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A prime example is the Safestyle, and especially the DFS adverts. Both of which offer ‘superb’ offers and great ‘deals’. But people have become weary of them (especially Safestyle, I know it memorable, but for all the wrong reasons. Most people find him annoying, and who would buy windows from a guy who throws them on the floor like they are made from cardboard!). Every week there’s a new offer, and every Sunday it ends, just for a new one to start again on Monday. It’s lost all it’s credibility because people know it’s never ever going to end! And because of that, people won’t rush in on a weekend making sure they get there in time before it ends. Making the whole point of a ‘Sale’, pointless.
If companies are going to embark on TV land with adverts advertising sales and giving some indication that these ‘offers’ and ‘discounts’ are going to end at some point, they must. It gives the business and the sale credibility and believability. If they don’t, they could end up in a position like DFS, where their sale is now just a national joke and has no credence.
>The DFS example is and interesting one.
If you read the small print, they have sold the sofa at one of their stores ( I think its Hinkley from memory) for 28 days before the offer at the inflated price. Then the other 80 stores or so can claim to be offering the discount.
I always thought DFS stood for 'Discounts Finish Soon'!
The problem is that to sell anything in this world you have to have an offer, and they do it very well.
Alex
>Yeah, but DFS are the biggest supplier of sofas, and Safestyle UK are one of the largest installers of windows.
>Hi Argos are the biggest in the UK followed by Ikea. Which is interesting as they sell more sofas than anybody else in the UK and you cant sit on one to try them out. All bought off the photo and price point. I think DFS are 4th by the way! Similar to our industry? The people who maintain very high quality showrooms have higher overheads but lose a lot of business to customers who come in and do all their research then go and buy cheaper elsewhere. Comet now say 15% of the people who come into their showrooms… Read more »
>Depending on your outlook and selling angle within our industry there will always be an agrument for and against 'sales, discounts, offers' etc. We don't use sales and discounts and we do very well, we have at least a 50% conversion rate. But I can also see the argument for them as everyone loves a discount. I love HMV when they sell metal ablums for ÂŁ3 a piece!
RCG, leave Alex's wife alone! Although you probably didn't have a choice looking at that photo lol!
Alex, do you work for Safestyle?
>Alex
OMG – I had no idea she was your lass. So sorry, she said she worked for GGP, but I was a bit suspicious.
RCG
>Hi DGB,
No, I don't work for Safestyle and never have. They claim ÂŁ2m a week turnover, so they must be something right?
Alex