They're probably all the same but I had to tell Crystal's salesman to sling his hook when they quoted. Came out with the usual bollocks about only getting the discount if you sign today etc etc. He also spent half his time slagging off other suppliers rather than promote his own. In the end we used a builder I know who did a load of other work at the same time and subbed out the window fitting to his mate who worked for Crystals but did private jobs. He told us never to use them.
Thanks for all the feedback people.
The bloke from who came round from Crystal last night did the same. Slagged off some of the rivals, by telling that they go out of business every 18 months and then said the price on the day was the best he could do and that he was doing me a favour. I spoke to him today and he said he could knock another £500 off. My trust for them has just disintegrated.
I hate big double glazing company sales tactics. My experience is that they send around a pitbull to intimidate the prospective customer, quote a ridiculous amount (12k for a porch!), knock off 20% after calling his imaginary boss, another 20% if you agree to being included in some bullshit marketing literature. You've got to close there and then or the discounts disappear but low and behold you get a call the next day and there is some extra stock left over from a big job and would you like another discount? I wouldn't trust any of them (except that shouty man from the ad who's dressed as a giant, he seems really nice).
Zenith came to our new house in Dartford and quoted us over 5k for two external doors. When I refused that quote, he suddenly dropped to 3.5k if I bought there and then. I said I wanted other quotes and he left. The following day, his sales office rang for feedback and when I mentioned it was strange that he didn't measure anything up, they admitted that he couldn't possibly have come up with a price without measuring. They offered me the doors at trade price but I decided that if they couldn't do a simple quote correctly, what chance of them doing a good job fitting the new doors?
We ended up going with Safestyle who quoted me £2100 for both doors with the front door being composite and "fuel saving" He went straight in at that price and didn't try bull shitting me with fake discounts. We were happy with that price and the doors are being fitted this Friday.
I had a couple of windows supplied and fitted by a company called P J Plastics, who have an office in North Heath. They were the cheapest of three quotes I obtained and conducted all their work very professionally.
Compass Windows in Higham recently did a great job for us. Replaced windows, told us which ones didn't need doing, put new french windows in including removing wall etc. We used them because they had done good jobs for quite a few of my friends and their elderly parents. Really nice guy, Graham, and his mate from Whitstable. 01474 823243
I thought triple glazing is where its at now anyway
I have triple glazing.
I recommend a smaller local firm as they'll be half the price of a national company. Although make sure the windows come with a guarantee that will still be valid if they cease trading.
It's just glass, plastic and rubber seals. Don't believe the sales pitch about products being far superior and therefore justifies being twice the price, unless it's triple glazing of course. but then that should only be 20% or so more.
Brampton windows have just fitted our new windows. Really high standard of craftsmanship on all the wooden architraves and trims. Minimal damage to walls but all made good. Fitters were really nice chaps, one was a gillingham fan but I don't think he stole anything even though all his tea was served in an CAFC mug all week.
Comments
The bloke from who came round from Crystal last night did the same. Slagged off some of the rivals, by telling that they go out of business every 18 months and then said the price on the day was the best he could do and that he was doing me a favour. I spoke to him today and he said he could knock another £500 off. My trust for them has just disintegrated.
I'll try some of the ones recommended on here.
I thought triple glazing is where its at now anyway
We ended up going with Safestyle who quoted me £2100 for both doors with the front door being composite and "fuel saving" He went straight in at that price and didn't try bull shitting me with fake discounts. We were happy with that price and the doors are being fitted this Friday.
They were the cheapest of three quotes I obtained and conducted all their work very professionally.
I recommend a smaller local firm as they'll be half the price of a national company. Although make sure the windows come with a guarantee that will still be valid if they cease trading.
It's just glass, plastic and rubber seals. Don't believe the sales pitch about products being far superior and therefore justifies being twice the price, unless it's triple glazing of course.
Fitters were really nice chaps, one was a gillingham fan but I don't think he stole anything even though all his tea was served in an CAFC mug all week.