My FOUR hours with the "window guy"......:(

[FinanceDude]

Spring brings out the home improvement folks in droves. DW was home when a guy offering "free window quotes" "dropped by" because he was in the neighborhood. The info and website said they offered a LOW-PRESSURE in-home consultation. Against my better wishes, DW scheduled a "visit" for last Friday.

I warned DW it would be a LONG night, but she thought I was crazy. The guy showed up prompty that night and gave us the whole presentation. Of course, PRICE was the last thing discussed. Luckily DW and I pre-arranged that we were NOT going to make a purchase decision no matter what he said about "limited time offers" and such.

Without going into morbid detail, it took way too long (stalling is a common tactic) and so on. The guy was a good saleman but quite high pressure. My DW liked the fancy triple pane kypton gas windows, etc, but when the price was given $17000 she just about fell out of her chair.

Interesting that as soon as we told him we thought the price was too high, he got VERY defensive and irate. Of course, I set him off by reminding him that NOT many folks are spending money in a recession, and that if he was not willing to negotiate there as no point in continuing our discussion. I find it quite amusing that home improvement folks who are obviously hurting think people should just agree to whatever price they offer, because its a "limited time deal". Of course, the 2007 Cadillac DTS he was driving may have been a clue there were healthy margins in those windows......

As he packed up, he kept mumbling something about us "missing out" and stuff. This company puts IN WRITING that you will save 40% on your energy bills. The fine print adds, If not, we will refund up to $500 on your project"...... So, if you don't cut your energy costs 40%, keep all your records, and can prove it on paper, they will send you a max of $500 back on a $17,000 project.............

 

[73ss454]

So, when will they be installed?

 

[FinanceDude]

Not in my lifetime...........

 

[REWahoo]

Windows with krypton gas! Won't that destroy your super powers?

I'd go with the dilithion crystal windows myself - much better energy quotient....

 

[freebird5825]

I am shocked that you would pass up the deal of the century.

Last time I got a quote on window replacement was about 7 years ago. This would have been a full scale changeover from a collection of 5 casement/paneglass/casement, 2 casement/casement and 2 single width double hung windows to double hung all throughout (9 total).
Bidder was the original home builder turned window man.
Sticker price for simple double hung, vinyl exterior, wood interior, double pane was $15K including labor. Window openings would not be reframed. Nothing fancy, just run of the mill standard windows.
It did not include the bow window (casement/3 panes glass/casement). Obviously, I passed on that "deal".
By comparison, 2 years ago I had the 2 rotting casement/casement windows on the lower floor replaced with vinyl/vinyl doublehung with full reframing for under $800 including labor.
The rest will have to wait for a little while.

 

[FinanceDude]

I am shocked that you would pass up the deal of the century.

SO much for the "free NO SALES PRESSURE" quote. Actually, I was amused throughout much of the meeting. DW seems to get on this warpath about once a year. Last year, it was the Owens Corning basement folks. They "only" wanted $27,000 to do my basement, and that didn't include doors or carpeting or cabinets or anything.

Looks like I will be able to finish my own basement for about $9,000 including everything......

 

[Kabekew]

Did they do the "if we can put up a sign in your lawn to advertise, we'll take off another $5K, but only if you agree today" shtick? That's a common one.

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

You saw right through the window guy. What a pane.

 

[Bestwifeever]

Interesting--Friday we signed to have 14 windows replaced (13 double hung, 1 fixed picture window), average size 30X62, double pane, primed wood inside, aluminum clad outside, with half screens, Pella architectural series, for $11,000 installed. The first visit was about 30 minutes; the follow up for precise measurement was another 45 minutes. When he was leaving after the second visit with our small deposit, the window man shook our hands and sincerely thanked us for our business at this time.

I'll have to check re krypton vs. dilithion between the panes....

 

[FinanceDude]

Did they do the "if we can put up a sign in your lawn to advertise, we'll take off another $5K, but only if you agree today" shtick? That's a common one.

Nah, I guess that was "too amateurish" for them........ I did get the "let me call my boss and ask" close.......my response was "and ask him what"??

I have 14 windows, and was thinking that my "number" was $10,000-$11,000.........

I guess I am just a bad sale, I ask too many questions and apply logic to things......

 

[FinanceDude]

You saw right through the window guy. What a pane.

According to him, their business was up 50% last year, and is up 22% this year. Of course, there was no written proof of that........

Luckily, DW is not mad at me. She did ask why I didn't kick him out earlier, and I said: "you were having so much fun I didn't want to suck all the fun out of it for you"........

It was a "paneful" experience.....

 

[73ss454]

Ya think I could come in and sit with you and get some investment ideas for a few hours? I have no intention of giving you my business I just want to kill a few hours now that I'm retired.

 

[FinanceDude]

Ya think I could come in and sit with you and get some investment ideas for a few hours? I have no intention of giving you my business I just want to kill a few hours now that I'm retired.

I've given plenty of advice out on this forum the last two and a half years..........

WHAT? You didn't take any of my advice?

I believe everything can be negotiated. I guess that's my failing.....

 

[73ss454]

Yeah, I wanted to talk to you about that advise.

 

[freebird5825]

Windows with krypton gas! Won't that destroy your super powers?

I'd go with the dilithion crystal windows myself - much better energy quotient....

Made me look!
I actually went to Wikipedia to look this up. As I typed in "dilithium crystals", a little brain cell fired and I pictured Scotty (on the intercom to Capt Kirk) screaming something about the condition of the dilithium crystals and not being able to give him warp 5 to escape the Klingon Bird of Prey.
You're terrible.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilithium_(Star_Trek)

 

[TromboneAl]

Even if your energy bills were $1,000/month, and you indeed saved 40%, it would take you 42 years to recoup your investment.

We went through a similar presentation in 1980 to get a free light timer. The guy had a set script which included "Don't you agree?" as each page was turned. Soon we were saying it with him.

 

[freebird5825]

Did they do the "if we can put up a sign in your lawn to advertise, we'll take off another $5K, but only if you agree today" shtick? That's a common one.

Soooooooo transparent...

 

[Caoineag]

Hmmm...I think my window guy quote took an hour due to us chatting and he quoted $6500 for 8 Amerimax casement windows, all 2 and 3 lite (2 of which we have threatened to turn into french glass doors due to their size). Double hung should be a lot cheaper than that...

 

[FinanceDude]

Yeah, I wanted to talk to you about that advise.

Read my disclaimer in my sig, then get back to me........

 

[73ss454]

The bottom one?

 

[FinanceDude]

The top one........

The bottom one is just an observation...

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

Soooooooo transparent...

Yup, just makes your eyes glaze over.

 

[REWahoo]

OK, enough with the window jokes. Next thing you know FD will be claiming he's double hung...

 

[Rich_by_the_Bay]

OK, enough with the window jokes. Next thing you know FD will be claiming he's double hung...

If he is, that explains the role of the Kryptonite.

 

[Leonidas]

...he got VERY defensive and irate...

I'm amazed you put up with that. After wasting four hours of my time, and then getting huffy when I said "no thanks"...That would have been a sales call he would remember for a long time - once he regained consciousness.