Double glazing small claims court (against me)

R088IE

Blimey! Jenni you’re very knowledgeable. Thank you so much, I really appreciate the input. 

Basically everything I’ve posted in this thread would be my defence, I don’t really have much more to add. Would what I’ve posted be be sufficient? 

Also, if I did lose the case and ended up paying a £350ish bill (obviously that would be disappointing), would I have a black mark against me going forward?

MarvinDay

R088IE said:

Yeah, I definitely thought it was a job done when I saw that on their website, but the more I read it, the more I thought the wording was a bit ambiguous “free quote or a survey”, not “free quote & survey”

Forgetting about the windows and changing the wording slightly, what would your average person assume if they saw the following on a sign in a cafe:
"Free tea or a soft drink" 
Personally, I think that 99% (if not more) would read that to mean that you get the choice of either a free cup of tea or a free soft drink and I don't see that the survey/quote is any different.

TELLIT01

Absolutely DO NOT include the 'cheeky' comment about accepting their lower quote.  That could open a whole new can of worms over time if/when the job is done badly.  Just keep the letter formal and entirely factual.

Alderbank

R088IE said:

Yeah, I definitely thought it was a job done when I saw that on their website, but the more I read it, the more I thought the wording was a bit ambiguous “free quote or a survey”, not “free quote & survey”

On his Cyclex webpage he uses slightly different wording which I think removes that ambiguity-

We offer hassle-free quotations for the installation of guaranteed and tested UPVC windows and doors. All of our products carry an insurance-backed warranty and we are happy to answer any questions you may have. For a free survey of your home and quotation for UPVC windows, doors or a conservatory please call us on 01473...

R088IE

Alderbank said:

R088IE said:

Yeah, I definitely thought it was a job done when I saw that on their website, but the more I read it, the more I thought the wording was a bit ambiguous “free quote or a survey”, not “free quote & survey”

On his Cyclex webpage he uses slightly different wording which I think removes that ambiguity-

We offer hassle-free quotations for the installation of guaranteed and tested UPVC windows and doors. All of our products carry an insurance-backed warranty and we are happy to answer any questions you may have. For a free survey of your home and quotation for UPVC windows, doors or a conservatory please call us on 01473...

Cyclex? I haven’t heard of that, what is it?

Jenni_D

I imagine it must be another of his trading styles. But it all adds ammunition as to the intent of the statement.  

R088IE

Definitely! I’m so glad I started this thread, you’ve all been so helpful. 

Alderbank please can you provide a link? I think I’ve found their page on Cyclex, but I can’t see the part you posted. 

R088IE

Off the back of Alderbank’s bombshell, I’ve just found the same nugget on their Facebook page…

“For a free survey of your home and quotation for UPVC windows, doors or a conservatory please call”

Surely that is case closed, surely!!?

Alderbank

R088IE said:

Definitely! I’m so glad I started this thread, you’ve all been so helpful. 

Alderbank please can you provide a link? I think I’ve found their page on Cyclex, but I can’t see the part you posted. 

https://nacton.cylex-uk.co.uk/company/admiral-u-p-v-c--ltd-15622236.html
scroll down to Description

Manxman_in_exile

Just playing Devil's Advocate here, but...

@ro88ie says he got a quote in August 2020 for replacing windows and doors.  How would the supplier have been able to produce a quote in 2020 without sending somebody around to do some sort of survey of ro88ie's property?  Won't that in August 2020 be the free survey leading onto a free quote referred to on the supplier's website?

The £250 the supplier is now charging him for appears to be to do with more detailed measurement of openings etc for made to measure doors and windows, and the supplier seems to be treating that as part of contractual costs they have already incurred, they claiming that ro88ie went ahead with the purchase in April 2021.

So @ro88ie, did they already do free survey before providing a quote in August 2020, and was that quote free?

Just asking...