BS: Window World - scam?

Subject: RE: BS: Window World - scam?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 08:28 PM

Have you tried inserting it? ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Window World - scam?
From: Bee-dubya-ell
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 08:26 PM

I had a similar problem with the spatulas I ordered from Spatula World. Oh, the spatulas arrived on time and in good shape, but I'm still waiting for the free "Getting the MOST From Your Spatula!" DVD.

Subject: RE: BS: Window World - scam?
From: Peace
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 08:19 PM

Thought this thread was about Microsoft . . . .

Subject: RE: BS: Window World - scam?
From: bobad
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 08:16 PM

Even the name of the company sounds sleazy.

Subject: RE: BS: Window World - scam?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 08:12 PM

It sounds like a perfect outfit to be satirized in one of those old Bill Murray movies where he plays some sleazy, dishonest jerk in a business suit. He would play the part of Window World's Vice President in charge of Sales, Administration, and Public Relations. I can just see it now...

"Put your windows in before September 1st, Mrs Foster? Nooooooo problemo. We'll be there." (turning to feel up buxom secretary while she brings his coffee, and contemplating the expensive vacation tickets he has just bought for that Bahamas trip purchased with customer advances...)

(smiling) "You can count on Window World."

Subject: RE: BS: Window World - scam?
From: GUEST,jacqui.c in Albany
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 08:01 PM

Kendall has already reported them to the Attorney General in New Hampshire and we will be doing the same for Maine, as well as letting the Better Business Bureau know what has happened.

The windows are fine and the installers were great - no problems there, but the sales and admin side stinks.

Subject: RE: BS: Window World - scam?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 07:22 PM

No but we had a similar experience with a kitchen firm called Kirkplan. We're still waiting for them, 10 years on, to come back and finish the sealing around the back of one unit after being put off 3 times, the job taking 5 days instead of 3, having to store the parts ourselves for a week (couldn't leave them outside, they'd be nicked), waiting another 2 days before starting because half of it had been delivered to the wrong house, having the fitter 'nip off' for something halfway through the day to go and 'just finish a job I started last week'.... and charge us an astronomical price for it all. To add insult to injury, one unit sticks out a couple of inches over the door frame (guess we were lucky it opens outwards) and the oven is a cantankerous piece of crap that bakes one side only or burns the lot.

They appeared on a consumer TV programme 'Watchdog' shortly after they didn't finish our kitchen. It seems we got off quite lightly, in that we actually got a kitchen fitted!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Window World - scam?
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 06:23 PM

We did and we have.

Subject: RE: BS: Window World - scam?
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 06:13 PM

You should have checked, and still should call, the local Better Business Bureau.

Subject: RE: BS: Window World - scam?
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 06:02 PM

Now I find a list of complaints about them in a GOOGLE search. Apparently they make a habit of no-shows sometimes without even calling to cancel.

http://www.google.com/search?q=window+world+complaints&revid=1127270857&sa=X&oi=revisions_inline&resnum=0&ct=broad-revision&cd=3

Run far and fast.

Subject: BS: Window World - scam?
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 05:55 PM

Kendall and Jacqui and I just went through the most frustrating experience which ended only when we threatened cancellation and a lawsuit.

In May, we both had our homes measured for new windows (3 each) by Window World of Portsmouth, NH. This is a nationally franchised company with about a hundred offices in the US. The salesman said that six weeks lead time was required for special orders and our windows would be installed once they came into their warehouse. That was mid-May. In six weeks we were called to arrange installation.

Jacqui had explained to the salesman that she had family arriving from the UK in July and the windows had to be in before then.

The first appointment for installation was cancelled because they "had overbooked." The second, a week later, was cancelled because an installer's child fell down stairs and may or may not have been injured. A message was left saying they would try to come on the 17th. Kendall had an out of state appointment so the 17th was not acceptable.

They had $600+ in deposits from each of us for close to two months and I began to suspect that there were no windows. Kendall felt the same. On Friday, we agreed that they could come Saturday but had to be out of my hair early because I was hosting a house concert. Late Friday (we called them because they did not get back to us to confirm as promised ) we were told Saturday was off but Monday was definite (from the salesman) was a maybe from the scheduler. We had made it clear that the windows would be installed on Monday or the order cancelled.

Monday, Skip (?) the production manager called and said that they couldn't get in touch with the installer whose son had fallen and so we were not getting our windows. What the hell?????

I asked if they had only one installer and he made the mistake of raising his voice, speaking like an angry school teacher and saying "We don't even know if this child is alive." Do not raise your voice to me...

Since I had been bumped two weeks earlier when they had "overbooked" I suggested that I was not unreasonable to suggest that someone else get bumped back a week this time. As I tried to speak Ole Skip interrupted and said "That isn't what I said..." at that point I cut him off, announced that he WOULD LET ME FINISH and made it clear that the windows would be installed today or not at all.

He sighed and said he would call the Morses and then call me back. Heh heh he called Kendall.

So they miraculously found the windows which the installer with the injured son supposedly had and whom no one could contact even by cell phone. We have our new windows. The installer mentioned that he heard that the original installer had fallen. I said I heard a different story about his son falling and he stopped discussing it.

The young men who did the actual work were neat and efficient, polite, worked quickly, cleaned up after themselves. I will give Window World that.

But between the run around and the misrepresentation of the product (I was told the Warranty was lifetime and transferable. It is not. I was told that damage from storms fire even a kid's baseball was covered. It is not),where did they get the nerve to ask if they could use me as a referral when advertising in the neighborhood? I should have said "Yes".

Had we not threatened to cancel and seek legal recourse, we would probably still be waiting in December for new windows. The installer told me that he was supposed to be doing a big job today replacing all the windows in a building. Had they told us that small orders were done on hit or miss basis, we would not have agreed to the terms. Plus, to make their lives easier, Jacqui and I coordinated four different dates, cancelled appointments, and arranged to be home so they could do both houses in one day.

Rant over. Anyone else use Window World?