Safestyle Windows

silverwhistle

It may not surprise many of you that they've just gone bust. Sorry for the decent workers who have lost their jobs, but as a company who have received countless appalling reviews perhaps some decent local firms may now benefit..

FreeBear

I for one, won't miss those BOGOF adverts (not that I've seen a telly for ~8 years)..

Side note - I see that Jeff Brown (the guy in those annoying adverts) got fined £53K for tax evasion back  in 2016.

AlexCrosbie

Just seen this on pop up on my facebook. Had doors fitted 2 months ago and had a few niggles here and there which have been sorted. Whats the position on finance payments etc ? Technically i have paid anymore than my deposit currently and owe them the full outstanding value !

FreeBear

AlexCrosbie said: Whats the position on finance payments etc ?

Finance is usually done through another company (Hitachi, Lloyds, Barclays, etc). The finance company will pay Safestyle the full balance (plus their commission), and you pay the monthly installments to the finance Co. Safestyle going bust doesn't affect that, so you'll still need to find the money for the monthly repayments.

Or if you have just paid a deposit with the remainder due on receipt of the invoice, the money is still owed. If it isn't paid, the administrators have a duty to chase you for it. Even as far as going to court and making you bankrupt.

ashe

The upside however is because you paid on finance, the finance firm is liable for any warranty claim, which would otherwise now be useless 

cerebus

They need to take their website down too...

Feel sorry for the staff but as a company they were appalling 

FrankFalcon

My family are heavily involved in the manufacture of PVC windows in Manchester and it is no secret in the industry that Safestyle were a cowboy outfit. Their business model was very simple and effective and is as simple as this:

1. Buy in (or manufacture) some PVC windows and glass units. 

2. Get some blokes who say they are Window fitters. Blokes down the pub at tea time, covered in Silicone are perfect. 

3. Get a great website and advertise on TV. 

At this point you look very professional and customers will assume you are the best, most reputable company. 

4. Wangle it so that your company is legally allowed to offer credit facilities, otherwise, if you are rejected, then simply don’t offer credit facilities but ‘team up’ with a company who does. 

5. Agree your chosen amount of financial kickback/bung/backhander with the company who is supplying the credit. 

6. Get hold of some self employed salesmen who work mainly on commission. 

7. Hard sell your product to people who do not have the financial resources to stump up the £5,000 (typical example for White PVC windows and 2 doors in Salford). Get said salesman to screw as much money as they can out of homeowner with phrases such as “You’ll recoup your outlay in 1 year”, “A-Rated”, “The price should be £31,000 but because it’s the start/middle/end (insert applicable word) of the month my manger says I can do it for £16,000 and you won’t have to pay for 2/3/5 (insert chosen number) years. Once the customer has finally given in and agreed the hard part is done. 

8. Ring up those lads who are/said they were Window fitters (but don’t bother verifying this) and give them the job. 

Sorted! Everyone is happy:

Customer has new windows that look great, even though they are three times the price they should be and will be paying a ridiculous interest rate. 

Company is happy. They just got £16,000 for a job that should really be £5,000

Finance company is happy. 

TELLIT01

Simply on the subject of their adverts, I don't understand how anybody could be encouraged to buy from a company which had such awful ads.

Albermarle

FrankFalcon said:

My family are heavily involved in the manufacture of PVC windows in Manchester and it is no secret in the industry that Safestyle were a cowboy outfit. Their business model was very simple and effective and is as simple as this:

1. Buy in (or manufacture) some PVC windows and glass units. 

2. Get some blokes who say they are Window fitters. Blokes down the pub at tea time, covered in Silicone are perfect. 

3. Get a great website and advertise on TV. 

At this point you look very professional and customers will assume you are the best, most reputable company. 

4. Wangle it so that your company is legally allowed to offer credit facilities, otherwise, if you are rejected, then simply don’t offer credit facilities but ‘team up’ with a company who does. 

5. Agree your chosen amount of financial kickback/bung/backhander with the company who is supplying the credit. 

6. Get hold of some self employed salesmen who work mainly on commission. 

7. Hard sell your product to people who do not have the financial resources to stump up the £5,000 (typical example for White PVC windows and 2 doors in Salford). Get said salesman to screw as much money as they can out of homeowner with phrases such as “You’ll recoup your outlay in 1 year”, “A-Rated”, “The price should be £31,000 but because it’s the start/middle/end (insert applicable word) of the month my manger says I can do it for £16,000 and you won’t have to pay for 2/3/5 (insert chosen number) years. Once the customer has finally given in and agreed the hard part is done. 

8. Ring up those lads who are/said they were Window fitters (but don’t bother verifying this) and give them the job. 

Sorted! Everyone is happy:

Customer has new windows that look great, even though they are three times the price they should be and will be paying a ridiculous interest rate. 

Company is happy. They just got £16,000 for a job that should really be £5,000

Finance company is happy. 

I can add to this.

Screw all suppliers down to the last penny, to the point where the more reputable suppliers will not deal with you anymore.
Always pay late

malcolmelwood

We had a survey by Safestyle and paid £200 deposit and then heard nothing but saw online that they had gone into administration.  I sent them an e-mail advising that our contract was Null & Void on the basis that we hadn't heard from them & them going into administration - we hadn't signed the finance agreement & not received anything from them.  We have since been contacted by Anglian saying they now have the contract and will honour the agreement but we now don't wish to go ahead this year.  What are our rights please?

FreeBear

If you paid the deposit via credit or debit card, claim it back via your bank. Refuse to sign any paperwork that Anglian send you.

next spring, invite a few local independent installers round to quote - You will find their prices several thousands cheaper.