Every so often we get potential customers looking to buy custom-made drapery for the very first time. Invariably, it leads to the question of why custom drapery cost significantly more than ready-made drapes/curtains they see at a local big-box store.
The short answers is:
1) the obvious quality difference that they can see and feel (and not smell – no harmful chemicals);
2) extra workshop labour to make it custom fit to size;
3) the greater selection of fabric and styles available; and finally
4) The expertise and experience that comes with the price you pay to make the drapes transform the look of your window and room.
A follow up question I occasion get is: “Can’t you use cheaper fabric to create the same look?”
1) Cheaper fabrics are more difficult to work with in the workroom to create the details such as pleats or grommets, hems, etc. and they do not hang well i.e. they cannot look like custom drapes no matter how hard one tries; and
2) Cheaper fabrics come at a social and environmental cost – these fabrics are often made with bonded labour in some third-world factories frequently with underage workers. Recent Apple 2015 Supplier Responsibility Progress Report shed light on the common practice of “Recruitment Fees” that workers pay in order to work for manufacturers in the electronics industry. Unfortunately, this practice is not just limited to that industry but also in the fabric and drapery industry in these poorer countries. Workers are forced to work long hours in sweatshop environments. At Trendy Blinds our commitment to our customers is that all our drapes are Made in A Workshop Not in a Sweatshop. We also carry a line of lower priced Ready-Made Drapes that are Made In Canada.
The final follow-up question, I usually get asked is “How do I know I am getting the best possible price for custom drapery?”
1) We sources some fabrics directly, bypassing Canadian fabric suppliers/distributors, especially with our Design-Ready series of Custom Drapes;
2) We monitor and can recommend clearance fabrics to customers who are less specific about the fabric they want;
3) We keep business overhead low with small but fully packed showrooms, and minimize time spent on (and thus labour cost) “free in-home estimates” for price-shoppers;
4) We clearly post prices of our drapery and apply set volume discounts.
Visit Trendy Blinds today for your custom drapery needs. www.trendyblinds.com, 905-604-1222, 416-721-1002, info@trendyblinds.com
Trendy Blinds 