Would You Still Write To The BBB...?

[C.Ann]

Sounds like you have complained about this to everyone you know already...

Which is great! Hopefully she will continue to spread the word..

 

[kaytieeldr]

I still don't think it is a big deal. I think they were just covering their behinds saying that they called. Of course they shouldn't have lied but they didn't scam the OP and they did make it right by giving her the window for free.

It's possible (likely?) they were calling someone else. Not impressive by any means, but they may have been calling the wrong number - and since that person wasn't havint any work done or waiting for a window, they saw no need to call the contractor back

I agree, contacting the BBB is pointless. Since the contractor can show they resolved any and all issues to your satisfaction - even beyond what a reasonable person would expect, since despite the delays, they did give you the final item free - the BBB would, if the contractor is even a member, show a favorable resolution.

Ordinarily I'd say your state's Attorney General or Consumer Affairs office - but again, while it took longer than expected and there was initially some damage, you're satisfied with their work and their repairs and resolutions, right? So the government won't see any reason to get involved.

So, yeah, that leaves Angie's List and people you know.

 

[Imzadi]

Maybe they took 2 weeks because they were on another job. That does happen in construction.

From what I've heard contractors will so multiple jobs at once. They are hardly ever on time with their estimates.

They will always make a paying job a priority over a repair job they have to do for free.

I still don't think it is a big deal. I think they were just covering their behinds saying that they called. Of course they shouldn't have lied but they didn't scam the OP and they did make it right by giving her the window for free.

Yes, $1200 is a lot of free. Plus, they weren't being paid during the ALL times used to replace the windows x 2 and the siding. They could have just taken the hit and gone off to work on a new paying job.

 

[phorsenuf]

Op, how did you find these contractors? Were the recommended to you? Did you check them out before hand via the BBB or Angie's list? If so, I'm going to assume you were impressed by them or you wouldn't have hired them, right?

And lets just say people did have issues (and reported them) but they were completely resolved, which resulted in a $1200 refund, I'm guessing you would have thought "wow, what a great company to do such a thing." No?

 

[cm8]

As some may remember, we had some housework done and had issue after issue after issue.

First it was an issue with them scratching our window (they replaced it for immediately), then they scratched the new siding putting up gutters (they replaced it immediately), then a new window we ordered came in with etching (they ordered a NEW new window).

Yesterday, they installed the NEW new window, and it also had etching, but at the bottom, where it's hardly noticeable. We complained about writing to the BBB, and they gave us the window for free ($1200).

It took from late-August until yesterday to get the window, with nothing but lies and hassles in between.

I know they gave us the window for free because they didn't want us writing to the BBB. At the dame time, future customers should be aware of some of their practices, I believe.

What do you think?

No,

Speaking of BBB... did any of you watch the investigative report done by ABC News? After watching it, IMO, BBB has zero credibility.

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/business-bureau-best-ratings-money-buy/story?id=12123843

, I found this out the hard way when I had an issue that needed to be resolved. They (BBB) fit right in with the FDA, and every other business that are supposed to have the best interest of the people at heart but they only look at $$$$ and maintaining a "working relationship" for the businesses

 

[AKL_Megs]

You all make valid points, but you are missing the BIGGEST point...

We NOW have a window, valued at $1200, that is DEFECTIVE, and a company that gave up on fixing it, and left it in our hands.

If we keep it, sure, we have a free window, but it's defective and etched.

If we choose to fix it, it will cost us about $1200.

We didn't GET anything except a defective window, or more hassle.

But, of course, per the Dis, the poster is ALWAYS wrong

 

[Imzadi]

We NOW have a window, valued at $1200, that is DEFECTIVE, and a company that gave up on fixing it, and left it in our hands.

If we keep it, sure, we have a free window, but it's defective and etched.

If we choose to fix it, it will cost us about $1200.

You mentioned windows so many times, did it occur to you we might not have understood you orriginally?

As some may remember, we had some housework done and had issue after issue after issue.

First it was an issue with them scratching our window (they replaced it for immediately), So this isn't the window you're talking about. This is different window which was correctly fixed? then they scratched the new siding putting up gutters (they replaced it immediately), then a new window we ordered came in Is this a SECOND window, which you would have replace anyway? Did you pay them to install this window? with etching (they ordered a NEW new window).

Yesterday, they installed the NEW new window, and it also had etching, but at the bottom, where it's hardly noticeable. We complained about writing to the BBB, and they gave us the window for free ($1200). Did they give you BACK the money to install the window in the first place, or had you not ever paid for it? Why didn't YOU look over the window BEFORE they installed it? You could have told them before it got installed that it was etched and damaged and refused the window. They should have sent it back and gotten a flawless one.

It took from late-August until yesterday to get the window, with nothing but lies and hassles in between. Since you've already known they act like the Three Stooges when it comes to working on your home, where is your responsibility to watch and oversee their work?

My comments are in RED above.

 

[AKL_Megs]

Actually, my husband watched them for the hour it took to install it. It looked fine until we Windexed the fingerprints off... Then we noticed the etching.

My husband inspected it before installation, but it was only once it was IN that you could see it.

We weren't going to replace the window. They scratched it, and replaced that pane... Our window has three panes... They scratched the middle, and we asked, since they were replacing one anyways, what it would be to just replace the other two, since we wanted windows that opened (ours WERE three stationary panes), we agreed to pay for the other two panes.

Our total came to $800, with them paying $400 for the pane they damaged... A total if $1200.

BUT, we now have THREE etched panes.

Before THEY scratched our window, there was nothing wrong with it, and we had no immediate plans of changing it.

 

[AKL_Megs]

And no, we hadn't paid them anything.

We owed them about $4000 including the window, and our contractor said "Just keep the window, don't pay for it, but make sure you pay us our $3200 for the other work, and we will call it even."

Yeah, thanks. Now we can fool around replacing YOUR defective window.

 

[kaytieeldr]

So you have a custom window with 'etching' (which apparently means something different to me than to you) that you got free; if you want a window with no scratches(? maybe, since this is the second time in two installations that's happened, it's a problem inherent to the glass?), it appears you're going to have to pay for it?

I would say Small Claims Court - but since you didn't pay for the original window, I'm not sure what you might recover. But again, the BBB is a waste of time.

 

[allison443]

And no, we hadn't paid them anything.

We owed them about $4000 including the window, and our contractor said "Just keep the window, don't pay for it, but make sure you pay us our $3200 for the other work, and we will call it even."

Yeah, thanks. Now we can fool around replacing YOUR defective window.

I think you are better off getting the window replaced elsewhere. It doesn't sound like you were happy with this contractor, right? You're complaining about him, so why would you want to continue working with him?

Was the problem with the window due to the manufacturer? In other words why did the windows have etching? Manufacturing process, careless packaging for shipment, careless handling by the installer? If it's the manufacturer maybe you could look elsewhere for the window.

 

[AKL_Megs]

So you have a custom window with 'etching' (which apparently means something different to me than to you) that you got free; if you want a window with no scratches(? maybe, since this is the second time in two installations that's happened, it's a problem inherent to the glass?), it appears you're going to have to pay for it?

I would say Small Claims Court - but since you didn't pay for the original window, I'm not sure what you might recover. But again, the BBB is a waste of time.

Etching... It looks like DNA all along the bottom of our window. Nobody can figure out what the issue is, but they think it is the rollers on the machine that cuts the glass.

I guess the BBBis useless, except that for tge fact that you can't (supposedly) post/advertise BBB if you have a bad standing with them. This companies website, building, trucks, phone book as, could be a POSTER CHILD for the BBB!

And yes, we will have to now pay what we were to pay (plus tge $400 THEY owe us for their mistake) to replace their window.

I guess we COULD take them to court for the $400, but we won't. I just don't want it to happen to someone else. If someone can hear our story, maybecthey will choose another company.

 

[Imzadi]

PM DawnCT. She seems to be able to pick good contractors. She might have some suggestions.

I have to help my mom clean up & fix up her house a bit so she can sell it. My fear is to end up with contractors like you had. I really don't know where to look either for good contractors. I don't live in the area, so I don't know anybody there to ask for recommendations.

I think you should just cut your losses. At least your house is still standing. It sounds like the longer they had contact, the more problems they had or caused.

 

[AKL_Megs]

PM DawnCT. She seems to be able to pick good contractors. She might have some suggestions.

I have to help my mom clean up & fix up her house a bit so she can sell it. My fear is to end up with contractors like you had. I really don't know where to look either for good contractors. I don't live in the area, so I don't know anybody there to ask for recommendations.

I think you should just cut your losses. At least your house is still standing. It sounds like the longer they had contact, the more problems they had or caused.

Yes... VERY frustrating! Next on our list was finishing our basement... Now we might wait! LOL!

I wish you luck with your projects!

 

[phorsenuf]

How big is this etching and where is it located? Is it visible to people glancing at the window or just something you zero in on because you know it's there.
Post a picture so we can see. Place something nearby though for size reference.

 

[Dr.Girlfriend]

I'm going to ask an honest question: can we see a picture of this "etching" on the panes? Because what might sound like a small scratch to me could really be a huge mark in person. I'm really curious how big this mark is.

 

[AKL_Megs]

I'm not at home... It's at the bottom, but anyone could see it... About 5" long, 1/2" tall. Looks like DNA.

I don't knowwhat it matters, it's still defective. It's like, would you buy a brand new car with a scratch that size in one of the windows? Probably not.

 

[Suellen]

I'm not at home... It's at the bottom, but anyone could see it... About 5" long, 1/2" tall. Looks like DNA.

I don't knowwhat it matters, it's still defective. It's like, would you buy a brand new car with a scratch that size in one of the windows? Probably not.

No but I'd gladly take it if it was given to me for free.

 

[AKL_Megs]

No but I'd gladly take it if it was given to me for free.

Yeah... Still, that's not the point! They gave up on making it right... Now, if we choose to fix it, it's just that ... WE have to fix it!

 

[phorsenuf]

I'm not at home... It's at the bottom, but anyone could see it... About 5" long, 1/2" tall. Looks like DNA.

I don't knowwhat it matters, it's still defective. It's like, would you buy a brand new car with a scratch that size in one of the windows? Probably not.

Ya know what. I just realized that one my windows in the house up north, they all had writing on them. I just looked at my windows here and sure enough, they have writing too. It's something I never gave a thought to.