their Showroom in Wellington Road on Cressex Business Park to anyone who brings their own sizes, along with hand drawn sketches of each window and door showing any opening vents and which way they would like them to open. I am proud of the fact that Hazlemere Windows employ experienced industry experts who are on hand to offer free help and advice about all the different types of double glazing products available in the marketplace, whether or not clients then end up buying from the Hazlemere Group. Hazlemere Windows consultants take turns to man the Showroom, which is open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm, Saturday 10am - 4pm and Sunday 10am - 1pm. They are more than happy to let you browse at your leisure or, should you require it, run through the pros and cons of today's modern energy efficient materials, such as aluminium, composite and UPVC along with the many different PVCu and aluminium double glazed windows, doors and conservatories on display within the showroom.

If, having been to the showroom and actually seen a product that you know you will get (if of course you decide to buy replacement double glazed windows and doors), Hazlemere's experts are prepared to offer a free site survey and consultation. From this, if required by the client, they will provide a no obligation written quotation that they will leave with a client for them to consider on their own in their own timescales.

Despite having worked for Hazlemere Windows in High Wycombe for just over a year, the company's non threatening softly softly respectful approach definitely pays dividends, as clients tell us all the time what a pleasant contrast it is to the hard sell approach they had unfortunately experienced from representatives of other double glazing companies. I know personally I can not stand pressure selling, and will personally not buy on principle from any person or firm that puts me under undue pressure.

The simple way to find out if what I am saying is true or a marketing gimmick is to come along when it suits you to Hazlemere Windows home improvement showroom, enjoy one of our complimentary speciality coffee's, whilst having a leisurely look round at the wide selection of home improvement ideas and options on display. For a no obligation "on the spot" free estimate to help you budget and plan simply "Bring Your Own Sizes" be they for replacement windows, replacement doors, a new garage door, blinds or a conservatory. Infact if you want to you can download Hazlemere Windows Quick Window Estimator.

As you will discover when you pop along at your convenience the great thing about Hazlemere Windows home improvement consultants is that they will only spend time helping and assisting you should you wish it.

So, if you want to invite a high pressured double glazing salesmen into your home, don't bother contacting Hazlemere Windows, as we will be unwilling to oblige!

Monday 4 May 2009

It is more blessed to give than to receive

I recently came across a very interesting article on the Telegraph website by George Pitcher entitled "Who cares if Robbie Williams is worse off", referring to the Sunday Times Rich List 2009 and seemed to suggest that our attitudes are changing (for the better) towards people who have got more money than they will ever need in their lifetime. The views expressed in the article seemed to reflect an almost Christian perspective on the credit crunch and how we should be viewing our fellow man, plus Mr Pitcher's article also suggested that "Giving it away could be the new making it."

"It's more that the richer you get, the more you worry about money. There is a worry about losing money that can be as preoccupying as worrying about not having any." says the article's author George Pitcher, who suggests that "while we greet the news that Robbie Williams is £25 million "worse off" with some satisfaction that this bumptious singing waiter has been separated from so much unwarranted dosh, our glee is short-lived. We go "Yeah right, like he's going to care" when we clock that he's getting by on £80 million. Actually, the rich care very much when they lose money. This isn't the rather silly idea that they care about their public status: in my experience, the wealthy would rather stay out of the Rich List and out of sight of the Inland Revenue, burglars and kidnappers."

The bible suggests that "Godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6v6) and that "it is more blessed to give than to receive." (Acts 20v35). This is not something that modern society has really encouraged, it has been more look after number one and lots of dosh will bring happiness, but does it? My dear old mum when she was alive taught me that whilst wealth can bring comfort, it can not bring happiness, in fact, some of the wealthiest people are the unhappiest in the world, as the very thing that they thought would make them happy can not. Simply look at the ruined lives of many of past lottery winners! As Jesus said in Mark 10v25 "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God"

I was well impressed with George Pitchers article as he asks some interesting questions about our attitudes to both the rich and society, and observes "there can be little doubt that during the boom years there was some desire, born of prurience and envy, for us to press our noses up against the securitised double-glazing of the very wealthy. In those years, making money seemed natural. And making lots of money seemed healthy; it showed that we were at one with the nature of the markets and its fruits. And the Rich List suggested to us that we could all make it. Frankly, so long as Victoria Beckham is one half of a partnership worth £125 million (426th equal) there's hope for us all. The list was aspirational. Now it just looks pointless, vacuous and a little vulgar. Money no longer defines us. To be rich is no longer what it is to be human. We are re-defining what we admire."

In life we tend to find out who are true friends are during the most difficult and trying times, plus the depth of our own characters and what we believe. There is nothing wrong with money itself, however it is whether or not you let it become more important than family and friends etc. The Bible makes it clear that "the love of money is the root of all evil" (1 Timothy 6v10 King James Version), money is not evil, loving it is! Could this be the root cause of the Worldwide banking collapses and subsequent credit crisis? You decide.