What to say to sexist salesman asking for my 'husband' to be present for quote? Should i say something?

I've been having the same problem with solar panels. Have been trying since before Covid to get proper quotes, but they'll only come if both DP and me there are. I'm the one who wants them and will be arranging and paying, but no, they have to have both.

It's definitely a tactic to get you sign up on the day. Next time I can be bothered, I'll say I'm single!

They 'knock down' the overinflated price if you sign on the day there and then. Thats why they want both decision makers there. Its all about getting a signature on the dotted line and nothing to do with sexism.

Its a sales tactic as many have said, they want you both there so they sell to you and get you both on board at the same time.

As for your offence to choosing the colour, why would you not want to choose the colour, handle type etc? Surely, that's part of the buying process?

Though I get the 'Ms, Miss, Mrs' crap, he was being a bit of a knob about that.

I've had them refuse to talk to dh on his own, even when I've told them to because they don't want one party saying yes then other say no.

I've never once found this in four years. In fact, I don't think I've ever had anyone verbally commit that didn't go on to sign a contract.

So, so annoying and sexist.

BUT, if I were to play devil's advocate, I'd say that many women verbally commit ... only to take it back later because their husbands have said no.

Very sexist how dare you ? You'd be told to get lost and if a large company I'd be complaining to your head office

Happened several times to me, once it was recently. Usually national companies, or ones that have traveled long distances. I questioned them and they said it was because they come all the way and the woman says that she needs to ok it first with hub bub
What it really is about is pressure selling.

What about men whose wife isn’t home, don’t say it to them do they?

Had this and wanting to know if you are a homeowner. I think having both there and knowing it’s your house is about suing you if they fit and you don’t pay.

The fact that only a few places do this but most don’t means it’s unnecessary and rude.

I understand it maybe 30 years ago, but it’s really insulting nowadays.

😧😧😧😧 What did you say?

Don't deal with people who come to the door and don't believe they are doing work for your neighbour, most of the time it's a lie and just a way to start the sales pitch. He wants you both there so he can keep making the offer better and better until you start to consider it, but can only do this if you sign now. (And if you do go with them it will probably be a rubbish job).

Cynical me?

I've owned a window company for four years now and I can honeslty say I have not found this to be the case AT ALL. Women very regularly make the decisions and quite often the men will be absolutely clueless. Or they will say they want blue and then will email later with "sorry, Claire/Emma/Sophie wants orange."

I have not actually found there to be any difference whatsoever.

We've also worked for women on their own and four different lesbian couples. Women make a lot of decisions and are no more dithery than men.

They are 'trained' loosely as it maybe, to pitch to both halves of a couple at the same time. Basically to stop one from saying 'oh well I need to discuss it with x'. They want you to have to make a decision on the spot. They will claim they're offering a one off discount, stay in your house for hours etc etc.
Just cancel it. You know he's lying when he says he's doing work for the neighbours as well right?

Never buy anything or engage with someone selling anything who knocks your door uninvited. Good companies don’t use this tactic.
I once went to buy a car on my own (about 20 years ago) and the salesman asked me if my husband wanted to look at it before I decided. I was too gobsmacked to say anything but no at the time but later I wished I had thought to ask him if his mum would like to confirm the price with him first before he sold anything.

I used to do the same job, a long time ago now, and this was also my experience. I wouldn't talk about husband/wife in the first instance though, I'd ask if they owned the property with anyone because ideally both homeowners would be present. From what the OP has said, I would've gone ahead with the quote however.

Brilliant!!! 😂

Exactly this - can't believe this is still happening in 2024. If I had extra time, I'd tweet the company too to tell them why they lost a sale.

Wide crazy eyes, bright smile, little giggle and say 'Oh you'll be waiting a while. Even the police couldn't find all of him!' Keep smiling.

Some of the posts on here just go to show the outright lies and bullshit that door to door sales people come out with to pressure people in to buying.

Never ever buy from someone who turns up on the doorstep. You are putting them in control.

The three hours they spend in your home is to wear you down. It's all part of the tactic and it's bloody horrible.

We've had elderly customers who said they've felt quite shaken by it and had to go and have a lie down.

A local guy will be in and out in 10 minutes flat. The only time my husband stays more than 20 minutes is if it's the customer that's chewing his ear off, which beleive it or not also happens! 😄

ANGLIAN!!

Another reason to go to a local company

Alicewin,AGLIAN, they definitely aren't religious!! I had a problem with them. Man just wouldn't go or take no for an answer. Another one of the big ones,in the 80s, DH as is now,we weren't married them. Bloke was really pushy and rude about the doors to our conservatory. When he came back with the written quote,he pushed a contract across the table told me to sign it. I said I wasn't signing. He told me it was just to show he had been!! He rang, I said we weren't using them. He said my husband told him we were. I told him I didn't have a husband,he said I introduced this man as my husband. I didn't, because he wasn't. He was getting nasty and abusive. Kept insisting I did have a husband. He then told me the windows had been made. He only took rough measurements, the surveyor hadn't been round to measure properly. Me,if I'm in the right, I have the last word. I told him that the man at my house was my brother. You should have heard him rant,he obviously thinks there is incest afoot, although I never said he lived there. Speak to neighbours,get a local company. I thought cold calling like this was against the law now.

I got this when I took my car to be repaired when I was 20. Your dad this and that, so just told them he was dead. You could´ve heard a feather drop. He wasn´t.

If it's really about 'saving time', then you'd think these companies would cut down on their ridiculously lengthy sales pitches and stop all the nonsense where they tell you an initial (absurd) price, before going off and calling the boss and telling you they've secured a limited-time-only, super special deal for you. When we had our windows done in our last house, they were there for literally hours to give us a quote. I've never seen this kind of farcical sales method in anything other than windows. I've easily managed to book decorators, have boilers fitted etc without any nonsense about having dh present.