BIG PANIC over double glazing deal.

Francesanne

Hi, we made an appointment yesterday for a designer (their description) to call from Zenith Staybrite to give us a quote for 6 windows (1 large bay 3 windows) 2 bedroom and 1 large dining room window. The guy called as arranged and stayed 5 hours. However, we were very impressed with their product. He originally quoted £10,000 but if we agreed to be a show home (board outside) and various other discounts this was reduced to £6,150.00 which we thought was very reasonable considering the amount of work that needed to be done. We currently have single glazed metal window which are 30 old. The box frames have started to rot and will be competely removed and renewed. Checking out the boards tonight, I'm now worried sick we're paying way over the top for the windows. Also the call to his manager was used to approve the generous discounts and seems that's an old trick. We're currently waiting for the surveyor to call to make an appointment to take the final measurements. On the terms and conditions it states we have 7 days from signing the agreement to cancel.I'm in such a quandry and now feel sick with worry that we're paying too much for too little. I know I've been an idiot:o and should have arranged for several quotes but who can face all those double glazing salesmen especially when they stay so long.

Any sound advice would be very welcome. We can't afford to waste money as we're both early retired and not in a position to throw away thousands of pounds.

mandi

Id cancel the agreement , then get some other quotes.

If they want your business, they will let you sign up again, when you feel less pressured.

Inactive

Agreed, get some quotes from smaller local companies with a good reputation, avoid the big boys like the plague.

They are still using the " show home " routine, how sad is that?.

savemoney

wow thats some profit there for the company

I would get several quotes if I was you, and dont believe the stories these salesman say, show house, or you got to sign today to get a discount. If they stayed 5 hours in my house I would tell them to get lost

They make a hell of a lot of cash from doors/windows so beat them down, they need your business more than you need them

shaven-monkey

http://www.wickes.co.uk/Windows/PVCu-Casement-Windows/icat/pcvuwinready

£225 is the most expensive window they sell.
So, let's say you don't need any custom work done and that you want 6 of the largest windows available you'd end up paying £1,350 for parts and £4,900 for labor.

Seems like a good deal for them. The salesman probably only got £500 for getting you to sign. It's a bad deal for you.

Contact them in writing to say you wish to cancel the agreement asap. Phone them and tell them you want to cancel the agreement.

misgrace

Zenith is the worst of the worst, they used to be Zenith on thier own, then they joined up with another company and became Zenith bowater, and now it seems they are Zenith staybrite.

They are very famous for thier staying 5 hour tactics, and the numerous phonecalls to 'thier boss' to reduce the price, but of course you must sign now :rolleyes:
Cancel it, and they will probabaly knock the price down more anyway.

But if you do go with them, just be very careful, as the people I know that have used them have had some problems with them, my daughter included,even though I told her not to go with them, but like most children they dont listen to thier parents, and she got stung, plus they kept letting her down:eek:

Also, they say they use thier own men , but they dont, they use contractors to fit the windows.
I think like Op says, you have a 7 day period, get quotes from independent companies, dont forget there is a credit crunch, so they will be more deals than usual

You can always ring the citizen advice people, or even try trading standards, as if you have felt pressurised then you have ever right to complain and cancel.

Did you pay a deposit up front?

Let us know how you get on.

Francesanne

Thank you so very much for sound advice. I've only had 2 hours sleep because I've been sick with worry. I can't tell you how angry I am with myself. My husband didn't want this to start with and I wish I'd listened to him. To make matters worse we signed a credit deal. I hate debt and would rather break into my savings but we were told the cash price would be a £1,000 dearer!!! I think this guy must have hypnotized me. The loan is called a Lifestyle Account (through Hitachi Capital). I also paid a larger than requested deposit to make the outstanding credit balance smaller. I'm really not such an idiot and I feel so ashamed to admit what a prat I've been (& my husband!):o . I'm going to cancel the contract in writing, there's a special form attached on the back of the agreement and post it off this morning. The quickest and most secure route. I also plan to cancel my cheque and hopefully they haven't expressed it through. At the moment they have no idea I'm going to cancel. I expect I'll be inundated with calls. I can do without all this worry and hassle. All I originally wanted was a quote. Why is nothing simple. Thanks to everyone who's given me advice. Wasn't expecting all this help so quickly. HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL.

debbie42

If you haven't already done it, I'd make sure you send the cancellation with a signed for delivery. Or if you ring, get the names. Anything that means you have a decent record, should they query it in future.

Happy Christmas to you too.:D

shaven-monkey

Francesanne wrote: »

I think this guy must have hypnotized me.

In a sense he did, he spent 5 hours in your home trying to establish raport probably mirroring your body language and all the other tricks of the NLP trade that salesmen use. Don't panic, don't worry, don't listen to them if they try to bully you.
Make it absolutely clear that unless they refund your deposit (assuming the cheque did clear), you'll report them to trading standards. I'd also recommend not letting salesmen into your house in future.
If they want to tell you about the benefits of their fantastic product, they can stand on the doorstep. Some will persevere but i doubt they'll stick around for more than 10 minutes.

savemoney

Francesanne we all make mistakes, you come on here to ask advice, so you did the right thing. Try and not worry, if your windows aint falling out, then there is no rush take it nice and slowly.

Perhaps do this after Xmas, there is enough stress sorting Xmas out. Enjoy that time together with your partner and if you have kids, them too.

Francesanne

debbie42 wrote: »

If you haven't already done it, I'd make sure you send the cancellation with a signed for delivery. Or if you ring, get the names. Anything that means you have a decent record, should they query it in future.

Happy Christmas to you too.:D

:A I was really worried about the forthcoming postal strike, so I've paid for delivery guaranteed by 1pm tomorrow and it has to be signed for and I've kept the receipt very safe. They don't accept verbal cancellations. I've also written to the finance company.My bank has cancelled the cheque.
Just waiting for the phone calls to start tomorrow. Hadn't arranged an appointment with the surveyor so hopefully won't have too many hassles. Just feel very relieved that I acted today. I wish I'd checked out the boards before my moment of weakness. Enjoy your Christmas.