BIG PANIC over double glazing deal.

Biggie

I had a similar experience wife invited Zenth Staybrite windows round..


I know what they're like so I told him he had an hour the shock on his face was a picture. After he's gob smacking quote even after the showroom discount I told him they were talking the mick, he then phone he's manager twice for futher discounts and still way over priced told, had to basically kick him out the house in the end...

Apparenly these guys commision is banded so the more they rip you off the higher the commision rate for the junk they have ripped you off at.

adaze

Heres a good tip. All the DG doorstepers (?) in our area always ask "are you the homeowner" to which I always reply "no", they give up then and there!

hethmar

Its difficult to believe that they still pull the old "Ill ring the manager to see if I can get you a discount" con, isnt it. One said to us he was allowed a family and friends discount and he would let us have it if we signed that day!!

Lifeisbutadream

shaven-monkey wrote: »

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.

To be fair you cant always buy 'off the shelf' windows - the sizes are standard and if your are not standard, then you will have to get them made.

The price the OP has been given though is very high - me and OH run a joinery/building business and we supply and fit UPVC windows - we dont have a fancy showroom or fancy talk - we just have my OH, a brochure and a tape measure, but you ouwl get a decent price!

I would suggest that you get a few more quotes - try small local firms or one man bands, ask for recommendations as well.

Lifeisbutadream

The_Economist wrote: »

I agree with everyone else cancel as soon as.
Why dont you ask friends or family what firms they have used to get an idea of a reputable company.

A few pointers when buying new windows:
make sure you get internal beaded windows for security reasons.
make sure they a FENSA registerd.

They dont have to be fensa registered - they tend to be more expensive as have to pay a yearly fee - all you need to do is get your local council to check the windows and issue a certificate (costs around £120)

make sure you know how they are going to repair any damage they cause when taking out old windows. ie plaster or rendering etc on the outside.
what does there guarantee cover you for when there windows are fitted.

.......................

Glorious

I had Zenith round in July (Edinburgh) regarding roofline/guttering replacement.

Told him he had 30 mins, and the guy had a young "apprentice" with him. Anyway, put the poor lad on the spot, usual smarmy tactics as well, put me on the showhome rate, which after questioning him, it was clear that you had to to get a good price.

Said I'd think about it as they were my first quote (lie) so I end up the phone to his manager:

"It's a great price sir"
"Agreed, but I'd be a fool to take the first quote"

repeat about 4 times

"I'll get back to you after my holiday" (not a lie).

They left absolutely fuming.

Anyway, main reason for this post:

I ended up going with Weatherseal and was told that for the £1300 I would get a cashback for £100 so £1200 - very happy with this. Was told to pay £200 a month interest free and that was it. Signed up and job completed - very professional job.

I've paid £1000 to date and called up to ensure all is well and only £200 to go. I've got over £600 outstanding including over £400 in interest. You've guessed it, they set me up on a 10 year deal at 29.8% APR!!! The salesman basically lied to me. I have called Barclays (finance) who have told me to speak to Weatherseal.

I am absolutely raging and am not an un-savvy moneysaver - but what can I do?

My thoughts are:

Trading Standards
FENSA
Watchdog...

I'l do anything to sort this - I won't be paying that ridiculous interest.

At the end of the day, I signed the agreement (whether hastily or not) but I was still lied to. Even Barclays know how Weatherseal go about selling these, so I'm guessing Trading Standards will.

Any advice/similar experiences very welcome....

ormus

when will peeps ever learn?
never ever use a national DG company.

my uncle got a quote a few yrs ago for a lean to conservatory. the first quote was 60k!
then the salesman reduced it to 36k! (after speaking to his boss) hahahaha.

my uncle did it himself for 15k.
and hes done a stunning job of it.

hethmar

Always try to use local professionals. Time and again we have found the small local firm will not only do a better job but will be much cheaper than national companies with salesmen and advertising and commission to pay out. We had a fantastic hand made kitchen, also hand painted by a local chap for a quarter of the price of a bigger firm - and a lot more detail and individually styled units, as per any description we gave him. Well pleased.

maytaurus

AVOID Weatherseal like the plague
We are still trying to get money back off them from 12 months ago,
after being conned by one of their salesman
Despite the situ we are still getting almost daily phonecalls and money off coupons through the post :eek:
Administrators acting on behalf of Bowater Home Improvements sold the Zenith and Staybrite windows brands to rival Weatherseal Group Ltd.
see these
http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews145658.html
http://whocallsme.com/Phone-Number.aspx/08458638303
http://renegadeconservatoryguy.co.uk/weatherseal-ordered-to-stop-telephone-canvassing/
http://www.mefeedia.com/entry/weatherseal-lies/11796804/
http://www.clik2complaints.co.uk/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?post_id=1798

Scotslass1978

Hi there, This is my first time on the forum so i hope im in the right place. I could really use some advice and this is the topic that is most like my problem. I have recently moved into my first house(end of october) and i am having some heating issues. I have an old gas warm air heating system in place just now and single glazed windows. The house is really cold unless the heating is on and the draft from the windows and doors is terrible. My last couple of gas bills have been really high(£107 one month and £97 the next) and don't know what would be the best thing to replace...the windows/doors or the heating system. I have had some qoutes tonight and it will cost £4000 for new windows and im guessing about £2000 for the heating system. Does anyone know which would be the best thing to replace, considering all the factors ie value to house etc. Any advice would be greatly appreciated as i have to get in touch with the sales guy for the windows tomorrow to let him know if im going through with the sale.

HI THERE, I HAVE COPIED AND PASTED THE ABOVE POST I WROTE EARLIER INTO THIS THREAD AS I TOO ALMOST GOT RIPPED OFF FROM WEATHERSEAL TONIGHT!!!
THE SALESMAN ARRIVED AT 6PM TONIGHT AND I TOLD HIM I HAD ANOTHER COMPANY COMING OUT AT 7.30PM...BY 7PM HE WAS STILL TALKING ABOUT HOW GOOD THEIR WINDOWS ARE. HE FINALLY MEASURED UP AND QUOTED ME £11000 WHICH HE COULD REDUCE TO £6000 AS THEY HAVE A SALE ON THEN SAID HE WOULD DISCOUNT THEM TO £4500. I TOLD HIM I HAD A QUOTE FOR £4000 AND HE THEN PHONED HIS BOSS TO SEE IF THEY COULD MATCH IT. WAS TOLD THAT THEY WOULD MATCH IT IF I PUT A SIGN IN MY WINDOW FOR 2 WEEKS AND SIGNED TONIGHT...WHICH I STUPIDLY DID!!! HE SHOWED ME IN THE AGREEMENT THAT TOTAL COST WOULD BE £6480 INCLUDING INTEREST BUT THIS WOULD GO DOWN IF I COULD PAY MORE TO IT EACH MONTH.(HE ACTUALLY POINTED TO THIS FIGURE AN SAID IT WAS THE TOTAL AMOUNT WITH THE INTEREST ADDED ON)

WHEN THE OTHER SALESMAN ARRIVED HE ASKED TO SEE THE PAPERWORK WEATHERSEAL HAD LEFT ME WITH AND SHOWED ME THAT INFACT THE £6480 WAS PURE INTEREST...I HADN'T EVEN LOOKED COS I SEEN THE FIGURE WHEN THE SALESMAN WAS DOING THE PAPERWORK AND TOOK HIS WORD FOR IT. THE TOTAL COST FOR THE WINDOWS IS £11000!! I KNOW I SHOULD HAVE CHECKED BUT IF THIS OTHER SALESMAN HADN'T ARRIVED AFTER WEATHERSEAL I WOULD HAVE CANCELLED ALL OTHER QUOTES AND GONE AHEAD WITH IT...PROBABLY NOT NOTICING MY MISTAKE UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. I HAVE NOW BEEN QUOTED £3700 AND WILL TRY TO GET FINANCE FROM THE BANK...FINGERS CROSSED!

CLOSE SHAVE!!!

PS...CAN ANYONE GIVE ADVICE ON MY FIRST POST...WHICH WOULD BE THE BEST THING TO REPLACE...WINDOWS OR HEATING SYSTEM???