Avoiding being overcharged for you Windows
Some companies will try and get as much money out of you for your windows as possible. Some companies try and make a fair profit at a competitive rate. This article is to help you distinguish between the two and make a good choice with your windows.
What to Look out for?
There are a few things to know:
Any “Sale” is there to generate interest. Don’t think that one company can do it half the price of another company because of an “offer”. Replacement glazing is made to measure. It is not kept in stock, so any quotation you get will be profitable for the company. There are even “appointment generators” out there advertising “funding” that doesn’t exist – (just made up, company “discounts”).
The “I will talk to the manager / have an offer for you”. As above, the product is made to measure. If there is a significant drop in the price – it was built in to the cost initially. The reasoning can be plausible, subtle, believable. See through that. Any price drop, given at speed is likely to be a tactic to get an order. Examples of disguising the offer of a lower price – “we have a nearby installation”, “we need to keep the factory busy”, “we have a 7 day early bird offer”, “we would like a picture of the installation for the website”, “You can have a discount if you take our gold package”, “Recycling Discount”. If any of these result in a discount of hundreds/ thousands of pounds – then get another quote!
Why do companies do this?
There are two broad reasons companies work on an “offer” basis.
- Marketing. Offers/ sales generate more leads. A “50% off” sign on a website gets more clicks than one without. Whether that is how it should be, debatable – but that’s the fact.
- Sales Commission. Some firms offer commission on a sliding scale. The salesman may not get paid unless they sell on the day. The more they sell for, the more they make. In some cases the final price has very little relation to a “competitive quote.
- Look out for Door Knockers!! If you get a knock on the door to get a quotation, you are at risk of making an uninformed decision. A knock on the door, a plausible offer with a reason to go ahead – can lead to a bad decision. You don’t know what the market rate is, so don’t go ahead. Be wary of canvassers.
How to avoid a bad deal?
- Go Local – Always
- Get Recommendations
- Get 2 Quotes – At least
- “Sales” Aren’t Genuine