Blinds....

Major home purchases are so confusing. Do you fix what you have, even though it will break again? This may be the cheapest solution (lifetime limited warranty) but they are 23 years old. Isn't it time for a change? This blind is held together with a piece of string and a broken rubber band.
I have restrung blinds many times, and replaced the mountings. A great place to get parts is Fix My Blinds. Do I really want to fix them one more time?
Do you replace with the same thing only new? Once again, isn't it time for a change--it's been 23 years.
Or, do you search the internet to find the dream purchase and pay 3X the price to get what you really want? I've always struggled with this dilemma.
I need new shades for virtually every window in my house. I've loved what I have, which is Hunter Douglas Duettes, purchased when they first came out at Costco. Some of the fasteners and hardware are broken due to sun exposure and normal use. They will replace these for free, but that means making a phone call, explaining, having them look for something to replace a product that is 23 years old. Of course, the ones that haven't broken yet, will undoubtedly break in the future.

I definitely will do this, it's just a matter of finding the time when I'm not busy and they are open. Because they are simple and straightforward, I can order replacements of the most worn ones for under $800 for 10 shades (I actually need about 18 shades, but I'll purchases in stages.) This would probably be the best choice as then I would have them all at the same age and could rest assured that no more would break for a few years.
However.........I have found a wonderful shade called VuThru Light Filtering that is very energy efficient and is multifunctional. It is either opened all the way and disappears, or if you close the shade it can be a duette (honeycomb) or a blind, looking a bit like plantation shutters. They are very beautiful and you can probably tell, this is what I want to get. Three times more expensive, but would save me money on heating in the winter. Since these would be different from my other shades, I'd have to buy two more to fit the scheme in the great room area.
I've ordered samples and I will call about the repair this next week. Then I'll make my decision.
Stay tuned.