Thank you for the recommendation to Albert's. Best is good.

Posted by: naratamaa at May 9, 2009 9:32 PM in response to Stained Glass

Considerable effort to turn on a dime. You wrote: "I agree no one should be pressured to buy. If a customer is not comfortable with their choice I often suggest that they wait and have me come back in a week to discuss it again. However, even in those cases, when they are eligible for the immediate-purchase price I offer it to them because I also believe it is important to offer consistent discounts. Likewise, I think that the DCA requires that I offer it if it is available."

First: "If a customer is not comfortable with their choice." Well, the correct term is potential customer, or shopper. Having not yet bought from you, I was not your customer. Any shopper who has not yet bought from you is not your customer. "Choice" is also not correct. The word "consideration" might be. "Selection" might be correct. And based on your performance in my home, and the reality of consumer rights, "I suggest that they wait and have me come back in a week" is ridiculous. Here we were, not ready to buy, telling you we wanted to shop. And would call you if we wanted to buy from you or discuss anything with you. But being pressured by you to buy on the spot to receive a one time only discount. And, because you responded to my post here we are discussing theoretical similar cases where people are not ready to buy but want to do more research or shopping and you have the gall to say that if a shopper is not comfortable with their choice you suggest that they wait and you come back in a week?

We were telling you that we wanted to shop and consider other products. You tried to pressure myself and my wife to buy so we would not shop and see more products. We had not made a final choice. We had made selections we were considering. All we had done was look at your products and consider from what you had to offer. We wanted to see more. And get more prices.

We were telling you we were not ready to proceed. That is what all this hoo haa here is about. Shoppers rights to tell a sales person they want to shop more. And not be pressured to buy to get a phony discount.

It is not a choice, it is a product someone is considering at the moment. It is a choice when someone writes a check.

You have everything backwards. The consumer is in the driver's seat, not you. The shopper tells the salesperson who has come into their home what they want to do. You, the salesman, do not tell the shopper what to do or when to do it.

This business you suggested of what you now term the immediate purchase price possibly miraculously being available on a second visit to a potential consumer's home is really precious.

Smoke and mirrors.

Posted by: naratamaa at May 9, 2009 12:13 PM in response to Shades and Blinds - Buyer Bewar

Home Depot can be fine for anyone buying a product. If you do your own installation or have arranged for your own friend or contractor to install. Home Depots home improvement installations are a very risky thing. Where I previously lived one of my neigbors had Home Depot install vinyl windows and aluminum storm doors. He had a nightmarish situation. The windows never operated or locked properly. Initially the caulking was poor, and the aluminum trim work rippled. The first subcontractor also did not know how to hit the nail without hitting the aluminum. And he damaged my neighbor's carpeting. The kind of windows you are talking about probably require far more finesse and carpentry skill than replacement vinyl windows do.

I would stick with the Marvin dealer, or an Anderson delaer. Or try finding a reputable contractor. Brooklyn Window, way down on McDonald Avenue, helped one of my other neighbors who was very pleased with the result.

Posted by: naratamaa at May 9, 2009 12:07 PM in response to need advice- window replacement

It makes a lot more sense to rip out the old tile and know what you got underneath. Common sense is always a good starting point. Why look for trouble? Would you wear a sport coat over another sport coat? Maybe it is not a great
analogy, but the concept of tiling over tile is not a great concept either.

Posted by: naratamaa at May 9, 2009 10:50 AM in response to TILING OVER TILE??

Mr. Griffith, you certainly make a considerable effort to turn on a dime. I have no vendetta against you. It doesn't matter if you did your normal routine in my home, of if as you proposed you possibly were having a bad day. You were unprofessional and did pressure myself and my wife. And you cost yourself a sale and referrals. Honestly, anyone who asks me about blinds, I will tell them that the representative that Budget Blinds sent to my house was high pressure and unprofessional. Because you were.

Now lets go back to your first responding comment. You wrote: " That said, I am extremely sorry you felt pressured. We try to present it in a way that provides you an opportunity..." That's pompous and phony, similar to your manner in my home. If anything, my wife and I presented you with an opportunity to earn our trust and business. For you to come into a stranger's home to discuss a product that you sell and install and they may want to buy, then tell them that you are giving them an opportunity is absurd.

Somewhere along the line you fooled yourself into thinking that customers need you more than you need them.

Now I'm going to forget about you till someone asks me about blinds or shades.

Posted by: naratamaa at May 8, 2009 4:13 PM in response to Shades and Blinds - Buyer Bewar

Bracci Fence has been around forever. They have their own iron shop and did a great job for my next door neighbor in my last house.

Posted by: naratamaa at May 8, 2009 3:42 PM in response to Iron Fence Contractor?

While you are considering contractors I suggest speaking with My Home USA. The owner is Mayan Meltzer. My Home is quite a success story. They are easily found, and are very concerned about customer satisfaction.

Posted by: naratamaa at May 8, 2009 1:39 AM in response to Good contractors?

Actually, I did tell you that I felt offering a lower price to buy on the spot was undue pressure. You gave the same answer then, that it costs you more to return. You were rather adamant and pompous in general. Your clenched jaw was a tell tale sign. Essentially, we all know that the idea is to prevent the consumer from seeing other products that might be better, and to get other prices that might be less for the same thing.

In your comment you indicated you charge more for a more difficult installation. My wife said your advertisment that she responded to offered free installation. It certainly seems to me that you are full of double talk.

A honest businessman offers legitimate and consistent discounts. Your cost of time is your cost of time. It is part of being in business. It's a tough world, Mr. Griffith. Today's consumer has a multitude of choices. No one should be pressured to buy. No one should be expected to spend their money till they are comfortable. And you have a lot of nerve pressuring people to buy in their own home.

If you go on a consultation and some one accepts the opening price, do you then give that person the discount for buying the first time?. You did not offer us that discount till we told you we wanted to think about it.

Posted by: naratamaa at May 8, 2009 1:26 AM in response to Shades and Blinds - Buyer Bewar

I like what both Modsquad and Vinca contributed. I would add that you should consult with a good real estate attorney and have him or her execute documents that spell out what ever agreement you hammer out.
Now is the time to realize that if the contractor is licensed and insured you are in the driver's seat. And if the contractor is not licensed and insured you could own him.

Remember, news stations love these kinds of stories.

Posted by: naratamaa at May 5, 2009 3:04 AM in response to once roof leak is fixed, what?

Mr. Griffith, you certainly make a considerable effort to turn on a dime. I have no vendetta against you. It doesn't matter if you did your normal routine in my home, of if as you proposed you possibly were having a bad day. You were unprofessional and did pressure myself and my wife. And you cost yourself a sale and referrals. Honestly, anyone who asks me about blinds, I will tell them that the representative that Budget Blinds sent to my house was high pressure and unprofessional. Because you were.

Now lets go back to your first responding comment. You wrote: " That said, I am extremely sorry you felt pressured. We try to present it in a way that provides you an opportunity..." That's pompous and phony, similar to your manner in my home. If anything, my wife and I presented you with an opportunity to earn our trust and business. For you to come into a stranger's home to discuss a product that you sell and install and they may want to buy, then tell them that you are giving them an opportunity is absurd.

Somewhere along the line you fooled yourself into thinking that customers need you more than you need them.

Now I'm going to forget about you till someone asks me about blinds or shades.

Posted by: naratamaa at May 8, 2009 4:13 PM in response to Shades and Blinds - Buyer Bewar

I'm not sure in what way I have "made considerable effort to turn on a dime". I explained our policy, which your responses imply is adequate and fair. I apologized for any lapse in executing that policy. The apology was sincere.

I suppose the only answer here is that you don't believe me. There is nothing I can do about that. But as far as I can tell I have been consistent in my statements and reacted to new information with respect and consideration. That is the opposite of "turn(ing) on a dime".

As for "pompous and phony", I guess we'll just have to disagree on that. Passing on savings to customers who cost us less is the right thing to do and that is an "opportunity" for the customer to save some money. Maybe we understand the word differently, but when something is available at one time or place when it might not be available in another time or place, that is what I consider an "opportunity". To assume that I believe my customers need me more than I need them not only ignores everything I've written, but also twists the meaning of the word "opportunity" into something that I don't recognize.

I realize I will probably never convince you. I also understand that you will probably not reply again. Nevertheless, I thank you for bringing this issue to my attention. It certainly will help to make me a better consultant and Budget Blinds a better company.

Regards,
Eric Griffith
Budget Blinds of Brooklyn

Posted by: BudgetBlindsofBrooklyn at May 8, 2009 8:50 PM in response to Shades and Blinds - Buyer Bewar

Considerable effort to turn on a dime. You wrote: "I agree no one should be pressured to buy. If a customer is not comfortable with their choice I often suggest that they wait and have me come back in a week to discuss it again. However, even in those cases, when they are eligible for the immediate-purchase price I offer it to them because I also believe it is important to offer consistent discounts. Likewise, I think that the DCA requires that I offer it if it is available."

First: "If a customer is not comfortable with their choice." Well, the correct term is potential customer, or shopper. Having not yet bought from you, I was not your customer. Any shopper who has not yet bought from you is not your customer. "Choice" is also not correct. The word "consideration" might be. "Selection" might be correct. And based on your performance in my home, and the reality of consumer rights, "I suggest that they wait and have me come back in a week" is ridiculous. Here we were, not ready to buy, telling you we wanted to shop. And would call you if we wanted to buy from you or discuss anything with you. But being pressured by you to buy on the spot to receive a one time only discount. And, because you responded to my post here we are discussing theoretical similar cases where people are not ready to buy but want to do more research or shopping and you have the gall to say that if a shopper is not comfortable with their choice you suggest that they wait and you come back in a week?

We were telling you that we wanted to shop and consider other products. You tried to pressure myself and my wife to buy so we would not shop and see more products. We had not made a final choice. We had made selections we were considering. All we had done was look at your products and consider from what you had to offer. We wanted to see more. And get more prices.

We were telling you we were not ready to proceed. That is what all this hoo haa here is about. Shoppers rights to tell a sales person they want to shop more. And not be pressured to buy to get a phony discount.

It is not a choice, it is a product someone is considering at the moment. It is a choice when someone writes a check.

You have everything backwards. The consumer is in the driver's seat, not you. The shopper tells the salesperson who has come into their home what they want to do. You, the salesman, do not tell the shopper what to do or when to do it.

This business you suggested of what you now term the immediate purchase price possibly miraculously being available on a second visit to a potential consumer's home is really precious.

Smoke and mirrors.

Posted by: naratamaa at May 9, 2009 12:13 PM in response to Shades and Blinds - Buyer Bewar

If you've done your homework on the windows and think Home Depot's are comparable and have a good warranty, then go with them. Everyone knows that Marvin windows are the best, but also the priciest! Pella are just as good and much cheaper as well. I agree with naratamaa about Home Depot installs... DON'T do it! My neighbor had a Home Depot install and had to hire a contractor to come and re-do all the work! I wouldn't trust them! If you need someone to install them, I'm sure you can get a good recommendation through Brownstoner.

Posted by: Misty B at May 9, 2009 12:43 PM in response to need advice- window replacement

OMG, this is nothing like wearing a sportcoat over another sportcoat.

It's way too easy to pretend you know what you are talking about on this forum.

Posted by: vanburenproud at May 9, 2009 12:48 PM in response to TILING OVER TILE??

THANK YOU vanburenproud.....

I just finished renovating my condo...the bathroom's original tile floor...in a mud bed...was tiled over..THAT tile I removed because it was improperly laid and coming up....cracking....etc...

When I got down to the original tile....it LOOKED terrible...but MAN it was SOLID..so my tilesetter...another skilled tradesman..tiled right over it...using, I believe, the kerdi membrane as well as thin-set...NOT tile adhesive...and it's been a year....my tumbled marble floor is ROCK solid...and GORGEOUS..

AND I am not even MISSING that 1/2" in ceiling height that I lost!!...HAHAHA...some of these brownstoners are...

MORONS!!!!

Posted by: Melissa809 at May 9, 2009 2:51 PM in response to TILING OVER TILE??

I did not suggest that the immediate-purchase price would be available at a later date. It is not and would not be.

The discount was not phony, though I accept that it might not have been presented appropriately.

We can quibble about semantics, but I accept your choice of vocabulary as well. My point was that I have often had prospective customers willing to write a check immediately (usually because they were in a hurry to have the treatments installed) but I have encouraged them to wait and consult with others and set up a time for me to come back and show the selections to others so they could feel more comfortable with their selections.

Of course the consumer is in the driver's seat. I don't ever forget that. In your case, I made a mistake, maybe even more than one. I apologize again for that. I don't remember ever consciously trying to pressure someone, but my intention does not change the fact that you felt pressured. I will work to be more aware and to avoid that type of situation in the future.

Thank you again for the insight.

All the best,
Eric Griffith
Budget Blinds of Brooklyn

Posted by: BudgetBlindsofBrooklyn at May 9, 2009 5:56 PM in response to Shades and Blinds - Buyer Bewar

i've used smith and noble before and was one of their biggest commercial customers in new york per their customer service agents. notice the operative word is "was".

they make too many mistakes on a regular basis and the quality is equally inconsistent. and, big problem, when they make a mistake, they don't stand behind their product.

if you get lucky, you get a decent product for the price. if not, you get stuck with an expensive load of junk that is broken or doesn't fit.

check out apartmenttherapy and go see comments there. the horror stories are myriad. i would rather gamble in vegas with my money than risk cash with them again.

Posted by: jarret at May 10, 2009 1:47 AM in response to Shades and Blinds - Buyer Bewar

Check out Window Palace on McDonald Ave and Cortelyou Road. We just purchased Andersen Windows from them, and he priced them very well for us. We are going to install them ourselves, but you can get a few recommendations from them on contractors who install windows. We're getting the windows with the wood on the inside, but they are vinyl on the outside. I find Home Depot and Lowes much more expensive, than the independent window companies.

Posted by: Bklyn born at May 10, 2009 8:34 PM in response to need advice- window replacement

High-Tech Construction Co. are brownstone specialists that provide quality service and work. They have had many brownstone projects in Brooklyn that were successful and I was one of them. Micheal offered me the best deal after hassles with multiple contractors. With a good deal and a finished project I had nothing to complain about. His brownstone portfolio is quite impeccable (take a look at it). You can reach Micheal at 1347-792-1266. Best of luck!

Posted by: Hillary at May 10, 2009 11:12 PM in response to Good contractors?