Quote for facias. Trading standard question.

Louisepp

I so don't know which board to put this question, so I'll try here.

We want a quote for new facias. So exciting:T . New facias!! Can you imagine. Every womans dream purchase - not!

Anyway, phoned up company and made an appointment. Each day they phone me to check it's still 'on'. Each day I say yes.

The last couple of times they have mentioned that they'll need to see both of us, but I've sort of ignored that.

Today they phone up again (appointment is tonight) "and you can confirm both of you are available"

Ummm. Well no. To be honest DH and I work long hours and different shifts, and we don't actually see each other very often. When we do, we don't really want to share our time with the man from the facia company!

So...guy won't come. Says it's a rule of Trading Standards. They have to see both of us. Is that true? And if so, what would have if we divorced? Would our dream of new facias be in the pipes so to speak?

xela_17

That is the stupidest thing I ever heard!!! What if you were single? Would you have to get a friend round to sit in on proceedings? Dump these clowns and find someone sensible!!

Louisepp

I have heard of this sort of thing before, but I thought it had stopped long ago.

My highly successful friend dumped her layabout husband just to find that she couldn't get a quote for double glazing, as they insisted her husband was there. The house wasn't even his.

Anyway...I thought it would be different these days, and anyway, it doesn't seem to be a problem with little old wifey me doing it all by myself....he's not allowed to either.

So. What I'm guessing is that they want to see both of us so we can't give the standard "I'll need to put it to my other half" reply. Or is something else going on here?

Wig

Obviously a cowboy outfit, avoid them at all costs. No doubt they would come up with a quote which is only valid for today, and say they can take 40 % off, and then they can take another 10% off (which is 46% off the original) but only for today. :rotfl:

Ask a normal builder for a quote.

nelly_2

agreed with above.

However my dad (archtect) insist both people are there when he is weighing up an extension.

The reason being every time he did it with one there he had to go back because the other one had their own ideas, which didnt allways work.

Nothing to do with trading standards it was to do with going twice to do one job.

HugoSP

This sounds quite odd.

They may be trying to sell you finance secured on your home. Both of you being there to sign the form would ensure that the loan is enforcible.

Mortgage appplications these days need all adults within the household to sign the document as repossesions can be difficult if there are adults there who can argue that they didn't know the property was mortgaged.

Or perhaps they just want both signatures on the contract to ensure that there is no room for disagreement.

When I go around to do quotes, I just take it as read that both parties have agreed to go ahead or one has just left it to the other. This rarely brings out any problems provided you make it clear who your point of contact is. The only issues I do come accross usually get sorted out within the quote anyway - I always allow a small % age hassle factor.

I would do as suggested above - get a local builder in to quote. Agree in writing exactly what you want done and what he'll charge you.

H

JBsplit

no no no he will come in turn you TV off unless he has a video of the factory to show you then he will give you a quote then ring the boss for a today onlt discount and stay for 4 hours and wont go untill you sign up, bad news....go with the local little guy.

he wants you both so you can sign up and so he knows who wears the trousers and who to work on the most.

Mikeyorks

Now you've worried me.

Got a local company coming out to quote for fascias and a conservatory on Tuesday. Does that suggest I need both the wife and parents round to satisfy the audience requirement?;)

Seriously - I'd sack them on principle. Last time I heard of that was in the early '60s when the Independent Order of Foresters used to come round and play an LP on their portable Dansette (sp?) in order to sell Insce. And that was a 3 line whip job.

(Incidentally - talking of whips. You don't think their salesman has had an unfortunate experience with lonely housewives recently? And needs the re-assurance of DH being there to protect his samples??;) )

gromituk

Are you sure you need new fascias? They are well-protected pieces of wood which usually go on for ever and only need a lick of paint. It's just another ruse by the double glazing companies which are desperate to keep going now that the double glazing market is saturated. I think it would be more environmentally friendly to consider painting your current ones.

And, as has been said, needing both to be present is simply so that you can avoid the excuse of having to ask the husband/wife as a way of avoiding signing up immediately. The "trading standards" excuse is an outright lie, and this in itself should persuade you to tell them where to go, tell them to take you off their mailing/telephone list, and tell them that if they contact you again, you will report them to the Information Commissioner.

If you do go ahead despite these warnings, note that by law you have a 7-day cooling off period, although they will do their best not to tell you. My neighbour signed up for a front door from one of the nationals (to whom she should not have given house room), called to cancel during the 7-day period, and was persuaded to continue by a £400 discount. You have them over a barrel if you know your rights.

Louisepp

Good to see the thanks button return. Lots of people to thank here:beer:

It's come to light that DH told him not to phone us as I teach privately from home and he sleeps in the day. He also didn't give our telephone number, we are not in the book and we are under the telephone preferences service.

Still...he phoned us 5 times to confirm the appointment

So next time he phones which is after the weekend "when you and your husband can arrange to meet me together", I'll cancel...maybe even give him some 'feedback' if necessary.

Thanks all for your help, especially gromituk who has made me wonder if we actually need them at all. I think DH suggestion of having new ones might reflect the fact that he is getting older and nervous about going up there to paint them.

gromituk

Tell him you are going to report his company to the Information Commissioner for use of your personal details without your consent.

An alternative which a friend did was to invite the company to quote for a conservatory, when he was living in a first floor flat.:D