To complain (and share with MN) about Zenith Windows rude, sexist and crap service?

[PumpkinJack]

Zenith windows door to door salesperson knocked on our door about 4 weeks ago. Like a fool I said we were considering new windows and would like a quote. He pressured me to have one that day or at the weekend but I insisted on the following week. An appointment was made, he wrote it down, I diarised it etc.

The day arrives, Zenith phone me about 2 hours prior to the appointment to confirm they'd see DH and me later. I mentioned it would just be me. They cancelled!! On that basis! Said they'd ring to rearrange a time to see DH too, despite me saying we only want a quote.

Equally incredibly I then heard nothing more. Tonight someone from their company phoned to say I was down as a 'missed 'appointment' and would I like to re-book. Wtaf? I briefly (not like this) said no, not interested as the service had been... Brrrrrrrrr

She hung up! Shall I complain? What for, a written apology? Or save my energy? Fuckers.

[PumpkinJack]

Argh, Zenith windows' crap... In title. Before the missing apostrophe sends people off track

[lisad123]

Are you sure they aren't protecting themselves? Maybe they don't think it's a good idea for female to be alone in the house with a male employee? A bit like why teachers are never alone with students anymore

[AnyaKnowIt]

I have heard the some companies do this now to so you can't say 'sorry, I'll have to speak to me husband ect'

All part of pressure selling and it pisses me off

[PumpkinJack]

No, it wasn't that I'm sure. It was to do with sales, he as good as said. He wasn't worried about coming in to book appointment etc

[oldraver]

I had a solar company refuse to come out to me unless the 'man of the house' (I kid you not) was there. No amount of telling them it was MY house would make them budge

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

We got them in for a quote years ago. We weren't seriously interested but they wore us down. After about 2 hours of demos they quoted £12k for 4 windows and 2 doors. This was about 20 years ago. We said no. Salesman phoned his manager, got it down to £9k, we said no, he phoned in to his office again. Eventually got him down to £3k if we signed that night. We said no. He was not happy at all. I was very angry to think that they try this sort of game and vulnerable people may well end up taking the first quote offered.

[exexpat]

I've heard the same situation a lot with home improvement companies (windows, kitchens etc). I think it is officially because if you are going have major work done on a house, you need to have both homeowners (assuming you are both on the title deeds/mortgage) to agree, or one of them could later say it was done without their consent.

Of course if they are only meant to be coming round to give you a quote that shouldn't matter, because you won't be signing anything - which means that although companies which do this aren't necessarily being sexist, it is a sign that they are planning to use high-pressure sales tactics to get you (and your DP/DH) to sign up to something on the spot. You hear of double-glazing salesmen refusing to leave for hours until you sign something... So probably a lucky escape anyway.

[DizzyPurple]

We used Zenith for windows a few years ago. Lots of pressure from salesman. Stayed 5 hours before we could get rid of him. We tried to cancel they rent same guy back to pressure us more. Eventually we arranged for work to be done. We were told 2 days by salesman when they came it took 4.5 days. Not impressed with fitters. Supervisor came once was quite rude to me. Overall very unhappy with the whole business and happy to deter people from using them at any opportunity!i wish we'd complained properly at the time but complained to supervisor who offered us £50 discount which we stupidly accepted but later regretted as there where so many problems. So dont go there! OP You had a lucky escape.

[greenhill]

They have rung us for over 5 years, because the previous owners of this house used them.

My DH allowed them to take a photo of the front of the house (when we had my parents around for the first time after we'd moved in with our first baby) as they turned up unexpectedly and they have rung ever since trying to interest us in buying more windows from them, even though the entire house and all doors are theirs.

Each time I correct them and say we have never used their services and that I would not recommend them to any friends, because of their persistent phone calls. Each time I have asked to be removed from their directory. I am not always polite to them now.

[HeinousHecate]

yup. It's so they can attempt to pressure you into signing.

I refuse to deal with any company that plays such games.

they can measure up and leave a quote and if we like it - we'll get back to them.

But what you find is they stay in your home for 4+ hours, giving you the hard sell and really trying to bully you.

Horrible.

[stifnstav]

Its fucking unreal that more than one company is at that claptrap! I got told my husband had to be there by a different DG firm because its "the lady's design but the gentleman's wallet".

I let rip. I'm still in the middle of the complaints process with my particular outfit. If you google "I have to warm my husband's slippers" you can read my complaint, its epic!

[PumpkinJack]

That's terrible. And how about being hung up on?

[catkind]

We had similar with Anglian windows. (And rubbish installation and after-sales service too.) And British Gas for a boiler quote. "actually my husband doesn't impulse buy major purchases either". We learned from the Anglian experience and didn't buy the boiler.

[HeinousHecate]

She obviously sensed a complaint coming on.

If she doesn't hear it - it doesn't count.

[iago]

Always go with a local company, preferably one recommended by someone you know. There is a scheme - Rateatrader? - which can help. Anglia etc advertise widely and on television which does not come cheap and it's a franchise which means their prices are much higher.

[GhostofMammaTJ]

My DP always refers to me in decisions, after all I hold the purse strings, now that totally confuses them all

[WorraLiberty]

It's got nothing to do with sexism.

If your DH told them that he would be home but you wouldn't be, they'd also re-schedule.

It's simply so you both get the sales pitch...as the majority of the time the property will be owned by both the Husband and Wife.

[Sparklingbrook]

How does it work if one half of the couple is away, say in the forces or something?

[mowbraygirl]

My later widowed SIL had windows from Zenith about 14 years ago they were an absolute nightmare. Kept insisting they had to see her DH before they would measure and give a quote despite her saying he was no longer with us. In the end when she went outside to the toilet my other SIL let rip at him and said can't you understand that she is saying she is a widow his reply was well we have to know she is able to pay for the windows.

She only had them because DH's cousin had used them and thought they were very good.

When SIL had the work done she kept inspecting everything they did and she didn't let them get away with anything think in the end the fitters were glad to finish.

[MarjorieProops]

Having worked for Anglian f'ing Home Improvements, I can tell you that these companies like to have both Mr and Mrs at the sales pitch as they're more likely to get a sale if they are both there. If only one is, then the other will probably say they have to talk to the other one and get back to them.

I don't have a single civil word to say about Anglian as what I think about them and in particular one person there in one particular town would be unprintable (even on here!) They are a terrible company to work for and I am a hard worker and educated and experienced. However, obviously they did not want this type of person. Anyway, why was I surprised, as the people who already worked there seemed deficient in any human social decency. Their admin procedures are dire and they pay peanuts - no surprise that they get monkeys. (Disclaimer - no offence to anyone on here btw if you do have the misfortune of actually working there and by the way I walked.)

[MarjorieProops]

What Iago said - go with the local company. Don't go with Anglian! Or Zenith or Everest...

[oldraver]

It is sexism when you tell them you own the house and all decisions regarding house renovation are yours but they still insist on your OH being there and refuse you an appointment unless he is

[SaraBellumHertz]

Consider it a very lucky escape.

They ask that your DH be present so they can do the pressure sell.

[AnotherDad]

That was definitely a lucky escape. I can't believe I didn't google them before agreeing to an appointment (Not like me at all!), which they promised would be just for a quote and would take well under an hour and would not involve any "sign now for this special price" deals... so tonight (yes, they would only come if my wife was present too) we spent 4 hours listening to all the usual tactics and everything the guy at the door had said wouldn't happen. Grrrr.