What are your double-glazing sales stories?

[Lilyofthefields]

I have booked a double-glazing salesperson to come tomorrow, mentioned it to a couple of friends and heard some horror stories. One neighbour said not to be alone as she had one who wouldn't leave for four hours.

I didn't take this too seriously at first, thinking it's just a bit of a cliche. However, the company have just confirmed the booking and asked questions such as, "what's your title?" (I don't use one) and "are you the sole owner?". I think they're trying to prevent me closing the appointment with, "I'll have to check with my husband".

Surely they don't still try these techniques, do they??

I had quite a good appointment with them. They quoted £10900 and came down to £8500. This seems quite good compared with the one-man-band who quoted £6100 for cash in hand.

However, they've asked for a 10% deposit. Is that ok? Normally only dodgy trades would ask for any payment in advance.

@Lillyofthefieldsits not unusual to ask for a deposit, just ensure they are in a recognised scheme where your deposit is protected. We tend to not ask for deposits unless we are dealing with extremely large jobs. The one man band doing it for cash isn’t an issue as long as he’s FENSA registered. I would still question why they suddenly dropped the price to £8500 an honest company will give you a price and stick to it

You never ever get rid of Everest. Had two external doors badly fitted and 12 years later they are still calling with their BS sales talk. I have blocked them on landline and they have been told in no uncertain terms to sling their hook, but they are undeterred. I can tell they are still trying to call.

Funnily enough I was better with the DG people than other salesmen when building my new house. I expected the twaddle from them and was prepared. When booking the appt I told them that I wasn't signing on the night and that if the salesman tried that on he was out the door. One still did - but the prices were excellent and I was probably going to go with it BUT I had told them I wasn't signing on the night and I wasn't. I got the 'my manager would like to talk to you spiel'
OK so I spoke to him, after trying hard on normal lines he spun the line that the salesman sat opposite wasn't going to meet his target that month - ending tomorrow - and he might be out of a job. I repeated what he said.
"You mean Matthew, is going to be sacked because I haven't signed," ... (Matthew sat opposite looking horrified - although I don't think he feared for his job) "You have just lost your company this sale. I am now NOT going to buy because I don't like being blackmailed .... No - you can't speak to Matthew now, you can call him in 2 minutes, by which time he will be back in his car and you can explain to him why you have cost him this sale, Goodbye" and I hung up without giving him chance to answer. Gave 'Matthew' his phone back and watched him pack up and leave, apologising all the time.

Always get e or 4 quotes never go for the first one.

I paid £2500 for 6 windows and 1 door from a local joiner who was recommended personally to me. He measured quoted then remeasured and fitted windows all within 2 weeks.

No salesman, no middleman. He priced and did the job himself.

I'm sure I heard somewhere about a technique for getting rid of them on the phone. When they call, get their full name, identify yourself as a police officer and say they have called a live crime scene, it's a murder, and their name is written on a piece of paper by the phone...