Clearview 233 - April 2021 | Page 52

Outdoor Living

Posting great sales

Lockdown and the shutting of the high street has seen a dramatic rise in online sales . This combined with an increased awareness of the dangers of identity theft has led to a surge in demand for secure , reliable post boxes .
SECURITY AND EFFICIENCY
According to the National Crime Agency , fraud is the most commonly experienced crime in the UK , costing many billions of pounds per year . Identity fraud has been steadily increasing in the UK over the last five years , with the Cifas National Fraud Database showing nearly a quarter of a million reported cases in 2019 , a rise of nearly 20 % on the previous year . Although identity fraud can be a relatively modern and complex crime , the old-fashioned and simple solution is to lock up the post .
An external post box can also increase the security of the home . According to the Association of Chief Police Officers , there are three main types of crime associated with letter flaps ; fishing ( where a hooked pole is used to steal items or keys ) lock manipulation ( reaching through to open the door ) and arson . A mounting pile of post on the hallway mat also tells thieves that the occupiers are away , and the house is empty .
Energy efficiency ratings are also high on customers ’ agendas , and external post boxes can help here too , as removing the letter flap removes a potential source of drafts .
SECURITY WITH STYLE
Increasingly style-conscious customers care as much about the appearance of the outside of their property as the inside . To help installers make the most of this increased sales opportunity , Burg-Wächter is promoting Europe ’ s largest range of stylish post boxes .
Available in a wide range of designs and materials there ’ s a Burg-Wächter post box solution for every building . Stackable options meet the needs of apartment and office buildings , whilst the choice of either wallmounted or free-standing models bring added flexibility to the range . Customer appeal is further enhanced by the variety of materials available , including stainless steel , high quality plastic and powder-coated galvanised steel .
Burg-Wächter is now able to offer RAL colour-matched post boxes , to complement the growing trend for coloured uPVC windows and doors , as well as garage doors , gates and fences .
Style is no substitute for substance and the Burg-Wächter name has been synonymous with high quality , practical products throughout its 100 year history . All Burg- Wächter post boxes conforming to the European standard EN 13724 assure superior performance , enhanced weather protection and greater resistance to attack .
Customers like the fact that post boxes look good and provide a functional solution to their security and environmental concerns . This can present a useful add on sale opportunity for installers , particularly if the post boxes fit in with the external décor by colour coordinating with uPVC doors and windows . For installers short on showroom space , Burg-Wächter offers a space saving rotating stand that can display six different models , whilst only taking up one square metre of floor space .
BOLTING ON ADDITIONAL SALES
With summer just around the corner , many customers will be spending more time outside in their gardens . From barbecues and patio furniture , to gardening and leisure equipment , the value of items left in and around the garden can be substantial , making them a prime target for opportunist thieves .
Encourage customers to protect their considerable investment by offering them a simple garden security kit ; the simple combination of a marine or weatherproof padlock with a security cable or chain provides a number of convenient security solutions ; from allowing customers to leave their furniture locked together in the garden , and provides additional security for sheds or garages . For added peace of mind , a properly installed ground or wall anchor is ideal for keeping barbeques and patio heaters secure in place .
Effective security is all about building in layers , and the first line of defence for many customers is the perimeter . A marine padlock also forms a great partnership with a weatherproof hasp and staples to keep garden gates , sheds and outdoor storage boxes locked . Alternatively a combination locking bolt avoids the risk of losing keys , and is ideal for a number of outside areas such as pond and pool safety , to securing dangerous garden chemicals as well as valuable equipment and possessions .
www . burg . biz / uk
52 » APR 2021 » CLEARVIEW-UK . COM