Window salespeople starting quotes at ridiculous amounts

[RockinInAFreeWorld]

Does anyone have any tales of window salespeople dropping the cost by a huge amount (because it was extremely overpriced in the first place)?

I was at my mum’s last year when a windows salesman came over, he measured all the windows and then talked for (no exaggeration) 2 hours. Eventually he said a price, then took another £2k off it “for today only” then took another £1k off it “for the 2 cups of coffee”, then took roughly £300 off to make it a round figure. It actually came down to a reasonable price in the end, but was so cringey to sit and listen to! Have friends who got quotes starting at £20k+ which ended up coming down to under £9k.

Really dislike that type of selling – a salesperson doesn’t sound that credible if they can knock nearly 50% off the original price in just a few minutes! I do understand however they need to make a profit and imagine commission is a huge part of their income.

[wowfudge]

Local businesses tend not to do this kind of thing.

[ChaosTrulyReigns]

Safestyle quoted £42,000 for ours. We showed him the door.

We've gone with a local company.

And are very happy.

Where in the country are you?

[RockinInAFreeWorld]

Central London. Luckily a friend recently had theirs done by a local, no nonsense company – the first price they quoted was the price it was and it was a sensible one!

[PicnicPie]

Safestyle also quoted us a ridiculous amount and when we told them the price of a local business quote they couldn't believe. We went with local company at about third of cost and very pleased with service, product and end result.

[Grumpyoldblonde]

I always use smaller local companies and paid £1700 for my front (5)windows, I would never use a big company with salesmen ever (used to work for one, ugh!)

[Briette]

We had our windows done via an airport deal so we barely paid a penny, but one was broken and we had to get it replaced. Our insurance company said we could use their company or have the original company fit a perfectly matched replacement and they'd cover up to £1000, which seemed extremely generous for one tiny window.

We asked the original company to come and price up the replacement (no idea why they had to come at all since they knew the original spec of the window they had fitted, surely, but they are one of the biggest names in the business). The salesman was a real snake. He gave us a ridiculous price, then halved it, then after beating about the bush for far too long he came out with this:

"Well then, what's the highest insurance claim you can make for this window?"
"Sorry?"
"I'll give you the window for £700, but what price would you like me to put on the quotation for your insurer to ensure you get the maximum?"
"..."

So we went with the insurance company's preferred fitter. No time for people like that.

[GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER]

Oh, dear yes. Had a quote from one of those firms that spend a lot on TV advertising. Only had them in to quote because they'd knocked on the door and we did actually need new windows.

What a farce. Same tactics as the same firm had used over 20 years ago when we had other windows replaced. 'Well, normally that would come to £8k, but JUST FOR TODAY, if you sign up now, I can do it, just for you, for £4K!'

Someone phoned a few days later to ask why I hadn't ordered.
'Well, I don't like being treated like a complete idiot - I just want to know the proper price, and by the way I'd have thought you'd have abandoned these hard-sell-sign-now tactics years ago.'

We had similar from someone quoting for a wall of fitted wardrobes. He simply wasn't interested unless we signed up there and then for this wonderful, just-for-today special price! It was about £4K IIRC.

Our wardrobes actually weren't too bad, sound, but nasty white melamine with nasty handles.
I went and bought some cream melamine paint, did the whole lot, 2 coats, got some nice new wooden handles from Wickes, £65 the lot.

[whatsthecomingoverthehill]

We had safestyle over and after 2 hours we had to ask him to leave so we could have our tea. So he sat outside in the car for half an hour then resumed his pitch after we'd eaten. He really went through all the tactics: one day only prices, ringing his manager to see what he could do, throwing in extra deals (you can have the handles for free!) etc.

Never used a company like that again. Always go for local companies where the person giving you the price does the work and doesn't use stupid sales tactics.

[leccybill]

Don't know why people bother with the likes of Safestyle etc. Surely the hike in price is to pay for all the advertising.

We've had 2 quotes for windows and French doors this week. Both local firms, both were courteous and were here about 10 mins. No upsell and no sniping about other companies.

[happy2bhomely]

My DH is a window fitter for a local company in North London. They get most of their work after people have had quotes from the likes of 'Safe Style', and then finally have the sense to ask their neighbors for recommendations instead.

My DH has a waiting list of months at a time. He has had solid work, 6 days a week for over 15 years.

A good company doesn't need to trick you to make money.

I don't understand allowing a salesman to pitch up for 2 hours though! Surely you just open the front door and say thanks but no thanks. Unless you are elderly or vulnerable of course, but then that is a whole other matter.

[Yoarchie]

People get sucked in because they trust big name companies.

Get recommendations from local people, neighbours etc. I had mine done by a local man and his assistant who had done my neighbour's a couple of doors down and they were brilliant. After that, my opposite neighbour got the same guy in.

[Pigsbum]

I got some quotes when I wanted my flat double glazed, one from Anglican and two from local companies. Anglican really pressurised me into signing there and then, which I did but only because I knew that I could cancel within 14 days if the local company quote I had booked for the following day was better.
The second quote was cheaper, the guy was nicer and they did triple glazing for less than the cost of double glazing with Anglican. So I went with them and tried to cancel Anglican - it took ages! Loads of fobbing off, saying that I had to speak to the manager but he wasn't available so I'd have to call back. Luckily I knew that I just had to return some paperwork, so I did, recorded delivery as by that point I didn't trust them not to 'lose' it. The manager eventually called me, said I was a complete mug for not using them, that the company I was using were rip off merchants and will steal my money and that it was impossible to make triple glazed windows in the style I'd ordered so I was being scammed! Arse holes. My windows are fine.

[PinkSwimGoggles]

oh yes,
the salesperson who doesn't leave unless threatened.
the salesperson who wants to speak to the 'man of the house'.

we googled the type of windows we wanted and then asked the manufacturers who they supply to and went from there.
great triple glazed windows which look fabulous.

[sooperdooper]

Jesus I can't believe these kind of sales tactics still go on, shocking!

[Linpinfinwin]

Gosh yes.

We had 3 quotes, 2 local companies and one from a big chain which was more than double the others. And DH had to get pretty nasty to get him to leave.

The chain guy phoned back later, dropped astronomically to the cheapest of the lot, despite all their claims of higher quality etc etc. We went with one of the others. Who would want to give the big chain the money when they'd been trying to fleece us so badly?

[johnd2]

Yeah we did ask the neighbours for recommendations as we only just bought our house and they raved about Everest.
It was only when the guy turned up and spent ages tapping on his laptop that I realised it was a scam! Then I realised I knew more about windows than he did, and actually his only task was to see how much money he could get out of me before they sent in the fitters.
Managed to get rid of him fairly quickly once we both realised it wasn't going anywhere.

[Vixster99]

A few years ago I needed a new patio door. I had a rough idea of the likely cost, and also knew a couple of local companies to approach. Wasn't in a position to get it done immediately for several reasons.

One day, a very polite young man knocked on the door and said that company X's surveyors were in the area & I would I like a free, no obligation, quote that would be valid for 3 months. It wasn't a company I would ever seriously consider but thought I had nothing to lose so I agreed anyway. Young man phoned someone who said they were busy but could come round the next day.

Day after, salesman turns up. About 2 hours after the time agreed. Grumbles about the traffic, having had to drive 20 miles (I thought you were in the area?)
Explained I just wanted a quote and said I was not in a position to sign up immediately.
No problems he said, and went to measure up.
Then the hard sell started.
Special price just for today.
This time of year we're working under capacity so we can do it cheaper just to keep the fitters in work. etc etc.
I repeat again, I'm not committing to anything, I just want a quote.
Tries the "let me phone my boss" routine. I tell him he's wasting his time, and ask him to leave.
He comes back with a "special discount price" - still about 3 times higher than reasonable - and again I tell him he's wasting his time.

I don't know why I was so polite to him, I should have thrown him out when he started his silly routines.

After 2 hours of these stupid games he lost his temper and accused me of being a time waster! I had to threaten to call the police to get him to leave.

Yes, dear reader, it was Safestyle.



I have been seriously put off ever asking for a "free quote" for anything ever since.

[Vixster99]

I've also had a local window guy come out to quote for a replacement window damaged during a storm - that was an insurance job. He was quite prepared to do 2 quotes - one being the amount I'd actually pay him, and the other for the insurance company to reimburse me! This from a long established company with an extremely good reputation locally. Its put me off using them for other jobs I might need.
Not surprised at the cost of insurance if this sort of scam is commonplace.

I let my insurance company send their own approved fitters for the window & they did a great job. I have no idea how much they paid him though!

[OutnumberedbyFurchesters]

Had this by Safestyle yesterday after a man came round noticing our front room window was cracked.
Spent a good hour and half protesting that he would 'give it to me straight' and not play games, etc.
Told me I was more likely to get burgled in my area so I needed a guard door on both front and back and then proceeded to try and pressurize into a sale.

Came out at £10k for 8 windows (one of those being tiny) and 2 doors, said he could do 2 doors for £2,760 on their own if don't want windows? or just windows for £4,700. Rang his manager who agreed to £3,300, still said no.

After he left, manager called back, and Agreed with us a price of £4,400 for everything... Still saying no, and approaching local firms regarding just replacing the units whilst we save for the new windows!

[Mozfan1]

Safe style tax evasion story (sorry it's the daily fail) www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3574757/Star-Safestyle-Windows-adverts-convicted-fraud.html