Receiving your quotation

How do I compare quality?

• Insist on seeing samples. You need to touch and feel textiles to fully appreciate their quality and workmanship

• Ensure that your quotation is detailed and includes the brand names of fabrics, materials and componentry. Do some research on the companies that provided these products. What warranties are provided, what resources do they provide online which explain not only their product, but given an indication of reputation across the market.

• Is the product branded by an independent manufacturer or is it an 'in-house' brand created by the retailer you have received the quotation from. 

• As appropriate, check for certifications and ratings in relation to insulating qualities and energy efficiency ratings - Look specifically for Australian ratings that ensure that the product is manufactured for Australian conditions. 

• If possible, look for indications as to how long the product line has been sold in Australia. For example a newly imported batch shipment of curtain tracks that is relatively new on the Australian market may not be available in a few years if you require parts or accessories, or the repair/replacement of the same curtain track. 

How do I compare linings?

• Quotations should list the brand and type of lining used. Ideal Drape Makers always lists the name, brand and type of the lining used in our window treatments. 

• Many companies simply write 'block-out lining' or '3-pass lining' - but how do you know what quality this is or what you are actually getting?

• Ask to see a sample of the lining being quoted. - Feeling and touching the lining will tell you a great deal about it's quality in comparison to other linings you may see from other suppliers who have also submitted quotations for your review. 

• Compare warranties between the lining offerings being presented to you. 

• Can the lining be washed and/or dry-cleaned. This is an important feature as there are many cheap linings on the market that can be neither washed nor dry-cleaned. 

• Do your research. If it is a quality branded lining then you should be able to find additional information the product online.

Lining is an important consideration. A cheaply made, inferior lining may be only a third of the cost of a quality lining with all the features you need for your window treatments. Given the amount of lining that is used for either drapery or Roman blinds, this can translate into a substantial cost differential affecting the overall price of the quotation you have been presented when compared to other quotations where quality linings have been incorporated in to the price. 

It is imprortant to note that with Roman Blinds, only high quality pre-stiffened 'Roman Lining' is used. Curtain lining should not be substituted as it does not have the stiffening properties required to prevent the completed Roman Blind from 'sagging' over time.  Roman Blind lining is a more expensive lining but one you should insist on if you are considering Roman Blind window treatments. 

Ideal Drape Makers quote Roman Blinds incorporating the use of pre-stiffened Roman Blind lining. 

How do I compare fullness?

Ideal Drape Makers always quotes the 'fullness' of the drapes and sheers being applied to your quotation.  The impact of 'fullness' on the overall price of the quotations you receive can be substantial. Less fullness means less fabric, less in making costs, and the case of drapes - less lining required. 

The conventional rule of thumb and Australian industry standard as espoused by the Window Coverings Association of Australia (WCAA) is that there be at least two times 'fullness' for a drape and 2.5 times fullness for a sheer curtain. 

Finally, it is important to note that 'skimping' on fullness, while it may dramatically lower the quotation price, can have a dramatic effect on the overall appearance and aesthetics of the completed window treatment once it is fitted. 

For a more detailed discussion on the subject of 'Fullness' please refer to FAQ 1 "What do you mean by 'fullness' and what does it mean to my window treatment solution?"

Should I insist on viewing samples of your products?

It is very important that you are able to see what the finished product will look like and/or the componentry and finishes that will be used. 

Viewing samples makes it easier to ask questions that you may not think of if you had not physically seen, felt and touched the product. This also makes it easier for consultants to adjust a solution according to your likes/dislikes and requests. For example, a sheer that requires a 'base hem' may be supplied by Ideal Drape Makers at a standard 7.5cm double base hem. You may, however, upon seeing a sample, decide you would prefer a bigger or smaller base hem.  Physically viewing a product sample like this allows you to make important decisions which Ideal Drape Makers and other reputable manufacturers can then incorporate into the window treatment solution you are wanting. 

I have received several quotations from different companies and I am confused - What do I do?

Call us to discuss your concerns or queries. We receive a lot of feedback from prospective customers who have received detailed quotations from Ideal Drape Makers but not from competing retailers. We are more than happy to guide you on the sorts of questions you should refer back to the competitor to better enable you to understand, compare and evaluate the quotations you have received from multiple companies

Examples might include: 

• Did you ask for Pelmets, Drapes and Pinch Pleated Sheers with Ideal Drape Makers, but only asked for Drapes and Rod-Slot Sheers from the other competitor?  Alternatively, perhaps no Pelmets or only Pelmets in the lounge room and not the entire house. 

• Roman Blinds - Are they 'chain operated' or operated by 'traditional cord?' - A chain operated system is substantially more expensive than a cord operated system.

• An instance where you may have been quoted a $30 p/metre sheer and $40 p/metre fabric at one retailer and other quote you a $60 p/metre sheer and a $70 p/metre fabric? 

• An important detail to look for in your quotations is the number of windows or locations that the quotation includes. 

Why is quality so important?

Window treatments add the finishing touches or accents to your home. Quality is important because it implies durability, long life, trouble free operation and pleasing aesthetics. 

Quality window treatments, with care will last for many years. It is not unusual for a quality window treatment to last 10-15 years. The purchase of quality window treatments should be, therefore, considered an investment in your home. 

Why should I care how long you have been in business?

A business that has been in operation for over 30 years is a business that has survived economic downturns whilst still providing quality products and service. 

Ideal Drape Makers has earned its reputation for its quality window treatments and customer service excellence, including its after service care. 

Our long tenure in trade means that we have long established and effective working relationships with our quality suppliers. We know their products and we can rely, in turn on their support of our day-to-day manufacturing and supply operations. 

Historically, our business growth has been primarily as a result of word-of-mouth referral - Your assurance that you will not be seen as simply another sale - Rather a relationship we will develop with you that will endure and see you returning to us, even if we do not see you for many years. 

Every supplier I talk to makes the same claims with regard to quality and customer service - I don't know who to believe?

Ideal Drape Makers has built its business on the manufacture and supply of quality custom made window treatments and our customer service excellence.

Now in the 'internet' age the veracity of our claims can be now attested to through the positive reviews we receive on the social networks participate in, Social networking reviews, and reviews on internet directory listings such as the 'Yellow Pages' and 'Google,' are now a tangible indication that the claims we make with regard to quality and customer service are not just claims. 

Ask around amongst friends, family and associates and you are bound to find someone who is one of our customers or who knows of someone who has dealt with us. Don't just ask about Ideal Drape Makers, but use this as an opportunity to filter out any 'shonky' companies that you are well advised to keep clear of. 

I am getting conflicting advice from different suppliers including IDM - why?

Ideal Drape Makers will not manufacture or supply a window treatment just for the sake of making a sale. If we feel that the solution you are after is not appropriate or practical, we will advise you of this. In cases where a customer insists on a solution we do not recommend we are more than happy to refer the customer to a competitor who will be able to cater to their requirements. 

When confronted with conflicting advice received from potential suppliers, including Ideal Drape Makers, it is important that you have sufficient information upon which a meaningful comparison can be made and justified. Information such as branding, model references and/or product specifications are necessary to ensure that there is a conflict. In many cases a conflict is perceived over a product when in fact it is two completely different products which are being compared.

We don't often find ourselves disputing advice provided by our competitors where it is established we are talking about the same things. That is not to say we would not dispute a competitors advice on a subject such as 'fullness' or the appropriate heading type best suited for a window treatment solution suited to your windows. In such cases we will clearly articulate the reasons why we disagree with the conflicting advice you have been given and provide you with as much information as is practical to enable you to make a balanced and informed decision,. 

I have received several quotations from different companies and I am confused - What do I do?

Call us to discuss your concerns or queries. We receive a lot of feedback from prospective customers who have received detailed quotations from Ideal Drape Makers but not from competing retailers. We are more than happy to guide you on the sorts of questions you should refer back to the competitor to better enable you to understand, compare and evaluate the quotations you have received from multiple companies

Examples might include: 

• Did you ask for Pelmets, Drapes and Pinch Pleated Sheers with Ideal Drape Makers, but only asked for Drapes and Rod-Slot Sheers from the other competitor?  Alternatively, perhaps no Pelmets or only Pelmets in the lounge room and not the entire house. 

• Roman Blinds - Are they 'chain operated' or operated by 'traditional cord?' - A chain operated system is substantially more expensive than a cord operated system.

• An instance where you may have been quoted a $30 p/metre sheer and $40 p/metre fabric at one retailer and other quote you a $60 p/metre sheer and a $70 p/metre fabric? 

• An important detail to look for in your quotations is the number of windows or locations that the quotation includes. 

I've made a decision to purchase from a competitor should I bother calling you?

We understand we are not going to win all the business we quote on. There may be one or multiple reasons for our quotation not being successful in winning you over. Often a counter quote is received by a customer by a competitor who substitutes or varies a solution based on an original quote provide by Ideal Drape Makers. Thus, as we have stressed continually through this series of FAQs, the importance of receiving a fully itemised and detailed quotation so as to provide assurance that the two competing solutions can be meaningfully compared. 

In other instances the reason for taking your business to one of our competitors may be simply that you feel more comfortable giving your business to the other company. Whilst this saddens us, we also understand that it is difficult to argue in cases where the reason is a special 'chemistry' that we have not found with you. 

Ideal Drape Makers nevertheless appreciate the opportunity given to use to provide a quotation and would equally appreciate being advised if our quote has not been successful. We follow-up all quotations we provide,  and advising us of your decision will ensure that you are no longer contacted by IDM as part of our follow up process that we have in place.