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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To cancel this window firm quoting a job only with husband present?

123 replies

Beachhairdontcare · 17/05/2017 20:59

So a nice chap knocked on the door, currently fitting new windows for neighbour. He noticed that our windows could do with replacing, we were in fact only discussing this recently and intended to look into this in a few months time. He asked if we would like a quick measure up and quote after he finished neighbours job, I said sure why not. He said the office would call to confirm.
Five minutes later I receive a call from the 'diary manager' at the office. He was calling to confirm the appointment, and to also confirm that my husband would be present too. Err no, it's just me I'm afraid. 'Ah well, it's company policy that both home owners are present, so I will call in the morning to confirm a time when you are both likely to be home'.
AIBU to tell him to do one? Or is this normal practice? Sounds to me like they intend to do a hard sell and want to ensure they get a signature. AIBU to be annoyed that they assume only my husband can make big decisions regarding our finances?!

OP posts:
Hulder · 17/05/2017 21:16

I wouldn't get a window quote from a random door knocker anyway, never mind the 'need both homeowners in'.

So many red flags for a crap company here.

Bet he can't tell you exactly where they are working locally either because they aren't

Mehfruittea · 17/05/2017 21:20

I had similar when trying to get quotes for a driveway.

It's part of hard sell technique - they don't want a get out clause for you to say 'I need to talk it over with my husband' they want you to buy on the day. They would/should ask the same if it was the husband making an appointment - in theory..

With estate agents they ask for both homeowners present as you need both to sign the contract I don't sale.

Mehfruittea · 17/05/2017 21:20

*contract of sale

Violetcharlotte · 17/05/2017 21:20

Cancel. This means you're going to get a really pushy sales rep trying to close a deal on the day.

I worked for a double glazing co doing telesales when I was a student and this was normal practise. Reps would only attend if both 'decision makers' were going to be in.

This will be the type of company that will insist on 'calling the area manager' to see if he'll do you a 'super duper never to be repeated offer' if you sign up there and then!

Original poster
Beachhairdontcare · 17/05/2017 21:21

They are though Hulder, I saw them putting the windows in. I'm normally quite cynical about these things, but couldn't see the harm in them doing a simple quick quote when the neighbours had clearly decided to put their trust in them and go ahead with the job.
I think that is probably how they get most of their work tbf.
They won't be getting mine.

OP posts:
TroysMammy · 17/05/2017 21:22

Ruhrpott Dunraven are the misogynistic dinosaurs I was on about up thread.

nicknameofawesome · 17/05/2017 21:23

It's normal for pushy hard sell overpriced asshole salespeople. Stay away from the big companies like safestyle. Call round and get a local tradesperson with a good rep in. A decent company won't care who is in as they will measure up, quote and leave the info with you.

RedBugMug · 17/05/2017 21:24

yep, had that when looking for triple glazing.
was accused of wasting his time. after 2 hours of hard sell Hmm

went with a local(ish) company who delivered just what we wanted at a much better price.

Cuppaand2biscuits · 17/05/2017 21:27

This happened to me. Someone called and arranged an appointment for someone to come and talk to me about solar panels.
When the man turned up he refused to speak to me because my husband wasn't there, was really cross that he'd wasted him time and very rude.
I called the company to complain that no one had explained they needed us both to be there and that as a result this man was very rude.

PeaFaceMcgee · 17/05/2017 21:27

Don't ever go with a sales company like this. Hard sell and usually a total rip-off. The old "just at a neighbour's house" is a trick too - it's door to door.

Go on the FENSA website and get 3 quotes from local installers.

Fitzsimmons · 17/05/2017 21:28

Never go with a national double glazing company. I used to work for one as an administrator and they are all over priced and all will use devious hard selling techniques to get you to sign up. Their finance packages are a complete con no matter how good a deal they make it seem. Always go with a reputable local firm, you'll get the same standard of product for half the price with better service.

Borntoflyinfirst · 17/05/2017 21:29

It's not sexist because it works both ways. We are looking at doing some work to our roof and loads of people won't book an appointment unless both of us are here. They don't get the chance to quote. I'm not the homeowner and I don't bring in any money to the household. Plus I don't really need to be involved in the roof lining decision but apparently I have to waste hours of my
Life being here. We ask for a written quote and never make a decision on anything straight away. Been had like that with a pushy double glazing salesman in a past life years ago and spent a fortune more than we needed to.

CormorantDevouringTime · 17/05/2017 21:29

It's an indication that they're going to be nightmare hard sellers. Avoid.

MonkeyBusinessxoxo · 17/05/2017 21:35

I don't think it's a case of you're a woman and they want a man there, I think it's a case of they need both home owners to sign off the paperwork so there is little risk of them being taken to court

museumum · 17/05/2017 21:39

Nope. I'd ditch them. It means they're going to pressure you to sign in the spot. I'd never sign without a quote to take away and discuss / compare so won't deal with any company that dies this.

gillybeanz · 17/05/2017 21:40

Yes they want you both there for the signature and will be pushy.
They are all the same though and ask for both to be present, they asked my dh for me to be there too.
It's so the other partner doesn't talk them out of it at a later date as you have 14 days to cancel.

TattyCat · 17/05/2017 21:42

I remember having someone round to quote for built in cupboards in the lounge (average size, either side of chimney breast type affair).

He spent around 4/5 hours with us (yep) and I'd lost the will to live. We signed that evening. Woke up the next morning and had another look at the quote - it was around the £18k mark (this was in about 2005). Fortunately, we had the "7 day cooling off" clause, so we used it. We were so pissed off, both at the salesman and ourselves. Learned a lesson that day...

gillybeanz · 17/05/2017 21:42

Oh and why would somebody be fitting wardrobes if they were an employed window sales person?

FairyDogMother11 · 17/05/2017 21:44

I had a man knock recently (and after asking if he could speak to my parents and being told no because its my house) and he wanted to give me a quote for my windows (which are newish anyway). It would only cost me £20 for the quote, which he seemed to think was very reasonable. He wasn't quite sure why I didn't take him up on this bargain of an offer...

MrsTeller · 17/05/2017 21:44

As a single woman, this is a pain in the ass, I had to tell a window company salesman at least 6 times in one conversation that I'm the only householder, and make all decisions.

A bloke who I asked to quote me for a driveway could not understand at all that there was no one else he needed to speak to.

Laurendisorder · 17/05/2017 21:44

A company (for a porch) wouldn't make an appointment with my DH recently unless I was going to be there as well - which I thought was fair enough!

MyPatronusIsAUnicorn · 17/05/2017 21:44

I had a local company round to quote. Just me at home, lovely man measured up and didn't even ask about DH, gave me price by message, no negotiation as the price was the price and a bloody good one too. We aren't getting them done yet but when we do I'll definitely be going with them.

pinkmagic1 · 17/05/2017 21:45

If they have asked your husband to be present, it will be extremely hard sell. They also would not come out if it was just your husband, they would want you there too. Like previous posters have said, it is not sexist but a hard sales technich.
We had it with Safe style. The guy was at our home for over 2 hours, on his phone to his supposed manager to give us a deal and pushing us to sign there and then. In the end we had to firmly ask him to leave.
I had a lovely local company round the week after. The guy came round without dh present and was in our house for a total of 15 minutes. They sent a quote through the post and we're literally half the price of safe style. You can guess who I used.

Drinaballerina · 17/05/2017 21:48

Totally normal for the big companies. We had one round who quoted 3x the price of a local company then told us there's was better as they have a 20 yr guarantee. We couldn't be bothered to point out the obvious flaw in this argument!

We used a great local company.

PurpleMinionMummy · 17/05/2017 21:52

I've had this before. The person on the phone hung on me when I said my dh would not be present so tough. Their loss ateotd Confused

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