Yes, it is easy, do what you say you will. But surprisingly this is rarely the case. I don’t know about you, but I find all too often vendors and providers don’t do what they say they will. Recent experience getting quotes for replacement windows has been frustrating to put it mildly. Before getting quotes, I made some calls. My favorite response was Anderson Windows, and they license great grandfather’s designs! They said I had to come to the showroom first, but that they were rarely there and I needed to call first, not convenient. Don’t bother with Anderson (at least in Atlanta).
Bring samples of product or brochures of work. Next was the quoting, the first contractor came out and wanted to create a life long relationship for all sorts of services, but never managed to get me a quote on just my windows, nor was he prepared with any samples or even brochures. Case Contracting, don’t bother.
Listen from the get-go, if you don’t have the right product, don’t quote. The second provider came out and wasted my time by asking me all sorts of interior design questions when he realized in the first three minutes that he didn’t have the product I wanted, despite my being very specific in my original call. I didn’t keep track of his name, he didn’t have what I wanted.
Don’t promise what you can’t deliver. The third vendor swore he was qualified and could beat the other quote received by at least 30% but when his quote did show up it was higher than the original. He never followed up with a call and despite my leaving two messages at his office, he didn’t return the call until two weeks later saying he’d lost my number (but called me three times before coming out the first time.) The irony is that his salesmen told me he is the company owner, and almost never does calls. Now, we know why! While he had the product I liked and I’d have considered paying it as he was the first to show up with samples, I’m not comfortable doing business with someone I have to track down even when I like his product. Atlanta Window and Door, disappointing.
Follow up, follow up, follow up. The result is I still have one quote that is higher than desired, but at least the salesman has followed up repeatedly every week with me, touching base and checking in. He turned his quote around the fastest. I don’t love the product but might do it anyway. Pella, there is a reason these guys got big in an industry that is evidently a mess.
I am awaiting one more quote, hold your breath. I am!
