So as we come to the end of yet another year i have been very suprised as to how busy we have been between Christmas and the New year.
To be honest i may i have been at work today answering the phone to customers and preparing invoices and delivery runs for when we return in January.
We have had yet another record month which makes it a full set for the whole year.
The fireplace and stove industry seems to have had little effect from the recession and we again have had another fantastic year.
Yesterday and today have been very busy orderwise as people return to work and decided to get things sorted before the VAT rise which is very close now.
For anyone who is not aware the reat of vat is rising to 20% on the 4th January making everything more expensive which will add around £15 to a fireplace package plus the manufacturers price increase we are going to impliment at the same time.
So you only have 3 and a bit days left to take advantage of our current prices, then im afraid it will all go up.
Castfireplaces will remain more than compettitve on price if not the cheapest and coupled with our fantastic delivery service why would you shop elsewhere for a Fireplace or Stove.
Right im off to get ready now to go out with my family and friends to see in the New Year
Happy New Year to our all customers old and new.
Archive for December, 2010
Last Day of 2010 is very busy at Casfireplaces
Friday, December 31st, 2010Whats the reason for our fireplace blog
Thursday, December 30th, 2010A few of our customers have asked this question in the past and to be honest im not really sure it started out as a format so we could show customers new products and it then evolved into a bit of an advice centre and its gone on from there.
It now contains many little stories and is like a little diary from inside my world of Castfireplaces.
Im not really sure why i do write it everyday it has just become something that i do, reading back through it there are hundreds of blogs about all things fireplace related including bad and good delivery days etc.
Theere are also articles relating to strange customer questions and atricles as to when we have achieved things that seemd impossible.
So i will continue keeping our customers envolved in waht we do here at Castfireplaces and as we have new storeman starting in January i will have some more office time to devote to our website and new fireplace products.
I really can not sign off today without saying how well NottinghamForest played last night with a 5-2 Win over our arch rivals Derby.
What a fantastic evening out with our suppliers my son Jaiden still has the largest grin today on his little face so thanks again to Tony and the Lads for making it such a great evening for us all
Football match with our fireplace suppliers
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010Its the time of year again when it comes to the football calender that Forest host Derby at home this evening and im very much looking forward to this game.
Me and my son Jaiden are guests of our fireplace suppliers in the castle club for an evening of drinks and then to watch the football so im very gratefull to Tony for this.
As we are all avid Forest fans we are hoping for a nice win to taunt our derby friends with (any forest win will do) so please be kind to us and complete our Christmas.
So im sat in my office tapping away writing this blog and answering a few emails which have been coming throguh all over our festive break.
It was also nice to see some more orders which i have caught up with today and done some invoices which will be on there way to our new customers.
We do not start back full time untill the 4th Janaury when deliveries and collections for our range of fireplaces and stoves will once again commence.
My Son is very excited about tonights football match too and is predicting a 5 nil win for Forest a little naive but i admire his confidence.
So im off now to get ready to meet our fantastic suppliers and have a few beers with them and hopefully enjoy a Forest victory if im sulking again tomorrow it will have all gone horribly wrong which has happened far too often in recent years.
Comoooooonnnnn you Redddddssssssssssssss
Lytton and Bartello Limestone to Cardiff
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010Dear Mark,
I wish to leave very good feedback on your website but can’t work out how to add a testimonial. Can u let me know? Just to let you know we are delightted with our Lytton and Bartello fireplace which you delivered to:
36, Heathway, Cardiff.
We can not praise your company enough! Many thanks! My sister is interesed in placing an order and she will definatly be in touch. To sumarize our feedback – Reasonable price, good comunication, spot on delivery time and my parents who accepted the order on my behalf thought you were very helpful, Thanks again, Kind Regards
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Tiger Plus Stove to Huntingdon
Tuesday, December 28th, 2010The oven was good value for money and the service and dilivery was excellent; well within the stated times. Unfortunately the oven was very heavy to move indoors and, although the accessories were well packed inside the oven, the firebricks were able to move.
All things considered I am very pleased with this purchase and the service offered by the company.
Cheers,
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Do not rush Fireplace purchase due to VAT rise
Tuesday, December 28th, 2010We seem to be having a number of customers ringing us desperate to beat the rise in VAT that comes into force on January 4th.
A few customers have even said can you give me an estimate to fit as we have not contacted anybody yet regarding fitting but we want to get the fireplace ordered before the price goes up.
This really is not a wise decision to be honest and as all good fireplace companies we do try to persuade you not to do this even if it costs us a sale or too.
I want you to get it right first time without fail as if we do have to come and collect your fireplace or stove if its incorrect or does not fit etc it will have cost you around £50 to £100 depnding on your location.
This cost for delivery and collection could be avoided by taking a little time getting a survey done and then ordering the right item first time.
As im pretty sure none of our Fireplaces or Stoves are going up over £100 its not worth the risk its just impulse buying which is not a great idea for the main focal point of your room.
Do not forget once installed you will have to look at that fireplace everyday and if not perfect could you live with it i know i couldn’t.
So what im trying to say is
1 Take your time when choosing a fireplace or stove
2 Get advice from fitter regarding work that needs doing
3 Get a fixed preice for fitting
4 Order it from Castfireplaces and let us do the rest.
Follow these few pointers and im 100% sure you will have a lovely feature in your home for many years to come asnd is this really worth rushing for the sake of saving a few pounds.
Boxing Day Shopping frenzy on and offline
Monday, December 27th, 2010Good Afternoon hope you all had a wonderful christmas we certainly did here at Castfireplaces.
Now i awoke this morning and check our emails as i do try to answer customers enquires asap so they can get on with there shopping.
Well you have been busy yesterday ordering online and i know have a quite a large pile of invoices to do.
We have sold a good variety of fireplaces and stoves yesterday and it seems to have been a very busy day.
Reading the papers this morning i was just fanning through as to how busy the shops were and the massive amount of people outside many hours before opening to secure a bargain.
I have never understood the sales madness thing and have never taken part in such crazy things on boxing day i tend to find with a little research online you can always find it cheaper and do not have to have the push and shove involved its far more relaxed shopping online and less stressful.
Further in this article it said consumers were set to spend £5.6 million a minute during a frantic 6 hours.
Anyway they did a comparison with 5 things for the reporters to buy on and offline and the results were
In Store
Total Spent £1240.84
Time Spent 2 Hrs 46 Mins
Online
Total Spent £1052.98
Time Spent 18 Mins
Online shopping included the delivery and as you can see worked out nearly £200 cheaper and done in 18 mins, overall yesterday there was £300 million pounds spent online it really is a growing market and is the future of shopping.
Thats why a huge amount of our customers buy our fireplaces and stoves online not only is it considerably cheaper its also quicker and the items are delivered to you without you having to leave home.
So thanks to all those sensible people who stopped in and bought the new fireplaces online we are back at work on the 4th January and will arrange speedy delivery from there and for those that did join the boxing day madness just look online before you head out looking for a bargain there are plenty of shops like Castfireplaces that are here ready to take your orders with a lot less stress
Bartello limestone and Hearth to London N14
Monday, December 27th, 2010Hi
I am very pleased with the mantle and hearth that we ordered from you and the delivery was excellent. You advised us of the time slot for the delivery, and it arrived within this timeslot, keeping us informed of teh progress and also sending confirmation that it had been delivered as we were not at home at the time.
I would definitely use you again, and would also recommend you to others.
Regards
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Are we having a new year fireplace sale
Sunday, December 26th, 2010Now this is a question i have been asked a few times recently as to whether we are having a new year fireplace sale and i must admit the answer is NO
We could like some other online fireplace retailers buy a few cheap nasty looking casts and photo them with various surrounds and offer them alongside genuine gallery fireplaces and call it a sale.
Some also have free delivery which it never is its just built into the price nothing ever is free
Infact its just deception they have never been sold before its just moving on items that are not of great quality.
So at Castfireplaces we are different we do not have any gimmicks for sales or offer FREE delivery, yes we do have items we have on offer such as the Pembroke or the Jubilee and Brompton but thats just great offers without comprimising quality.
This year with the rise in VAT its quite the opposite as we are implimenting the VAT change also alongside the rise in manufacturers price increase.
Im 100% sure though when buying from Castfireplaces our prices are more than competitive and coupled with our excellent delivery service no other company comes close.
So our prices are being held untill January 4th when the rises will be done but as i said earlier Castfireplaces will continue to be the best place to buy your fireplace or stove on online.
Jusr remember you do not have to compromise Quality and Service when shopping with us.
Tulip and Pine Lincoln Surround to Durham
Saturday, December 25th, 2010Hi Mark,
Sorry for the delay in replying to your email. I’ve not managed to get the fire installed yet due to the weather and most gas engineers working on dodgy boilers!
The delivery was delayed because of the awful weather but you kept me informed of when the fire would hopefully arrive. When the driver came I helped him unload my fire, but again that was in part to the weather so he was able to keep an eye on his vehicle. He was very courteous and when I offered him a hot drink he said he wanted to carry on with his other deliveries again due to the weather before things deteriorated further. Overall I think the fire will look stunning once fitted and I’m very pleased with the service I received from you and your company. I wouldn’t hesitate to pass on your firms details or to recommend you to anyone looking for a new replacement fire.
I hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New year,
kind regards,
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