We don’t pay commission. We never have.
And we don’t think that’s something you should ever have to worry about when buying blinds or shutters.
This isn’t just a policy, it’s a principle.
Here’s why it matters, and how it changes the experience you’ll have with Barlow Blinds.
🎯 What Is a Commission-Based Sales Model?
In many companies, salespeople earn a percentage of what they sell.
So the more you spend, the more they make.
It’s a model that can create:
- Pressure to upsell
- Biased advice towards a more expensive product
- Limited interest in finding the best option just the most expensive one
We don’t believe that’s the right way to help someone make an important decision for their home or workplace.
🛠️ What We Do Instead
Every one of our estimating team who visits your home, answers your questions, or helps you choose blinds, shutters or awnings is paid a fair salary not a commission.
That means:
- No sales targets to hit
- No pressure to “get the order”
- No reason to recommend something that isn’t right for your home
“We don’t reward our team for making the biggest sale. We reward them for giving the best advice.”
We actually reward Reviews as this is the perfect way to know that what we have installed is doing what we promised, and we have done a good job doing it.
🧠 Why It Matters to You
✅ You Get Honest Advice
We only recommend what we’d be happy putting in our own homes not what earns someone the biggest bonus or makes us the most money.
✅ You Feel in Control
We believe in conversations not presentations so there’s no awkward pitch, no special offers if you “order today”, and no pressure to make a quick decision.
✅ You Get the Right Product
Not always the most expensive. Not always the one we have in stock. Just the right one for your window, your needs, and your budget.
I was asked recently to quote for a large awning to sit above some bifold doors. The awning was over £6000, but after having a chat about what they needed it for my recommendation was for motorised roller blinds inside their new kitchen. The roller blinds were £1500 but they would do exactly what the customer needed them to in the summer AND in the winter. If I was commission based then a £6000 sale would earn me much more money. I got a call a week after the blinds were fitted thanking me for my advice as the ‘roller blinds are perfect’.
🔍 What We See From Commission-Led Companies
We’ve been doing this a long time and sadly, we often come in after the damage is done.
We’ve seen:
- Blackout vertical blinds sold as true blackout (they’re not)
- MDF shutters fitted in bathrooms (they won’t last)
- Heavy blinds on wide windows that are impossible to use
All because the salesperson was rewarded for selling more, not selling better.
💬 Real Feedback From a Customer
“It was such a relief to have someone explain the pros and cons without trying to steer us to the most expensive option. We actually spent less than we expected and got something much better.”
— Mr & Mrs Hewitt, Oadby
🧠 FAQs
Why do other companies use commission?
Because it can boost short-term sales. But it often leads to rushed decisions, raised prices, upselling, and sometimes regret.
How do your team stay motivated without commission?
By doing work they’re proud of. they’re measured by quality, service, and customer satisfaction not how much they sell. For me there is something really pleasing about finding long term solutions for customer’s problems that is not driven by money.
Will I still get a competitive price?
Absolutely. In fact, you’ll get our best price up front with no hidden extras or negotiation games.
Does this mean you’re more expensive?
Not always and even when we are, it’s often because we’re recommending the right
product, not just the cheapest one.
✅ Final Thought
“If someone’s getting paid to sell you something, can you really be sure their advice is honest?”
We don’t take that risk — and neither should you.
No commission. No pressure. Just honest, experienced advice from people who care about getting it right.
