To think Anglian Windows shouldn't require DH present in order to visit?

[DoodleAlley]

That's it really. Door to door salesman happy to book an appointment but then later the same day I got a phone call saying that they would only come if my husband was there.

Now I suspect it's so they can do the hard sell on both of us - irritating in its own right - but there is also a little part of me that wonders if they would have made the same demand if it had been DH who made the original appointment.

Zombie!!!

I've seen this come up again and again and every time it's "well they need both of you to make a decision".

No. They. Don't.

I bought a car last week. All on my own (well ds came with me). DH didn't have any involvement with it at all.

Dear tradespeople and suppliers - women earn their own money and can make their own decisions. I'd simply say you deal with me or you don't deal at all. Your choice.

Oh for goodness sake. Why do people post on zombie threads and why do I never look at the date before I post? The point still stands though.

I can’t believe how timely this thread is.

I had exactly the same issue with Anglian barely a month ago. We have a roof terrace and one of the glass panels imploded as condensation got into the inside.
I asked Anglian (and other co’s) to come and quote for a replacement.
Anglian sales were extremely pushy in asking for my husband to attend the appt...despite the fact that - like most couples, surely - we make joint decisions about financial expenditure.
I was so incensed that I found the contact details for the Chief Commercial Officer on LinkedIn and emailed him to address this.
Quite apart from the aggressive sales techniques, this all left a very sour taste in my mouth. Having read other posters here, it’s clearly not a one-off!

I’ve copied our correspondence below in good faith and have removed my identifying details.
////::

Subject: Constructive feedback re Anglian sales approach

Dear Mr Rutter,

I’m contacting you directly in your capacity as Anglian CEO with what I hope is constructive feedback regarding the Anglian sales approach.

I’ve just received a call a few minutes ago to confirm my sales appt this afternoon at 5pm.
All fine; I am here to be on hand, my husband finishes later at work.

However, for the second time now I have been asked when my husband is available to attend the appt...and whether there is a more suitable time so that we can both be there. The clear inference being that I cannot make a decision based on the information that is being given in the appt.

I cannot tell you how patronising this is!
I have no axe to grind; I’m a reasonably well-educated individual who has a professional career and responsibility for making decisions - both outside the home and with my husband relating to our home and family. We are a team!

I was asked the same question when I called earlier this week to slightly adjust the time of the appt, but brushed it off and assumed it was just ‘one of those odd things’.
But to be asked a second time is a concern and the outcome is that it has left me with a very maligned view of the company.

I’m sure there were no negative intentions meant, but this element of your sales approach could be better addressed....

I hope to hear your feedback.

Regards,

Xxxxx

/////

I received a reply 22 minutes later:

///

X,

Firstly thank you for taking the time to highlight this to me and may I also apologise that you have had to.

It is completely against our enquiry handling policy, to in any way, pre-judge decision making. The only point of any questions being asked prior to a visit is to establish who we are visiting and disclose the name of our representative attending - primarily for security reasons for both parties.

I have copied the Regional manager for the South West area of London - Tony Cook - and he will be calling you to confirm our attendance and to personally ensure that do not feel patronised in anyway.

Hopefully we can restore your faith in Anglian and I appreciate your kind offer to quote for works at your home.

Kind regards

Martin Rutter
Chief Commercial Officer
//////

I would hit THE FUCKING ROOF if someone said to me we need your husband to be there. I can barely type I’m so furious.
Just literally never ever do business with them.

Honestly I would put a suit jacket on my dog invite them round. Introduce his as my husband Archibald tie my Amex round his neck and let him pick which windows he wanted with his lovely big paws.

now they've made it clear it's a hard sell I'll probably just leave it.

I think you'd be daft to do anything else. Companies that employ pushy sales organisations are paying a lot for those extra staff and systems because they increase profits. They are invariably much more expensive than a company which isn't willing to come for a brew and a chat.

People who have dealt with us prefer him not to be here, he waffles and waffles, taking ages to assimilate information. After a visit to PC World their staff almost ran and hid when he walked in!