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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want a quote for windows!

29 replies

Princess28 · 04/04/2014 16:26

I'm married and apparently that means I need my husband's permission to get a quote for two bay windows. Two companies now won't give me a quote unless my husband is present. I know they do this to try and make you sign up on the day but it wouldn't matter if I had the whole of my extended family there I WILL NOT SIGN UP ON THE DAY! I don't have a clue how much double glazed windows cost so I'd be daft to sign up with the first company. So AIBU to want 2 or 3 companies to quote for two bay windows without my husband being present?

OP posts:
smallsheep · 04/04/2014 16:29

They are a nightmare! try a local company, the smaller family ones around here are great, and will just turn up, measure and give you a quote and thats it. I had to throw a window salesman out of my house once, never again will I call one of the better known companies, too much pressure, and they keep at it hours on end.

Allergictoironing · 04/04/2014 16:32

There are plenty of double glazing companies around. If they don't want to give you a quote, then they are automatically off the list and make sure they are aware of that.

GreenShadow · 04/04/2014 16:40

I agree. Go for someone local. You'll probably get a better deal and a proper quote- not one of those ones that starts at several thousand more than it ends up....

Chippednailvarnish · 04/04/2014 16:53

Name and shame them OP...

Norfolknway · 04/04/2014 16:55

Go for a local company.

The big companies were the same with me

Arseholes

Witchywitch · 04/04/2014 16:56

I had this same issue with safe style, they wouldn't come round unless my husband was there. Tsk.

HowContraryMary · 04/04/2014 16:57

Never had that problem with Sutton and they are the ones recommended by the met (or were when I got them)

RafflesWay · 04/04/2014 17:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Pipbin · 04/04/2014 17:05

Do they think you need his permission? Name and shame!

Witchywitch · 04/04/2014 17:06

We went with a local company, then they went bust leaving us with guarantee sadly. But I agree, local and recommended is the best way, just didn't work out for us

meddie · 04/04/2014 17:07

Local company all the way. Just had mine done before Christmas and they were fast, well priced and the workmen were excellent. local firms rely on recommendations so they are only as good as their last job

colleysmill · 04/04/2014 17:15

Years ago we had a chap come round to quote for a conservatory. Seriously he was here nearly three hours one Friday night.

We went with a local company in the end who were very helpful but not pushy

HobbetInTheHeadlights · 04/04/2014 17:20

We had one of those - DH was around so it was possible. The price kept coming down in most bizarre way and he left in the end without giving us the requested written quote. Took AGES to get him out the house - then years of cold calls from same UK wide company.

We went with local firm - got a better product for a good price.

Original poster
Princess28 · 04/04/2014 18:44

It was Safe Style today and Zenith before. Zenith were really rude and implied that I would need my husbands m

OP posts:
Original poster
Princess28 · 04/04/2014 18:45

Aaaah- stupid phone.
Anyway, they said that I would need my husbands money! I told them I bloody well didn't!

OP posts:
itsbetterthanabox · 04/04/2014 18:50

I used to telesale for Anglian and Apple. We were told we required both homeowners there in order to make the quote. From experience they have seen that they have to quote twice if they aren't both there. Most couples won't make big decisions without each other.
But if someone made it clear they made all the decisions then we would quote. We weren't going to miss out over it! Just be clear that you make the decisions.

itsbetterthanabox · 04/04/2014 18:51

Wow I'm shocked by what zenith said!
For us it wasn't a gender thing we asked men to have their partner there too!

VelvetStrider · 04/04/2014 18:56

Go to a local company, and make sure they offer insurance backed guarantees so you'll still be covered if they go bust. The big companies have ridiculous pricing policies and sales strategies, I'd steer well clear of them, they give the industry a bad name. Ask friends for recommendations or google glass & glazing federation.

Original poster
Princess28 · 04/04/2014 19:17

I was shocked too! Tbf Safe style said they would tell my husband the same thing but I really can't be doing with the pressure to buy there and then. Due to the fact I have never bought windows I don't know the price so I would need 2 or 3 quotes anyway.
My cousin used a local (to her) company- when she phoned to query something about the quote they refused to speak to her and said they would only deal with her husband. That company did not fit her new conservatory...

OP posts:
Mushypeasandchipstogo · 04/04/2014 19:26

Yep I had exactly the same happen to me over 10 years ago. Two companies refused to quote unless my husband was there. What's more the house was mine not my husband's. Thought that things had changed but obviously not. Needless to say I told them to feck off and went elsewhere!

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 04/04/2014 19:28

We got ours done with a local company. No hard sell and they only spoke to me as DH was at work.

sparkle101 · 04/04/2014 19:30

Be careful of local companies if you're in east kent. Whilst they'll be great with sales and quoting you on your own the company we went with had awful customer service and fitting.

deakymom · 04/04/2014 19:32

tell them he is a serving soldier who wishes to see a paper quote first they don't have an issue with that usually

livingatheendofthewall · 05/04/2014 00:24

WTAF?! What if you don't have a husband, are they going to ask for your dad to be there?! How bloody patronising!!

ihavenonameonhere · 05/04/2014 00:28

It's not sexist. Would be same other way round.

But it is a horrible sales technique. Horrid.

Avoid the big companies and go local

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