Thread: Double Glazing Salesmen

Wish this thread was around a few months ago... :(

Had the hard sell, price knocked down and down and down, sales turkey "went outside to phone the regional manager" who then phoned us with a modified price. Signed the deal for +-£3800 for double side doors and new front door with Everest. Phoned by the company a few days later to be told that the front door price didn't include the leaded glass we had been quoted on. Another £350 please, which we paid. Came the day for installation, and the doors were not the size they should have been. Another (?) £500 please for non-standard doors. Told them to fook off at this one, which they accepted. Six weeks later (they're custom-made, aren't they...?) doors installed. Side doors didn't have the leaded glass, biut the front door did. Side door handles are not level in relation to each other, and they droop.

Complain to the company, you say...? Five times so far. Two sets of door handles replaced, and no improvements. The fookers STILL phone and ask if they can come and take PR photo's to put in their magazine and enter us in some holiday competition or other.

We went local on the back door. Competitive price, well installed, lifetime year guarantee (not 5 like Everest), not a spot of bother in two years.


edited for webfoot typing

I worked for a Norwich based Home improvements (Biggest in the UK, Everest is No.2) until very recently.

Its all about selling on the day because it costs the company for each visit (telephone/foot canvassers get paid if one of their leads gets a visit), even if you only want a quote, they will, after ringing their manager, offer you a further discount of 2 x 10% (which isnt 20%, its 10% off the price and then another 10% off the lower price) which is an 'on the day only' discount.

Put the salesman on the backfoot, he will ask you early on if you have had any other quotes, regardless of if its true or not say yes and that he is 2nd or 3rd, he will ask who the other companies were but usually not what the quote was (if he does ask just say youd prefer not to say), always say its one of the biggies such as Everest or Anglian. If he knows he isnt the first then he will now know that you have already managed to fend off exactly the same tactics that he uses.

A sales man will always leave you for a moment, whether it be to ring his manager (although they will usually do this in front of you to show you that they are trying to get you the 'best offer' possible), they usually go back to the car to get the demo model of the window as to be honest you dont want to initially introduce yourself with armfulls of paperwork and display models. This gives the customer time to discuss the salesman with their partner, a lot of time it is whether or not the customer likes the sales man that will seal the deal.

Top tip, hold off as long as possible before saying yes, sales men will always have an extra 10-20% discount to give away, plus if your still not signing they may well give you a freebie extra such as (if you are buying a front door) a freebie security camera instead of the usual spyhole.

Take finance if offered, as this will get you 10% off the starting price, then once the papers from finance company arrive sign them, leave a few days, ring the company up and say youd like to pay off a lump of the balance, pay all (if you have the cash) except for £50, then the next day say you would like to pay it off, it will cost you about an extra £5 for leaving early, this is because the interest is worked out on the amount you still owe and not the amount you initially borrowed.

Cant get the salesman out? pick up his demo model and chuck it out of your front door, on the course they basically tell you to stay until the customer seals the deal or gets violent.

Discounts you should be given:

Finance - 10%
Scrappage - up to 30% + another 5% if youre hardwork
Volume - up to 20%
Show home - 2 x 10% + possibly another 5%

These discounts are taken off one at a time so that each discount is off a smaller amount.

The salesman doesnt want to give out too many discounts as the more he gives out the less commission he gets.

To be honest, the quality and aftercare services of Anglian and Everest is absolutely top notch, but their sales techniques can be bordering on bullying.

Originally Posted by Tool

Phoned by the company a few days later to be told that the front door price didn't include the leaded glass we had been quoted on.

The companies surveyer should have picked up on this, they usually visit between the salesman calling and the fitters arrving.

Another £350 please, which we paid.

You shouldnt have paid, you should pay what you are quoted, if they quote you less than it should be, the cost should come out of salesmans commission.

Came the day for installation, and the doors were not the size they should have been.

Again should have been picked up by surveyor

(they're custom-made, aren't they...?

Anglians definately are.

lifetime year guarantee (not 5 like Everest)

Anglians are 10 yeas for frames, 15 years for glass

Originally Posted by LordVonHarley

~Cheers Lads, I know I could count on Arrse to reassure my mind and give me tips.
I will get onto the local firms this weekend! :o)


I did offer to DIY the windows but my other half put her foot down. :o( ....... and I'm really good at DIY!

There are now by-laws that govern the installation of DG and you have to be able to produce some kind of certification of compliance for the finished product. If you sell your house in the ten years after the DG was installed, a potential buyer might ask for the cert of comp and (I am surmising) it might have to form part of the energy efficiency documentation you have to provide to potential buyers.

eodmatt, the certification of compliance is a legal requirement for the HIP if you have had windows fitted in the last 2 years.

[quote="RoyogtheRovers"]

Originally Posted by Tool

Again should have been picked up by surveyor

(they're custom-made, aren't they...?

Anglians definately are.

All windows except new build are made to measure, as older buildings will have imperial or custom openings.

lifetime year guarantee (not 5 like Everest)

Anglians are 10 yeas for frames, 15 years for glass

All profile manufacturers (not installers) offer at least 10 years same with glass suppliers, it's an industry standard.

Originally Posted by RoyogtheRovers

eodmatt, the certification of compliance is a legal requirement for the HIP if you have had windows fitted in the last 2 years.

I rest my case, M'lud!

Originally Posted by eodmatt

Originally Posted by LordVonHarley

~Cheers Lads, I know I could count on Arrse to reassure my mind and give me tips.
I will get onto the local firms this weekend! :o)


I did offer to DIY the windows but my other half put her foot down. :o( ....... and I'm really good at DIY!

There are now by-laws that govern the installation of DG and you have to be able to produce some kind of certification of compliance for the finished product. If you sell your house in the ten years after the DG was installed, a potential buyer might ask for the cert of comp and (I am surmising) it might have to form part of the energy efficiency documentation you have to provide to potential buyers.

If you are going to tick all the boxes, then the installer needs to be FENSA registered, and will give a ticket of completion with your warrenties. If your about to sale the place, then a good idea.

If your staying for 5 years plus, the windows will be probably classed as innefficient by then so don't worry.

Originally Posted by leveller

All profile manufacturers (not installers) offer at least 10 years same with glass suppliers, it's an industry standard

I can only speak for Anglian, they are 10 years for frames (made by Anglian in Norwich) and 15 years for the gas filled glass units (glass made in France, toughened, gas fiiled, sealed and installed into frames at Anglian factory in Norwich)

Anglian, like Everest are members all the industry bodies like FENSA, GGF and BBA. Which is why it may be more expensive but in the long run youre better covered.

If I needed double glazing, Id go for one of the biggies but with my recent past Id make sure I got every discount and freebie going!

Several points about dealing with the big commision salesmen, Anglia, Everest etc, First you plan before they come in the door exactly what information you want from them and try to keep control of the meeting to get it. Don't let the chap wander of the subject. Make it clear that he is not the first and not the last you will be speeking to and that he has a one shot quote, he gives you a quote and it goes into the pot with the others. Once you have say thank you and goodbye and walk him to the door. If he won't give you the quote tell him the interview is over and once again show him to the door.

I once managed to get a quote out of an everest salesman and get him out the door in half an hour. He didn't get the job, a local comapny who did an excellent job were less than half the price he came down on the phone a few days later.

I had double glazing fitted in Milton Keynes 3 years ago. I have just had a cheque back for twice the cost of the purchase price from the credit card company, due to a lengthy claim under Section 75, (Credit Card Act) via the Ombudsman.

My word of advice is only pay the deposit by credit card, (no more than 10%) and if you are not happy with the job etc, refuse to pay the outstanding balance and start a claim under Section 75 against the Credit Card Company. (You do not have to start proceding against the Double Galazing Company via the Small Claims Court/County Court etc as some Credit Cards Company state). (Warning; double glazing companies will make threats of legal proceding etc).

I now have to go through the whole process again and I am considering buying windows from Wickes and having a local builder fit them.

I have also had new quotes from the so called best companies and as far as I am concerned they are all a bunch of crooks.

One quote was over £21,000 for 10 windows, 1 door and a bit of roofline etc.

If you live in the Milton Keynes/Wellingborough Area and are considering buying new windows etc, contact me to view the "professional job" done by a local company before signing any contracts. I would not want any body else in MK/Wellingborough area having the same probems I have had.

As part of my complaint to the Ombudsman, I raised issues with the professional bodies who represent double glazing companies. (These bodies do not represent the customer, so all the professional bodies info that you are given at the time of the sale is worthless).

The certificate issued after Windows are fitted is a joke, the so called inspector was in my house or less than 5 minutes and dispite me pointing out the errors in the newly installed window frames (in one case the fittings had not made contact with the brick and was into the void and the window frame held in place with just mastic, they were still passed!!).

Originally Posted by maxi_77

try to keep control of the meeting.

Spot on Maxi, its all about control, the sales man need top try to keep control in order for you to sign on the day.

He will keep asking closing questions, such as:

Does this window meet your securtiy needs? yo say yes

Does this window meet with your insulation needs? you say yes

All questions are geared around you only being able to say 'yes'. then he will try to close the deal, if you say youd like to think about it, he will then refer back to the fact that you have already stated that this product meets all of your needs.

He will also break down the cost into how much it works out at per week, so the amount looks really small. Which you say, yes thats reasonable.

If you say that you need to think about it, he will instantly come back with 'whats there to think about? youve already said it meets your needs and the price is reasonable.

As said by myself and others, if hes a pain in the arrse or all you want is a quote and he keeps pushing for the sale, tell him the meeting is over and show him and his kit the door.

However! be prepared for a 'sweep up' team to contact you within a few days to ask why you didnt sign up for their product, they may well then book another visit by another rep, armed with a little bit more discount or a new freebie.

Originally Posted by DB216LOKDVR

My word of advice is only pay the deposit by credit card, (no more than 10%)

I think the big companies have twigged onto your rights by paying by credit card and at the moment the big UK companies will only accept cash or cheque for the deposit (minimum of 10%).

A years ago S-I-L was having problems with Anglian continually cold calling him. He was fed up telling them he was not interested. One day he's had enough. Said 'yes come round'. Made appointment, salesman pitches up & S-I-L tells him he wants to replace all glass in house, lets him do all measuring, working out etc. Asks what he thinks of price. S-I-L takes him to front of house & says 'See that van over there with XXXXXXXX Building Company on the side well I own the company.' Salesman not best pleased and rants on about wasted time etc only to be told his company had been told to stop making cold calls & had taken no notice so it was their fault.
Next day manager rings to complain about wasting salesman's time. That was another mistake the company made. :D

[quote="RoyogtheRovers"]

Originally Posted by leveller

Anglian, like Everest are members all the industry bodies like FENSA, GGF and BBA. Which is why it may be more expensive but in the long run youre better covered.

All of which are Private companies not governemnt established, they take a % of turnover so you can have a shiny badge, the minimum is about 1 in 1000 inspected.

If I needed double glazing, Id go for one of the biggies but with my recent past Id make sure I got every discount and freebie going!

Avoid the biggies, the dross of the fitters end up there, if you can't hack it in commercial or new build, then they are told to buggeroff to one of the big boys.

Remember with locks and hinges, you can have the best in the world, the chav will break the glass.