Cheap Garage Doors

With the economy affecting nearly everyone today, it’s easy to see where you may want to try and save money anyway you possibly can. However, when it comes to buying garage doors, is cheaper always better?

Obviously, the answer is no. Are there less expensive garage doors that are still high quality products? You bet!

There are some basic factors that you need to consider before choosing the one that would fit your specifications. These are the qualities of materials used, design and of course the garage door prices. The first thing that you need to do is to determine the design and style that you want and then allocate your budget. Once you have pictured something in your mind it will be easier for you to narrow down your search and focus on how much the door of your choice would cost.  

It is normal to be worried about garage door prices because you want to get your money’s worth, right? If you are not careful you might end in getting a door with substandard quality or materials yet with a high price, the best technique here is to survey everything on offer and be selective. You should shop around and look at the various options and prices available.

Get quotes on your garage door prices from different sources and use the web as it allows you to carry out major research. It is always advisable to have as many choices as possible; all you need to have is enough patience for you to find a door design which would be a perfect fit for your garage.

Don’t waste your money on cheap garage doors that will only last a year or two. There are many styles, sizes, and manufacturers available and you can find a great deal when you spend some time looking.

How to Find a Good Garage Door Repair Technician

Before you start looking for someone to repair your garage door, you might want to learn what an industry expert has to say about business ethics. In an article published in the garage door trade magazine International Door & Operator Industry, Gary Lombard addresses the subject of “up-selling” in the garage door industry. Up-selling is that well-worn sales strategy of trying to sell you more than you think you need.

We all experience this sales routine regularly, and it can be frustrating. But it’s not always aimed at ripping us off. Just because a professional thinks we need more than we think we need does not mean they are trying to fool us. Sometimes they really are trying to help us.

So, how can you distinguish between a legitimate and an illegitimate up-sell effort? Here are some suggestions that Lombard offers for service technicians who have been called on a garage door problem. The suggestions are good ones for the technician, but they also offer the consumer a good means of judging the character and competence of the technician who shows up at their house.

Lombard says the service technician should:

1. Bring a price book containing all of the parts for garage doors and motors so that he can tell the consumer what a repair will cost them.
2. Bring sales literature for products his company sells so the consumer can see what they might be buying.
3. Know what parts he has in stock so that he won’t try to sell the consumer something he doesn’t have.
4. Carry a good supply of standard common parts (springs, rollers, hinges, weather-stripping and motor operators), so that he can tend to common problems right away.
5. Make an effort to analyze the cause of the problem, and not just the problem itself. This is where up-selling can benefit both the technician and the consumer. For example, say the garage door was hanging up due to one bad roller. The technician could replace that one roller and be on his way. But he could also make a very good case for replacing all of the rollers. This would increase his sale and the repair cost to the consumer, but it might also ensure fewer problems and better performance with the garage door in the years to come.

A similar argument could be made for replacing all of the springs when only one was broken. The point is, a good professional should make an effort to explain the long-term benefits of repairing or replacing some parts that currently may not be causing any problem. The consumer makes the ultimate decision, of course, but at least it will be an informed one.

1. Don’t try to force the issue. Up-selling enters the realm of unethical when the seller won’t take “no” for an answer and continues to pressure the consumer to spend more than they want to spend. Better to just be sure to leave the consumer understanding all of their options and confident that they have paid only for what they really wanted.
2. Make the time to provide the consumer with a full diagnosis and report on options and consequences. If a dealer schedules the day with quick, back-to-back repair calls for the technician, the technician is not going to have the time to make reasonable, responsible sales pitches to the consumer. Feeling the need to rush to another appointment might well reduce the chance of selling more to each consumer, a result that ultimately benefits no one.

Most consumers develop a sense of when someone is trying to sell them something they don’t really need, but they also have a sense of when someone is sharing useful advice based upon their experience and knowledge. When the latter happens, everyone benefits.

Garage Door Prices

Installing a new garage door can be exciting because of all of the variety and accessories that are available. However, at the same time, it can also a bit stressful because garage door prices vary so widely. In addition to the cost of the door itself, you also have to deal with the cost of installing the door. Garage door prices range in price due to materials and complexity of design. The most economical and dependable garage doors are made of steel. These will range in price at the low end for a simple stamped or embossed design to a higher end door carriage house style. You always want to make sure that your garage door is made of quality materials in order to ensure security and longevity, and is in a tasteful style to match the rest of your house and garage architecture.

The first step in finding the best garage door prices is to explore the internet and visit garage door manufacturer’s websites. This is a great resource to get an idea of what’s available. Many of these sites also have places on their website where you can design a door to your specifications.

Finally, before buying a door, get an estimate from a garage door contractor in your area. The manufacturer’s websites can also direct you to their dealers who will sell, install and service their products. These licensed contactors can often get access to special industry pricing which would not be available to you elsewhere.

Now, you can make a logical decision based on the garage door prices plus installation. Be sure to make sure that the work is done up to your standards, and give input to where wall-mounted door openers are located since you’ll be using it a lot more than the installer will be!