The biggest problem with these types of stores is the lack of product knowledge. There are a lot of questions that should be asked before putting down hundreds if not thousands of dollars getting the product that best fits your personallity, budget and eye. There are a wide variety of products because we're all different. Some people like the look of softer products such as shades and sheer horizontal type blinds while others just love vetical blinds. Some of the most popular products now are the 2" wood and faux wood blinds. The big hardware stores generally see three versions of these types of blinds. The first is the inexpensive off the shelf product that generally yellows and sags in just a matter of months while a more expensive product is generally a cut to width blind. It fits in the window but generally has an unattractive stack of slats at the bottom. This product generally has a plastic headrail to allow for cutting. Plastic does not hold up well in the North Carolina sun and soon tend to sag. Their top of the line in these products are made to fit both width & length and comes with a steel headrail. We sell the products that contend with their top of the line products at great savings to you. Also, Box stores generally have higher costs for installation and charge for measuring.
An example Faux Wood blinds
Builder & Builder's Design Centers
This has become a very popular yet very expensive way of getting products on the window before moving in. The convenience is far out weighed by the expense. Generally the prices are extremely inflated. We have seen many cases of blinds or shades purchased in this manner costing between 3 to 4 times the price available through BayTree Blinds & Shutters. Think twice before putting window treatments in the mortgage. Chances are that someone will be paying directly or indirectly for those treatments long after their gone. Sometime convenience is not always the best alternative.
Internet & 1-800 numbers
Comparable prices to what we offer but with all the headaches of measuring and installing not to mention who to turn to in case of a problem. We take great pride that we can repair almost any problem in your home. One of the reasons that we sell the products that we do is because we know that these products aren't going to be a problem. As I like to say "I like my customers but I don't want to meet them every week and certainly not in an adversarial mode". Service in your home means that you don't lose your privacy while the blind is shipped to the vendor and you save the cost of shipping back your product to the vendor.
Top Down/ Bottom Up Honeycomb shades are extremely popular for their ability to provide privacy but still allow openess.
Natural materials such as bamboo have made a strong resurgence in the window treatment industry.
