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House Martin News
Somerset County Show
Car all packed up on Saturday for a 4am start for 4.30 departure Sunday. All set up for the 9am start. Had to adapt the stand as the roof did not allow the top of the dispay to be installed.
A bit slow, but the weather was fine. The marquee soon became stuffy, so a few side panels were opened. Mid morning onwards became livelier with the usual interest in coving, cornice and box in pipes. In particular the advantage over plaster with quality, cost of installation and finishing.
The journey home involved a detour from the M3 to avoid congestion caused by an accident involving a coach. I may have had a longer journey home, but at least was not involved in the accident.
Michael
Oxford & Thame Show
No pictures I'm afraid of this one day event. 4.30am wake up to drive there and set up for 8am.
Slow start, but the day picked up with coving and cornice creating the most interest. the sample service is a real winner and we now have sample cases with a large collection for £20.
6pm finish, to pack up and drive to an wedding reception. Missed the wedding of course and the best bit. I always love the pause when the congregation is asked if there is 'any reason why this couple should not be joined thogether.......'
Michael.
Salvo - Knebworth
A last minute booking for this three day event. Really hot and really successful.
We had a lot of interest throughout the whole range. Skirting to hide wiring. Panel moulding to create taller skirting effects. Wall panels to create wainscotting. Box in Pipes range for cental heating pipes. Ceiling roses to replace existing damaged. Covings and cornice, including flexible for curved walls and bays. Curved coving, curved skirting and curved dado, was of particular interest. Corbels for internal decoration. Columns to go around swimming pools was discussed on several occasions!
Michael.
South of England Summer Show - Ardingly
More lovely weather, what a good summer we're having. Thursday was quiet, but Friday and Saturday picked up. Such a big show it took a while for people to get around. Impressive considering the heat.
Plenty of brochures requested and the stand created lots of interest. A repeated enquiry is where ceiling cove, coving and cornice has become damaged or sections need replacing. Unfortunately the original manufacturer can rarely be found and the cost of making a besopke mould high. Sometimes a local artisan can make a template and drag across, but otherwise it's replace the whole room. Pianful though this sounds at least it is a project that can be achieved as diy.
Michael.
Surrey County Show - Guildford
Exhausting! A one day event and intense. Very successful for House Martin with many contacts being made. The same message is being received repeatedly. That of suprise how lightweight and simple to install. Simply cut with a fine tooth saw and place into position with adhesive.
Uplighting cornice caused considerable interest as did larger interior mouldings.
Michael.
Devon County Show - Clyst St Mary
Glorious weather left me with a tan. Fortunately we have no pictures of this event as me in a hat is of questionable value. A very productive event with many enquiries and orders already fulfilled.
These exhibitions are however more about increasing our profile and explaining the choice that is not always realised. Interior mouldings that do not suffer the disadvantages of traditional products. Coving and cornice that is lightweight, not subject to damage and easy to install. Skirting that is tough and needs only a final coat of paint. A huge range of decorative mouldings from dado to columns.
Michael.
South of England Spring Show - Ardingly
The South of England Spring show at Ardingly was the first of our season. The weather was dreadful, and visitor numbers were down, But at least the House Martin stand was indoors and visitors took cover where we were exhibiting.
It was good to get out to the public to explain the benefits of the Orac range over traditional plaster and how easy it is to install. Coving and cornice took the most interest, followed by skirting and ceiling roses. The sample service for coving, cornice, skirting, dado and panel mouldings was seen as a real advantage.
Michael.
Devon County Show
If you're visiting The Devon County Show on the 20th, 21st or 22nd May come and visit our stand.
We will be exhibiting popular coving, dado and panel mouldings, skirtings and Box in Pipe profiles.
STAND 177 Avenue B, coming in through the main rear entrance, walk down the slope & turn tight into the avenue with a gentle downward slope. Â we're half way down on the left.
See you there.....
Stephen
April Update
After being taken for a ride by fraudsters earlier in the year House Martin have now signed up to use the services of "The Third Man".
Who are they?
An independent company that monitor credit and debit card use, issuing various warnings for remote "Cardholder Absent" purchases.
It only cost a few pounds, but in a few weeks it has saved us thousands!
Fraudsters be warned!
Stephen
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March 2010 Stats
As our website matures and our rankings improve we are pleased to report March has seen an 11% increase in traffic, and another record month for House Martin Interiors.
Sales have come from such diverse places as Newton Abbot (just down the road), and Croatia.
Our sister website House Martin Construction has also brought in orders from as far afield as Nottingham, and incredibly Australia. Â Thanks to google the world has become a smaller place.
Stephen
31/03/2010
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Go Green
Since taking over an old pet shop and turning it into a showroom and office we have enjoyed being part of busy town life.
We have also been able to take on a decent garden which with its' large green and iron railings provides a focal point for local shoppers.
We are extending our "green" credentials still further by turning over the rear of the garden to a couple for use as allotment.
Hopefully we'll soon be enjoying the "fruits" that running your own business can afford. Â Funny, we never planned it this way.
Stephen
Fraud
In the last week House Martin has been the unwitting victim of a £2000 credit card fraud.  I suppose with our systems in place we had rather hoped that we would never be in this position.
Firstly it feels rather deflating to lose such a significant sum to one unscrupulous individual, and secondly it is likely to be quite distressing for the innocent card holder when they open up their credit card statement.
The good news in situations like this is that we are able to assess what happened and learn from the experience. Would be scammers will now be subject to a further two tiers of security. Â If you are a House Martin customer be assured that always aim to put the customer first, but sometimes we may need to proceed with security checks which may delay your order by a few days.
Should you have any queries please ask.
STEPHEN BIGGS
9th March 2010
Growth
House Martin are happy to report a 10% growth in traffic during February 2010. Â Steady sales in the UK were supplemented by orders from Croatia, Germany and Ireland.
Regular traffic comes from across Europe, but also included new "visitors" from Libya.
Stephen
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Recovery?
You may like us sometimes wonder about the strength of the recovery economic growth. Â after all the government has just seen fit to announce a revised growth figure, up from 0.01 to 0.03 per cent.
I wonder if this all window dressing as the nation rushes towards an election.
We have to be honest House Martin has certainly felt the pinch, but like for like sales in February 2010 are 138% up on those for February 2009. Â Mind you we are still some way off February 2008 results.
Our main aim is to increase our choice of quality products, and strive to give the best service levels.
Stephen Biggs
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Traffic
In a difficult climate House Martin Online has continued to show steady sales growth. Â Our February traffic so far has been 50% ahead of the same period 12 months ago. Â Today we have seen double the number of "impressions" that we'd normally expect.
It would be easy to rest on our laurels, but watch out for further improvements on the site in next few days. We aim to provide a great selection of quality products, and first rate service.
Stephen
23 Feb 2010
Security
If you use your credit card frequently you may have noticed a few subtle changes to remote "cardholder not present" purchases.
Just in case you aren't aware from the end of January all transactions from telephone orders are now subject to additional security checks.
You may find it a bore, but believe us there are folk who are out there trying to cheat each one of us.  Last week someone in Asia tried on a scam that would have left us £1,100 out of pocket.
So what's new?
Merchants now need their customer home address and post code to process a transactions. Â If you don't have a post code (say you're in Ireland), or not sure of the post code at the address where your card is registered then there is a strong possibility that House Martin (and other vendors) will be unable to process your order.
Stephen Biggs
House Martin
3rd February 2010
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We're In
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After hours of preparation and input from over a dozen people the new House Martin office an showroom is open.
We are 6 days away from being able to show off our snazzy new display stand, but we hope we can offer local customers (and holiday makers) a decent idea of just how effective Orac building products are at transforming walls and doorways.
Our new home is at No.1 The Square, Chudleigh, Devon TQ13 0LD. Â We're just behind the war memorial and green.
Our new telephone number is 01626 853987,
and our Fax is 01626 852981.
Call before you visit as we may be out at Harveys, or out on site visits, Â We'd hate to disappoint you.
Stephen
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From On Line to on The High Street
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After 8 years in business, and 2 years growing our House Martin On Line Store we are pleased to announce that we are about to open a Retail Store in Chudleigh.
Contracts have been signed today, and we are looking to refurbish our new unit during the next 2 months, and offer our customers an even better service.
Work starts on Monday, with new display stands arriving. Â All the usual trivia needs to be sorted, so as soon as we have new phone lines and a thorough shop re-fit we'll be happy to welcome you to a lovely showroom for the splendid Orac Luxxus and Axxent collections.
Watch this space, for news of our store opening.
Stephen & Michael
2 October 2009
Recycle
Orac have just installed a system were all product waste from manufacture is recycled back into the manufacture of new product. This has involved considerable investment in equipment and proceedures. Although the payback will take many years, there will be significant environmental benefits in reduction of raw material usage and waste disposal.
Michael 30th September 2009
Wall Niches
Our House Martin site has been updated with the addition of Orac Wall Niches. The range includes plain niches, ornate niches and fanned niches. Niches introduce a focal point to a room or wall. Enabling a display which is protected by being inset to the wall. In a large niche can be placed sculptures, busts, trophies, vases, floral displays and a small niche, carriage clocks, models and decorative figurines.
Michael
New Door and Wall Panels Range
Door and wall panels can be made much easier with pre-made panels. The time saved compared to making them up using lengths of panel moulding easily justifies purchasing as ready made units. Our new range should cover most requirements and adaption's with additional moulding can be made, either around or on.
Flexi Mouldings
Flexi or flexible mouldings are a real boon to curved bays and walls. With a range of Skirting, Dado / Panel Mouldings and Coving / Cornice this is a problem we can solve. All flexible moulding also come in a ridged material for larger projects. For the degree of flex refer to the chart on our FAQ page.
New Coving & Cornice Designs
We now have 11 new coving and cornice designs to choose from in our Luxxus range. This, with our Axxent range, gives you an extensive range of coving and cornice products, which is in our view the best on offer. Click onto the Coving Home Page and take a look.
Coving Discrete Lighting
Take a look at our recent additions to coving products. This range of coving is both sophicated and contemporary. For discrete lighting to replace pendants and wall lighting, this is the answer. Click on the home page for indirect Lighting using Coving.
Indirect Lighting
Wow. Take a look at our new Lighting section.
Indirect Lighting Why have a single pendant in the middle of the room giving harsh lighting, or inadequaet lighting from lamps? Our Indirect Lighting Coving is such an improvement.
Recessed Lighting Designed to add flair to lighting in lobbies, stairs, hallways, corridors and anywhere else you imagination takes you.
Skirting Board Lighting Designed as background lighting to add sophisication to your home. Neat LED lighting, giving floor low level lighting in skirting or down lighting in coving.
Uplighters Create a woulderful atmosphere with a splash of light towards the ceiling adding softness and style to any room.
Service
We like to think we have one of the best websites when it comes to creating a beautiful decor. We also like believe we are more helpful than many of our competitors when it comes to service.
Typing in "Coving" on Google reveals a myriad of suppliers, many of them will evidently supply excellent products. How many though will actually pop out and see you if required?
In the last few days we have been to site to discuss columns at a motor museum, finishing touches around a swimming pool and today we are calling on someone looking for help with their home in France.
Now we aren't able to offer this service to everyone, but we will go out of our way to be more helpful than most. Â It really is quite frightening to see so many of our competitors do not even list a phone number (what happens when things go wrong?).
House Martin are willing to offer samples, next day delivery on many product lines, and European delivery on larger consignments. Â In fact we have even sent goods as far away as Ascension Island. Â Try House Martin today, we're sure we can help.
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Two Ways to Shop
At precisely 00:01 this morning we had our first order today. Â Gerry will pack it, and it will arrive tomorrow. Â
Here is a typical scenario for Mrs. Average.
It's hard to imagine but there are people out there in the big wide world today who are actually going to jump into a hatchback, queue on the nation's roads and try to buy good quality coving.
Maybe they'll drive 5 miles, park up in a crowded car park and stroll into a big DIY Store or builders merchant. Â What will they find?
I'll tell you. Â A pitiful selection of (at best ) six different designs. Â The cheaper stuff will look like re-constituted paper cups from the obligatory snack wagon parked outside. Â Yuck!
Moving on they'll perhaps discover an outrageously heavy Six Pack of Gypsum simple concave coving. Mmmm, just what the average punter wants. Â Sadly Mr.Smith is at work and our would be coving customer is a helpful wife, with a toddler in one hand and as she goes to lift this seemingly good value carton nothing happens. Â Why? Â Well unfortunately our Size 12 female has absolutely nothing in common with Geoff Capes and the only thing she is likely to get at this juncture is a hernia.
Not to be deterred she cast her eye along the display and finds a cellophane wrapped own brand coving. Â Just what is this one going to look like back at home? Â Unfortunately for her whilst it may once have looked good this product has been mauled by a previous customer, and now looks like it has been decorated by a bunch of kids from the face painting stand at the school fair.
Four more choices then? Â Fat chance, as the theme continues with an assortment of broken cartons, and just one suitable design. Â What a relief. Â That'll go down a treat, now I all that's needed is enough for a 4 x 3 metre room. Fourteen metres then. Â Guess what there's only 12 on display.
Our intrepid shopper wanders to the surprisingly mis-named "Customer Service Desk". Â The lady behind the counter is dealing with some who wants to know how to get his loyalty points added onto his card, but he forget to tell the girl on the checkout.
Five minutes pass by, eventually a tannoy is sounded for assistance. Â A young lad in what looks like a romper suit arrives. Â He'll have the answer, and get the one final carton to allow this weekend's DIY escapade to get underway.
Er NO! Â After being gone for a while (he was hijacked by someone wanting to know where he can find a trolley that doesn't have a mind of it's own), and a lady hoping to find a PJ996 battery for her torch.
Our hero returns without the missing pack, and says they aren't sure when their next delivery will be in, but can she come back next week? Â You might think I'm joking, but she has now wasted nigh on 30 minutes and is late for collecting Johnny from Primary School.
As our would be shopper straps Lucy into her Vauxhall Zafira and surveys the congested exit for one moment she thinks, "There must be a better way to buy coving".
You and I know there is, with samples readily available, a courier to carry the (much lighter) cartons which can either be delivered to her door, or at her husbands office. Â No, surely this is too easy?
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Outperforming the DIY Superstores
Whilst the latest statistics show major DIY stores have suffered a 20% downturn in business we have seen an increase in traffic and sales.
Our popular site has seen an increase in visitor numbers of over 90%, with Coving, and Skirting Boards proving the most popular purchases.
House Martin embraces new technology, and we were delighted to obtain a ceiling rose order from a gentleman viewing our range on his mobile phone! Â We knew our site is easy to navigate, but were still surprised by this phenomena.
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