Is this a con? ***URGENT REPLY NEEDED***

long_way

Hi first time poster so hope this is in the right place .

About 10 to 15 years ago my parents had there old wooden windows replaced with double glazing by Staybrite windows.

Recently they had a rep knocking on there door from Staybrite saying the windows had failed and needed replacement.

I dont know the exact figures (Dad very private when it comes too money) but Staybrite have offered a deal to replace the failed windows with new ones and will cover most of the cost with my parents paying the small bit left.

Also a few weeks ago I was leaving the house and a Staybrite rep was on the neighbours doorstep and without looking like I was being nosey I half earwigged and it seems he was spinning the same line to her the thing is she has only been there a few years and the previous occupants did have there windows replaced but I am pretty sure it was with another company.


- So how do you tell if windows have failed as they seem alright to me?

- Why would Staybrite offer to do the windows when my parents had not asked for it and why would Staybrite say they are covering the bulk of the cost as surely they would be making a loss when they do the job?

- I thought summer was supposed to be the busy time for these companys and winter the quiet time so why are they trying to drum up work in the summer?.

- Dont Staybrite keep going bust? and could we be left with a half finished bodge job or worse while I dont know the financial side would my parents have to have already paid and could Staybrite disapear with my parents money and not do the job?.

- Should I have a word with the neighbour and find out exactly what Staybrite where saying to her and see if she is having the work done?.


Any help/ideas greatfully appreciated as they are due to start work on Monday and I am not happy about any of this :mad:.

keystone

Bloke knocking on the door is on commish for goodness sake. He'll say anything to get a sale. Get an indy window man round for a second opinion and quote.

How long ago is "recently" in relation to "starting Monday"? Did the Staybright man give your parents the correct paperwork to comply with the doorstep selling regs including a "right to cancel"?

If your parents are happy with what they are doing and you are not you should be discussing it with them TBH.

Cheers

mac2008

The 'small bit left' to pay will likely be the entire reasonable cost of new windows from a good local company.

What does the rep mean by the windows have 'failed'? What is wrong with them? If there is glass in them and no howling gale blowing through the house, they're clearly fine. Perhaps not the most energy efficient, but fine.

This sounds like an utter scam IMO and this sort of selling should be banned, especially when they target people who could be considered more vulnerable. Why would you have any work like this done if a) you hadn't thought of doing it yourself in the first place and b) without obtaining several quotes from personally recommended companies.

Biggles

So the 'rep' (ie crook) stood on the pavement and determined, from a distance, that the windows had 'failed'?

Come, you don't really need telling, you know it's a con, don't you?

A word with Trading Standards to try and stop this guy wouldn't go amiss.

d.ross_2

The only way that he could tell that they had failed, would be if there was clearly condensation between the layers of glass. So if this is what he was talking about, then I presume he was talking about changing the glass units only.

I recently replace two glass unit's for this same reason, and it cost me £60 for the glass units, and £10 for the beading and security tape. So I suppose you could even add an expensive £100 on for labour, giving a total of £170. So this should give you a guide.

By the way, I'm not in the window trade, so I didn't pay trade price, although the glass unit's were from a mate in the trade. So you could maybe add another £50 at the most.

phill99

Is it a Con? Does Dolly Parton sleep on her back? Struth, you don't need the brains of an archbishop to work out its another scam dreamed up by some wide boy double glazing company playing on the vulnerability of the elderly.

They aren't doing this for charity or for the good of their reputation. I gues 'the small contribution' will amount to £10k or more!!!

Wise up or they will be conning you next.

dave82_2

Even if some element had failed you probably just need to replace part of the window not the whole thing.

KateLiana27

Have they paid or signed anything yet? If not, RUN like the wind. Yes of course it's a scam!!!

anotherbaldrick

If the units have failed it means the seals have let air into the gap between the two panes of glass . This will show as misting or staining seen when looking through the window which is neither on the inside or outside of the glass. If this is not visible the units have not failed.

sairy2010

I have just had a porch built by Zenith Stabrite which I presume is the same company. They have done a good job but now I cant get rid of them.
The starting price for the work was something rediculous and after the usual "I will have to phone my area manager" we got it down to about a third of the quote and a price I was prepared to pay.
The builder they employed to do the ground work was superb. A great job and fast too.
The contractors who constructed the porch made several mistakes.
The guttering was wrong for a start. They have since been back and corrected this. They also put a round down pipe on a square outlet, small things I know but wrong.
They phone on a regular basis offering a "discount" if I will agree to have photos taken of the porch and an estimate done for further work.
So I would not recommend that you have any work done by them.
I have had the glass units of my windows replaced by a local chap.
(I do not know how old ther double glazing is as it was already here, but quite old I think) He charges about £45 a unit supply and fit. I am having them done as and when I can afford it.
They also sent me a letter recently informing me that they are taking £60 per year out of my account for service and repair of the porch. I dont think so.
So say "No" now and mean it. Or they will be on the phone forever.

john_howard_fisher

its a con avoid.

faulty units have condensation. this means that the perfect "vacuum" seal has been broken.

hth