When deciding to make any major purchase, surely you would want to get the best possible service you can. So, when choosing your supplier, how can you be sure of the level of service you can expect?
It's easy! Use the experiences you have had whilst you are still in the decision process. There are a few major signals that can help you on your way to making the right choice.
If you made an enquiry to the company, how long did it take them to make contact with you. A phone call, email, anything simply to acknowledge your enquiry.
When discussing your DIY Conservatory requirements with the company, how simple did it feel (to you) to describe what you needed. Any representative with knowledge will make it feel easy to you even if you're not sure how to explain things.
How long did it take the company to come back to you with your conservatory quote. If you have waited for more than a couple of days, have they made contact to explain the delay?
Has your quotation been provided in writing, or did the company simply want to only give a verbal price.
Is the potential supplier quick to enter into a 'discount' discussion. Often, companies with a greater integrity will offer a fair and reasonable price first time and not just be interested in massive discounts just to win a sale.
The five points above will give you a reasonable indicator of the level of service you can expect from a conservatory supplier if they are succesful in winning your business. OK, it obvioulsy isn't a guarantee, as some companies will pull out the stops at pre-sale and then fall woefully once they have secured the order. But, at least if you spot the signs above, you can decide ealier rather than later who to shortlist as your possible supplier.
It never fails to amaze me the amount of potential customers who I speak to who claim to have been waiting, in my opinion, too long for a supplier to come back to them with quotes, information, etc. I have spoken with a gentleman this morning who has been waiting for two weeks for a company to do a quotation for a small lean to conservatory with one side omitted. Another is alledgedly waiting for the company who supplied his first conservatory (which apparently has almost fallen down) to re-quote on another. I accept that some of this is simply the customer 'putting off' the rest of us, as people generally find it hard just to tell you how it is.
I do also believe that there is this obsession with having to get as many quotes as possible to barter with. Beware, when applying this tactic to your purchase, you may also find you unwittingly rule out the better companies as they will walk away if you're only buying factor is price.
