Blockout Blinds came to my attention when I was looking through the Herald Sun newspaper and noticed a 25% off sale. My wife and I were interested in updating the look of our house with plantation shutters and replacement canvas awnings. We organised for Blockout Blinds and several other companies to come out and quote.
The experience and knowledge of your consultant Jarrad, plus your product display was the reason we chose your company. He was pleasant and offered several suggestions with the plantation shutter design and the colours for the canvas awnings.
We were pleasantly surprised with the discounted price that was provided and advised of the longer than normal lead-time for the plantation shutters due to the Chinese New year, but this worked in well with our current renovation plans.
We paid our 50% deposit and then waited for our blinds and plantation shutters to arrive. I was contacted by Linda regarding the final measurement and verification of our order as to when Frank would come out. Frank who was very helpful with advising of window reveals that required alteration in order for the plantation shutters to fit. (older homes where things are not always square or level).
The day arrived when I received a call from Caroline telling me that our canvas blinds were ready for installation and I needed to deposit the remaining 50% of the outstanding balance into their account.
This is where the dark side of subcontractors showed its ugly face. I had to leave my installer ( who no longer works for Blockout Blinds ) on the day he installed my canvas awnings. I came home to an absolute abortion of a job. The installer had bent one of the hoods, left the protective plastic on all the metal hoods, had varying length rails on blinds, left all the packaging in my yard, had rails that were not installed vertically and the amount of screws and bolts left on my driveway caused my car to get a flat tyre.
I was ropable!!!!
As there install occured on a Friday, I had to wait until Monday to voice my concern.
I had a very pleasant conversation with Jordan who could not apologise enough and organised for the next available installer to come out and assess the work. Unfortunately this installer on the day he was to come to my house injured himself and could not make it. Jordan was most apologetic and organised for another installer Mark to come out.
Mark was a very pleasant guy and could not believe the workmanship of the previous installer and again could not apologise enough. he rectified all the problems. He organised for a replacement hood to be ordered and this was confirmed by Jordan the following day.
My wife and I were understandably getting nervous about the shutter installation, could this go the same way?
Our fears were all unjustified for when the shutter installer Jeff came and installed the shutters he was a very pleasant guy. He left my place cleaner than it was before he arrived and the shutters look amazing. They compliment the house as Jarrad said they would.
When I was waiting for the replacement hood to arrive, I phoned the Blockout Blinds office and spoke to Simon who I explained my tail of woe. He was most apologetic and provided me with an installation date (the next day) for my replacement hood.
This was done by Mark again who was true gentleman and capable tradesperson
So overall we have had a bitter , sweet experience but the product and professionalism of all the staff (excluding the first installer) would lead me to recommend Blockout Blinds to all my friends.
We will be using them when next I need Plantation Shutters
Regards
Kenneth read more
