Comfortworks.com.au – Quality Fabric at Affordable Prices

by Adrian How

In June last year, a chap by the name of Henry approached me seeking opinions about setting up an online business selling quality fabrics to the Australian market. The key things I spoke about then were about a user-friendly site display, clear furnishing options, strong delivery capabilities, and above all, easy payment options.

The site, comfortworks.com.au was officially launched on 7 April 2010 and features interactive products and fabric customization options to allow customers to be ale to view their finished product online before making the purchase.

Here’s the story of how ComfortWorks originated:

Rachel Yeng, an architect graduate was on her way to her local curtain store for a quote on a few windows. Her jaw dropped when she was quoted with more than AUD$4,000 for 6 window coverings. She visited a few other stores only to learn that custom made curtains are indeed very expensive in Australia.

Through her research, she realised that the high costs of these curtains are prompted by the ‘customer service’ factor, the free measure and quote, free installation and worst of all, sales commissions. These elements unreasonably multiply the costs of the utmost essential; fabric and sewing.

“It is really easy to install your own curtains, simply screw the tracks in and hook them up”, she says. ComfortWorks.com.au was born 3 months later on the idea that if she could provide the curtains, the DIY-friendly Australians should have no problem hanging them.

She has since also identified another problem with IKEA sofa owners who are stuck with their torn, stained or even frayed sofa covers but cannot replace the slipcovers, as the furniture giant had stopped producing them years ago. “I had an old sofa from IKEA, bought some years ago when I was still a student, for less than half the cost of the sofa, it felt like I’ve just got myself a new sofa!” replies Rachel enthusiastically.

The E-store currently offers more than 150 different fabrics selections with fabric samples ready to be mailed on request. Subject to durability test (Martindale), most of the upholstery ready fabrics easily satisfy 20,000 rub cycles and some exceeding 30,000.

When asked what ‘affordable’ means to Comfort Works, she replies, “Let’s just say it will take the phrase ‘priced competitively’ to a whole different level”.

Ordering custom made items from the website is surprisingly very easy. By using intuitive links and simple navigations the site is very user-friendly. Throw in the exceptional value for money and great craftsmanship, Comfort Works is quite happy to be able to help Australians to achieve tailored looks on their home without breaking the piggy bank

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I must admit to being impressed with the final site design and layout which renders it totally easy to use. The usability of the site speaks volumes for the fact that these folks understand not just the fabric industry but the internet as well. By bringing the prices down on fabrics through the eradication of sales commissions and the addition of the DIY element, it looks as though Rachel and co will reach out to the many Aussies who do not mind getting their hands dirty in a little DIY. I wish the folks at ComfortWorks great success!