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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy a new door by myself???

64 replies

ImWearingPantaloons · 29/05/2025 13:56

I need a new front door - not urgently but the gearing on the lock has been replaced once , I was told it won’t last forever and it’s now 3 years hence with the lock getting clunky again so I’m starting to look around for a composite one.

A home improvements company knock on the door, I accept an offer of a quote just to see how much it would be. I tell them 4 pm is fine.

Their office call me straight back, I tell the chap on the phone that 4 is suitable. He asks if my husband will be there at that time.

I tell him no, he’ll still be at work but I will be here. He then offers me availability until 8. I tell him that 4 is the best time for me.

He then tells me they work until 4 on a Saturday if that’s better. I tell him no, 4.00 today is fine.

He then tells me that they ‘prefer to see both husband and wife together’ then tells me they cannot help any further with the quote because of this.

Seriously?? This house is mine, I paid for the entire mortgage, own it outright and it’s only my name on the deeds.

Can I not get a QUOTE unaccompanied??? It’s 2025 not 1955 for gods sake….

OP posts:
Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet · 29/05/2025 13:57

I was told it's so you can't claim you were coerced then pull out of payment.. Still bonkers...
I would review them honestly... And give someone else your cash..

JoshLymanSwagger · 29/05/2025 14:02

Really?
I bought new front and back doors (RockDoors) from a small local company a few years ago, and at no point did they ask if DH was around. Or even if I had a DH, tbh.
Try elsewhere.

Original poster
ImWearingPantaloons · 29/05/2025 14:02

@Shesellsseashellsnotinmystreet I absolutely am going to take my money elsewhere.

Its really riled me up.

OP posts:
Arquebuse · 29/05/2025 14:05

Maybe they’ve time-travelled? I hired an architect, approved plans for demolishing and rebuilding half the house, hired a contractor, bought windows, doors, fixtures etc etc all on my own, with no oddities like this.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 29/05/2025 14:10

It's so they can coerce/harangue you both over the course of several hours into entering into a non refundable agreement (probably try and get you to replace all your windows/install patio doors/a conservatory/install solar panels, door camera, CCTV and a heat pump at the same time) without any cooling off period or opportunity to get better quotes - or realise it's a damn sight cheaper to buy the door and get a tradesman to fit it.

Just fuck them off.

AzureShark · 29/05/2025 14:14

I worked in window and conservatory sales for a couple of years whilst studying. It was decent money.

Almost without exception, if you quoted the female half of a couple alone, you'd get 'oh thanks...I'll have to talk it over with my husband/boyfriend first though'. And they rarely went ahead and just booked it or made a decision after quoting just them - you'd end up having to go back and do the whole thing again with both of them there.

No such problem with men who would book, or not, at the same rate regardless of whether Mrs X was there during the quote.

As someone working on commission I just didn't bother attending if it was just Mrs X for a quote. It wasn't worth my time. So personally, I totally understand why they wouldn't bother either.

IdaGlossop · 29/05/2025 14:14

I feel furious on your behalf. Please give them an online review calling out their sexism.

Original poster
ImWearingPantaloons · 29/05/2025 14:17

I will put a review on when my blood pressure has dropped a bit!

OP posts:
BiologicalRobot · 29/05/2025 14:17

AzureShark
So widows, divorcees and single women weren't valued as prospective customers at your company? Wow.

purpleme12 · 29/05/2025 14:19

I would definitely leave a review at this

cyvguhb · 29/05/2025 14:20

By home improvements company do you mean a national type chain? I'd only ever use a recommended local business

cyvguhb · 29/05/2025 14:21

purpleme12 · 29/05/2025 14:19

I would definitely leave a review at this

I wouldn't even bother, they do it that way because it works for them and they are up front about it. Their business model, their choice imo

Mayflyoff · 29/05/2025 14:22

Whilst this is annoying, I can't be the only woman who would use "I will have to speak to my husband" as an alternative to "get out of my house, you pushy, overpriced salesperson".

Notyomama · 29/05/2025 14:24

They have certain sales tactics that require you both to be there - usually to prevent you from delaying or backing out. They do it because they're way overpriced and they don't want to give you a chance to question or reconsider. It's not misogyny as such but it is a huge red flag.

HumanRightsAreHumanRights · 29/05/2025 14:24

It's so they can pressure you to agree to a sale right there and then and not use the excuse of needing to confirm with your OH.

Mrsttcno1 · 29/05/2025 14:27

It’s typically not a gender thing, it’s a “if you’re both there then you can’t do the I need to check with husband/wife” thing.

museumum · 29/05/2025 14:29

It's an indication they're going to force you to sign up on the spot. I would never use a company who won't give me a quote to take away and compare / think about in my own time. These guys won't be doing that if they need you both there, they'll be pushy sales people.

Lurkingandlearning · 29/05/2025 14:31

I may have missed something but do sales/trades people actually have the gall to still ask women if they live with a husband or partner? How else would they know that they weren’t dealing with a single woman customer? Why tell someone you are going to buy something from your marital status?

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t doubt this shit goes on but we shouldn’t make it easy for them.

Just tell them that if they want to speak to your husband he’ll be home in 10 to 15 years but one of his friends can pay the salesman a visit any day if he’s going to be a prick about fitting a new front door.

No, I know that’s stupid but so tempting

Original poster
ImWearingPantaloons · 29/05/2025 14:31

@cyvguhbthe leaflet they left me with suggests they cover the north of England down to East Midlands, do not national like Everest but not teeny tiny either.

They can stick it up their ass, I’ve decided to go with someone local.

OP posts:
TheBig50 · 29/05/2025 14:34

I'd never accept accept an offer from a company that turns up on my doorstep uninvited.

Had you done any shopping around? Researched pricing and availability? Googled the company reviews? Decided which door you actually want?

I think you've had a lucky escape and appear to have no common sense whatsoever giving the rest of us a bad name.

Original poster
ImWearingPantaloons · 29/05/2025 14:34

@Mayflyoffi normally get rid of people by saying from the offset that I’m not committing to anything on the day, and I’ll be the one who chooses where I spend my cash.

I have told sales people before that they’ve overstayed their welcome and need to leave, I don’t need gentle ways of getting them out!

OP posts:
Original poster
ImWearingPantaloons · 29/05/2025 14:35

@TheBig50i have no common sense? Bit harsh 😂

OP posts:
Pinty · 29/05/2025 14:38

I wouldn't use anyone who knocked on the door trying to sell something, they are probably on commission and just chasing a sale.
I think they would subject you to the hard sell and overcharge.That's why they want you both there so they can push you to make a decision immediately and not say I need to discuss it with.....
Look for recommendations on local sites and find someone not working on commission for the big companies

Gumbo · 29/05/2025 14:46

AzureShark · 29/05/2025 14:14

I worked in window and conservatory sales for a couple of years whilst studying. It was decent money.

Almost without exception, if you quoted the female half of a couple alone, you'd get 'oh thanks...I'll have to talk it over with my husband/boyfriend first though'. And they rarely went ahead and just booked it or made a decision after quoting just them - you'd end up having to go back and do the whole thing again with both of them there.

No such problem with men who would book, or not, at the same rate regardless of whether Mrs X was there during the quote.

As someone working on commission I just didn't bother attending if it was just Mrs X for a quote. It wasn't worth my time. So personally, I totally understand why they wouldn't bother either.

Yup, same here, I used to work in a vaguely similar area of sales, and if you only had the appointment with the woman 99% of the time you'd have to go back and repeat it all when the husband was home which was time consuming and annoying. That's the reason he's behaving like that - it's not personal (although I'm sure it feels like it is), it's just that the majority of women won't make that sort of decision alone.

CheeseyOnionPie · 29/05/2025 14:48

This sounds weird, go with someone else. As a general rule I never take services from companies who cold call or knock.