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AIBU?

Double Glazing Salesmen!

75 replies

Kendodd · 27/06/2012 14:43

I want three windows replacing. I already have one quote and wanted one more.

The first company came measured the windows, I told them what I want (how many opening etc) and they went away and sent me a quote in the post.

Second company, knocked on the door and as it happened I did need some windows replacing so when they offered to send a salesman round I agreed. They later phoned to make an appointment. During the phone call they asked a couple of times if DH would be there, I told them no and that I wouldn't be signing any contracts that day, I just wanted them to measure the windows and give me a quote that I would then compare with the other quote and discuss with DH.

Salesman came round at the agreed time (well ten minutes late- but no problem). After the usual pleasantries he asked if DH was there as well, as he would really like to see both of us. I said no and asked if he could just measure the windows and give me a quote and started showing him which ones. Salesman said no and that it is against company policy to measure windows and leave a quote (really he said this!) and that he would have to come back when DH is in so that he could show us both the windows. Explained that I just want a written quote so that we can compare and decide in our own time. Again told it is against company policy. I said that we already have one quote and told him who it was from. I was then told that "window companies are going under up and down the country" and the he happened to know that company one is "in trouble" he then began rubbishing their product.

It this point, as I wouldn't make a new appointment including DH and the salesman wouldn't measure the windows (against company policy) salesman left.

So, AIBU to just want the windows measured and a quote sent (as I stated on the phone) or should I have made another appointment including DH?

Regardless of MN opinion I won't be using company two and wanted to have a rant about it.

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DanyTargaryen · 27/06/2012 14:56

YANBU, sounds like rubbish and if it is a company policy I wouldn't bother even considering giving them my custom after that.

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DanyTargaryen · 27/06/2012 14:57

What would they have said if you didn't have a DH?

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bloodyfamilies · 27/06/2012 14:59

i had the same issue with we were looking for windows. i called to get a person out for a quote, they asked if my dh would be there, when i said no they said they wanted to wiat till he would be so they didnt have to worry that they would have to make 2 trips if i didnt understand things.
i told them not to bother making one trip never mind 2.

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mum23girlys · 27/06/2012 15:02

Weatherseal per chance??

They phoned us, arranged an appointment, arrived half an hour late (with no apology). THEN stayed ALL night. He was there for 3 hours before he even mentioned prices. Had to send him to measure windows as I wanted to put the kids to bed. He was happy just to sit and slag off all the other companies and their products. He then came out with a quote of over £20k for a 3 bed semi!! We both laughed and managed to barter him down to £8k but still refused to sign up as we wanted to get some more quotes. He really got quite irate with us in the end because we wouldn't sign up.

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ratspeaker · 27/06/2012 15:07

Oh I sympathise.
We needed new windows a wee while back. I phoned around wanting a rough idea of costs.
I stated where we were and what we wanted in the phone calls.
One national company sent a guy who would NOT listen as we kept telling him we were a listed building and could not have upvc> waffled on and on for ages about how much better upvc were and all about their finance plan.
Another national company refused to send anyone round unless DH was present, I did point out that I was the one paying but they stated "health and safety " Hmm
Local firm came round, knew of local planning regulations, measured up, cheerily went away saying we'll post you a detailed quote. No hard sell. No mention of loans.
Guess who got the business
and lovely windows they are too ( the council must think so too as I got planning approval )

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Kendodd · 27/06/2012 15:09

It was Anglian.

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Kendodd · 27/06/2012 15:12

"they didnt have to worry that they would have to make 2 trips if i didnt understand things."

I love that bloodyfamilies, you might not understand. Grin

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Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme · 27/06/2012 15:18

I think we had them.

We too had the pushy salesman who wouldn't leave and kept pretending to phone his boss about it all. Then he quoted us £3000 for one door. We told him we'd think about it and after we'd finally managed to get rid of him we chucked the quote straight in the bin.

We're in another house now which now needs new windows and the quote for a double width patio door is about £1650, nowhere near three grand!

The new company is Waveney Windows. They seems very sensible and nice and not pushy in the slightest.

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Kendodd · 27/06/2012 15:22

Waveney Windows, I'll look them up as see if they can give me a second quote with no nonsense.

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NotGeoffVader · 27/06/2012 15:37

I told Anglian DH would be in when they called. He wasn't in, but they did measure up and left a load of literature. And the most expensive quote.

We have had three other quotes since and one of those was 1/3 of what Anglian suggested, so I'd say shop around! We've not yet finalised but I think we're going with a small local firm that are known to some other members of the family.

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Viviennemary · 27/06/2012 15:45

Don't deal with anybody who insists on you both being there for only a quote. They are using hard sales techniques. You are right go with a small local firm who are well established. General builders and carpenters can often do a good deal on windows and do a really good job fitting them.

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SaskiaRembrandtWasFramed · 27/06/2012 15:49

I used to work for a family run building firm - from speaking to customers it does seem that this is a policy of a lot of the big, national companies. We didn't mind because so many people felt quite disgruntled by it and we picked up the business :) On one occasion we had a customer who wanted new windows, doors and a conservatory in the pub she owned and ran herself, but even she had been told she couldn't have a quote unless her husband was there.

I did ask a rep from another firm why they operated this way and apparently women don't understand such things and are also prone to impulse buys - the idea being that the poor but knowledgeable chap will arrive home from work to find wifey have spent bucketloads of his hard earned cash on a new door. I'm sure that happens often Hmm

The same companies also tended to employ only male sales reps, because, once again, women can't be expected to understand the complexities of uPVC.

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anklebitersmum · 27/06/2012 15:51

AVOID!! They'll spend all evening doing the heavy sales pitch and then have the 'area manager' on the phone to offer you an allegedly huge discount to sign up there and then. The salesmen/women are briefed to give you hefty price so they can bluff a discount and of course subject you to some more heavy heavy sales patter.
As others have said any reputable, genuinely customer focused company will not behave in this manner.

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Crinkle77 · 27/06/2012 15:54

Surely it is a little sexist to assume that just because you are a woman you are incapable of making a decision. I would not trust anyone that comes knocking at my door or tries to use highly pressurised sales tactics.

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HecateHarshPants · 27/06/2012 15:59

Oh yes. The four hour sales pitch. Awful. I refuse to deal with such companies. If I am looking to buy, we do it on MY terms, not theirs.

It's really nothing short of bully boy tactics, imo.

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samandi · 27/06/2012 16:01

We've had this problem with a couple of the larger double glazing companies. They refused to give us a rough quote based on our measurements and insisted they had to come round to talk to us, presumably to give us the hard sell. Needless to say they won't be getting our business.

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samandi · 27/06/2012 16:03

they said they wanted to wiat till he would be so they didnt have to worry that they would have to make 2 trips if i didnt understand things

Yes us pwetty little girlies can't be expected to understand complex things like double glazing, or measurements, or money.

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Grockle · 27/06/2012 16:07

Only read OP but 3 companies did this to me - it's my house, DP just stayed over from time to time but they constantly asked me when MrGrockle would be home as they needed to discuss it with him too. No listening to 'It's MY house, there is no MrGrockle' and when a salesman came round & DP was home too, the salesman talked to DP & ignored me. When he'd finished, I reminded him that it was my house, not DP's and that he should be discussing the options with me, not my visitor Angry

I hate double-glazing people. This continues after the work is done too (would you like blinds, a conservatory etc)

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HugeFurryWishingStool · 27/06/2012 16:24

Apparently the phrase used by such companies is don't pitch the bitch Angry

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Kendodd · 27/06/2012 17:56

Anyone recommend a good window company in the south west?

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Grockle · 27/06/2012 18:37

Kenn, do not use Everest. I went with Apple in the end - they were ok. Negotiate. A lot.

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whackamole · 27/06/2012 19:28

We had similar, I think it was Weatherseal with us as well. We were desperate for new windows, the man came and didn't leave for hours. I ended up having to tell him to leave!

Recently had another quote (had the back of the house done, now need the front of the house doing) and was quoted in the region of £10k for the front of a terraced house. She 'managed' to bring that down to about £4k, but I said that £2 was our budget, slightly fudging the truth but that's about what we paid for the back of the house so I really didn't see why it should be so much more!

After she left, a few days later, we had a call from them advising they might be able to match our price if they came out again - I told them they were welcome to come round again, but that I would likely not commit as I wanted more quotes. THey said that was fine, arranged to come round....then never showed, never called back or anything. Really annoying.

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jeee · 27/06/2012 19:31

Tisn't actually sexist - honestly. Just very irritating. Dh had some double-glazing firms round, and they didn't want to discuss prices unless I was there.

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WetAugust · 27/06/2012 19:35

Ken - Design Windows. No hard sell at all (unlike the Anglian chap I had to threaten with the Police before he would leave)

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LentillyFart · 27/06/2012 19:40

This brings back horrible memories of a 3 hour appointment with some garrulous dick from Everest! They honestly must think people are terminally stupid - we had all that fake phone call from the 'area manager' - this after a quote of £13k for a front door. £13k in 1990 when we'd paid just over double that for the purchase of the house! Eventually got the whole house and front door done by a local company for £4k and those windows still look good today. Never ever give your business to these big nationals - they're just pisstakers!

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