SafeStyle interest free option with GE Money

[Deleted User]

We've just had a quote for double glazing the whole house which was pretty reasonable from SafeStyle.

Although we are looking to pay in cash, the sales guy recommended we pay via their 12 months interest free option as the guarantee would still be honourable by GE Money if SafeStyle go bust within the guarantee period. We could then pay it off after 12 months to avoid interest payments. I think we'd just pay 1 months interest upon settlement.

I wondered if anyone else had taken out the interest free option and if there are any hidden penalties, or hassles paying off the loan early?

Also if anyone had a view on the likelihood of SafeStyle going bust any time soon? We are put off using smaller local firms for this reason...

ormus

from the reviews on the net, i wouldnt touch em with a canal boat stick.
as for the interest free option. make sure you read the TC properly and pay it off well within time. the penalties are usually very severe.

Pssst

From what ive read,Safestyle and reasonable quote dont go together. Have you quoted from a recommended independent?

bigdoozer

'Ang on, lets get one thing straight. there is no interest free anything. GE simple get vendor to agree to an up front fee 4-8%'ish to the list price (eventual price), which they take back from the loan/costs. The rep probably get commission and browny points to sell interest free. in most cases and unfortunately the vendor is not allowed to drop the price for cash/cheque paying customers. BUT, if you choose to pay other ways INSIST on at least 10% off the last price they give you, and accept 6-8% . Warranty by GE is not always true, as most loan co's will only warranty tghe product and not the fitter who is probably self employed. use your own finance and get a better price.

Homestyle_Improvements

Bigdoozer is right, slightly of dg companys but a guy i know works for a well known chain of electrical outlets & he only gets bonus off the extended guarantee.

He will always ask & normaly gets a no, but he will offer a bit off if they take out the guarantee which cost something like a £20... he is allowed to knock a fair bit off too. Point is nothing is intrest free & there is no such thing a free lunch.

If you choose to go with safestyle then i hope it all goes well & are happy with the work they do but please dont think that all local companies wont be aound to honour their guarantee.

A good company has a good IBG, i use GGFi which is issued by the GGF who is a trade association for all those who make, supply or fit flat glass, such as windows, film or plastics.

As for the national companies it is unfair & under hand for me to name & shame how many of them have gone 'bust' then re-opened right under everyones noses & carry on with their name slightly altered.

I think a few of the window/building/construction people on here will know who i mean

thebaldwindowfitter

now paying it off after the 12months is up is just what the salesman wants you to do because if you do not pay up within the 12 month period you are then automatically put into a 10 year agreement

CKdesigner

Hi, Look for a decent independent - the nationals think we must all be stupid - buy one get one free! - you buy the windows for the front and get the rears free! - Buy now pay in 10 years time! - its all rubbish, but people still fall for it. I would not let any representative from a company in my house where a company had such rediculous offers!

We had 3 different independents quote us for new double glazing and the local company that got the job was the one that suggested something different. We had old aluminium double glazing units mounted in hard wood frames, every other company wanted to rip everything out and replace with UPVC units. The company we used suggested as there was nothing wrong with the hard wood frames we could just replace the aluminium inner frames with new white powder coated aluminium. We are really pleased with the finished job, the white aluminium with the ebony stained hard wood frames looks so much nicer in our 1930's semi than the usual white UPVC.

Good luck.

ormus

companies have sold interest free options for a reason. it made vast profits.
they knew that most peeps never paid up by the due date.
then they were locked into very expensive interest payments.
30% was and is, common.

thebaldwindowfitter

Learnt on friday that Ge money have pulled out of home improvement loans market