FinanceDude
Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2006
- Messages
- 12,483
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.............
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.............