When we set up the beds and furniture business AAA Bedz and Furniture many years ago we did so with the intention of offering a village shop type of service, but with the benefits of the digital age. While this has served us well, how far can you go with customer service?
It is true that the more of a service you offer, the more some people expect. Does there reach a point when you have to say no,? Or can you keep giving until you run yourself dry, or broke in this economic environment?!
So what is the answer? Do we do like many of our competitors and just not bother? Don't answer the phone or return messages and emails? Perhaps just be dam-right rude and unhelpful?
I for one can't do that, perhaps that's just my personality.
It is a sad fact nowadays, that few people bother to thank you for any efforts you do go to, often the only time you hear from people is when things go wrong. So why not set yourself a late new years resolution? If you get good service, if someone has gone that extra mile to try and help you, why not take a moment to thank them? How long does it take to write a quick email? A few seconds, even when you type as slow as me!
We recently had a customer who we did try hard with (hopefully she doesn't mind me using her name, especially as she is quite famous in many business circles), Shaa Wasmund, founder of Smarta.com the business advice and networking web-site. While we tried our usual best, she was so impressed with us that she not only bothered to thank us, but even started to push our name around her many contacts. While we are not all in the position to do as much as Shaa, we all know of someone, who needs something.
So let's all try and balance the equation, if it goes wrong, kick off, if it goes right, type! Everyone likes a bit of praise, and perhaps by offering a bit more to someone else, we may get that bit more back! Result, better service for us all, more business, and world peace and happiness!
Thanks for reading, no real mention of beds this week, except to say that prices are on the up, Original Bedstead Company's prices all go up by the end of the month, and others are following, if they have not already done so. So now is the time to buy.
Email me with your requirements if you haven't got the time to trawl, and I will do my best to help.
Pete
Monday, 15 March 2010
Monday, 8 March 2010
Quality or Price? - That is the question... whether it is nobler...
Bunk Beds…...no doubt kids love them, but as parents do you buy the best mattresses available, or something cheaper, or just cheap.
There is a wide range available, indeed we offer everything from a basic budget pack, to new luxury memory foam or pocket sprung ones. Budget limitations are often the leading restriction, and I can understand that (we are of course in a recession and we all have to watch the pennies), but with mattresses, unfortunately you do get what you pay for. Cheaper mattresses do not last as well, are not as supportive, and not as comfortable. Small light children can perhaps get away with a lighter mattress, but what when Grandma comes at Christmas?
Perhaps more importantly, I am amazed when I check the opposition’s listings of bunk beds, as to how many of them sell mattresses that are nothing short of dangerous. Most bunk beds will take a mattress about 7-8” before the height of the safety rails on the top bunks are compromised, and you increase the risk of the child falling. Some unscrupulous retailers sell mattresses that I know are so deep that there will only be an inch or so of safety rail left! I know the British Standard is quite conservative, and realistically and inch or so over the recommended depth would not pose a significant problem, but some take this beyond sensible.
So where is this rant going? Funnily enough, we have recently managed to persuade a supplier to make us a special mattress with a small length spring inside. This means we can get a pocket sprung mattress with loads of fillings and quilting to make a total depth of just 7”. So, we end up with a superior quality mattress, and still a safe as can be.
The same thing applies to memory foam mattresses. Most are sold way too deep for the top bunks, and I hope the retailers can sleep at night knowing Little Johnny might fall out of his bed tonight.
So, to view the range of bunk beds with the mattress especially manufactured especially for our bunk beds, to the highest standards, and still at a sensible price, follow the links.
Sleep safe!
There is a wide range available, indeed we offer everything from a basic budget pack, to new luxury memory foam or pocket sprung ones. Budget limitations are often the leading restriction, and I can understand that (we are of course in a recession and we all have to watch the pennies), but with mattresses, unfortunately you do get what you pay for. Cheaper mattresses do not last as well, are not as supportive, and not as comfortable. Small light children can perhaps get away with a lighter mattress, but what when Grandma comes at Christmas?
Perhaps more importantly, I am amazed when I check the opposition’s listings of bunk beds, as to how many of them sell mattresses that are nothing short of dangerous. Most bunk beds will take a mattress about 7-8” before the height of the safety rails on the top bunks are compromised, and you increase the risk of the child falling. Some unscrupulous retailers sell mattresses that I know are so deep that there will only be an inch or so of safety rail left! I know the British Standard is quite conservative, and realistically and inch or so over the recommended depth would not pose a significant problem, but some take this beyond sensible.
So where is this rant going? Funnily enough, we have recently managed to persuade a supplier to make us a special mattress with a small length spring inside. This means we can get a pocket sprung mattress with loads of fillings and quilting to make a total depth of just 7”. So, we end up with a superior quality mattress, and still a safe as can be.
The same thing applies to memory foam mattresses. Most are sold way too deep for the top bunks, and I hope the retailers can sleep at night knowing Little Johnny might fall out of his bed tonight.
So, to view the range of bunk beds with the mattress especially manufactured especially for our bunk beds, to the highest standards, and still at a sensible price, follow the links.
Sleep safe!
Thursday, 4 March 2010
Weak Pound, or just an excuse?
We have had a steady stream of new price lists coming through from our suppliers saying that because of the weak Pound, they are having to increase their prices. This has had the effect that we are having to increase ours. Shame, but that's the way it is.
Now I seem to recall that during the last run against the Pound the suppliers put up their prices then, but I don't seem to recall them bringing them down then! It seems that while the country tries to drag itself out of the recession, inflation and suppliers seem to be pulling it down again. What's the answer? Change of Government, probably not, but then I don't want to get political on this blog!
Anyway, all Original Bedstead Company prices will go up from 1st April, CPW Furniture's have just gone up, Joseph Beds will be going up soon, and many of our private label manufacturers are having to increase their prices, so even these good value products will be going up soon!
So the morel of this waffling.....better buy now before they all go through the roof!
Visit and buy now, if you're waiting you might regret it!
Now I seem to recall that during the last run against the Pound the suppliers put up their prices then, but I don't seem to recall them bringing them down then! It seems that while the country tries to drag itself out of the recession, inflation and suppliers seem to be pulling it down again. What's the answer? Change of Government, probably not, but then I don't want to get political on this blog!
Anyway, all Original Bedstead Company prices will go up from 1st April, CPW Furniture's have just gone up, Joseph Beds will be going up soon, and many of our private label manufacturers are having to increase their prices, so even these good value products will be going up soon!
So the morel of this waffling.....better buy now before they all go through the roof!
Visit and buy now, if you're waiting you might regret it!
Monday, 1 March 2010
Prudence Pays!
While I don't profess to write as eloquently as Daniel (http://dannyelse93.blogspot.com/) I feel I should at least put something down in writing!
Predence is the title of this bit!
Prudence Pays!
Everyone knows that the last couple of years have been difficult times. Many of our competitors have gone by the wayside over this time, but through careful management AAA Bedz and Furniture have retained their excellent reputation with suppliers, which has resulted in some special arrangements, which we have been able to use to our customers advantage.
We have what we believe to be the best UK prices on a wide range of quality metal and brass beds from the Original Bedstead Company.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)