HOW BIZARRE, HOW BIZARRE!

[Karan]:  A very strange thing occurred yesterday, which I eluded to on Facebook and Twitter, but didn't really do it full justice.

It all started back in February 2010 when Mrs G of Norwich found us on Google, and enquired upon a bathroom for her mother-in-law, Mrs D, who lived in Kettering.  As Mrs D is a widow of a sensitive disposition, and didn't want a train of salesy types traipsing through her house, her daughter-in-law agreed to play rear gunner and devise a short list of likely bathroom supplying candidates; of which IKD were the only name on the list, we later found out.  IKD duly designed and installed Mrs D's new bathroom and all was well; Mrs D was delighted and IKD had a brand new Kettering customer, so we were delighted too.

Then, on Monday 10 May, Mrs B contacted us.  Mrs B lives across the road from Mrs D, had seen the bathroom we had installed there, and now wanted a very similar design and finish herself.  This was great news, but not necessarily a rare occurrence, as IKD have a high word-of-mouth recommendation rate; it's how we generate at least 90% of our work.  Over the last couple of weeks, Ian has been composing Mrs B's bathroom design and quotation, and was awaiting her return from holiday for her feedback.

In the meantime, Mrs W contacted us about the possibility of designing a bespoke master bedroom suite, suitable for a wheelchair user.  We learnt that Mrs W had found our details in Yellow Pages [note to self: not everyone is online], and had found it impossible to find anyone capable - or willing - to build custom-made low level wardrobes.  Until she found us, of course.  We have found in our years of trading that too many customers are told what they can have by some of our competitors, who do not have carpentry or joinery backgrounds.  This gives IKD a distinct advantage because Ian is a carpenter joiner by trade, and so has the apprenticeship training and experience to either customise or custom build anything that the customer requires.  We're able to ask our customers what they would like, rather than tell them what they can have.

Shortly after my phone call with Mrs W about her bespoke bedroom, Mrs D contacted Ian again, asking if he could now quote her for a kitchen refurbishment; which he duly did.  We're certainly very thankful to have been found on Google by Mrs D's daughter-in-law in Norwich, because we are now blessed with a loyal and returning customer we might not otherwise have met.

The bizarre thing about these events is that they all occur in the same street.  We know Mrs D and Mrs B are neighbours, but so too is Mrs W.  More than that; Mrs D lives at number 46, Mrs B lives at number 47 and Mrs W, who is unaware of our involvement with the other two ladies, lives at number 48.  And even more than that, Mrs D wants a kitchen, Mrs W wants a bedroom and Mrs B wants a bathroom - and they all accepted our quotations on the same day - yesterday!  Isn't life weird sometimes?