Fit the best - e------

[Alice]

I'm in the market for a good conservatory. Budget £30,000.
I invited E------ and 2 local companies to quote for what I want.
E started with a quote of £60 K plus, deducted all kinds of discounts including 10% for signing on the spot and not bothering them with any more questions, and after all kind of finangling said they would do it for £29,950 but only if I took a finance deal rather than pay cash. I've had several follow up calls from them, all revolving around this wonderful finance deal that would be cheaper than cash . No interest in the conservatory at all. Tonight when I pointed out I was waiting for other quotes and would make my decision on the basis of the best quote for the best conservatory at a cash price the guy disconnected the call
Now we know about THE BEST.
Still waiting to hear what the local companies think.

[SarzWix]

How awful Alice, I hate that high pressure sell thing that they do - we had some people in to quote for our back porch, and we ended up going with a local company as the 2 bigger/national ones we had in were just push,push,push Also, we thought it would be easier to get any problems sorted out with a local company, as they'd be more careful of their reputation. They did a brilliant job, and the price was within pounds of the bigger companies.
Good luck with it Alice, I hope you end up with a beautiful conservatory

[amandaandherveg]

Alice, that's awful.

A few years ago I knew a chap that worked for commission only for a high pressure sales kitchen supplier.

He was only 21 and was on serious money. The finance company that they used set monthly incentives and in less than a year he got a 3 series BMW, a trip for 2 to a 'Sandals' resort of their choice and in-car tv/cd/dvd player as well as wads of vouchers, etc. The APR was 30%+ and they pulled no punches to win the 'prizes'.

When we were renovating our house last year (listed building) I went to 6 different companies to get quotes for sash and case windows. The best quote was from a lovely local joinery firm that built us beautiful windows. People knock on the door and ask us where we got our windows from and I'm delighted to point them in their direction.

[zazen999]

Please use local contractors; they value local trade and you know where they live!!

Only joking - in this climate in construction, they need the work.

We always go through ratedpeople.com. Even though I am in the business, you can place your details of the job required and they will get local people to quote for you if they are interested.

We got our kitchen sorted this way and the guy was fab. We are in the process [just filled out the conservation planning paperwork today actually], of knocking down the old rubbish garage, building a wall to match the original features and putting a green room in - and the quotes have all come from the rated people website.

[Alice]

Thanks Amanda and Sarzwix, but that Rep is not getting rich at my expense. They must think we are a bit dim. But presumably they do get orders on the basis of that guff.
I don't know who is getting the work - but I know who is not getting it.

[Alice]

Zazen, I will be using a local company - both have excellent reputations and it will come down to what they will do for how much.
I just thought we should try one of the Big Boys to see what was what.
No way will I be giving them any business. It was obvious they had no interest in my conservatory - only in what was the most they could make out of it. ie
Get commission from E for conservatory
Get commission from Finance Company for loan.
NEVER MIND WHAT THE CUSTOMER WANTS OR NEEDS.
That's how this outfit works.

[squashysu]

its a shame that these so called "professionals" always deem to rip us off with their big prices and non caring attitudes, i hope you love the conservatory when you get it,

we had building work done 3 years ago by a local builder who we know and well, to say i took him to small courts and we were ripped off totally was an understatement, you cant win them all, but i did get £4K back, before he went bankrupt!!!

[jackie j]

My ex OH used to work for a big window company and he was on commission only, he gave up because of the pressure. It's a long time ago but it worked like this. sales person gives you a quote, you think its too high, so he knocks a bit off this comes from his commision you still think its too high so he might knock off a bit more, still too high so he calls his manager who agree's that he knocks off some more if you sign there and then, this comes from managers commission he may make one more call to his manager to try and persuade you if you dont sign then you dont get the cheaper price. You of course get a 14 days to change your mind.
One of my neighbours at the time was a young chap who lived off his nerves and the house was kitted out from top to bottom with things he had won for being top salesman, they also had quite a few holidays from it as well. he may have been young but he looked at least 10 years older, and smoked like a chimney.

[Pootle]

I had a similar experience of high powered sales/constant 'phone calls from a certain window blind supplier. In the end I chose the local company on the basis that they didn't keep 'phoning! And don't get me started on the electricity people who try to get you to switch on the doorstep - one asked me to sign 'papers to prove that I've spoken to you' and tried to deny that it was a contract until I pointed out the word 'CONTRACT' on the top of the first page...it beggars belief, it really does.

It is worth remembering the 14 day cooling off period you have by law though...

[Headfry]

How rude!
How very very rude! think I would be inclined to drop them a line.
Not only have they lost your custom, but I will repeat your tale to anyone who thinks of using them.
Hope all goes well for you
HF
x

[Alice]

Had a phone call from the big E today saying they have just heard from their general manager that they can give everyone "revised quotes" . That will be quote about No 4.
It's unbelievable.
The quote from a local company came in about £5000 less than the best offer from Big E and for a much better specification. I think that's where my business will be going.
Just waiting for one more quote.

[amandaandherveg]

Sounds like the Big E's getting the Big E. Did you tell them that the chap put the phone down on you?

Will the local company take care of any planning issues for you Alice?

[Alice]

Yes Amanda, I did tell them about the phone being hung up and they said they would look into it.
And yes again, the local company will do everything - planning consent, lift and re - lay paths, outside water, electricity point and light, wall lights, radiator, flooring, decoration - absolutely everything, and all to the top specification including self cleaning glass for the roof.
Even for their inflated price the Big E weren't going to do nearly as much. We felt we would be doing half the job ourselves.

[Novice Gardener]

This sort of thing makes my blood boil. We have a company that supplies and installs windows, doors and conservatories and whenever we give a quote, its always our "best" quote. We don't inflate our prices just so we can discount them, I wouldn't waste my time or deem the customer stupid enough to fall for it. The price we quote is what it costs us to buy the materials, plus our standard price on top for labour as well as taking into account our overheads. We don't advertise, all our work comes through other recommending us. We don't offer a 10 year guarantee, but in the 20 years we've been trading, we've never need to either. As others have said, go with a local firm that's been recommended to you. Don't forget the "big boys" have to pay for their sales team, their company cars, their TV advertising and the like, the local lads will only have themselves to pay! Hope you get a good deal

[Alice]

I'm with you Novice Gardener. The local company are looking streets ahead of the Big E . I've been quite disgusted with the way they operate.