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

I completely agree. The response to that is 'I am the home owner'. I have been surprised enough to navigate so much of this shit simply through using my own family name and not the title of 'Mrs'.

If pressed: 'As I said, I am the home owner. And I'll be seeking a quotation elsewhere. Good day'.

Let them know they are losing business because of it.

Also, my standard response to doorstep selling is to simply say: 'I never do business transactions over the doorstep'. If I want a service, I'll do some research and read testimonials online, and I will approach them. A couple of times the would-be seller has become really abusive with me. I suspect they wouldn't have done that to a man.

Don't use them! Also don't go with one of the big companies their products they charge the earth and you can get better products from a local installer go on the FENSA website and find one

It's a long standing tactic, avoid the company like the plague as it's a hallmark of them wanting to embark on an hours long hard sell with you both. My psychic prediction is that he'll give you a staggeringly high quote then fanny about pretending to call the office to organise a 'special' discount which is just for you and only if you sign up tonight. Even that will be about twice what an independent will do it for.

Avoid, avoid, avoid.

(Yes I have experience with A)

I hope you told them that you had decided that you didn’t feel comfortable having people in your home who worked for a company that didn’t include basic understanding of female emancipation in their training programmes.

Also not sure if it’s still the same, but they don’t get paid unless you commit. So you really do choose your customers wisely, you can spend hours going through it with someone who then want you to come back again when their partner’s home, or never call back, and then you’ve before you know it you’ve worked for days without a wage.

If you are the decision maker then it’s none of the guy’s business if you have a husband or not. Just say no next time

I too sold double glazing many many years ago as a broke older teen. We did this so we could sell it to you there and then. Otherwise 99% of people will say ‘yeah need to check with the wife/husband etc’, after you’d spent ages doing your pitch. When both people are there, you are so much more likely to get a sale. I never went back if it was just one person, almost always a waste of time. Husband/wife gets home with their ‘let’s get 3 other quotes’ and they soon forget you.

@HidingUnderARock Not automatically

If I enter into a contract with A, then only A is liable. B has no liability, even if they're married

If I enter into a contract with A&B, then both are liable. Best if A&B both sign the contract, to put it beyond doubt that they're both committed. If I prepare a contract with A&B, but only A signs it, then I'd have to argue that A was acting as agent for B

I so dislike the fact that I get questioned almost every time I tell someone I go by Ms and not Miss or Mrs.

"Oh are you divorced?" No.
"Oh are you a lesbian?" No.
"Oh so you're single!" No.

And actually it's none of their business 99% of the time what my marital status or sexual preference is. It's got nothing to do with what we're talking about.

And the last time someone tried to talk over me to my DH about financial matters he just said "oh I wouldn't know and would probably just ask silly questions. best to deal with my wife as she's the finance person in our household."

We ignored the company who wanted to quote for a conservatory with dh present. I took great delight for the next zillion calls from them, in telling them that we had had it done with someone who dealt with me alone and that they’d missed out on a commission!

Well if your not comfortable with it the you obvs don’t do business with them. Simple really I don’t even know why you bothered answering whether you had a husband or not completely irrevalant and you saying it may be to do with financing is just perpetuating the sexism.

I've definitely seen this too. I don't have a husband or partner but own my own home. My dad is a tradesman so whenever I need work he usually knows someone. Even if I am the one to make contact and am there for the measurements, they'll always go to my dad with the quote rather than speak to me. Plasterer, kitchen fitter, windowman, all measured up in front of me and told me they'd speak to my dad about the money, despite being told I'm paying for it 🤷🏻‍♀️

he then asks if I have a husband, I say yes ( we arent married but I know what he means and he is probably asking for finance reasons ect)

It was your mistake from the outset. When asked if you had a DH you should have have given a strange look and said ‘oh gosh, are you offering, and I’m not sure how that’s at all relevant’ then said something along the lines of your really not comfortable with people with people using work for door to door dating and so forth and you’ll be going now. That would have been my go to if amend asked me that (even though I do have a DH), as it’s of no relevance.

Total aside - most of the big companies (like Anglian) just subcontract to local tradespeople - so you’ll almost certainly get better pricing if you get a couple of quotes from well reviewed window fitters on check-a-trade

I assume you said No?

We have two family run businesses here, both excellent, reasonably-priced and non-pushy. Crucially, all their people are actually employed full-time and so have an interest in the firms' reputations.

He was probably lying about doing some work "down the road" - they usually do.
Just be careful and check that you still get the 14 day cooling off period if you sign up today - I'm not sure if that only applies to the initial contact which was unsolicited, or whether it still applies if you arranged for them to come back (i.e. it's not a cold call any more)

Pretty sure it was, yes.

We had this from a company called coldseal 22 years ago. I was so shocked

They’d really struggle with me. I tell all sales people and tradesmen that I am married if they ask as I don’t want them knowing I am a single woman living alone….I’d really struggle if they insisted on me rustling one up to hear a quote though 😅

“I’m afraid you’ve just lost yourself a sale by insisting on being sexist. It’s 2024 and women have been able to make decisions and pay for things for a while now. Goodbye“

Terrible company. Salesman wouldn’t even leave my house, I had to practically kick him out and was pestered by them in various underhand ways for years. I ended up screaming at them down the phone to stop harassing me. Horrible.

This is absolutely the case, so not sexist at all. We had someone round to quote for windows. When they arrived I was on my way out taking DD to a class. I didn't rush back as I thought DH can deal with the salesman. Finally got home and DH and salesman were both sat waiting for me so that the "presentation" could begin. Salesman explained both homeowners needed to be present (so the potential customer couldn't later say sorry I spoke to my DW/DH and they said no).

This happened to me. Made an appointment for someone to come and measure up for a 'no obligation, valid for one year' quote. He arrived and refused to even come through the door because my husband wasn't in. I can understand wanting to remove any delaying tactics, but why advertise it as valid for 12 months if you are then planning to move the goalposts and try for the hard sell?

Anyway, head office phoned back later that day to rearrange the appointment so I told them where to go, and why.

I've had this too op! Once was solar panels another a plumber. Neither got my business.