Double glazing salesmen - why can't they just give a price?

Double glazing salesmen - why can't they just give a price?

Author
Discussion

Ari

Original Poster:

19,328 posts

214 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
I appreciate there's always room for a bit of negotiation, but all this bks about 'ooh I'll have to ring my boss for you, ooh it's your lucky day, he must be in a good mood, I've got you xxx extra and you can have triple glazing for the price of double' before eventually ending up at half the original (stupid) figure?

Oh, but only if we sign up within the next two days!! Really? If we call on day three are they honestly going to tell us we can't have it? laugh

I know I know, just get a local bloke in. Tried that. Got a sensible price, accepted, booked in, then excuse after excuse before finally he disappeared completely, never to be heard of again.

Hard work buying things sometimes isn't it? biggrin

cal72

7,839 posts

169 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
You have a budget?
Call the top you think are the best in the business and get a quote.
Work down the list of professionals until you get a match.
Simples, unless you insist on complicating life for you and others.

Ari

Original Poster:

19,328 posts

214 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
If they're all the same there isn't enough time left in the universe for them all to go through their super duper this week's special discount spiel! biggrin

cal72

7,839 posts

169 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
Ari said:
If they're all the same there isn't enough time left in the universe for them all to go through their super duper this week's special discount spiel! biggrin
Don't assume they work together and as a little quirk some companies buy orders in bulk and may wait for another house to sign up before making their own savings.

LordLoveLength

1,904 posts

129 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
Easy. You invite 5 or so around to give you a quote. All at the same time.
Tell them they have one hour to put their best price in the envelopes provided.
Provide tea/coffee and sit back.

skeggysteve

5,724 posts

216 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
I sold double glazing a few years ago..............for less than a week!

I answered an advert and got, well basically conned, onto the training course with the promise of a very good wage.

The training course was held a a very nice hotel, food was excellent, very good single ensuite rooms etc. I was there for 5 days.

It was on day 4 we were told the price!

Basically they wanted me to con people - I'll just call my boss to see what he can do, we have a promotion on at the moment in this area, discount if you have a board out side etc. etc.

Bottom line was that the product was very over priced and the company could pay commision to me, my boss, his boss, area boss etc. even if I sold at 45% less than the starting price.

Then there's the finance option - 'it's only going to cost you £5 a week, I'm sure you can afford that'. Selling on finance got extra commission.

I don't mind selling and have been told I'm good at it but I will not con people.

Due to the name and shame rules I won't name the conning company but they are very big national brand.

redtwin

7,518 posts

181 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
Is it a con if buyers get the windows they paid for?. Or was the day 5 training on how to skip town after collecting the deposit. smile

funkyrobot

18,789 posts

227 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
skeggysteve said:
I sold double glazing a few years ago..............for less than a week!

I answered an advert and got, well basically conned, onto the training course with the promise of a very good wage.

The training course was held a a very nice hotel, food was excellent, very good single ensuite rooms etc. I was there for 5 days.

It was on day 4 we were told the price!

Basically they wanted me to con people - I'll just call my boss to see what he can do, we have a promotion on at the moment in this area, discount if you have a board out side etc. etc.

Bottom line was that the product was very over priced and the company could pay commision to me, my boss, his boss, area boss etc. even if I sold at 45% less than the starting price.

Then there's the finance option - 'it's only going to cost you £5 a week, I'm sure you can afford that'. Selling on finance got extra commission.

I don't mind selling and have been told I'm good at it but I will not con people.

Due to the name and shame rules I won't name the conning company but they are very big national brand.
Sounds a bit like selling cars. wink

Ari

Original Poster:

19,328 posts

214 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
LordLoveLength said:
Easy. You invite 5 or so around to give you a quote. All at the same time.
Tell them they have one hour to put their best price in the envelopes provided.
Provide tea/coffee and sit back.
Now I do like that idea..! biggrin

Ari

Original Poster:

19,328 posts

214 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
skeggysteve said:
Then there's the finance option - 'it's only going to cost you £5 a week, I'm sure you can afford that'. Selling on finance got extra commission.

Oh yes, finance over 10 years for a couple of windows, where do I sign? biggrin

Puggit

48,355 posts

247 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
skeggysteve said:
The training course was held a a very nice hotel, food was excellent, very good single ensuite rooms etc. I was there for 5 days.
What kind of hotel do you normally stay in!?

littlebasher

3,767 posts

170 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
Think yourselves lucky, last summer i came home from work to find the Mrs had invited someone from Safestyle around!

danzltiu

585 posts

201 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
been through this a couple of times. Told the salesman that i was in sales and knew the routines etc. He would get one chance and one only to quote me a price. I would either say yes or show him the door. The first guy didn`t get it and was still trying to do me a deal as I was putting his sample window outside for him to collect. Felt great. Second guy gave me a price which was lower than i expected got the sale.

Shaw Tarse

31,543 posts

202 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
Ari said:
skeggysteve said:
Then there's the finance option - 'it's only going to cost you £5 a week, I'm sure you can afford that'. Selling on finance got extra commission.

Oh yes, finance over 10 years for a couple of windows, where do I sign? biggrin
Here...
But you HAVE to sign now cos the price is only good for today!

slippery

14,093 posts

238 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
The reason that double glazing companies use the approach that's described, is because it results in more sales than just delivering one price. Everyone looks for a deal when they are buying double glazing, so the companies build this is when quoting. The practice is actually driven by the very people that complain about it.

Busterbulldog

670 posts

130 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
Go to your local factory units,find a man who makes them,he will recommend an installer and you will save big time.

slippery

14,093 posts

238 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
Busterbulldog said:
Go to your local factory units,find a man who makes them,he will recommend an installer and you will save big time.
Sensible advice if you are confident enough to follow it. yes

CoolHands

18,496 posts

194 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
I've got one coming from a local company wed morning as it happens. To replace all original wooden sash windows with upvc lick I shall report back. An independent company, but they are Ealing based so possibly pricey. My finger in the air figure is 3 grand, so lets see.

here's the front windows, a 'venetian box' (the middle flat):


Edited by CoolHands on Monday 17th February 23:50

slippery

14,093 posts

238 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
Busterbulldog said:
Go to your local factory units,find a man who makes them,he will recommend an installer and you will save big time.
Just to add, if you do go down this route, get the recpmmended installer to measure them for manufacturing purposes. Then you won't have him asking you who the hell measured them when he is struggling to make them fit. wink
Also, the installer needs to be FENSA registered, or you will need to get your local building control to inspect and sign off.

slippery

14,093 posts

238 months

Monday 17th February 2014
quotequote all
CoolHands said:
I've got one coming from a local company wed morning as it happens. To replace all original wooden sash windows with upvc lick I shall report back. An independent company, but they are Ealing based so possibly pricey. My finger in the air figure is 3 grand, so lets see.
Make sure they give you a proper understanding of what they intend to do regarding the removal and making good of the old sash boxes.