AU2011100345A4 - Blind Pricing Model - Google Patents

Description

1 Description This innovation relates to improvements in determining retail prices for blinds. Most blind retailers use pricing tables to determine the retail price of a blind based on the width and drop of it. Although this sounds straight forward, it creates a lot of confusion as blinds often need additional parts, for a number of reasons, which these tables do not take into account. The retailer is often confused as to what the final price to them is, which makes it is hard for the retailer to determine their mark-up percentage. For example, a retailer orders a blind 2000mm width x 1500mm drop. The pricing table tells them that it will cost $300. The structure onto which the blind is to be attached isn't square and thus needs additional brackets. Also, the customer would like to order a pelmet for it that needs to be powder coated in a certain colour. The retailer, in this example, cannot give an accurate quote based on the provided price tables without calling the supplier. Quoting time is then extended. My innovation overcomes these problems by using an Excel spreadsheet program. For each blind the retailer orders, there is a series of questions that needs to be answered via drop down boxes. The price is then derived based on the answers to the questions. This is all driven by Excel formulas, conditional formatting and VBA code. For example, a retailer is filling in the Excel form. They enter the width and drop in the allocated boxes. They also choose the material to be used and the colour all from drop down boxes. The price is then derived from this information. If they want a pelmet and select "Yes", the price will automatically increase by $150 per meter based on the width entered earlier. There are also drop down boxes for additional items that may be needed, such as brackets that is also selected via drop down boxes and the price will automatically update to reflect the additional items needed. I have also included, on the template, a box for entering the retailer's mark-up percentage. The retailer can enter their mark-up percentage which will automatically 2 generate their selling price. This enables instant quoting and peace of mind that all parts needed have been included and priced in the final price. The price is driven by formulas which look to pricing databases held within the spreadsheet. The supplier enters the retailer's prices.