For a homeowner who approaches a vendor about window coverings, a common and obvious question is, “Will you price match?”
While most vendors agree to price match, Jeff Lee of The Shutterman warns customers to be leery of significantly lower bids for products that appear to be comparable. Often they are not. Costs simply don’t vary that much within the industry.
A more likely scenario: “It’s either a sales gimmick, or someone selling an inferior product,” says Lee. “People call products by different names—there are vinyl shutters that sound similar, but one is very light, completely full of air.” It’s a distinction that may be lost on the purchaser if they’re not careful and persistent in their questioning. When vendors offer prices that seem too good to be true, ask point blank how they’re able to undercut their competitors so dramatically.
A word of advice from Lee: “Don’t automatically go with cheaper.” He warns that even a savings of several hundred dollars might not be advantageous in the long run. “It doesn’t look as good. It doesn’t hold up as well. You’ll clearly see the difference down the road.”
He also suggests finding an installer willing to demonstrate samples in your home. Most products look good in a showroom, displayed to their most flattering effect. But you need to see how products will look on your actual windows, and how they fit aesthetically with the rest of your house. Your best strategy: visit the showroom for general ideas, narrow down your preferences, and then ask for a home consultation.
