Direct Selling - how low will they go?

patsec

I was just wondering what is the real price to pay for things like replacement windows and conservatory blinds. I had Zenith round recently and the quote started at £13000, and ended up at £6500. I signed up, but cancelled after a sleepless night, then found out a couple of weeks later my neighbours who have exactly the same house got their quote down to £4500.

Last week I had Thomas Sanderson round not realising that they are just as bad - the price started at £8K+, and got down to £4800, then £4500 5 mins. before he left.

You end up not knowing what is the "correct" price to pay, and in my case I lost faith completely, and will probably not buy the product. I know I should get several quotes, but they stay for hours once they get in the house, and time is precious and all that.

Is there a generally recognised percentage - i.e. 25% of the original quote. I recognise that some people are probably prepared to pay the full whack straight off, but not this money saving gal!

trisontana

Instead of going to these big companies with branches all over the country (such as Zenith and Thomas Sanderson) try local companies that have offices and showrooms in your town. Also ask your neighbours who they dealt with and if they were OK. Only then get some quotes. More than likely you won't get this "we are in the area and can give you a special deal " or "I will just phone my manager and see if I can get a reduction" malarkey. They should give you a an honest quote, which reflects the true cost and not these artificially inflated start prices. This is what I did and have had no complaints about the window and blind companies I used. Both salesmen where in and out of the house in twenty minutes.

patsec

Most of my neighbours have used the national firms or (in the case of blinds) done it themselves. I haven't found any local companies with showrooms, and wouldn't know whether the product/service could be trusted. The annoying thing is that these large companies sell a good product, it's just their selling tactics which are distasteful.

Matt_Nixon

Last year we had vertical blinds but in our new conservatory for less than £300, fantastic company

http://www.ukblindsdirect.com/

However we had a heatguard roof on the conservatory, so we didn't need the roof blinds, which can be the expensive bit.

Debt_Free_Chick

Replacement windows ... if wood (double glazed, pressure treated softwood), get them from Travis Perkins and get a local builder to fit them.

Voyager2002

When the salesman arrives, make it clear to him that you have to go out at a set time, and so you only have a specific amount of time to spend with him. If he can't give you a figure then, invite him to telephone at a later date.

Freddie_Snowbits

When I did my House up in Coventry, I invited aroun the best, go a couple of quotes off the locals, Everest came in at 3 times this and did not want to budge. The guy from Anglian took a look at the For sale board, panicked and gave the best price.

Zenith never bothered to come at all!