Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is not common practice for salesperson

28 replies

username333 · 07/10/2019 11:48

Couple of months ago we changed our heating system in the house. Got in touch with this salesman, he provided us with a quote, arranged workmen to come over and do the job, all the things needed to be done are done. New heating system is up and running, everything is great.

Now my husband gets an email from this salesperson saying there are potential clients who live not far away from us interested into changing their heating system and asking if it would be possible to arrange for them to come around to our house to have a look at the work that was done. Hmm So he has told some strangers about our house, where it is and what has been done here. And these strangers would be coming over to our house and having a nosy.

My husband thinks there is nothing wrong with that whilst I find this very odd and quite unprofessional way to do business. I have never heard of anyone trying to arrange potential clients coming over to someone's else house to look at the job that they have done in the past.

OP posts:
TheTrollFairy · 07/10/2019 11:51

I think it’s odd but then again if it costs a lot then you would probably want to see the work for yourself.
Just say that it’s not convenient for them to come round and leave it at that.

Seeline · 07/10/2019 11:54

So he has told some strangers about our house, where it is and what has been done here.

I doubt that he has done that without getting your agreement to everything first!

Just say no, unless you want to try and get a bit of a refund on your heating for letting them do thins.

Original poster
username333 · 07/10/2019 12:01

Forgot to mention he has also given us exact location of this other house. There wouldn't be any refund, he has asked this as a favour.

OP posts:
Hugsgalore · 07/10/2019 12:04

I don't see the problem here. You can just say no

TulipsTwoLips · 07/10/2019 12:07

I have heard of this before. Just say no.

starfishmummy · 07/10/2019 12:11

Read any article about having work done and someone will suggest that you ask to see orevious jobs that the comoany has done...

OneThreadOnly0101 · 07/10/2019 12:14

Just say no. Or offer to send photos?

littlepaddypaws · 07/10/2019 12:25

did you visit previous clients homes to see the work that had been done? do him a favour ? on your bike he's just looking at commission on another sale.

underground76 · 07/10/2019 12:27

I don't think it's hugely unusual. If you don't want people coming in, just say no. It's fine to refuse.

As for 'He's told them about our house and what we've had done' I think it's pretty normal and harmless for a salesperson or tradesman to tell a potential client that they've recently done some similar work on a house in the area Confused

krustykittens · 07/10/2019 12:30

I have had builders ask this if a client wants to see their work and talk face to face with someone who has used them. I asked a builder to show me around a property they were doing up before asking them to do a very expensive house renovation for us. Just say no if it makes you feel uncomfortable.

Bringmewineandcake · 07/10/2019 12:30

My mum and dad went to see someone else's kitchen before going ahead with the contractor. It's a sensible thing to do before you spend £££.
If you're not comfortable though it's fine to say no.

AnalUnicorn · 07/10/2019 12:31

He’s asking to use you as a reference. It’s not unusual and I doubt he has given your exact address to his other client.

If you aren’t happy to do it then just tell him.

IWouldPreferNotTo · 07/10/2019 12:34

It's called a reference visit and is very common for larger pieces of work.

Boom45 · 07/10/2019 12:47

Not unusual really, we had an attic conversation and our builder took lots of photos (with our permission) because other people in similar houses we having the same work done and he wanted to show the possibilities. He asked if he could show people round if they wanted to see it in person which I agreed to but that's never actually happened.

FrangipaniBlue · 07/10/2019 12:54

I suspect the other potential customer has asked whether there are other jobs they can see, rather than the Salesman has offered - this has happened to DH before so not that unusual.

DH also generally takes photos of his work (with customer permission) so if you really don't want strangers coming into your house perhaps tell the Salesman you're happy for him to come and take pictures to show them?

56Beetle · 07/10/2019 12:55

Our company ask satisfied customers if they don’t mind having potential new customers visit and try the product (as it were) - most are happy to do so and it shows our confidence in what we do as well as allaying fears of the purchasers ... our satisfied customers always recieve a nice ‘goody’ bag for their trouble ...

ThorosOfMyr · 07/10/2019 12:58

Not unusual. We have had one set of people come over with our architects to see our house; the brickie sent some people over to look at his work before using him, two sets of people for our builder and one telephone conversation about our heating system as requested by an electrician. So no I don't think this is odd. If it is upsetting you so much, say no.

Defender90 · 07/10/2019 13:00

Not unususal, I used to work for a home improvement company and we would send cheques to customers that let us use their property as a reference / show house.

Passthecherrycoke · 07/10/2019 13:01

It’s quite standard but he should’ve asked if you wanted to do this before the work was complete and offered a discount incentive

Greyhound22 · 07/10/2019 13:07

He's just trying to make a living.

Personally if I was pleased with the work he had done I wouldn't mind doing this for him.

I take it he's asked politely - just send a polite 'sorry that wouldn't suit' message back if you don't want to do it.

ThreeLittleDots · 07/10/2019 13:27

Not unusual. An ASHP person told us which exact newbuild had a system installed in it recently and we could ask him to arrange to see it if the owners were happy to.

StroppyWoman · 07/10/2019 13:31

Not unusual and not unreasonable

L0bstersLass · 07/10/2019 13:35

Not unusual.
He won't have told them where you live, just that there is a property locally that has had the work done and he'll see if the owners are willing to show the work.

You have every right to say no and that will be the end of it.
On the flip side, if you're happy with the work done, why not agree to show a couple around to help the chap grow his business?

Bourbonbiccy · 07/10/2019 13:39

If you are uncomfortable with his suggestion, say No.
You are advised to do this with when researching for extensions or new Windows, so I suppose it is just the next step, obviously the difference is that these potential clients would be entering your home.

You don't need excuses, just you would rather not. If you start with its not convenient it opens it up to further discussion and contact to find a "convenient" time.

Babybel90 · 07/10/2019 13:47

Totally normal, I used to work for a company that did this, he won’t have given out your address he will have just said there’s a house near you with xyz installed. We used to send a bottle of wine as a thank you.