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Double Glazing Blogger: May 2011

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Veka/WHS Halo: Merger Or Veka Buyout?

Ok, so it appears that I may have been a bit slow on the uptake of this news, but I learned today that Veka has bought, or is about to buy WHS Halo. Then later on in another tweet it was described as a merger. So whats the story here?


It's obvious that there are people out there who know more than me, so here is your opportunity to spill the beans if you so wish! Anonymously of course! Or not!


The stuff that people will really want to know is how close this deal actually is. How much is the deal worth? How drastic will product change be? Will there be job losses? If anybody knows what the answers to these questions are, you know where the comment box is!






UPDATE: information has come to me stating that there may be an announcement on Friday regarding the sale, and that there is another unknown buyer in the race for WHS Halo. If this unknown buyers does purchase Halo, they plan to keep everything the way it as at Halo, with the only change being a warehouse move to Coventry. If Veka were to buy Halo, it's said that they want to move all operations to Burnley. The Halo brand is likely to stay. There are too many big customers to lose if the brand was sent to the scrap heap.


Any more information that comes my way I'll post it as soon as I have it.


UPDATE 2: an anonymous commenter has just left a note below saying that Synseal have bought Spectus. This is unverified, but he/she has said that the information is reliable, but cannot say any more right now. Obviously if more comes to light, I'll let it be known.

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Month In Review: April 2011

I completely forgot to do my review for April this year! I don't know how because we had a cracking month!


April for us was actually our second best month in about 3 years by my reckoning. April carried on where March had left off. Lead levels were high, as were sales. But not only that, the sales coming in were ones of high value i.e. lots of full houses and conservatories.


The spread of the sales were distributed evenly throughout the month, meaning there was no sudden dip if we were to have had a quieter week. Even though there were actually five working weeks during the month, there were also plenty of Bank Holidays which to cancel out that fifth week.


The weather was good throughout the month, which probably had a positive influence on the public's spending mood. 


Because our performance during April was so good, it meant that the pressure to meet our targets for the rest of the quarter were greatly reduced. However, we won't be letting our foot off the gas pedal just yet!

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Another Ridiculous Guarantee

Weeks after Everest's 46 year guarantee offer ended, they are now going one silly step further and offering lifetime guarantees for those that sign up with them throughout June (though I'm sure there will be many terms and conditions attached to it so that they can get out of most of the responsibilities).


To be fair to Everest, they aren't the only ones who have lengthened their guarantees in order to win more business. But what I cannot understand, in an industry being crippled by thin margins becoming thinner all the time, low consumer confidence and rife-undercutting, why would companies put yet more long-term financial pressures on themselves buy offering unrealistically long guarantees?


Pretty much all of us agree that the current ten year guarantees are too long, especially when you compare them to other big ticket items such as cars. Surely there's some other, more practical way of winning new business? Like selling the benefits of your product, promoting good long company history? To be completely honest, very little business is won on lengths of guarantees. I can't think of a contract that I lost because the customer told me that another company's guarantee was a few years longer.


On a lighter note, I hope everyone enjoyed their Bank Holiday weekend! I spent way more than I should, probably drank way more than I should, and was generally about as unproductive as possible...but that's what Bank Holidays are about aren't they?!

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Thursday, May 26, 2011

I've Got My Traffic Back...And I'm Getting Fit!

It seems that the recent patch of bank holidays were to blame for my drop in traffic to my blog. But I am now glad to say it's picked back up, and with interest! Yesterday was my best day for visitors so far, with 115. Probably not as much as Renegade Conservatory Guy's, but still not bad I don't think!


Also, I've decided to turn over a new leaf, and got myself motivated to start getting fitter and more in shape! We've had a treadmill, bike and weights in the garage for years, but have been used up till now only once! And now I'm single, I've started to grow...outwards. And I've got a holiday coming up. The nice American ladies won't be interested in a beer bellied Englishman, so I've buckled down and got to it! 


I'm also doing it for me. I'd like to be fitter than I am at the moment, so using my spare time to do some more exercise seems like the best thing to do. I'm also going for the 'the sharper the body the sharper the mind' effect. If I feel fitter I may even improve on my sales figures maybe? I'll let you know if it has any effect!

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Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Focus DIY To Be Liquidated

Struggling DIY chain Focus DIY is expected to announce today that it is to be liquidated, after administrators Ernst & Young were appointed only weeks ago.


E & Y were appointed to find a buyer for the struggling chain, which was owned by US investment firm Cerberus Capital Management, but only managed to sell just over 50 stores, saving 900 jobs. But they were unable to secure the sale of the rest, and Focus DIY is set to announce that Gordon Brothers is to be appointed to oversee the liquidation of the rest of the company. Though buyers will still be sought for smaller parts of the chain.


The liquidation of Focus DIY will close 120 stores and will put 3000 jobs at risk. This is yet another casualty for the beleaguered British high street, which has struggled under depressed consumer spending and confidence. 

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Tuesday, May 24, 2011

I'm Taking Out A Super-Injunction

Just to let you all know that I have now taken out a super-injunction to protect my identity from getting out. So, for all those who already know who I am, you are now not allowed to call me by my name on here, you aren't even allowed to tell people that you know what my name is! Even though most of you know!


You must all now call me by the abbreviation: DGB, or by my full blog name. 


If anyone on Twitter reveals my name, I will take legal action against those who write the tweets, and against Twitter itself for allowing such things to be published!


By reading this, you are also not allowed to say you have read this.

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Monday, May 23, 2011

Lets Not Make An 'Ash' Of It!

You're probably all aware by now, that the Grimsvotn volcano is sending a dense cloud of ash our way. Only 13 months after the Effayayaya...(whatever) volcano sent a cloud of ash over Europe which pretty much shut the whole continent down for days. But after the last eruption, are we going to handle this one a little better and a little calmer?


Maybe not. So far tonight Loganair has cancelled 36 flights (which is a lot for a small regional character), KLM has cancelled 16 flights to Scotland and northern England, Flybe has cancelled all flights from Aberdeen and Inverness, British Airways has cancelled flights from London to Scotland and Easyjet have cancelled all flights to and from Scotland. To say that the cloud has only just reached UK shores, that's a lot of cancelled flights.


Despite officials saying that there won't be as much disruption, airlines still won't want to risk their planes and passengers if they don't have to. Hopefully, their flight routes can be directed around the cloud, limiting the number of cancellations.


The last time the volcanic ash struck, there was an economical impact. Airlines had to pay out for stuck passengers' accommodation and travel, travelers had to spend thousands to get home via other forms of transport through other countries, courier planes also couldn't make their deliveries.


All being well, the current eruption won't last as long, and the weather will help push the ash quickly out of our airspace. That way it won't become another national farce! 

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To Post Or Not To Post?

Some of my most popular posts have been the recent Quality Counts posts. These posts have gained the most reaction and the most comments.

But, these posts are showcasing the failings of an installations company, and so the content is quite sensitive. Even though the company in question has not been named, I am starting to worry that the more content on this subject I put up, the more likely it is that the company will find these and not take a positive view on them.

So I need to ask your advice. Do I keep publishing these posts? I do want to keep telling the story of this customer as he has had a bad experience. Or do I remove the posts? I do fear for reprisals, and I don't like to post negative content about the industry.

Comments please!

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Saturday, May 21, 2011

The End Of The World Starts At 6PM Today!

An evangelical broadcaster in the US has predicted that a massive earthquake on Saturday May 21st will start the process of the end of the world. Which is highly inconvenient because I have a night out planned tonight and I wanted to get some pool time in before the earthquake causes the balls to move out of position!

This guy, Mr Camping, had predicted the end of the world in 1994, but got it wrong, obviously. So should we take his predictions, of which he's 100% certain it will happen, seriously? Well, that depends on your beliefs. My belief is that it's not going to happen, we'll move past this date without fuss and life will go on. There will always be some other person who has predicted Armageddon.

However, just on the off-chance it does happen, I'd just like to say it's been nice talking to you all, and I'll see you either above or below!

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Thursday, May 19, 2011

Quality Counts Story Part 5

It's been a few weeks since the last update, but I've been sent an update regarding the poor installation that is being documented on here:



26/4/11...The installer has still not contacted me. So I rang them at 10.45 regarding the rear door which they left unusable. I was informed 'they would let me know when they were coming'. I then rang PWFED and told them the problems. I received a phone call from the installer saying they would be taking the Solidor to have it shortened tomorrow morning.....


27/4/11...door removed and returned at 2PM. The fitter had to shorten the casing. It is fitted and now opens... 


Today I updated Trading Standards on the situation. They have a case number and all details . The replacement window for the small bedroom is covered in touch up paint. Also noticed were small blisters in the foil.Very disappointing for a 'quality product' ?


The fitters left the cills for the storm porch doors and replacement windows at the property. The porch is dated 14/2/11 and they brought it to be fitted on 21/4/11. (why not ? I was silly enough to make them a £4000 interim payment). Now I ordered , and paid for,a  high quality lead free profile.... The manufacturer's tape on the porch was an entirely different make. This would explain why the gasket was black and not grey. Am I being scammed? The remake cills also have a different manufacturer's name on them. I have submitted photos to the manufacture whose profile I paid for. Also DGB has had a copy.


5/5/11...Nothing heard from the installer. I again rang PWFED.


6/5/11 .... Email from installer late afternoon saying there was a '2 week lead time on windows'.


13/5/11... email from installer,' I would like to advise you that we have received confirmation from ---, that the remakes will be delivered to our showroom week
commencing Monday 23 rd May. They have advised the frames will be
stripped down and thoroughly examined and re tapped before delivery,'


They said that last time, but frames still came with blotchy touching up, some over a foot long, and torn gaskets. And of course I will be unable to identify which profile I'm getting.


The frame maker claims their windows undergo a 3 in process inspection and a 20 point end of line check. They also claim to set the standards for others to follow. If this were true I wouldn't be having problems .I have no confidence with these people any more.


Hopefully, sooner rather than later, the installation will be at an acceptable level and this episode can have a line drawn under it.

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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Branching Out

My motivational juices have been flowing pretty briskly over the last few months, and for the most part I've been plying them into the career I'm already developing. But I don't think that this is going to be enough to satisfy me.


Since I've split up with the girlfriend, I've found this new well of determination and drive to be as successful as possible. I wouldn't class this is being greedy for as much money as I can make as possible, but just to channel my new energies and drive into a new project which will provide greater opportunities and rewards for me. But at the same time I want to be able to dedicate the same amount of time to the job I have now. Sound difficult? Probably. It would most definitely mean that evenings wouldn't be free, and probably most weekends. 


I just have this thing in my head telling me I've got a well of potential waiting to be tapped.


I'm leaning towards doing something web/IT based, as that's where the money is in the world right now, and I've got so many ideas running through my head that they often go before I can expand them and get them written down! So I must use the memo function on my phone a bit more!


Anyway, all being well, you might be seeing/hearing a bit more of me in the years to come, providing I achieve what I want!


Night all!

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Monday, May 16, 2011

We Have To Get Off The Black Stuff!

There are still undercurrents of massive danger that lie beneath the weak global economic recovery. One of those currents is the HUGE amount of debt countries have above their heads. The U.S. has just reached £14.3 TRILLION, which just also happens to be their ceiling, so no more room there for any more debt, which means unless they figure something out, they are going to default on their debt payments for the very first time. The markets will not react to that very well. Also, Greece is looking for a second bailout, after getting 95 billion Euros last year. The world quickly needs to rid itself of it's debt, else risk another financial meltdown.


The other dangerous undercurrent is our use of oil. I know I bang on a bit about this sometimes, but the more you investigate into the issue of Peak Oil, when demand outstrips supply, the more you realise that when we get to this point and past it, there is the potential for chaos if we don't prepare ourselves now.


The first obvious thing to point out is price. Prices of oil are only going to go up in the medium to long term. So when we do reach peak point (which some estimate could be only 3/4 years away), prices are set to rocket up. Only then will people realise that this precious black stuff has now become the most valuable thing on Earth. But what will countries do to try to stave off panic? OPEC, the group of leading oil producing nations, could increase their production capacity to the world to try and limit the rise in prices. But how likely is this? OPEC countries may decide to keep their own country's supplies rather than export them to others, knowing how valuable their commodity is now. That's where we could see international tensions and possible conflicts as a result.


To avoid such a scenario, we really need to be looking at all possible sources of renewable energy. I believe that the future of energy is going to be in electricity. It gets the most funding and attention, and so has the best possibility of replacing oil as our main source of fuel. However, we are still far away from that scenario becoming implementable. Electric cars are still too expensive, slow and don't have the range of petrol or diesel cars. Solar panels are still very expensive, though with Government grants and schemes that's a problem that can be overcome. I also think we can all do a bit more in terms of food production i.e. grow our own, but I suppose that's a post for another day!


If we prepare ourselves now for the point where the oil industry becomes too expensive for the world to cope with, then we could possibly avert global scale problems. But it has to be now. Not next year, not in the next few years, but now. If we are to believe the oil experts, peak point is only a few years away, so we really don't have any time to spare.

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Idiotic Business Practise!

There's one thing that is really bugging me at the minute, and that is short-selling. I know I have talked about this before, but I'm utterly bewildered by the fact that companies are still doing this in a time when profits absolutely MUST be made!


We've had a company quote for a house full of windows £1k+ less than us! When we've worked it out, if we were to match that price we would be making a loss on that job. And this isn't the first case of such a thing happening. My theory is that this particular company know when they are up against us, so they feel they have to sweep the job in order to win the business, as they know we're more likely to win the order. The problem is there that in Wakefield, we come up against each other quite a lot. So God knows how much they will have lost.


Other companies are guilty of this idiotic business practise too. What I can't fathom is how these companies think they are going to manage years down the line when they have to honour their guarantees? That why businesses make profit, to stay in business to serve their customers in the future.


The squeeze on public finances mean it's going to get tougher to win orders over the next few years. What is the point of signing up business if you're not going to make any profit?! Some of you reading this may be guilty of this sort of selling. So would anyone be able to explain to me how selling like this on a regular basis, seemingly not making profits on contracts, is good business practise, and how you expect to still be here in the next 5 years?


I personally would rather lose a contract then sign one up for no profit or commission. I'm not working for free, especially in times where customers are being ever more cautious about spending their money.

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Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Businesses Can't Afford To Miss Out On Social Media In The Future

The video below shows you why businesses cannot afford to not be involved in social media in some way, shape or form. I don't need to say anything else, you just need to watch it:

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Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Has The Industry Got Bored With The Internet?

Those who visit websites/forums related to the double glazing industry will have no doubt realised that they have fallen quiet over the past few weeks. Glasstalk is a perfect example. The forum really seemed to be gaining momentum with plenty of people logging on, asking questions, causing debates and the odd heated argument. But then about six weeks ago, activity on the site really seemed to fall off a cliff. Maybe it was down to people becoming busy as the year's trading started to move into gear. Maybe the novelty of the site has worn off people and it just isn't as interesting as it was before. To be honest, I haven't posted on the site for weeks myself. Mostly because I've been too busy in the office. But also I've just had nothing to say on there really. Any of the bigger issues I have I write on here. But at the moment I don't have anything of value to post on the Glasstalk site.


I have also noticed a drop in traffic levels during April. Partly due to all the Bank Holidays during the month. But there was also just a general drop in traffic. I think for the same reasons which has seen Glasstalk's drop in content. This leads me to wonder if double glazing blogs/forum's are a winter past time.


During the coldest and quietest months of the year, our businesses suffer their slowest months. This also means sales people have more time on their hands. And where do people turn during bordem? The web. That's when sites like this one will benefit. That's my theory anyway. Of course when a hot topic springs up, traffic will respond positively. But I do honestly think that those who regularly visited double glazing sites have now refocussed and have steered clear of the web to make sure more of their efforts are concentrated on selling and making money. I myself have been guilty of spending too much time during the day on the web. I've also been making and effort to spend less time on the web.


Tell me if you think I'm wrong, but those are the reasons I'm putting forward for the reduced traffic to both these sites.

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Is Wakefield Set To Boom?

For those who aren't aware, the city of Wakefield has had a lot of money spent on it in the last few years.


Our new Pinderfield's hospital cost £215 million to build. But if you were to compare the new buildings to the old, you will see that it is money very well spent. I've heard very good things about the service, facilities and food available.


We have a brand spanking new £210 million shopping mall to bring us up to scratch with other cities. The tired old Ridings Shopping centre didn't really show Wakefield in the best light. It was old fashioned inside, nowhere near modern enough, and it had a funny smell on the middle floor which only added to the dowdy, down and out feel.


Also, Wakefield is currently part way through one of the biggest urban regeneration projects it's ever seen. Called Merchant Gate, the £140 million project is seeing a massive mix of office, residential and business space being created. An enormous multi-story car park has already been created, as well as Phase One of the overall project, Burbage Square has been completed. Yet to be started is a proposed hotel next to Westgate train station which is also set to be revamped, a ring of new flats and yet more mix-used office space is also still to be started. So my guess is that £140 million will go up by the time all the work is complete by (probably) 2013.


Not mentioned above is the modernisation of part of the city centre to include a new central water fountain (though it's hardly ever turned on!) So my estimates put the total amount spent, including some of the other smaller projects that have taken place, to over £600 million. This is a lot of money to be spent on such a small city like Wakefield. However there is a point to this splurge of spending. The people in charge of Wakefield are hoping that all the new facilities, office space and desirable living areas will bring in new investment from businesses, create more jobs and attract new shoppers from further afield who normally wouldn't consider Wakefield as a shopping destination. 


Wakefield has always been in the shadow of Leeds. They have always had better and more abundant office spaces, far better shopping and more of it, and a better business community. But with these new premises, Wakefield should be set to benefit for many years to come. And even now, people are already reporting busier trading conditions in The Ridings shopping centre.


My personal opinion is that when all the works are completed, Wakefield will be by a far a better place. Hopefully the wealth that will be created will be spread evenly throughout the city so everyone will be exposed to the benefits.

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Monday, May 9, 2011

Surveyor Available

Is anyone out there in need of a highly qualified surveyor? I'm helping a friend out and I've said I will pose the question to my readers. 

He's willing to travel, highly qualified, worked for Solarlux for a lot of years until he left due to poor management. I have a copy of his CV for anyone that may be interested.

If you're not interested but know someone who might be, please get them to email me and I will provide more information to them.

He's a good friend of ours, so any feedback will be much appreciated!

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Friday, May 6, 2011

Ethics Test

For those who take an interest in this sort of thing, you will know that oil has dropped from $126 per barrel to $109 at close of play last night. This is one of the sharpest drops seen in recent months.


I recently watched an interview on the BBC where the expert being asked the questions explained that for very $2 oil goes up, the petrol at our pumps rises by 1p. So by that logic, with oil now at $110 per barrel, $16 has been shed, which means in about a months time (which is how long it takes for oil bought at today's prices to filter through to market) petrol should have come down at least 8p! Bringing the cost of petrol here in Wakefield down to £126.9. Yes it's still expensive, but 8p off a litre would be extremely useful right now.


So, listen up BP, Shell, Esso, Gulf, Jet, Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco and any other business that sells petrol and diesel. Show us all that you do truly care for your customers and lower prices according to this drop in oil prices as soon as is possible. You're all very quick to slap on rises the minute oil goes up (not allowing for that 4 week period for prices to naturally filter through), but we all know how SLOW you all are to bring your prices down.


To all my readers, while in the office on Saturday, I'm going to email this post to every company mentioned above to ask them to take the time to read what is above, and to see if any of them will bother to reply and assure us that these lower oil prices will reflect in lower petrol costs, even if they only last a few days before prices go back up again.

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The Benefits Of Social Media

The two biggest forms of social media on the planet right now are Twitter and Facebook. Both these platforms have allowed people from all over the world to get in touch with each other, share information and pictures, and just generally chat. But how have these platforms been beneficial to the world of windows?


Taking a look at Twitter first, I've always thought that it's been more of a tool for those in the profession to contact other like-minded people, rather than it be a form of advertising to potential customers. Not everyone in this country is on Twitter like they are Facebook. Being limited to only 140 characters puts a big restraint on how much information you can put across. Also, customers looking for a full house of windows and doors aren't going to buy on the basis on what is said in 140 characters. However I do believe it's been a great tool for those in the industry who wish to communicate with each other. Without Twitter, or Facebook, the only way to electronically communicate would have been through email, which is all well and good but it can be slow if the recipient isn't in front of their screen. Twitter is quicker, more concise and more accessible thanks to smart phone's carrying Twitter applications.


Facebook however, I believe has the better chance of connecting with potential customers. It doesn't have a limit to how much you can write on your company pages. You can add as many images as you wish. All the extra information you can display on your pages means you have a better chance of attracting new leads from browsing customers. It's also a more interactive platform, with things such as the 'like' button, people can join a group associated with your company, customers can post testimonials etc. But from a company to company point of view, I still believe Twitter is the better of the two platforms.


There will be some of you that agree with me and some that don't, but I'm just speaking from a personal view point. I have far more conversations with fellow professionals on Twitter than I do on Facebook. And I do give Facebook a chance as I use Tweetdeck which allows you to post to Facebook and Twitter at the same time.


What I'd really like to know is if any of you think these two social media platforms will ever have a bigger impact on company advertising and their ability to generate new leads. Or do you think they will stay in the shadow of the traditional company website?

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Thursday, May 5, 2011

Ambition

I am as a person a determined one by my nature. Give me a task, and I'll get my teeth stuck into it. Whether it's for money or just to attain that sense of achievement and accomplishment, I'll do it, and I'll do it well.


On that basis, the challenge of ever improving, expanding and growing the business that is part of my family is one of the biggest, and one that I relish. And gratefully so does my brother. We have been given a chance to make something that is already successful, even more so, and to expand it beyond it's current abilities. And the mood we're both in right now, you can bet your bottom dollar that that is what is going to happen.


New opportunities are going to present themselves within the next few years which are going to help tap into our ambition, and which is going to help us become more aggressive in a business sense. As these opportunities get closer, we have both been thinking about the long-term possibilities for us and the business, and we both have to keep a lid on our excitement. Patience counts for a lot in this game, but luckily we've got that in spades too!


Keep an eye on us. We're 22 and 21. We've got lots to achieve, plenty of time to do it in and the tools to do it with.

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Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Hot Weather = Hot Sales

The Met Office announced today that this April was the hottest, and driest on record. Which is quite impressive if you consider the records go back 101 years.


These dry conditions have two impacts. One, reservoir, river and canal levels have fallen dramatically. And you just know that the jumpy British Government are going to start issuing hose pipe warning soon. The second impact, in my opinion anyway, is raised sales for home improvement companies. From the beginning of March we have seen pretty much perfect weather. Temperatures above average, way above on some occasions, plenty of sunshine and very little rain (unless you're in Scotland!). And what do people do when the weather has been like it is? Home improvements. People go out into their gardens, look at their properties and they then see all the de-grading parts of their property. And this spurs them into having work done.


There is a huge difference in January's and February's figures compared to March and April's. Now I know Spring is the time when the industry starts to move into second gear, but when you consider that this April saw a 64% increase in sales compared to April last year (and we did pretty well last year), you have to contemplate that the brilliant recent weather has cheered up an economically depressed spending public. 

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Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Normal Service Resumes...For Now

Business can now get back to some form of normality after the strange double bank holiday weekends.


There was a worry that due to many people booking the three days off between the two holiday weekends, that business would suffer and people's spending would drop. But I'm happy to say that despite the time off, we've not suffered for it.


Leads have still come in and people have still placed orders with us. It seems that fears of the country not spending just because there's consecutive bank holidays were unfounded. Us British spenders aren't that flakey!


Because of the time off, this blog hasn't received as much attention as usual, both from me, and the viewing figures - which will be updated as soon as I get back from my 11am appointment!


I hope you all had some well spent time off!

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