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Original poster

Why are there so many charlatans in the Window Trade?

32 replies

Blondiebeachbabe · 23/09/2026 16:40

1st guy quoted £22k for the whole house - obviously no way would we do that.

2nd guy quoted us for the 8 windows that really have to be done - over £9k, then in the next breath, it was down to £8k

3rd guy sat down and started to teach us about windows as though we were 5 years old - wouldn't give a price unless we agreed to go ahead - very very pushy - how does that work?

4th guy - really nice, seems honest, great reviews on line - price £4k

What's with all the game playing? And the ridiculous over pricing?

OP posts:
GudrunB · 23/09/2026 17:05

The market is completely screwed- Everest, Anglian and Safestyle are all part of the same group (and don't make this very clear) so don't even consider asking more than one of them for a quote as they will be coordinating. It's also well known to be full of illegal market sharing (essentially local providers agreeing among themselves to quote high or low for particular jobs, so that customers think they're getting a competitive deal when they are not). The best you can do is go with a personal recommendation.

Redheadedstepchild · 23/09/2026 16:57

I don't know but my dad worked for Alpine double glazing for a short while. He often said it was the most demoralising, soul crushing job he ever had.

He didn't last very long in it. He'd been a casino pit boss and manager in 1960's London before that so his tolerance threshold for dodgy jobs was quite high.

Original poster
Blondiebeachbabe · 23/09/2026 16:56

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 23/09/2026 16:54

Believe me, it is it. DH is in the trades and has been known to over-quote for a job that's difficult or a pain in the arse.

Not everyone does their research and will just say yes to the first person who shows up.

Show quote history

Ours isn't a difficult job though. The range of quotes was insane. And the hard sell from one of them was awful, he was so condescending!

OP posts:
beaglescurleduplikebagels · 23/09/2026 16:54

Blondiebeachbabe · 23/09/2026 16:49

Then they would never earn any money - just supply endless quotes - so that can't be it.

Show quote history

Believe me, it is it. DH is in the trades and has been known to over-quote for a job that's difficult or a pain in the arse.

Not everyone does their research and will just say yes to the first person who shows up.

fridaynightzzz · 23/09/2026 16:53

I assume some of these silly tricks work.

When we got our windows done I said if anyone said they would ring the ‘office’ and there was a special deal that you had to sign now, they were out the door. 2 different companies did.

Ive had a friend where the salesman refused to leave until he spoke to her husband, she was unmarried and lived alone. She had to start calling the police to get him to go.
Another had just had her windows done a month before but this young guy said he needed to do a minimum number of quotes so she felt sorry and let him do one. He then did the most aggressive hard sell, and she kept saying ‘I just had my windows done’. She called a neighbour through to throw him out.

Original poster
Blondiebeachbabe · 23/09/2026 16:49

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 23/09/2026 16:41

Most overpricing is because they don't actually want the job, but will do it if you're willing to pay a stupid amount.

Then they would never earn any money - just supply endless quotes - so that can't be it.

OP posts:
beaglescurleduplikebagels · 23/09/2026 16:41

Most overpricing is because they don't actually want the job, but will do it if you're willing to pay a stupid amount.

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