ghost

[hillarys complaints]

Terrible service.

Just before moving house on we received a leaflet from Hillarys Blinds advertising a Half Price Easter Sale, this seemed like perfect timing as we wanted to have blinds in most rooms of the new house rather than curtains. I called Hillary's the day after moving and they said they would send somebody around the next day to give us a quote.
We had an advisor come around who quoted £1000.00, this seemed very expensive however we really didn't know what blinds cost and we were told it was a really good deal. I asked about the half price offer and was told that the only products on half price were those that they couldn't sell as they wanted to get rid of the stock, certainly not what the TV advertisement or leaflets were implying. We did however gullibly accept this.

I wasn't keen on accepting this quote on the spot so the advisor told us that if we did, he should get the blinds by the following Friday when he would call and would come and fit them himself! We decided to accept this offer, but then I noticed the quantities of blinds on the paperwork did not add up to the amount of windows he was quoting for! He said it was a mistake and corrected our paperwork - and his own copy with a biro, and said he would get it changed on the order also. I signed his corrected copy.
Hillarys quickly took £300.00 from my credit card as a deposit.

The following Friday came and went, annoyed that what we had been told was not correct, but we accepted that maybe things were getting knocked back a couple of days because of the Easter break. We still had not heard anything after 3 weeks so I called Hillarys Blinds to find out where the blinds were and not only had they not made them, the quantities were incorrect as the sales advisor did not call and correct them like he told us he would! I was told this would be chased up with the advisor and sorted out.
I was hoping to at least get a call back to let me know what was going on, but I didn't, so the next morning I called back again and found out that still the complete order for blinds had not been entered! I was told pretty much the same thing again so again waited for an update. Nothing again, called back that afternoon and still they were doing nothing to get this order sorted out. The person I spoke to this time did however say she reported it to the Area Manager. I was later told they would need to send another advisor to measure again(?!?) but that it wouldn't be until the following Monday (4th week). Well that day has come and gone and not even a phone call to make an appointment let alone a visit.

We have now had to put curtains in the bedrooms upstairs as we continue to wait. We still have nothing in any downstairs windows.
Other relevant information:

Hillarys blinds advertise free fitting, measuring, and advice, however they themselves sell blinds that you fit yourself at www.web-blinds.com/ for considerably less than we are being charged, and we were told we were getting a "3 for 2" offer also, that simply does not add up.
The claim that the blinds on offer are ones that they can't sell also does not add up, as I am also told they manufacturer blinds on demand and do not sit on stock. Seems to me that the incredably thin "buy one get one free" blinds have been manufactured just for the offer.

Both the "3 for 2" and "buy one get one free" offers are being "offered" without revealing how much the products actually cost, or did cost before the sale as the agent comes up with a quote him/herself, how can advertising these offers be legal? (It reminds me of the never ending DFS sale scam that The Bulls* Detective reported on!)
Advise (just in case there is anybody else out there as easily conned as we were): never agree to a quote while the advisor is still there.

I wonder how many customer deposits for unordered blinds are being used to fund the current TV campaign, which has turned into a Spring Sale.
Still waiting for blinds....

[ghost]

My wife recently decided that I wanted shutters over the windows, a bay, and 2 windows in the lounge, one in the dining room and one in the bathroom. It's funny how she often decides what I want, it must have been a sub-clause in the wedding vows....

We looked at two companies, Hilarys blinds - www.hillarys.co.uk/ and The Shutter Shop www.shutter-shop.co.uk.
Hilarys came first, we had done a little research into the product and decided that we wanted a split on the main window of the bay, and a single panel in each of the wings of the bay. (sorry for the non technical language, can we do pumps? I can do technical lanuguage in pumps).

Hillarys quoted £3150 for the job, after an hour and a half, and thankfully no calls to his manager. We were a little dissapointed with the product, it seems to have been put together on a budget, and with white plastic over the wood, as opposed to paint. We asked where the shutter was made, to be told that all shutters in the UK originate in the Far East.

Next we brought in the shutter shop, the product was far more substantial, as was the cost £4830, but was made with solid wood, and they had a much nicer method of fitting it into the bay, using a circular pole to join the panels at the angles. He pointed out that a lot of the budget far eastern shutters are made out of LDF a lightweight version of MDF.

We couldn't however justify the increase in cost, and I decided to go with Hillarys, my wife however preffered the far more substantial look of the shutter shop version, and pointed out I was obviously confused. So she changed my mind, we asked for a £200 discount if we signed up there and then with the shutter shop . We managed to get a great finance deal on them, and are going to pay it off in about 7 months.
At the end of the day, we are so happy we went with the shutter shop, job looks amazing, and the same person who measured up the windows, fitted them. The sales guy doesn't fit as it's far too technical.

We ended up with a five year guarantee, and what's best is that the shutters look like they've always been there, not like brand new shutters. We love the way we can adjust the light, and the fact that the stick to control the vanes doesn't go all over the centre of the slats.
So, there you go, my first review! Don't be too hard on me!

[hillarys complaints]

Bank Holiday weekend I searched for conservatory blind companies on Google. I looked at Hilary's as I was told be a colleague they were cheaper than Thomas Sanderson. Hillary's allowed you to book an appointment on their website which I did for Bank Holiday Monday (amased I could get an appointment so quick). It mentioned a confirmation e-mail of appointment or a phone call to arrange a different date. Neither materialised. I called Hillary's on Monday morning to check if I had an appointment or not. They said to get a quote for a conservatory was at least two weeks. I finally made a booking for 13 June. I got a text on Tuesday saying I should have an e-mail confirming my appointment. No e-mail, sophoned Hillary's to double check. We had another company come to do a quote which we have accepted as others very slow in responding especially in this climate where everyone is chasing business. I phone Hillary's to cancel the appointment. I was amazed I was not asked I would like to reschedule or why I had cancelled. Sorry being in a service inductry, this is bad customer service. Do not touch them. I eventually wenty with Conservatory Blinds Limited. Slightly more expensive but excellent service so far.

[hill con]

I totally agree with all the comments made about Hillary' s blinds.they are a disgrace and should not still be trading.I will now tell you my story of an experience I never ever want to experience again.it all started September 08.I like many was enticed by there TV ad 50% off.I called to make an appointment.the guy came out typical sales man,with the jargon & thingyy attitude.trying to off load the cheap material.I wanted Venetian blinds.my windows are funny sizes so I needed to have a specialist company do it, as I thought Hillary blinds were.....how wrong was I.but you live an learn.anyway figures were done, signed the paperwork, took a deposit it and off he went.whilst he was there I felt uneasy and pressured into having them done.my partner and I discussed it and found that for what they were it was expensive.(this was for two windows to be done) this is the part where it starts to become a real nightmare.I phoned Hillary blinds 5 days after to say I wish for my order to be cancelled.I was told abruptly no,as they were already in production.now consumer direct and trading standards told me there is a 7 day cooling off period by law.so I was still within my rights to cancel.also surely a deposit is taken for a reason,to secure an order and that would have to clear before they begin to put them in to production.(if they ever did which I find hard to believe and where is the evidence of that I am supposed to take there word for it) I told them I was cancelling the deposit on them which I did and was well worth the £10.00 I paid to do it.they didn't like this and sent me threatening letters.I wrote and emailed them explaining to them my reasons as to why with no joy.so I got onto consumer direct,they advised I wrote another letter again no joy.they advised that it should be passed on to trading standards.which to my knowledge it was.whilst this was going on they had already set in place to take me to court.they served me the papers through the post.but I hung back on sending them as trading standards were on the case.I phoned the court to make them aware of this they told me they had already set CCJ against me.I could not believe what I was hearing.so I am now having to counter claim against them to get this judgement set aside.I am livid with them.but I will have my day as I have a strong case against them.as there will be a court hearing.so that is the the story so far.so after reading this DO NOT get involved with them.it is more trouble than it's worth.this company should not be trading they are CON ARTISTS.it has already cost them a fortune so far and its about to cost them even more.they are going to regret the day they ever crossed me.

[hiill con]

The Vertical Blind market is mostly a scam.
Sales are non existent
Discounts are full of terms and subject to etc.
Read the adverts carefully:
50% off...............off what?
2 for 1............hmmmmmm how much is the 1st one?
Key words to look for:
"from"
"upto"
"selected fabrics"
"certain sizes"
"on selected"
"buy one get one free"
These are all terms that will catch you out.

The adverts look good, they are meant to be! "free fitting" "free measuring" etc..........nothing is free it is all built into the price.
Uks Number One company uses agents (as do most the big companies) they earn commission and will try to up sell to take more money and earn more commission. These agents come and go.......your back service will be very poor.
Quality of product a major consideration.
We all look at the fabrics, but what about the head rail?
The vertical blind market is full of cheap far east products, ranging from fabrics that feel like cardboard to crap head rails.

Why? Because it make the companies money!
You should always ask these simples questions:

How much guarantee to you get and what does it cover?
Where do the fabrics come from?
Ask to see the head rail?
Where does the head rail come from?
Are your fitters qualified?
Are your fitters insured?
Ask for referrals?
How long has the company been trading?
Do not give deposits!
If the company won't take the order without one doesn't use them!

Yes we are a blind company, which is why we know all this.
FACT IS a vertical blind 2mtr X 2mtr has a material cost of £19.38.
This is for the quality end so cheap blinds would be about £14.00
Overheads measuring and fitting + labour need to be added to this
and of course the profit.

We would retail this blind @£60.00 including measuring and fitting.
UKs No 1.................£100.00 - £240.00!
DO NOT GET SUCKED IN BY THE ADVERTS....SHOP AROUND.

[hill con]

I made an appointment for one tof the Hillarys Blinds representitives to come to my home to quote for blinds for my conservatory as it was getting rediculously hot during the summer months

The man was nice enough to begin with, and looked pretty professional with his kit (huge bag with samples in)
We had decided on the pleated blinds as they are the best ones for conservatories, but could not believe how much they wanted... the quote came back at over £2000 - apparently this is because the roof ones are more expensive... hello - where is the sun? (try 'coming in from the roof') If we just had the sides, the price was considerably less (can't remember how much)

We were assured that the quality was the best in the market and that the price was competitive, and we got pulled in to the marketing - by the way, the 50% off sales are a JOKE - none of the fabrics we liked - or anyone with any taste would like - were in the 50% off sale
Anyway, and don't ask me why - although the fact we couldnt use the room as it was so hot probably had something to do with it - we went ahead... Oh dear

We then waited for 4 weeks, to be told that the blinds had been made (4 weeks!?) the man came out to fit but there was one blind missing, so we had to wait another 2 weeks for him to come back to fit them all - he wouldn't fit the ones he had?
Then, once installed, we didn't like how they looked - some of them had holes in where the stitching goes through, and the pleats just didn't look right - we were told they are fine as they have been checked.

I went to a friends the other weekend who had used another company - hers looked fabulous, were half the price and took half the time.
Hillays Blinds are simply NOT worth the money

[hill con]

Terrible Customer Service from the fitter and after sales......

I ordered shutters from Hilary's blinds and boy has it been a nightmare.
The Sales Consultant was a lovely chap, very freindly and helpful. Once you place the order with the Consultant the order gets passed to a fitter who come to your property to measure up and place the order.

This is where my headache began. The fitter arranged times and dates to come round, i took an afternoon off work. He didn't show. He called me several hours later at 10pm and wanted to come round then.
He called me a week later to another review and again was late.

A couple of weeks later he rang and aske ME to measure something they had missed. I refused and the fitter had to come again.
When the sutters finally arrived they were not to my specification and had some damage to them and were badly fitted.

I have place repeated calls to Hilary's to request a Senior person to visit me to reslove my issues but after speaking to rude unhelpful Helpdesk staff i have still not had a visit or even a curtsey call to talk to me.
Do not use these people, they are expensive and take your money and run.

Very angry and frusted.
PS - if anyone has had a luck in resloving issues with Hilary's i would be greatful if you could share with me how you managed it!

Thanks

[hill con]

Absolutley awful experience. I was told blinds could not be made anywhere how i wanted them so i trusted the sales man & settled for what the man said could be done & paid 50% of the total. A week later i was told by another company they could be made. On trying to cancel my order i was told they had already been made & could not be cancelled. I explained there had been a misunderstanding between myself & the sales man. They wouldnt listen & instead of being understanding are now trying to take me to court for £165 !!! Its a real shame large companies such as Hillarys fail to be customer focused. I would urge people to use a smaller local firm. Steer well clear of Hillarys blinds or watch out if things go badly with them !!

[hill con]

Hilllary's sent someone round to put up some new blinds we had bought for our new bay windows The blinds were fitted onto a uPVC base.. This man is what you call an agent by all accounts.
The man didn't do a very good job in putting them up and having put in a mild complaint to a seemingly pleasant person on the Hillary's web site, I was eventually put through on the telephone to a supercilious, sanctimonious "adviser" who used aggressive tactics and claimed that the agent said that the installation of the blinds was 100% perfect.

After the conversation I had with this adviser, I have decided not to carry on with my complaiint I have as I simply do not trust their people who fitted our sun blinds not to botch the job up further and I do not trust myself should I come face to face with their smarmy salesperson/adviser or whatever he is.
It is my opinion thatt Hillary's Blinds do not seem to care who they use to install their blinds and have shown themselves not to be very concerned at a botched job and they will use advisers who will adopt aggressive tactics should you dare have the audacity to raise criticisms at the work done by their "agents".

This is why people should stay WELL AWAY from Hillary's
Listen to the readers who are telling you to avoid this company at all costs because in my opinion they are quite simply, correct.

[hill con]

Please don't be connecd by Hilary's 50% off and the claim that their sale is about to end. They have a spring sale - a summer sale - an autumn sale - a Christmas sale - an Easter sale etc etc. They are constantly changing the fabrics that they have on sale, so that hey can tiptoe around the edge of legality. I have found that their 50% off price is often more expensive than a local independant anyway.

They are con merchants and as another reviewer has said, their agents are on a commission, only working at weekends and evenings to top up their income from their day job. They often do not continue doing blinds for very long and consequwently build up no experience in fitting anything other than in the most basic situations. Don't touch them with a barge pole!

[blindmansam]

Please don't slag off Hillarys - They are such a good company , and the many advisors here will tell you differently.





What Planet am i on ?

I see men in white coats at my door !


LOL



Happy Blinding Christmas !

[Guest]

Is this the standard of the new advisor?
video.aol.co.uk/video-detail/this-is-why-my-hillarys-blind-fell-down/361112901

[blindmansam]

Dec 13, 2009 10:34:16 GMT @Guest said:

Is this the standard of the new advisor?
video.aol.co.uk/video-detail/this-is-why-my-hillarys-blind-fell-down/361112901

video.aol.co.uk/video-detail/this-is-why-my-hillarys-blind-fell-down/361112901


A genuine mistake !

Am certain that advisor is getting better every week ! LOL ;D

[wendy]

That person should be named and shamed.
Anyone know who it is?

Oh, I just thought, it could probably be any one of at least 500 of the 800 Hillary's advisor's!

[sirkitmain]

That person must have been a 'newbie' Hillarys advisor... as well as an appalling fitting job it looked very much like they used those cheap Chinese screws to fix the brackets! Any experienced advisor would have chucked those straight in the bin and used a decent set of screws with a proper pozi head!