Double Glazing - Anglian Windows ?

Josie_Jump_3

We're looking at replacing our old patio doors with some nice French Doors, Anglian Windows visited today and gave me a quote to do the job. Not cheap, but I was assured that this is only because they use the best products and have the highest spec's. Obviously being a salesman he said all the right things and to my surprise I was finding myself happy to say yes there and then....I didn't though.

Now I've had a couple of hours to think about things, I'm not as convinced as I was earlier. The quote he left us was written on the back of a business card and an special offer quoted 'is due to run out Monday 5pm' ! Having talked it through with my husband I've said before I make a decision I want a proper quotation with full spec's etc detailing all work to be carried out (there is a fair bit of brickwork needed) and I want the price quoted to be honoured past their 'offer' deadline or theres no deal at all.

I've never purchased new windows or doors before so don't know what to ask, what to expect or whats good or bad. how do I know that he's being truthful when he says they only use the best ? I've done a search for Anglian Windows reviews and found one site absolutely slating them ! So I'm not sure what to do now. The salesmen seemed a decent guy, not pushy at all and I feel I'm a good judge of character but was it just 'sales patter' ?

Has anyone had any dealings with Anglian ? Can anyone recommend a good supplier in the Nottingham area or is there anyone out there who can offer me some general advice on what is good/bad or where to go next?

thanks
Josie

Ted_Hutchinson

I'd ask around and see who the others in your locality recommend. When I was looking for double glazing I got several quotes all very expensive and then by chance commented on the new windows installed at the sub-post Office and he really was impressed by the price, and quality of his units. The chaps he recommended were as he said hundreds of pounds cheaper than the rest for an apparently identical product. Three years on and no complaints yet but I suspect you are too far away for a recommendation to be any good. Might give them a ring tomorrow to see how far they go but distance would be bound to add to the cost.

newfunk

Had Anglian windows in 93, when i bought my house, same kinda thing, lots of talk, in fact he stayed for 3 hours, i couldnt get rid of him, he seemed like a nice guy, but it was just the sales patter! Same thing, the deal runs out on Friday 5pm, and we got the oh damn I forgot to quote you for the frosted glass in the bathroom, so you can have what you want for free- load of rubbish, he just knew what to say and when...personally I found Anglian to be expensive for what they gave us, their workmen were not builders or carpenters, One guy told me he was a painter!!!

I would steer clear of them if I was you, try a smaller local firm, who you can deal with direct, and can go and see the main man,or woman, if something goes wrong!!

just my opinion, hope it helps

italiastar

Anglian for me were the cheapest and best - Fortunately I dealt with the area sales manager who spent 10 minutes in my house - measuring up - then put the quote through the door with NO deadline - in fact we took about 6 weeks to make up our mind.

I think it's a real shame the way they sell these good products with sales people wasting loads of time and ripping people off.

As I said, I'm happy with our product and fitting - although the latter does depend on the fitter.

allthatmularky

Get a small local firm - you'll probably end up with the same gear and fitted better at a much better price. For Anglian - you're paying for all the advertising, sales staff etc. Ask around and ask friends or ask local landlords.

Josie_Jump_3

newunk wrote:

Had Anglian windows in 93, when i bought my house, same kinda thing, lots of talk, in fact he stayed for 3 hours, i couldnt get rid of him, he seemed like a nice guy, but it was just the sales patter! Same thing, the deal runs out on Friday 5pm, and we got the oh damn I forgot to quote you for the frosted glass in the bathroom, so you can have what you want for free- load of rubbish, he just knew what to say and when...personally I found Anglian to be expensive for what they gave us, their workmen were not builders or carpenters, One guy told me he was a painter!!!

I would steer clear of them if I was you, try a smaller local firm, who you can deal with direct, and can go and see the main man,or woman, if something goes wrong!!

just my opinion, hope it helps

Thinking about it now, I should have thought about asking whether the people doing the building part of the work are actually builders or not. Bearing in mind a huge part of the cost is going to building work - new lintel (sp?) or RSJ needed etc perhaps a more local specialist firm is they way to go.

italiastar

Get a small local firm - you'll probably end up with the same gear and fitted better at a much better price.

As I said - this is not necessarily the case - local firms were quoting more and one has since gone out of business. I'm not saying to use Anglian or XYZ, just shop around, don't let yourself be pushed by a once in a lifetime deal and make up your own mind. When you invite them in - set the rules - it's your house and money - if you don't want them camping in your front room for three hours - tell them - I gave my man 20 minutes - he took 10.

newfunk

Josie_Jump wrote:

Thinking about it now, I should have thought about asking whether the people doing the building part of the work are actually builders or not. Bearing in mind a huge part of the cost is going to building work - new lintel (sp?) or RSJ needed etc perhaps a more local specialist firm is they way to go.

Have you thought about using a building firm, who will be able to do the building work, and can get decent windows and fit them for you! It all depends on how good a job you want done.....if the building works isnt done prroperly, then its gonna look a right lash up

Josie_Jump_3

Thanks everyone, most windows in our area look very similar so it looks like I'll be driving by people houses very slowly looking at their windows - perhaps I should let the police know what I'm up to !

newfunk

Josie_Jump wrote:

Thanks everyone, most windows in our area look very similar so it looks like I'll be driving by people houses very slowly looking at their windows - perhaps I should let the police know what I'm up to !

yeah u may get arrested for kerb crawling!!!!!!!!!!

njm_2

I had new double glazing installed at our old house; we had all the usual suspects round but enquiries of a friend who had recently had new windows lead us a mutual contact who did an excellent job for about a third of the price the “big boys” quoted. Admittedly this was a fortunate find but our eyes were opened to the techniques the others use to try to secure a sale.

Their sale always ends within a few days. They always offer “other” incentives to try to get you to sign – free windows/back door, additional openings, better locks etc. These options are always available but won’t be offered unless they need to. Did he phone his boss at home to get a special discount?

Be aware of standard sizes of window as some companies will use huge amounts of expanding foam and plastic liners to overcome an odd size openings. More openings within a window are more expensive, but don’t compromise as you shouldn’t be planning to replace them for a good few years.

Another consideration is that these big companies will have large overheads; who do you think pays for their high street showrooms and fancy talk salesmen? Someone has to pay for all these middlemen.

My personal recommendation would be to find a property locally with good looking double glazing in a similar style to that which would suit your own property. Knock on their door and see if they would be happy to recommend their installer – hopefully it will be a local company with lower overheads and whose reputation is dependent upon happy customers. Good luck with your search.