BradNaylor
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- 17 Oct 2007
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I speak to a lot of cabinetmakers who generate very little business through their websites; indeed many seem to have given up on the whole idea. I know a few who don't even have a website.
I'm posting the following email correspondence to demonstrate just how powerful a sales tool the internet can be. Names have been changed in the interests of client confidentiality.
1.10.08
Hi Dan
I found your website on-line and I just wanted to find out whether you covered Lymm in Cheshire before I contact you with an enquiry?
I am looking for fitted bookshelf/cupboard space as well as a free standing cupboard/display cabinet
Many thanks
Sarah
1.10.08
Hi Sarah,
Many thanks for your email enquiry.
Yes, I cover Lymm.
I look forward to hearing from you again with an idea of your requirements. Alternatively, if you want me to come and see you simply give me a call on 0161 *** **** or 07*** ******
Regards
Dan Tovey
9.11.08
Hi Dan
I contacted you a while ago regarding a free standing cabinet as well as some fitted bookcases/storage. The bookcases will have to wait as we have not yet chosen a sofa and the shelving will need to fit around that but I wondered if you could give me a rough quote for a free-standing cabinet.
I have done a very rough sketch (not much of an artist I'm afraid!) which I've attached so I think you can get the idea from this. It has a drawer at the bottom and 'shaker style' doors which match those on the kitchen cupboards. I have taken some photos of the kitchen cupboards and I'll forward you them under a seperate e-mail so you can get the idea of the look of the front of it as it might not be that easy to tell from my sketch.
I would like it in painted wood and the dimensions are:
Wide - 90cm
Depth - 35cm
Height - 200cm apx but can vary depending on shelf height requirements etc inside.
Height of each shelf inside - apx 30 cm.
It has to be very sturdy as it will be holding glasses and plates etc which will be quite heavy.
If you could get back to me with a rough quote and expected timescales we can take it from there.
Thanks very much for your help,
Sarah Peters
10.11.08
Hi Sarah,
A rough guide price for a cabinet as you describe would be as follows;
Freestanding cabinet as sketch to be constructed from a combination of beech, tulipwood and moisture resistant MDF.
Drawer to be mounted on soft-close concealed runners and doors to be hung on 170 degree concealed hinges.
To be finished in 2 coats of AC primer and 2 coats of AC paint in the colour of your choice. I have a wide range of knobs and handles to choose from.
Total price including delivery and installation £1950.00
My schedule is currently full until April 2009 so earliest delivery would be May. I can come over to visit you and discuss it at any time.
I can always quote for your bookcases without knowing the exact dimensions; I can even book the production slot. Precise dimensions can be decided later.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Rgds
Dan Tovey
10.11.08
Thanks Dan
That sounds good. Just let me know if I have to do anything to get the ball rolling i.e a deposit or something?
Thanks
Sarah
11.11.08
Hi Sarah,
I have attached a sales order form for your cabinet.
I require a deposit of 25% to secure the order followed by another 25% when I am about to commence work on it. I would suggest that I come and sort out the fine details such as colour and handles with you around Easter time so that I can have your order ready in May.
You can either send me a cheque for your deposit or make a direct payment from your computer. My bank details are on the order form.
Many thanks for your order and I look forward to meeting you.
Kind regards
Dan Tovey
12.11.08
Hi Dan
Thank you
I have sent the deposit of £487.50 to your bank. Please confirm when you have received it.
I can't wait to see the cabinet!
Sarah
I have just checked my bank and the deposit arrived yesterday.
I have never even spoken to Sarah, never mind met her. In fact, I don't yet have her address or phone number! My costs so far for securing this order have been minimal - maybe 20 minutes of my time replying to emails.
Previously I would have responded to a telephone enquiry by making a visit - maybe two - and spending several hours either travelling or discussing the project with the client.
If anyone had told me a couple of years ago that I could be doing business in this way I would have been very sceptical. Yet it is increasingly becoming the norm.
If this is the future - I like it!
Cheers
Dan
I'm posting the following email correspondence to demonstrate just how powerful a sales tool the internet can be. Names have been changed in the interests of client confidentiality.
1.10.08
Hi Dan
I found your website on-line and I just wanted to find out whether you covered Lymm in Cheshire before I contact you with an enquiry?
I am looking for fitted bookshelf/cupboard space as well as a free standing cupboard/display cabinet
Many thanks
Sarah
1.10.08
Hi Sarah,
Many thanks for your email enquiry.
Yes, I cover Lymm.
I look forward to hearing from you again with an idea of your requirements. Alternatively, if you want me to come and see you simply give me a call on 0161 *** **** or 07*** ******
Regards
Dan Tovey
9.11.08
Hi Dan
I contacted you a while ago regarding a free standing cabinet as well as some fitted bookcases/storage. The bookcases will have to wait as we have not yet chosen a sofa and the shelving will need to fit around that but I wondered if you could give me a rough quote for a free-standing cabinet.
I have done a very rough sketch (not much of an artist I'm afraid!) which I've attached so I think you can get the idea from this. It has a drawer at the bottom and 'shaker style' doors which match those on the kitchen cupboards. I have taken some photos of the kitchen cupboards and I'll forward you them under a seperate e-mail so you can get the idea of the look of the front of it as it might not be that easy to tell from my sketch.
I would like it in painted wood and the dimensions are:
Wide - 90cm
Depth - 35cm
Height - 200cm apx but can vary depending on shelf height requirements etc inside.
Height of each shelf inside - apx 30 cm.
It has to be very sturdy as it will be holding glasses and plates etc which will be quite heavy.
If you could get back to me with a rough quote and expected timescales we can take it from there.
Thanks very much for your help,
Sarah Peters
10.11.08
Hi Sarah,
A rough guide price for a cabinet as you describe would be as follows;
Freestanding cabinet as sketch to be constructed from a combination of beech, tulipwood and moisture resistant MDF.
Drawer to be mounted on soft-close concealed runners and doors to be hung on 170 degree concealed hinges.
To be finished in 2 coats of AC primer and 2 coats of AC paint in the colour of your choice. I have a wide range of knobs and handles to choose from.
Total price including delivery and installation £1950.00
My schedule is currently full until April 2009 so earliest delivery would be May. I can come over to visit you and discuss it at any time.
I can always quote for your bookcases without knowing the exact dimensions; I can even book the production slot. Precise dimensions can be decided later.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Rgds
Dan Tovey
10.11.08
Thanks Dan
That sounds good. Just let me know if I have to do anything to get the ball rolling i.e a deposit or something?
Thanks
Sarah
11.11.08
Hi Sarah,
I have attached a sales order form for your cabinet.
I require a deposit of 25% to secure the order followed by another 25% when I am about to commence work on it. I would suggest that I come and sort out the fine details such as colour and handles with you around Easter time so that I can have your order ready in May.
You can either send me a cheque for your deposit or make a direct payment from your computer. My bank details are on the order form.
Many thanks for your order and I look forward to meeting you.
Kind regards
Dan Tovey
12.11.08
Hi Dan
Thank you
I have sent the deposit of £487.50 to your bank. Please confirm when you have received it.
I can't wait to see the cabinet!
Sarah
I have just checked my bank and the deposit arrived yesterday.
I have never even spoken to Sarah, never mind met her. In fact, I don't yet have her address or phone number! My costs so far for securing this order have been minimal - maybe 20 minutes of my time replying to emails.
Previously I would have responded to a telephone enquiry by making a visit - maybe two - and spending several hours either travelling or discussing the project with the client.
If anyone had told me a couple of years ago that I could be doing business in this way I would have been very sceptical. Yet it is increasingly becoming the norm.
If this is the future - I like it!
Cheers
Dan