Would you go ahead after finding negative local comments about a window company?

[Nimblethimble]

We have an appointment with a window company in about 12 hours to sign up to fit all new window and doors and to pay a deposit.

Google reviews are very, very good. Tidy, quality work from many happy people, with photos.

But I found a Reddit thread an hour ago from a local area group (not my area hence just finding it) where comment after comment is negative.

Would you go ahead with the appointment?

YABU - no, steer clear!
YANBU - yes, Google reviews are trustworthy too

Google "pushy double glazing sales". I had a company in 3 years ago and the guy stayed almost 2 hours - lots of chitter chatter about my life, my job, my pets, my kids - then I got the full sales pitch. Expensive quote but he could do a deal if I signed then and there - said no, and no again, left after ten minutes of hard sales; he followed up with phone calls for weeks after. I had another local company come in, look at one window that I wanted replacing urgently, they made some suggestions, quoted, left. They got the job. And when I got conservatory windows replaced they got the job. And a quick cat flap - them again.

Last week had a knock on the door, "no obligation" and "18 month price freeze" promise of a quote. Two people turned up - stayed 3 hours and 10 minutes. I experienced each of the bullet points from the Google search - took almost 2 hours to get a quote together (huge number - remember I got one window replaced 3 years ago so I knew what I should be looking at to replace 6 even with materials increases). They call their manager for a better deal. Another 10 minutes. Gave me another price. Called the manager again to see about improving the deal. Gave me another price. I said no. And no again. And no again. Salesman, astonished, said he'd never had this sort of offer refused before. "Look at the savings"! Me - "Look at the cost"! Finance deals, insurance - honestly, it became a bit of comedy. 3 hours 10 minutes. They've got great reviews - - part of their discounted costs includes getting "honest" reviews.

Just be aware.

Adding - I always get 3 quotes when I get work done. That way I know who is ripping me off.

I’d avoid even if the price is keen - they’ll be a reason for the thread on Reddit. Google reviews are easy to fake, have a look on FB for any threads about them maybe? Or ask in your local FB chat group for opinions on both this firm and for firms other people have used and are happy with?

As a pp mentioned, get more than one quote for this sort of work.

When it comes to reviews I always check what they are saying. Like on here you need to read between the lines. Plus what are the complaints about? Windows are pretty easy to fit and issues either are immediately apparent or don't come about until a few months/years.

Given that its readit and not trust pilot etc i would be skeptical that it might be just one person with a grudge. Does the language used look similar, is it the same complaints over and over

Reviews can be faked. I’d trust the Reddit chat. Particularly if it has numerous posters who seem genuine.

If it’s a larger company and the Reddit isn’t about your locality… can you ask on a local fb community page and see if anyone local has had issues. It may have been a specific team rather than a company wide issue?

The problem with leaving negative reviews for windows is that they are guaranteed and if you have a problem then they're supposed to fix them. People are probably reluctant to leave bad reviews on that basis.

I had a bad experience with mine. I got three quotes. Went for the middle one. Seemed great until I ended up with a long snag list to fix. They didn't have hundreds of reviews but dozens of 5 star ones at least.

I would try and ask neighbours or friends for a personal recommendation if you can.

Take heed of negative reviews. One negative review wouldn't bother me but plenty of bad ones would be worrying.

When it comes to buying anything on Amazon, the negative reviews are more important than the positive. There is a possibility that the good reviews are fake. I have ignored negative reviews in the past and regretted it.

Run like the wind. They could have got their mates to do all the Google reviews. The Reddit thread will be genuine.

Yeah, the Reddit thread was started by someone asking for window recommendations in a local area group.

One person replied saying 'X are good, but Y were dreadful'. Next person said 'came on to say Y did a bad job for us as well'. Then a number of further comments saying that the finish, customer service and quality were shoddy and to steer clear.

Totally the opposite of the Google reviews.

OK, next question then as I will cancel them - would you tell them why?

No, I would not tell them. I would make something up. Give yourself the least hassle possible.

To be honest I would tell them. Because I’d want to make it clear there was no room for negotiation. Though I guess you could just say you’ve decided not to have windows done, etc/you’ve lost your job???

It’s not your job OP to give them notice of the reviews so the next customer who mentions them will get a barrage of ready made excuses / reasons why they’re fake/malicious etc.
Just cancel, send the message at 8.01 and 8.30 and 9, if they haven’t acknowledged a message. Better still then be out for the appointment time.

@Nimblethimble
Id be wary and would probably cancel, there's plenty of replacement window companies out there.

I had a big company come out to quote, think big enough to advertise on the telly.

2.5 hours he talked at me, massive discounts, called manager for further discounts, I nearly signed up just to get rid of him (14 day cooling off period so planned on cancelling)

He wouldn't let me sign until he'd spoken to my DP, said my DP had to be there when I signed so that the salesman knew we both agreed.

I explained that I actually owned my home not DP, it was nothing to do with DP, salesman wouldn't budge, DP came home and launched him out of the house!

I went with a local builder in the end, rang one who was recommended, came out, measured, ordered the windows from a local firm and I paid a quarter of the price of the original quote from the other salesman and it included patio doors so a lot more more work.