Newsletter

Valance Magnets Added

To All Custom Products

Last October, Woodland Blinds introduced a new valance magnet system to be used on all of our Basswood Blinds. Our customers have responded to this new system with overwhelming approval. As a result, we have decided to use this attachment system on all of our custom product lines starting with orders entered on January 28, 2008.
The valance magnet system is completely hidden when viewed from the front of the blind. The magnets are very strong and durable. Market research has proven that consumers are willing to pay a little more for an invisible valance system. In addition, this system is easy to install and does not break when the valance is removed from the blind.
These magnets will be attached to the back of the valance with screws. The valance is then placed in position on the headrail. No more wrap-around clips that must be attached before the headrail is placed in the brackets. These magnets allow the consumer to adjust and remove the valance easily.

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You Can Help Lower Freight Costs!

It is no secret to anyone that freight costs are increasing. Part of this increase is unavoidable—for example, the rising cost of fuel and fuel surcharges, annual price increases, and oversized surcharges. However, you can help us save on the cost of damaged freight.
Over the years, Woodland Blinds has taken great pride in our boxing and shipping quality. We strive to use the best boxing and packing materials that are available to us. In addition, we continually monitor to ensure that our employees follow our stringent boxing procedures. In spite of our efforts, ship damage is still a problem, mainly because of the fragile nature of our product. One of the ways that we can curb the cost of shipping and avoid raising prices is to increase the amount that we collect from freight companies for damaged product. There are 3 main reasons that the freight companies deny claims:

· Claims not filed within 15 days after delivery.

· Damaged product not being available for inspection.

· No damage is noted on the bill of lading at the time of delivery.

You also have a direct effect on the amount we collect on freight claims by using the following procedures:

· Inspect the outside of each box for damage before signing for the delivery. Notate any damage on delivery receipt.

· Open and inspect the contents of the box for concealed damage as soon as possible. Do not reship or deliver the boxes to another location until this inspection is done.

· Notify us as soon as possible of any damage. Our credit policies require that you notify us of damage within 10 days after receipt of the product. Any damage reported after 10 days may not be remedied at no charge.

Please do not install damaged blinds. Package the damaged blinds in the original box and have them available at the original delivery address for inspection. The freight company should arrange for an inspection within 2 weeks.

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2” Sandblasted Basswood Blinds Discontinued

Please note that we have discontinued our 2" Sandblasted Basswood Product Line. Our inventory has been depleted in all colors. The color numbers that will no longer be available are as follows:

#200 Sandblasted Bright White

#201 Sandblasted Pure White

#202 Sandblasted Bone

#203 Sandblasted Antique White

#205 Sandblasted Alabaster

#206 Sandblasted Bleach

We do not currently have any open orders for this product line. Customers will be notified if we receive an order in these colors and the order will not be entered into our system. Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience as a result of this discontinuation.

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Are You Using www.woodlandblinds.com to Save Time?

As all of us know—”Time is Money”. This is especially true in the competitive world of the Window Covering Industry. Here are some ways you can use our website to save time:

· Place your orders on-line. All custom horizontal blinds and woven wood shades can be placed in our on-line shopping cart. Only Builders Express Blinds, Shades and Arches and our custom Honeycomb/Cellular Shades are not available at this time (we are currently in the process of adding these product lines to the shopping cart). The shopping cart can also be used to price jobs and keep track of all of your orders. Call your sales agent today for an on-line entry application.

· Track your UPS ground shipments on-line. The morning after your order has shipped, you can go to our website to track your shipment. Click on the “Shipment Tracking” link on the left side of our home page. Type in your Woodland Blinds tracking number (sent to you on your daily confirmation). The UPS ground tracking information will be displayed for your use. UPS Freight shipments cannot be tracked with this tool.

· All order forms are available on our website. Go to the “Our Products” tab on the bar at the top of the page. Then click on the “Order Forms” link on the left side of any of our product pages. Choose the order form you want to print. This order form will appear in an Adobe (pdf) format for your use.

· Troubleshooting instructions are available on our website. Click on the “Technical Information” tab at the top of our home page. You will see a list of instructions that tell you how to install blinds, shorten blinds, replace slats, troubleshoot and change out tilters, troubleshoot lift problems, and install hold downs. All of these instructions are available in a Adobe (pdf) format for your use.

We also have several e-mail addresses for your use:

· orders@woodlandblinds.com—To place new orders and request changes to orders that have not shipped. Also, fax quote requests here.

· statuscheck@woodlandblinds.com—To check the status of orders that have not shipped.

· customerservice@woodlandblinds.com—To report problems on orders that have already shipped. This can include remake requests, parts orders, and repair orders.

Please call customer service at (713) 640-2885, option 2 if you have any questions. Or call your sales agent direct: You can reach Becky Rice at extension 105, Bob Zwink at extension 129 or Kaye Stevenson at extension 139.

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See What’s New at

www.woodlandblinds.com

We are still working on adding product lines that are not currently in our shopping cart at www.woodlandblinds.com is in progress. Honeycomb/Cellular Shades should be ready some time in February. Our Builders Express Program will be next.

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Jan 2008