Is this normal

[MKCP5]

I hate that sexist crap!! Tell them that you don't need your husbands permission to proceed and he will go with whomever you decide. Maybe they are concerned of having to basicly give 2 walk thru's (explaining everything)?? It still seem weird to me! Goodluck!

It doesn't have anything to do with sexism. It has to do with having both of the dedcision makers in the family there and present to hear the information and make an educated decision. It does not have to be on the spot (though many companies push for this) Most of the reps who come out for this type of call work on a straight commission basis. If you are not really interested, and you're just asking so you can talk to your husband about it later and hope to convince him, you have wasted their time, and their opportunity to meet with someone who is ready to go and will earn them $$

 

[MKCP5]

Ask them for pictures from successfully completed jobs. Also, get references of satisfied clients.

this is not always so helpful They will never give you info from the people who were unhappy, and can get pics from anywhere, they only give you they the happiest of all. check the ag's office for complaints, bbb etc

 

[MKCP5]

when we were looking at Anderson Replacement windows, the salesman specifically said to me that he would not come unless my husband was there! I informed him that my husband does not want to be bothered with the "searching" process - he leaves that up to me. When I am happy with something be it a car, washing machine, windows, paint color, etc, just let him know... The salesman had the b*@ls to say "what type of husband lets his wife make all the decisions " I promptly thanked him for his "precious time" and told him we will no longer need his services, that he made a huge mistake in how he treated me for I was ready to plunk down over $10K for windows, and that was a nice sized commission that he just forfeited for being a sexist pig.

While I agree he was a dirt ball, the major players in these games-Pella, Anderson, Owens Corning, etc all have this policy. You will never have as much excitement and energy to get the job done as when a good rep has just finished selling you on what an awesome product he has. That is when you'll want to sign.

 

[MKCP5]

We built a house last year, so I met with a lot, I mean A LOT of contractors. Not one ever made mention of my DH being there. I can assure you if they did they would not receive any of our business. I agree with everyone else that it sounds like a high pressure sale job that you need to run from.

That is a whole different deal. Installing into and existing home is an entirely different sales process

 

[eyor44]

If anyone has Thompson Creek local to them and is in the market for new siding or windows, I definitely recommend them.

This is good to hear from a satisfied customer.

I too refuse to deal with a sales person who is sexiest. When purchasing a truck once for DH the salesman ignored my questions about the truck but did ask me three times didn't I think it was a pretty color. After the third time I was fuming and told him point blank "I could care less what color it is, I won't be driving it. I'm here to say if it is too much money." The look on his face was priceless. We left then and DH had to call the dealer back and told them we wanted the truck, but I refused to work with that man again and why. We went back the next day and the new salesman told us the owner told the other guy that he had to stay in his office and wasn't allowed to come out as long as we were there.

So, not only did he lose our sale, but he wasn't able to be on the showroom floor the entire one and half hours we were there.

 

[Bob NC]

we are planning to finish the basement.

I've called a few places to come out and give us an estimate. They are tell ing me they won't do a free estimate unless both myself and my husband are both here.

Is this normal? My husband isn't the type to ask questions, so basically he is going to stand there and not say anything during the estimating process. I'm the one the heads all the projects in the house...

The most aggrivating part is these businesses are open the whole week for estimates so its not like they are overwhelmed with work....

TIA

No, the most aggravating thing, as a salesman, is driving 60 miles to give a 2 hour presentation to ONE homeowner, who then says, "Could you come back Thursday night so my husband can see it?"

 

[StephMK]

when we were looking at Anderson Replacement windows, the salesman specifically said to me that he would not come unless my husband was there! I informed him that my husband does not want to be bothered with the "searching" process - he leaves that up to me. When I am happy with something be it a car, washing machine, windows, paint color, etc, just let him know... The salesman had the b*@ls to say "what type of husband lets his wife make all the decisions " I promptly thanked him for his "precious time" and told him we will no longer need his services, that he made a huge mistake in how he treated me for I was ready to plunk down over $10K for windows, and that was a nice sized commission that he just forfeited for being a sexist pig.

What an idiot!

I have run across that requirement a few times and it always pisses me off. Sometimes it happens on the phone too. They bypass me and go to DH who promptly tells them I make all the decisions about x and hands it right back.

He has no handy skills, not interested in learning and I handle all the finances. We make the big decisions together but other than agreeing it's what we want to do, I do all the work to get the project going and have some knowledge about what needs to be done.

 

[PA Princess]

No, the most aggravating thing, as a salesman, is driving 60 miles to give a 2 hour presentation to ONE homeowner, who then says, "Could you come back Thursday night so my husband can see it?"

Then I would think you are in the wrong line of work.

Seriously, part of the job is giving presentations. I can understand it is not convenient to the salesman, but "the most aggravating thing" seems over the top for doing your job.

 

[ceecee]

I hate that sexist crap!! Tell them that you don't need your husbands permission to proceed and he will go with whomever you decide. Maybe they are concerned of having to basicly give 2 walk thru's (explaining everything)?? It still seem weird to me! Goodluck!

That gets me too! Invisible Fence and Brinks Security said we needed to both be there, I told them with DH's schedule it would never happen and so they did come out and talk just to me. I think they probably have had cancelled orders or explaining everything a second time issues. I'm sure there are plently of times when one or the other spouse will make a joint decision! I know I have.

 

[zumbergc]

Tell me on what planet it makes sense to give a presentation to a wife then a couple days later give the exact same presentation to the husband?

Actually I would think it happens. If I'm going to spend the time to have 8-10 people come out and give me estimates to finish the basement, and I've decided to go with company X. There also lies the possibility that another company suggested something along the way that we want to add the plans, or just a better idea. So, yes, that company is going to have to mod their plans or come out again. I guess if companies want the work, they have have to work with their customers.

I've just decided to take the attitude. If the people on the front lines don't want to work with me, or are not flexible. Then that just indicates what type of problems are going to happen once some money has exchanged hands, and since they are going to be in my home for an estended period of time, its better to just cross those people off the list now.

I've spoken with 4 additional companies who were more than willing to come out and meet with me.

 

[Bob NC]

Actually I would think it happens. If I'm going to spend the time to have 8-10 people come out and give me estimates to finish the basement, and I've decided to go with company X. There also lies the possibility that another company suggested something along the way that we want to add the plans, or just a better idea. So, yes, that company is going to have to mod their plans or come out again. I guess if companies want the work, they have have to work with their customers.

I've just decided to take the attitude. If the people on the front lines don't want to work with me, or are not flexible. Then that just indicates what type of problems are going to happen once some money has exchanged hands, and since they are going to be in my home for an estended period of time, its better to just cross those people off the list now.

I've spoken with 4 additional companies who were more than willing to come out and meet with me.

I'm in the business and I really have no problem with going out to someones home to meet with one homeowner. I was just trying to give a reason why some companies take that stance.

It seems to me though, that 10 estimates is a tad bit excessive. Is there NO way to maybe narrow that down a little?

 

[zumbergc]

OK, so i had 4 people out last week. Everything going fine, still waiting for estimates.
I had the impressive basement people out today. After i told him what we want done in the basement he then asked me if my husband would be joining us. I told the man no, and then he starts off on a load of bs. Starts in about the policy to only do presentations with both people present. I told him, no one informed me of the policy when i made the apointment.

I point blank told him, if he didn't want to work with me, then I would show him the door. I'm so irritated, wasted a whole block of time, I could have scheduled someone else!!!

 

[snowbunny]

They are tell ing me they won't do a free estimate unless both myself and my husband are both here.

Classic sign of high-pressure sales tactics. Run!

I had this happen with an Anderson windows franchise. And to the person who said it's not sexist, it is. The Pella window people were more than happy to work with me and never asked if I had DH agreement or any of that crap. After I had seven Pella replacement windows installed and a new front door system and a new slider to our deck, the Anderson people called back and said they had reconsidered and would come out and talk to me after all. Oops, too little, too late!

 

[lucyem]

My mother lives in the suburbs of NYC. The new thing in her area is to charge for estimates.....$250 just to give her an estimate on a new roof.

 

[PinkRhombus]

OK, so i had 4 people out last week. Everything going fine, still waiting for estimates.
I had the impressive basement people out today. After i told him what we want done in the basement he then asked me if my husband would be joining us. I told the man no, and then he starts off on a load of bs. Starts in about the policy to only do presentations with both people present. I told him, no one informed me of the policy when i made the apointment.

I point blank told him, if he didn't want to work with me, then I would show him the door. I'm so irritated, wasted a whole block of time, I could have scheduled someone else!!!

Sorry, but you should have headed him on out the door as soon as those words passed his lips...I wouldn't have even given him the chance to go against their "policy". If they're going to pull that crap with you, do you really think they won't try to pull it on the work they do?

I've never had to have my husband sign anything at the same time except for our mortgage and when we open a bank account. Not for any home improvement work and we have had a TON of that done over the last 10 years between our two houses.

Even if my husband and I were both present at the time, we would under no circumstances discuss it while they were still there.

And if they badmouth their competitors, they're out of the running, too.

Catch yourself a few episodes of Holmes on Holmes and you'll learn a lot.

 

[lovetoscrap]

We had a huge home project on our old house that had to be done. While I freely admit that I am not the handy one I am smart enough to get the information from my DH to call for the estimates and meet with them, let them know what we need, get their perspective and make notes, ask questions, and get the price. AND, I am the one that had to put up with them for several weeks in my house with me and my children. So my gut instinct also counted for a lot. If I wasn't comfortable with them then it didn't matter what their price was.

In order to pay for this huge job my DH has to be at WORK! He doesn't have the time to take off for every contractor to come out and talk to us. I met with each one, discussed what was needed and took notes and then talked with DH about it later. And we didn't take the lowest estimate because the guy creeped me out. It would have wasted DH's time to have even met with him, and a few of the others. We did have the top choice come out to talk with DH more in detail since all that I was getting was the rough overview estimate, not the actual nuts and bolts with the details and a breakdown of all the costs. And he got the job. And we signed the contract that day.

No way is DH going to waste his time and leave his job for the "screening" process. I stay at home so that is my job. And if the contractor wanted the job he had to be willing to work with our terms, and to come back and talk in depth with DH.

And I ended up really liking the guys that did the work and bought or made them breakfast and lunch many of the days they were there.

 

[Cjmuma]

Ok... just a fresh point of view for everyone... My husband works security, and if they need to do anything with a woman, like walk her to her car, There MUST BE a third person present - for both her protection and his. I appreciate that this is probably not the case in this scenario, but it could be...

 

[MKCP5]

Classic sign of high-pressure sales tactics. Run!

I had this happen with an Anderson windows franchise. And to the person who said it's not sexist, it is. The Pella window people were more than happy to work with me and never asked if I had DH agreement or any of that crap. After I had seven Pella replacement windows installed and a new front door system and a new slider to our deck, the Anderson people called back and said they had reconsidered and would come out and talk to me after all. Oops, too little, too late!

I worked for Pella for years. No 2 decisions makers, no appointment. That's the deal

All of who think this is so sexist and so unfair should trying working in an industry for a while where you drive an hour for an appointment and then spend 2 hours with someone only to be told, I'll have to talk with my spouse and we will make a decision. I guarantee that is what 90% of one person appointments end up as. You have wasted their time!!!!!

 

[snowbunny]

I worked for Pella for years. No 2 decisions makers, no appointment. That's the deal

Maybe at your franchise, but at the one I worked with, they not only kept the appointment but did the work and received payment of $16k from me and me alone. The only thing my DH did was tell the guys "thanks" afterward. So it would appear that the Pella manager who decided I looked like I knew what I was talking about won in the end. The Anderson store (that said DH had to be there) lost the sale.

When a man makes the appointment, do you tell him no one will deal with him unless his wife is there? Honestly?

Finally, contractors who do not like to give people bids unless they can pressure a sale at that moment need to find another line of work. Even on projects DH and I decide together (like some stonework we had done, it was our choice to handle it together), we told the rep, thanks for the bid and we will talk about it and make a decision. (In the end we chose them - not a waste of their time!) That's business.

 

[ReneeA]

I worked for Pella for years. No 2 decisions makers, no appointment. That's the deal

All of who think this is so sexist and so unfair should trying working in an industry for a while where you drive an hour for an appointment and then spend 2 hours with someone only to be told, I'll have to talk with my spouse and we will make a decision. I guarantee that is what 90% of one person appointments end up as. You have wasted their time!!!!!

I say that to all of the contractors, and either my husband or I always meet them alone - he works days, I work nights...we don't even see one another, much less have the time to get together for an appointment. We dismiss any company that has these "rules" because I'm not rescheduling work around something like that...after all, this work is going to have to be paid for somehow. Anyway, I do have to discuss quotes with my DH (and vice versa ) before giving the go ahead - preferable in private. That doesn't mean that we aren't capable of passing along what was quoted and our impressions of the company. It wouldn't make good sense for ANYONE to sign on the dotted line at the instant the quote was given, and that's what the salepeople are hoping for when they come out wanting both homeowners present. It's a classic high pressure sales tactic - lose the deal unless you sing immediately, etc. Any reputable company we've worked with are fine with coming out to quote the job, and then their quotes are good for a month or so after that date...none of this "sign today or else!"

My DH has worked for a tile contractor for years and years - it's an 81 year old company with a fantastic reputation in our area. They do not require both homeowners to be home to quote because they are a reputable company that doesn't have to resort to the high pressure tactics.