Thank you for your feedback.
You have had cause to query the justification of our payment terms and we would like the opportunity to explain why they are what they are – specifically the requirement to pay in advance of final installation.
Our standard terms and conditions require staged payment for our products with the final balance on delivery of the goods but before installation. Payment before delivery is standard practice for most high value bespoke and made to measure products - for example furniture, flooring, beds and many other items.
There are very few purchases where one doesn’t have to pay up front before enjoying the goods or the experience. Our policy is not personal to any one customer and we know that the vast majority of our customers are honourable and trustworthy and will pay the balance after installation but and I am afraid there is a but, there is a tiny minority of people who, in the absence of this policy, will make excuses either not to pay in full or will attempt to negotiate a discount.
Once our goods are installed in place they cannot be removed and in any case have no value to Appeal if the final balance is not paid. And the typical monetary level of outstanding balance is such that it is never economic in time and legal fees to pursue the debtor through the courts and therefore the normal practice is to write off the debt. That is unfair to the company and to all our other customers who will have to bear the consequences of bad debt through higher prices.
Appeal's longstanding membership of the British Blinds and Shutters Association, our comprehensive guarantee and reputation for product quality and customer service (see Feefo reviews) means that in the rare event of any problem after installation you can be assured that we will honour our guarantee without quibble and correct any fault without undue delay.
Best wishes,
The Appeal Home Shading Team
