Lowes $89 whole house blind installation
Lowes is running a promotion where they will install blinds in your whole house for only $89. Blinds are, of course, not a huge job. But, I’ve got 20 windows that need blinds, and $5 / window seems like a pretty good deal.
Their disclaimer is curious, however:
“*Disclaimer: $89 offer of entire-house basic installation of blinds and shades is limited to basic installation only and requires purchase of 3 or more Special Order and In-Stock blinds and shades. The $89 offer price does not include the cost of the products to be installed. Offer price is only valid for single-family residential properties and cannot be used on multi-family and/or commercial properties. Additional charges will apply for services not included in basic installation. Not valid on prior purchases. Mandatory In-home measurement fee (refundable upon project purchase) must be purchased between 6/25/08 – 7/28/08 and contract signed by 8/27/08. Offer may not be available in all markets. See store for details.”
Does it require 3 special order AND in-stock blinds? If I buy 20 in-stock blinds, does the deal apply?
I don’t know why they have the mandatory measurement. Seems like a waste of time, to me, as I already measured all the windows.
Replies
ever think of asking at a Lowes store and not at an unrelated website?
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
Now you know the collective wisdom here far exceeds that of anyone he might ask at a Lowes store :-)
But of course you're right since it really doesn't even matter what their promotion says, but how it's interpreted by the store personnel.
I would if I ever ran into someone in the blind aisle who was knowledgeable on the subject.
That was funny. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
They have the mandatory measurement fee because they want to make some money somewhere on the deal.
Lowes had a similar carpet deal, as did Home Depot. $99 installation for an entire house.
We saved about $500 buying the whole house, including installation, from a wholesale carpet store. I guess the $99 wasn't such a deal after all.
Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
The measurement fee is like a paid estimate. It is refunded if you go ahead and not if you don't. I pity the poor installer drone if it is a real pain.
I made some awesome $ on my last commercial job. They got bid from an interior place for $5500 for vertical blinds and mini blinds for the storefront type office windows. Manager asked me if I thought it might be a little high. Went home and priced Levalors from Lowes and asked her if $2750 seemed more like what they would like to pay.
I installed $850 worth of product in about 6 hours. Grinning all the way, everybody happy except the interior store guy. But he had his way with them on carpet anyway.
Lowes isn't losing money on the deal. They start out by charging double for the blinds themselves. At that type of profit margin, they could give away installation and still come out ahead...way ahead.
When we bought our house 2 years ago, we needed blinds for 5 windows. (2) 36x60 for a bedroom, (1) 72x66 for a bedroom, (1) 108x72 for a family room, and (1) 108x72 for a sunroom. For 2" white faux wood blinds, Lowes wanted close to $3k. JCPenney Homestore wanted a little over $600. Guess where we bought them. Installation of blinds isn't rocket science. Thou shall not tackle home improvement projects less thou can install window blinds.