Month: October 2018

Top 11 Lies Told By Window Salesmen

Sometimes window salesmen write in all upset thinking I’m picking on them about something.  Usually I’m not, but I suppose in this case I am.  I’m not picking on the knowledgable and helpful person who may disagree with me on something.  Rather, the uninformed rep who doesn’t know what he’s talking about but speaks with all the confidence he got it last week’s sales meeting.

Some of these guys just don’t let the truth get in their way.  Some only know what they’ve been taught. They may really believe what they’re saying or they may know they’re full of it.  Either way, it’s important that you know the truth.

Here are the common claims you’ll hear out there.  Click on them to find information and explanations that may make the salesperson’s thoughts seem a little more questionable.

Top 11 Lies Told by Window Salesmen:

  • These windows were made specifically for our company
  • Fiberglass windows are far superior to all other types
  • We use virgin vinyl while the other guys use regrind vinyl
  • Our installers are employees not subcontractors
  • We use foam in the window frames while nobody else does
  • We have the more layers of low-e in our glass
  • Our windows are fusion welded and others aren’t
  • Vinyl windows will warp and crack in your climate
  • Our lifetime warranty is great and others are “limited”
  • Triple pane windows are the best option to reduce sound
  • We have special spacers, glass, vinyl, parts, etc

If you’ve been shopping for windows you’ve probably heard some of these whoppers.  We’ll be updating posts about each of these topics in the coming days.  Check back here for updates and you can even bookmark this page to keep track.

If you have any suggestions for additional topics or examples of creative storytelling by window salespeople post a comment and let us know.  We’re always looking for great material for future posts!

In the meantime you may want to check out our section on the most common replacement window sales tactics.  Replacement window salespeople can be a never-ending source of amusement!

Other posts you might find helpful:

And, if you want to skip the hassle of dealing with salespeople like this you can find our listing of the best window companies all over the country right here.

Why Window Installers Make Bad Window Suggestions

Replacement Window Shopping Mistake #17 – Taking a suggestion from a window installer. 

I hear from an extraordinary number of people about their experience shopping for both new construction and replacement windows.  Very frequently I hear about how surprised someone is to be having a problem because the window they picked came so highly recommended.  When they tell me an installer recommended the product I’m not surprised at all.

Folks sometimes think that because an installer works with windows all day long he must be an expert.  Window installers certainly do know a lot about windows, but they’re usually not window experts in the way you’d want them to be if they’re suggesting products.

Remember, the installer has completely different priorities than the customer when it comes to selecting a window.

Ask yourself what is important to a window installer.  He wants the windows to be inexpensive, he wants them delivered quickly, he wants the people he orders from to be knowledgable and helpful especially if/when he orders something wrong.

Now ask yourself what is important to the end user (you) when selecting a new construction or a replacement window.  You probably want the windows to hold up for the long term.  You’d want them to seal out the elements, to be energy efficient, to operate easily, etc.

You see a window installer doesn’t really care about the air infiltration rate of a new window.  He’s not walking around the house in his socks on a cold Sunday morning feeling a draft. He’s not operating that window 10 years from now or dealing with a warranty issue down the road.

He installs the window, it works well, he gets paid and walks away.  That’s a great window in his book.

Installers don’t make bad suggestions because they’re bad guys.  They make bad suggestions because their priorities are different than yours.

The difference between a window with a 0.26 and a 0.04 air infiltration rate is not important at all to a window installer.  He probably doesn’t know the ratings because they’re meaningless to him. They’re just not part of his job. He probably doesn’t know what the condensation resistance rating is or how one option will affect the STC rating. Those things just aren’t what he deals with.

These things aren’t important to the installer, but they’re very important to you.

Of course it’s definitely important to have a good installer involved in your project.  You want someone who knows what he’s doing, who’s been around the block a time or two and who will be able to make sure the project turns out great.

Just don’t let the installers pick out windows for you. Putting in windows for a living is different than living with windows for 5, 10 or 20 years.

Do you agree with this thinking or do you think I’m completely wrong? Post a comment below and let us know about it.

For more info on different types of replacement and new construction windows you can find our section on window ratings and reviews here and you might also get a laugh out of our section on replacement window sales tactics.

If you’d like to hear from someone who can probably make a pretty good suggestion you can find our listing of the best replacement window companies here.