Welcome to the November, 1998 issue of BRAINWAVE MAGAZINE, which goes out FREE to over 11,000 subscribers throughout the world. We hope you get a lot of usable information out of this issue!
IN THIS ISSUE:
~ Is Vinyl Better Than Wood? ~ What's New from Levolor and Hunter Douglas ~ The No Brainer Recommended Buy List (How we decide) ~ A message from our sponsor ~ How to Sponsor Brainwave ~ FREE T-shirt Supply Replenished ~ Special Pricing Deal only for Brainwave Subscribers ~ Contract Volume Discounts Now Available ~ Recommend No Brainer.....Automatically ~ Education is Essential- Tell the World ~ Useful Links for Homeowners ~ Subscribe/Unsubscribe Info
-----------------------------------------------------
FAUX WOOD BLINDS BETTER THAN WOOD?
The New Alternatives to 2" Wood Blinds
-----------------------------------------------------
by Jay Steinfeld, President-No Brainer Blinds and Shades
Wood blinds and shutters are still two of the most popular window coverings sold in America. However, there’s always a limit to how much people will spend on their window treatments, and these two products are among the most expensive. Further, sometimes wood is undesirable in high moisture areas or in rooms susceptible to damage by kids and pets.
Recently introduced by almost every manufacturer are quality alternatives to 2” wood blinds. All have slats which imitate wood, but there are some big differences between them. They’re generally called Faux Woods, Alternative Woods, Wood-like, and a host of other names. They’re made of vinyl, vinyl compounds, and even some which are made of a combination of wood and vinyl - in effect a wood/vinyl alloy. The most popular products as of this writing are NuWood by Levolor, Lake Forest by Graber, and Woodwinds 2 by Comfortex. Just a few weeks ago Hunter Douglas unveiled their two entries - Woodmates and Everwoods. Since all of these products use vinyl for at least a portion of their slats they have two inherent advantages to wood blinds: (1) they cost less, and (2) they resist moisture.
The Disadvantages. There are some disadvantages to consider: (1) most people still prefer the warmth of real wood, (2) there are limited color choices and no stains, (3) there are size constraints and size limitations, (4) they are flimsier yet heavier than wood, and (5) they may yellow ( but paint can yellow too).
Beware of the very cheap “foam” blinds. They are especially flimsy, can sag, and require many more support strings (called “ladders”) not only because of their flimsiness, but also because they are heavy. Since most are made with inferior headrails and components, the weight puts a burden on the mechanism, accelerating its demise. I’d strongly suggest you stay away from these foam products. They are sold in Home Improvement centers and in some retail locations usually under a “private label brand”.
All of the alternative woods, however, require more ladders than wood blinds. The sturdier the blind, the farther apart the ladders can be placed and therefore will require fewer ladders - and that’s better because with fewer ladders the blinds have a cleaner, sleeker, more shutter-like appearance. The ladders run through holes in the slats, so when the blinds are closed, you’ll see all those holes due to the light piercing through them. Believe me, I’ve seen them and I don’t like the way that looks, and my customers don’t like it either. Further, if you want cloth tapes (like the older venetian blinds had) instead of the string ladders, then there will probably be too many tapes for your taste, and they obstruct your view.
Which are Best? We have evaluated every vendors’ entry, and there’s no doubt that the wood/vinyl alloys are best. They have more color choices, are sturdier, and require fewer ladders. Those products include Levolor’s NuWood, Comfortex’s Woodwind 2, and Hunter Douglas’ Everwood.
NuWoods have been available long enough to establish a history of excellent performance, and we’ve had no reports of any significant quality problems. If we have any hesitation in giving it our No Brainer Recommended Buy rating, it’s because of Levolor’s slower than we’d like delivery. In spite of the delivery issue we recommend it, especially with the extra special pricing offered to No Brainer by Levolor. We’re passing through to you that special pricing.
We’ll be keeping a close watch on Hunter Douglas’ Everwoods, which came in too late to establish a track record long enough to give it serious consideration to beat out the NuWood for the No Brainer Recommended Buy. Many of you will still want a lower priced product, but are afraid to buy an aluminum 1” or 2” aluminum blind, for fear that it will look too commercial and cold for your home. That’s when the solid flat vinyl products will be a suitable choice. Those would include Hunter Douglas’ Woodmates and Graber’s Lake Forest.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WHAT'S NEW! Analysis of New Products from Hunter Douglas and Levolor
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aside from the alternative woods mentioned above, Hunter Douglas has just introduced the EasyView Duette. The Duette is by far the most popular honeycomb shade in the world and is on our No Brainer Recommended Buy List. Until now there was no suitable way to use a honeycomb shade to cover a semi-circular window without covering it permanently. Now the shade can be moved up and down with a sliding lever. We haven't seen many installed in homes yet, but believe they will satisfy many arched-window needs.
Another product line just introduced by Hunter Douglas is their Millenia Vertical Blind Collection. Their new Paramount contoured headrail system is attractive and is improved over its predecessor, the Passages Collection Vertical blinds. The Millenia Collection has an extensive array of decorative vinyl and fabric vanes. It is not however on the No Brainer Recommended Buy List due to its high cost.
Levolor has unveiled a very unique quality miniblind, the Cordless Mark 1. The Mark 1 has long been one of the industry's best blinds, and now they've given you the option of making it cordless. It can be raised or lowered without pull cords, which makes it safer for pets and toddlers. It won the 1998 Safety Innovation of the Year Award. It too, however, did not make it to the No Brainer Recommended Buy List due to its high cost.
If cost is not an issue for you, both of these products are excellent choices.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
THE COVETED "NO BRAINER RECOMMENDED BUY LIST"
(How we decide which products belong)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
We have evaluated virtually every national brand of product, have sold them all, and based upon a long list of criterion we have chosen our favorites from among different product categories. We have listed our selections to form
The No Brainer Recommended Buy List. http://www.NoBrainerBlinds.com/products.asp
We believe the list represents the absolute best buys in the window coverings industry, and include the following categories: aluminum blinds, wood blinds, alternative faux wood blinds, vertical blinds, honeycomb shades, and natural roman-style shades.
Vendors go to great lengths to convince us that their products are best. As owner and founder of No Brainer, I am intent to help you make buying blinds and shades a, well...a no-brainer. I am a Decorator/Consultant that makes house calls six days a week through another design business I own (along with my wife, and it's called Laura's.....my wife's name is not Laura). I help people decide what is best for them, then I see the products installed. And I've been doing that for over 12 years. Now, some 5 to 6,000 customers later I think I've got a pretty good handle on customer preferences. Add to that No Brainer's huge volume, and that gives us plenty of first-hand knowledge and customer feedback.
The Crucial Factors We also meet or speak with the manufacturers' representatives, including their Product Managers, engineers, presidents, and technicians. We even sometimes inspect their manufacturing plants. We then consider the following crucial factors: quality, service, timeliness of repairs, delivery speed, warranty, color assortment, options, aesthetics, and of course price.
We especially heed everything we hear from our customers, and would respect and appreciate your opinion. If you'd like to relate your comments (favorable or unfavorable) about any product you've purchased, even if you did not buy it from No Brainer, please send it to me at: jay@NoBrainerBlinds.com
The No Brainer Recommended Buy List will constantly change as new products are announced, as vendors raise or lower their prices to us, and as the above factors change for the better or worse.
--------------------------------------------------------
Shhhhh... don't tell anyone, but for home owners there's a really cool web site to help you with repair and remodeling tips at http://HomeDoctor.net
**Note from the editor about this sponsorship message: Home Doctor is definitely one of the most informative sites on the Web. Their free newsletter is packed with information, and I've been a subscriber for about 4 months. Just last week I used their archives to find a home remedy to rid ourselves of ants. I personally recommend it. Jay Steinfeld, Pres.
------------------------------------------------------
SPONSORSHIP OF BRAINWAVE MAGAZINE
------------------------------------------------------
If you want to sponsor Brainwave, here's what to do.
Brainwave is sent FREE to over 11,000 people interested in their homes, safety, and who treasure useful, credible home-related advice. For sponsorship information, contact Jay Steinfeld at jay@NoBrainerBlinds.com.
----------------------------------------------
FREE T-SHIRT SUPPLY REPLENISHED
----------------------------------------------
Many of you have received one of our FREE very cool T-shirts if you ordered more than $1100 of product (remember you may combine multiple purchases). About 3 weeks ago our supply of X-LG ran out, but we expect a new shipment in about a week. If you’ve been waiting for yours, we appreciate your patience.
We are about to add another premium incentive - a No Brainer travel mug. That shipment should be received in about two weeks, so if you want to wait for one of the travel mugs, please email Sharon at sharon@NoBrainerBlinds.com to register your request.
--------------------------------------
BRAINWAVE SPECIAL OFFER
--------------------------------------
As a Brainwave subscriber, you’re entitled to a special offer not available to non-subscribers. You may take 6% off your purchase no matter how small, as long as you use our safe Secure Online Order Form. This offer is valid beginning today, and expires on December 30, 1998. You must also mention Code BW1198.
If you'd like to subscribe to BRAINWAVE, or know someone who should, then CLICK HERE to subscribe FREE. Your Privacy Protected
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTRACT VOLUME DISCOUNTS NOW AVAILABLE TO HOMEOWNERS
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We just expanded our Contract Division, and now homeowners can qualify for the same incredible savings previously offered only to our large volume customers, such as hospitals, schools, etc. Qualifications are listed on our contract page, and there are positively no exceptions made to those qualifications. To see if you qualify, or if you are already a Contract customer, go to:
http://www.NoBrainerBlinds.com/contract.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECOMMEND NO BRAINER TO A FRIEND.....AUTOMATICALLY AND SIMPLY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you know someone buying a new home, or remodeling? Could they use the decorating advice found on the No Brainer Site, or need blinds at a substantial discount? Then we’ve got a handy little form for you to recommend us. You’ll just enter their email address, press send, and they’ll get a short message about No Brainer, telling them how to find us. And of course all the addresses are kept strictly private and confidential, in accordance with our stated Privacy Policy. Recommend No Brainer now at: http://www.NoBrainerBlinds.com/recommend.asp
-----------------------------------------------------------
EDUCATION IS ESSENTIAL
How you can show the world you care about education
-----------------------------------------------------------
We believe in the future of the Internet (by now doesn't just about everyone?). We have essentially based No Brainer's future on the Net. We encourage people to learn about the Internet, computers, and promote education whenever possible. To encourage people to show their interest in education, we have sponsored a site called 4 Point 0.
Learn about how you can put an animated and colorful effective icon on your business' or personal web site to show the world how much YOU care about education. There's no strings attached; no mandatory reciprocal link, just a way for you to promote the importance of education. We encourage you to tell others about the icon and make it universally known. Go to:
-----------------------------------------------
USEFUL LINKS FOR HOMEOWNERS
Help us help you!
-----------------------------------------------
We have a large section especially useful to new or existing homeowners: Click HERE for Home Decorating Links
It has useful links, and we would be grateful if you would tell us about any sites you feel would be helpful. Please let us know by sending the information to links@NoBrainerBlinds.com
Warm regards, Jay Steinfeld, President/Founder No Brainer Blinds and Shades The world's most popular and trusted on-line source for blinds and shades.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
To subscribe to BRAINWAVE, CLICK HERE. Your Privacy Protected
To make comments/suggestions about this or future issues of Brainwave, send them to: jay@NoBrainerBlinds.com
Visit the No Brainer site at: http://www.NoBrainerBlinds.com
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
BRAINWAVE MAGAZINE- (c)COPYRIGHT 1998, by No Brainer, Inc. All rights reserved. Please do not reprint or host on your Web Site without explicit permission, which we grant under proper conditions. However, if you found Brainwave useful, we grant you permission, and strongly encourage you to email it to a business associate or a friend. Thank you.
No Brainer Blinds and Shades Three Brainer Tower 4660 Beechnut Houston, TX 77096 Toll-free 1-888-4NO-BRAINER (1-888-466-2724) http://www.NoBrainerBlinds.com
*We are constantly updating our mailing lists, and believe all subscribers' addresses are correct. We are very sensitive to spamming, abhor it, and would _never_ purposely do so. If you were sent Brainwave by mistake, or if you were sent multiple copies, please advise us and we will promptly remove the incorrect address.