Double Glazing Salesmen!

[Kendodd]

I want three windows replacing. I already have one quote and wanted one more.

The first company came measured the windows, I told them what I want (how many opening etc) and they went away and sent me a quote in the post.

Second company, knocked on the door and as it happened I did need some windows replacing so when they offered to send a salesman round I agreed. They later phoned to make an appointment. During the phone call they asked a couple of times if DH would be there, I told them no and that I wouldn't be signing any contracts that day, I just wanted them to measure the windows and give me a quote that I would then compare with the other quote and discuss with DH.

Salesman came round at the agreed time (well ten minutes late- but no problem). After the usual pleasantries he asked if DH was there as well, as he would really like to see both of us. I said no and asked if he could just measure the windows and give me a quote and started showing him which ones. Salesman said no and that it is against company policy to measure windows and leave a quote (really he said this!) and that he would have to come back when DH is in so that he could show us both the windows. Explained that I just want a written quote so that we can compare and decide in our own time. Again told it is against company policy. I said that we already have one quote and told him who it was from. I was then told that "window companies are going under up and down the country" and the he happened to know that company one is "in trouble" he then began rubbishing their product.

It this point, as I wouldn't make a new appointment including DH and the salesman wouldn't measure the windows (against company policy) salesman left.

So, AIBU to just want the windows measured and a quote sent (as I stated on the phone) or should I have made another appointment including DH?

Regardless of MN opinion I won't be using company two and wanted to have a rant about it.

[TheSkiingGardener]

I had Apple windows quote. They didn't want to come out unless my DH was there. I asked why not. They claimed it was for the safety of the Salesman. I then enquired how they quoted to people who lived on their own and she blustered a lot. I told her that I wanted a quote, and that they were welcome to provide one if they wished and put the phone down. Half an hour later she rang back saying that as a 'special case' the manager would come out and see me himself. A bog standard sale man turned up and tried every high pressure selling technique in the book. Even after all our 'special, one-off, about-to-run-out' discounts they were still twice as expensive as everybody else. And the salesmen was REALLY unhappy that I was going to get other quotes.

Horrible company.

[WetAugust]

As well as the call to the area manager I also had

It's Crime Prevention week - if you sign up now you'll get a further discount.

The offer is for this evening only - if you call us again tomorrow you'll pay more.

I need your bank account details (even though I had told him I would not be signing anything that evening).

Just sign here to say I had visited you - but was in fact a contract.

He turned very nasty indeed when I asked him to leave and accused me of wasting his time.

That's when I threatened to call the Police.

I've also had the same tactics with uPVC fascia salesmen.

Now I just tell them from the start that they can cut the crap and all of the ploys above and just give me a quote or piss off.

[pleasetryanothername]

Years ago I worked in the call centre for europlas. Are they still going? Dreadful company, the tactics we were made to use to get appointments were disgusting.

Would never buy from them.

[BartletForAmerica]

I would avoid Anglia and Everest too. Are there any local family firms near you? We got a great local company to do our windows. They never do (like Anglia, pretend) discounts or special offers. The price is just the price and they are great.

[EggInABap]

Oh my goodness. I have attempted to get 2 quotes now, from Safestyle and Crystal, both of whom scarpered as my DP wouldn't be home until an hour after they'd arrived. Well sorry but this is the best we can do with our working patterns!

This is in the past week. I am fed up of it all now to be honest, all I wanted was a rough idea of price and they refused to give me anything. How does one locate these small local firms- is it best to look for a carpenter?

[DontTellHimPike]

Ken Dunno how far south west you are, but The Affordable Window Company are Berkshire based and do 'surrounding areas' - they recently did our bay window, very good price, dealt with the owner throughout, efficient and tidy workmen.

We were quoted by Anglian too. What. A. Farce. I worked in the industry many years ago and so was aware of all the pressure sales tactics, told him so, and the idiot still did the full spiel on me! He 'discounted' three times in an hour, got the 'area manager' on the phone to talk to me, wouldn't leave, the works! They then called me every week for months, even after I'd told them point blank I'd rather leave gaping holes in my house than buy their shoddy product.

[Julesnobrain]

We got a quote for one large lower front window about 4 years ago. Anglian came round, spent hours rabbiting about the quality of their product and quoted me 13k. Yes 13k for one window. DH and I after picking our jaws off the floor told him he was a complete Idiot ( well we were less polite) and escorted him out. Got local firm in, no fuss, measured up, sent written quote and charged 1k. When we had 2 back windows which needed replacing more recently you can guess who we ordered from !

[NoComet]

The conservatory sales man who treated me like an idiot, did not get the job

DH and I both agreed he was an obnoxious jerk and didn't deserve the business.

[geegee888]

LOL do single people not get their windows then?!

I'd be tempted to phone them back and say you were too embarrassed to say at the time, but your same sex partner will be back from abroad on x date, if they want to make another appointment...

[Krumbum]

Yeah I used to telesale for Anglian. They are a bunch of twats.
You have to make sure that both homeowners are in for the quote cos they want to sell on the day. They say it's a quote but they want you to buy on the day and will use any tactics to do it. They will make up deals that last for that day only. They can't pressure sell you if both homeowners aren't there.
Don't use them, it's overpriced and they treat their employees and customers like shit. We were told not to even book appts if both unless both homeowners were there. What area do you live in?

[ratspeaker]

Ken try posting a request on mumsnet local
You may get happy customers giving recommendations

It was someone I knew who'd been happy with the work that gave me the details of the local firm I used.

[DoodleAlley]

This is all very shocking the level of pressure salesmen are willing to use. There should be more publicity about how these kind of companies can be reported so their tactics can be investigated.

Been dreading the follow up call from Anglian but not had it yet. Do we think they've been reading mn too?!

[stoatie]

I had a similar experience but from SafeStyle UK (what was I thinking?). Never before have I felt so intimidated in my own home - DD2 was a baby - the salesman would not leave - he was here 3 hours (doing all that stupid ring head office to get a once in a lifetime/tonight only deal.) In that time I was helping DD1 with homework, put DD2 and DS to bed and still he wouldn't leave.

In the end I asked him what our "cool off " period was - he admitted we had 14 days (or similar) to change our mind. I bluntly told him we would sign up - to get him to leave - but would be cancelling order in morning. We did - he left (yay) I cancelled next morning (and told head office why) and went with local firm who were very good, very professional and similar priced.

SafeStyle plagued us with underc utting phone calls for days but got no where. We will need new windows soon (having extension) - local firm all the way (they are very popular in our street so not alone)

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

Don't use Safestyle! It would take me all week to detail just how useless and underhanded and rude and utterly vile they are! They are the lowest of the low and think nothing of lying to your face, and they got really nasty in a threatening sinister way for a while too. Oh and one of them called me a "thick bitch" when he thought I'd put the phone down. And even after months of aggro, they still keep phoning us up and trying to sell us more of their crap, and apparently we "can't make them stop as we're past customers so tell that to TPS cos they can call whenever they like even at 2am Ha Ha" and yes, that is a direct quote from one of their salespeople at 2am

[oldraver]

Ive had a similar problem with a Solar Power company who refused to come out unless I had a 'the man who lives in the house' with me. After a huge argument the did eventually make an appointment but didnt turn up

So add ecohomesservices to the wanker list

[Snowsquonk]

We got our windows from a local firm who do renovations & new builds - recommended by the parents of a friend. They were brilliant - the salesman even took me out for a walk locally to look at other people's windows to see what I liked and what I didn't like. They also took 5 days to fit them (whereas other firms were saying they could do it in a day) - talk about thorough - all the plaster patched up internally AND painted with undercoat - 5 years on the windows still look fab.

So when we wanted the kitchen done we knew who we would go with, but decided to get at least one other quote for comparison - we went for a large, national company. And I am afraid I had such fun - I knew exactly what I wanted and I wasn't having any nonsense - when he'd measured up and shown me all the sample doors and handles he then said he would draw up the plans....I said "not in my time you won't - you have all the measurements, do it somewhere else" - funnily enough, never heard from them again....

[booooooomya]

Where in the South West are you Ken? Me and my husband run a joinery company in Devon if you would like a quote?

[Kendodd]

I'm in east devon

[booooooomya]

Our website is //www.taylorsjoinery.com if you wanted to take a look. There are contact details on there, would be happy to give you a quote :-)

[horsetowater]

Sorry to revive an old thread but it's a familiar story. Just sent Mr Everest out the door. £8000 for 8 windows (secondary glazing) are they kidding?

[Chippednailvarnish]

I've got a good double glazing firm if you're in east London / Essex...

[buddyfingy]

Ugh there are such terrible double glazing companies out there that give the rest of us a bad rep. I work for one of the smaller, family owned companies; our sales reps actively encourage potential customers to seek competitive quotes to make sure that they find the right company for them. I have heard the horror stories from clients - often from more elderly or vulnerable clients - of the bigger companies (those that shall not be named!) who end up being pressured into large investments that do last very long. It does make me wonder sometimes how they can still be in business with the dirty tactics they use

[horsetowater]

The seasons thing I don't like is when they talk absolute cobblers and then expect you to hand over 30K. Unbelievable. And putting down all the other firms, as if we are going to believe that tactic. And wanting to speak to the man in the house. Some of these people are from the land of lulu.

Last week we had a woman salesperson and she was great. More subtle gobshite anyway. I think we will go for a local joiner instead.

They showed us the window samples. Why go to all the trouble of making convoluted pieces of reinforced plastic and metal when quality wood will do the same?

[JumpRope]

Everest did that to me. Utter twunt.

Do you want wooden windows? A local joiner might be cheaper than the nationals. Make sure they are fensa registered.