We recently polled our Customer Loyalty team to find out what were the most FAQs they received from you, our customers. (And no, “What is covfefe,” one of the top 10 questions people Googled last year, wasn’t one of them. Still no definitive answer to that one, but Google’s working on it.)
Here are their answers.
1. Why does it take so long to make/get my blinds?
Because we want to make sure it’s made right … the first time! All of our products are custom made to custom fit each and every window. Every order is manufactured based on your exact specifications, from size to color, to type of lift system and accessories. Since we don’t make them with 3D printers (yet), production times also vary depending on the individual product. Shutters, for instance, have much longer production times than say, a roller shade, due to the highly variable configurations, louver sizes and other custom features you have the option to select.
Even with such attention to detail, one of the biggest benefits of buying custom blinds online instead of from pricier in-home design stores and services is that they can still be ordered, made and delivered in just days or a few weeks vs. several weeks to months. (Doing it yourself cuts out the time-consuming and costly middleman.) One of the coolest features on our site is the ability to filter products by “Production Time,” so you can see immediately which products are available to meet your timeline. Each product page also includes a “Shipping & Production” tab with more details. We also keep you up to date on the production and delivery of your order via email, and you can track the status of your order anytime online. And rest assured that everything we custom make for you is covered by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee, so that if we do make a mistake (everyone has their “oops” moments), we’ll make it right!
2. Are blinds and shades easy to install? Can I really do it myself?
Yes! If you can hang a picture, you can hang your own window coverings. With most products, it’s really that easy. (Just ask one of our Happy Customers, Sarah S., who hung 17 (count ’em!) of our 2″ Premium Faux Woods in <4 hours!!!) All it takes in most cases is screwing in a couple of brackets and popping in the headrail. Every product comes with printed instructions and all the mounting hardware you need (you supply the screwdriver). You can also find individual product installation guides on each product page under the “Measure & Install” tab, or on our “How to Install” page. And if you get stuck or have a problem, we won’t leave you hanging. Just give one of our expert Customer Loyalty Team members a call, and they’ll talk you through it, step by step.
3. Why should I order samples?
Why not? They’re:
- Free!
- Cut from the same cloth (literally) that the actual product is
- Easy to compare differences in fabrics, colors and styles (we’ll send you up to 15 free samples at a time — more than any other online company — and even ship them to you for free!)
- Your “color guarantee” that you’re getting the color you want and think you’re seeing (colors can look a lot different on a monitor or smartphone)
- Great for sharing with friends and family to get their opinion (which you can feel free to ignore)
- Oh, and (since this is a Top 6 list) did we mention FREE??
And here’s another thing about sampling before you order online. Dye lots frequently change, so there may be slight differences in the same color. To be on the safe side, if it’s been a month or so since you got your samples, we recommend getting another sample of the same color before you actually order to make sure the carpet still matches the drapes (so to speak).
4. How do I measure for two or three blinds in one window?
Hanging two or three blinds on one headrail is a great option for covering a big window. Just follow the simple, step-by-step instructions in our online Tech Tip guide, How to Measure for Installing Two Separate Blinds in One Window. Many styles, including wood, faux wood, mini and fabric blinds, are available in extreme widths. They can are also be ordered with a shared valance to seamlessly tie them together into one super stylish treatment. For other ideas on how to cover large windows, check out our aptly named Buying Guide for large windows. And if you really want to take it to the extreme, quickly narrow your search for extra wide blinds on SelectBlinds.com by checking the “Extreme Widths” refine-by box on our category pages.
5. What are faux wood blinds made of and how are they different than real wood?
Ain’t nothin’ like the real thing, baby! But faux woods come real close. Most faux wood products are made from durable PVC vinyl, so they’re more resistant to moisture, heat, humidity and scratches than their real-wood counterparts. And with UV ratings as high as 500, they won’t warp or fade either, so they last for years. But the biggest difference and benefit? Getting the look of real wood window treatments for a whole lot less. Many are even imprinted with a wood grain-like finish, so it’s hard to tell the forest from the trees when compared to their wooden window covering cousins.
6. How does a top down bottom up shade work?
What goes up must come down. That’s kind of the idea behind how top down bottom up shades work. These wildly popular window treatments give you the ultimate in light and privacy control, with the ability to raise, lower and position your shades wherever you need them using dual-action top and bottom rails. Simply pull down on either rail to lower the shade and pull up to raise it. Top down bottom up lifts are available in a variety of styles, too, including cellular, roman, bamboo/woven wood and pleated shades.
Any other questions? Call, email, or click the chat button on any page to contact one of our knowledgeable Customer Loyalty Team members. Or leave a comment here.
