WinMart - the windowmaker's marketplace

FAQ

This page is where we provide the answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions about WinMart.
If there's anything you need to know that's not covered here, then please contact us and we'll do our best to assist.

About our company

What exactly does WinMart do?
What's the idea behind the WinMart concept?

Advertising with WinMart

If you've cut the middlemen out - why do they advertise with you?
Why should I use WinMart to advertise my window machinery?
Wouldn't I be better off advertising my machine on eBay?
Your ads cost so little - what's the catch?
My company supplies the window trade. How can we be seen on your site?
I got an error message when I tried to place an ad - why's that?
My item's sold - how do I remove my advert?

Buying through WinMart

Why should I buy used window machinery through WinMart?
Are there any reasons not to buy through WinMart?
What if I can't find a suitable machine to buy?

Testimonials

What do your users say about WinMart?


 

What exactly does WinMart do?

WinMart has 4 main functions:

  • To advertise used window machinery, glass machinery and associated equipment.
  • To advertise other products and services of interest to the window industry.
  • To provide website design services.
  • To be a handy resource for locating other useful window related sites.


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What's the idea behind the WinMart concept?

When it comes to advertising used window machinery, our site was born out of a simple idea - putting buyers directly in touch with sellers - thus cutting out the middleman.
Prior to our arrival on the scene, companies looking to buy used window equipment would normally buy from a machinery dealer. Whilst purchasing through a dealer has it's benefits, you do pay a premium for having things like a warranty included. We found that many people in our trade are confident enough with machinery to buy direct from the current owners, and in the process save a considerable sum of money.
Likewise, anyone wishing to sell equipment is no longer stuck with whatever price a dealer could afford to offer. Through our site, they often achieve a better price for their machine.
Buyers benefit - sellers benefit - it's a 'win win' situation.

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If you've cut the middlemen out - why do they advertise with you?

The best way we can explain is to compare window machinery to cars...
Some people like the reassurance of buying a used car from an established dealer, and the same applies to second hand window machinery. So there's still, and always will be, a place in the market for dealers.
However, anyone with a reasonable working knowledge of machines can save money by buying direct from the current owner. Just like buying a car privately, say out of the small ads in your local newspaper.
There's space in the market for both ways of doing business, and in the same way that car traders advertise cars through sites like AutoMart, then because our site is popular and successful, machinery dealers like to get their products seen on our site too.

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Why should I use WinMart to advertise my window machinery?

There are other options for trying to dispose of secondhand window machinery, but we offer the following benefits:

  • Tremendous value, as our ads are always low cost.
  • Ours is the original and busiest site of it's kind in the UK.
  • We promote our site regionally, nationally and internationally through a variety of media, to bring potential buyers onto our site to view your ad.
  • We rank very highly in all the major search engines (usually no.1), so potential buyers can find your ad quickly and easily.
  • Your ad is on display to the whole world 24 hours a day.
  • You don't have to be a whizz with computers to place an ad, as our online form is very simple.
  • Some other advertising services are strictly online only, so you can only deal with them via email. We publish our full contact details, so you can reach us by email, post or phone.

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Wouldn't I be better off advertising my machine on eBay?

Possibly, but there a few important points in our favour...

  • Cost - have a close look at eBay's charges, and work out just how much it would cost to sell a machine at say £3,000 + VAT. There are so many elements you get charged for. By comparison, an ad on our site costs very little, and it doesn't just last for 10 days. Our ads run for up to 3 months, if required.
  • Business - our site is business to business, so we don't have kids coming onto the site making silly bids, wasting your ad and costing you time and money.
  • Prominence - we specialise in window and glass machinery, and therefore we rank very highly on most search engines (frequently in no.1 position), so buyers reach your ad quickly and easily, without having to potentially trawl through hundreds of other irrelevant sites or ads first.
  • Simplicity - placing an ad with us is quick and easy. You don't have any registration process to go through. You don't need to have a PayPal account or a credit card (although you can use them if you already have them). A first-time user can place an ad in just a few minutes.
  • Trust - we believe ours is the best format for selling machinery. Many people are wary of the auction format, and we've found that given a choice, most buyers would prefer to physically see the item they're buying before committing to a purchase.

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Your ads cost so little - what's the catch?

There isn't one. Our overheads are low, and so we can afford to do ads at very low rates. That's one of the reasons our site is so popular.

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My company supplies the window industry - how can we get featured on your site?

Just take out a Corporate (banner) ad with us, such as those you see down the right hand side of our Home page.
Corporate rates are from as little as £30 per month, there's no charge for artwork or ad design, and you automatically get included on our popular Links page too.
We assume we must offer a good return on investment, as our existing advertisers keep renewing their ads with us!
For further information, please see our Corporate advertising page.

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I got an error message when I tried to place an ad - why's that?

The most common reason for this is the size of the photo files that customers try to send. Most digital cameras now produce files that are too big to transmit efficiently over the internet. That's why we ask all advertisers to resize their images before sending them to us. We provide free facilities for both online and offline resizing. It doesn't take long, and it means your ad will transmit much quicker and easier.

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My item's sold - how do I remove my advert?

Just send us an email (or text/call us on 07947 551965) listing the item number(s) you'd like removed, and we'll take care of the rest. Ads are usually removed within 24 hours of notification.

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Why should I buy used window machinery through WinMart?

There are many reasons, but the main benefits are:

  • Price - it's usually considerably cheaper than buying through a machinery dealer
  • Availability - get the product you want now, not when a trader can get around to finding one for you
  • See before you buy - in most cases you'll even be able to see the item in action, before you decide to part with your money

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Are there any reasons not to buy through WinMart?

Yes - if you're not confident that your knowledge of window machinery is good enough to ensure you get a good buy, then we'd recommend that you get expert advice. Buy from a window machinery dealer instead. It may cost quite a bit more, but any reputable trader will provide you with the advice and support you need (e.g. most provide warranties, and can arrange delivery and installation for you).

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What if I can't find a suitable machine to buy?

Just take out a Want ad with us, and let the world know what your looking for.
Want ads are currently free of charge, and all we ask in return, is that you let us know as soon as you've found what you need. That helps us free up space for other advertisers, and helps prevent you receiving any further calls.
For further details, please see our Want Ad page.

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What do your users say about WinMart?

Please see listed below some of the comments we've had from buyers, sellers, and corporate advertisers:

"Dear Sirs, Please remove our advert as the items have now been sold (less than 24 hrs) thank you."

Alan Stones, Clarian Glass

"We've used WinMart a few times to sell window equipment. Our items were priced to sell quickly, and sure enough - they did!"

Mr. G. Snelson, Precision Trade Frames

"Prior to making a good saving on a transom groover we found on your site, we spoke to one of your guys on the phone, and found him to be very helpful. You deserve every success, and I've no doubt we'll be using your services again soon."

Mr. D. Cruddas, Windowpoint

"We were so impressed with the response to our Corporate ad, and the simple operation of the WinMart site, that we commissioned WinMart to design our new website. As a result, we achieved a reduction of over 80% in the costs of running our site. Terrific, many thanks."

Mr. T. Jones, The Jones Tool Company Ltd.

"Having bought and sold used window machinery (and glass equipment) through your site, we can honestly recommend your services to anyone. It's a nice change to find a company in our industry that's so customer focused."

Mr. G. Firth, Ashbay Ltd.

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