Patent ID: 7912743

Claim:
A method of manufacturing and selling custom window coverings of the type which are made in sizes based upon dimensions provided by a customer comprising: establishing two sources of supply that manufacture custom window coverings in sizes based upon dimensions provided by a customer, wherein: the first source of supply is located a first distance from a point at which the custom window coverings are sold, the first source of supply being capable of manufacturing selected custom window coverings at a first cost, the second source of supply is located a second distance from the point at which the custom window coverings are sold, the second source of supply being capable of manufacturing the same selected custom window coverings at a second cost, the first distance is sufficiently greater than the second distance such that when any one of the selected custom window coverings is delivered by a delivery means not involving air transport, a delivery time from the first source of supply is at least one day more than a delivery time from the second source of supply, and the second cost is higher than the first cost, offering each of the selected custom window coverings at a standard price and a lower price and at a first delivery date available if the customer pays the standard price, and at a second delivery date, later than the first delivery date, if the customer pays the lower price; receiving by using a computer an order from a customer for at least one of the selected custom window coverings at the standard price and first delivery date or at the lower price and second delivery date; making the at least one of the selected custom window coverings at the second source of supply if the customer selects the standard price and first delivery date; making the at least one of the selected custom window coverings at the first source of supply if the customer selects the lower price and second delivery date; and delivering the at least one of the selected custom window coverings to the customer.