Replacement External Doors

[ethandron]

We had three companies round to quote for a new front and back door, two were smallish local companies and one was everest.
Everest quoted £7,000, they were the first to quote.
The two local ones were within £100 of each other and we've gone with one of them, at a cost of £2,500.
I'm wondering why would anyone use everest...??

[ethandron]

'would use'

[ummmm]

Because they are slaves to advertising.

[Prudie]

We had the same with double glazing - the thing is if you're willing to do it, big companies like Everest can be knocked down £1000s, they rely on most people not trying.

[EcclesCake]

I think people get sucked in by the advertising and the perceived security of using a nationwide company.

Give me local every time.

[Ratty2E]

Sadly they do, older people especially. they think because it's a big company with a name they recognise it must mean they are more reputable than say a local smaller one. From what I have seen it just means they think they can get away with robbing people blind.

[ethandron]

Everest originally quoted £11,000 and dropped it almost immediately when they saw the look on our faces. To be honest, we couldn't even be bothered going back to them when we had the other two quotes in, to try and get them down any further, we were so appalled.
Yep, I agree, local every time.

[douglas9401]

We had a similar experience with CR Smith (apparently part of the same group).
First quote £4500, then deduct 'scrappage' then a discount just because eventually ending up at £2500.
The answer was still no so a call to his manager (how we laughed) and it's now £1900. 'We'll think about it' we said
Next night a phone call offring a one time only 'trade price' (but it can't be done over the phone.)
Up rocks Alan at 8pm of a Thursday evening, all white BMW and tight trousers who tells me he's spoken to Mrs 9401 and she's agreed that I can give a yes or no. 'That's right' says me so he tells me £1500. I tell him I'll think about it, he tells me it's now or never and reminds me that I'm authorised (really!!) to give a yes or no.
I gave him a 'no'.
I thought leaving in a right huff was unprofessional. :-)
We, like you, got a great deal from a local company.

[gness]

Same here Ethandron......a quote from Everest for an automatic garage door was £3,700......when I laughed I was told that as a lone woman I should be considering the extra security Everest offered over other companies...he then dropped the price by a few hundred.

I think I paid not much over £1,000 to an excellent local firm.

I had a call a few months later from Everest to ask why I had chosen someone else......one reason I gave was that to quote a high price then immediately lower it to a price which still gave them a more than healthy profit was dishonest...why would I employ a dishonest company?

[ethandron]

Yep, it's ridiculous. You just want their best price, forget all this hoohaa about dropping it, once only offers, etc., just give me an honest answer..which is what the local ones did, no faffing around, that's the price, take it or leave it.
Companies like everest do themselves no favoures with people like us, I just feel very, very sorry for those who get taken in by them and end up paying totally ridiculous prices for comparative products. It still surprises me that so many people must pay their silly prices in this day and age.

[thugulike]

I used Everest for windows and doors. They seemed expensive but I managed to bargain them down. I considered the guarantee they offer to be worth a bit extra and the installation went like a dream. I had no problems with any mess and there was no need to decorate afterwards. They have been round to the house since to see if I needed anything and they actually adjusted a door and the garage door which I was finding heavy to open. Can't fault the service and I would use them again. I had used a local company for double glazing and it failed repeatedly until I was sick of seeing them