Quotes for New Windows

CarolTheExtra

We are going to treat our son to some new windows so that his house should be easier to sell in a couple of years.

We suggested he gets a few companies round to give him some quotes. We thought things might have changed since we went along this route. Apparently a company were at his house 3.1/2 hours this morning and started off at £17,000 and finally down to just under £6,000. We remember this sort of thing happening many years ago but I would like some feedback as to whether this is the norm when companies come round to your house. I expected them to be there about an hour.

He is quite upset and does not know in which direction to go now. We really don't know of anybody who has had any new windows lately who they could recommend.

Thanks for any feedback you can give.

vikingaero

Sounds about right. They start off with ridiculous figures and offer a lower figure if you sign up that day. Just remember that whenever a double glazing salesman opens his/her mouth then assume they are lying.

I've posted about my friend who used to be a sales manager for a DG company and all the tricks of the trade are the same and prevalent in all companies.

I don't know of any companies in Ashford, but my friends experience of Maidstone companies is that Southern Glass are rated for their approach: "Right, I'm not going to give you all the BS, you've probably had all that from other companies, I'll measure up and leave you a quote."

You should insist to each salesman that you ARE going to get 3 quotes minimum and if they don't like it they can walk. Also if you feel they have overstayed their welcome then turf them out. If your son is upset at the treatment then can you or your husband be there or "pop in for a surprise visit".

McKneff

I agree with vikingaero on all points. I would also go local whenever you can,
get quotes and details of past customers. Dont just ring them, go and see them.

I did this with one company and the two customers whose details they did give me told me, 'wouldnt touch them with a barge pole' and 'wish I'd never heard of them'

Any salesman who starts off high and goes low would be asked to leave within minutes. They think you are stupid enough to think that you are stupid enough not to see through their way of getting as much money out of you as possible.

Good luck
Annie

Sooler

Try local independent companies who have a showroom where you go to them

focae

Once bitten, twice shy. We had the same experience the first quote we asked for.

Last time we had someone to quote for a new double glazed door with glazed side panels, we made it quite clear from the moment they arrived that we were not interested in marathon sales pitches. They could show us the products they had to offer, measure up while we were looking at their catalogue/samples and we expected them to be done in 30 minutes and send the quote in the post. If they weren't happy with our wishes, they could take the simpler option and walk away.

Worked a treat, the genuine people understood fully while the pressure salesmen left almost immediately. That was some years ago, we are still happy with the door and when we need to replace the windows, they will be first on the list for quotes.

gordikin

Why is your son quite upset over a quote for some windows?...is he a wimp?...who brought him up? Get him to get another 3-4 quotes to toughen him up a bit and take it from there...(silly stupid smiley icon thingy)

dacouch

The Unfair Business Practices have the following as one of the banned practices

6. Limited time only
Falsely stating that a product will only be available for a very
limited time, or that it will only be available on particular
terms for a very limited time, in order to elicit an immediate
decision and deprive consumers of sufficient opportunity
or time to make an informed choice

http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/cpregs/oft979.pdf

No1

Get a local independent FENSA registered company round, reading your post (start at £17k down to £6k) it appears you have had one of the "national" firms in.

3.5 hours of sales carp from these predators says it all really, little wonder he's upset, I'd be thinking up my defence by now.

persian_star

I'm also looking for a double glazing company - I live in a 1968 rented flat with secondary glazing and we get terrible condensation. Our landlord did say he was considering d/g when we moved in, but that was 5 years ago and I've just gotten to the end of my tether with the damp! I figure if I put a good quote before him, he will probably say yes, but as we'll probably have to pay for it and he'll pay us back (we have a very good relationship with him and I trust him, so it would be easier that way) we can't afford thousands as we just don't have it. Not many windows tho - a small one in the bathroom, medium sized one in the bedroom and then one massive bay window in the living room (plus a skylight - do they even do those??) I don't want to spend ages messing around, so if anyone can recommend anyone would be highly appreciated (we live near Croydon). Anyone (pleeeeease)??

scooter_chick

Okay, this is what I did when I wanted double glazing quotes.

I invited 4 companies round in one evening at 45 minute intervals. I did not tell them in advance that I was doing this. I invited 2 small local companes, and 2 nationals (Everest & Anglian I think). To make it easier for them in the time available, I prepared well - I drew out a plan of the windows with the openings etc. that I wanted to give them. I also drew up for myself a list of questions that I had to make sure we all made best use of the time.

When each chap arrived, I told him how much time he had & that I wanted his best price at the end of 45 mins. One of them showed up 15 mins late, so he only got 30 mins.

The two local compnies were fine, played the game properly & gave me a reasonable price. The guys form the national companies complained, tried to do their 'full' pitch etc. But I was firm with them, and they did actually comply (even the one that was late!). Everest came in at double the locals. Anglian gave a a price & then rang me up every other day after that with a 'better' price - which still didn't ever beat the locals.

Got the whole thing over in with in one evening. I went with one of the locals, and it was all fine - both in terms of the quality of windows & the way the whole process worked. So I'd recommend finding a local firm every time & making sure you take control of the sales process.

maninthestreet

Rather than invite DG Companies to your property to quote, take your window measurements to their office, and ask them for a quote. You can always walk out if you feel pressurised in anyway.