I appreciate the comments and views about this company.
I talked him out of Castle windows and went and bought some Pella windows to install. He's happy with them and I know they are good windows.
Pella's are ok as long as they're not the vinyl pellas. If you're not dead set on them look at Marvin infinity, Sunrise, Gorell, or Okna. The Marvin being the best of the bunch IMO.
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Some call it business or sales......I call it lies and wannabe contractors. A company that sells cheapo inserts that are glued in and installed entirely by subs. On top of it they call it quality. I call it BS!
The customers will get what they pay for, and when the windows need to be replaced they will call a real Contractor. By then, these big pop up window companies will be out of business. It's no different than the window and aluminum siding boom was 30 years ago.
I heard the windows are mass produced by Alside. Not sure though. All I know is that it is marketing and not contracting.
Some call it business or sales......I call it lies and wannabe contractors. A company that sells cheapo inserts that are glued in and installed entirely by subs. On top of it they call it quality. I call it BS!
The customers will get what they pay for, and when the windows need to be replaced they will call a real Contractor. By then, these big pop up window companies will be out of business. It's no different than the window and aluminum siding boom was 30 years ago.
I heard the windows are mass produced by Alside. Not sure though. All I know is that it is marketing and not contracting.
That's fine, call it what you want. I own a business. The goal of my business is to be successful and I do everything I can to insure my customers get the best quality possible. I aspire to have the type of success that WW and others have. Maybe you are a great "contractor" and do a great job. Have you ever heard of the difference between owning a company and "owning a job"? I'm sure you can make a decent living for yourself, but are you really "in business"? Maybe I'm wrong but your comments would make me think otherwise.
...and BTW, the Alside windows that WW would install are far better quality than the re-badged Thermostar "pella" vinyl windows. I'd even take them over pella pro-series.
Pella's are ok as long as they're not the vinyl pellas. If you're not dead set on them look at Marvin infinity, Sunrise, Gorell, or Okna. The Marvin being the best of the bunch IMO.
buddy, please tell me why a sunrise window is superior to an alside sheffield or excalibur which you consider "subpar".
That's fine, call it what you want. I own a business. The goal of my business is to be successful and I do everything I can to insure my customers get the best quality possible. You and buddy are the type of guys that work for me. You are great "contractors" and do a great job. Have you ever heard of the difference between owning a company and "owning a job"? I'm sure you can make a decent living for yourself, but are you really "in business"? Maybe I'm wrong but your comments would make me think otherwise.
...and BTW, the Alside windows that WW would install are far better quality than the re-badged Thermostar "pella" vinyl windows. I'd even take them over pella pro-series.
I beg to differ. Alside excaliber windows are bottom of the barrel products. I don't care how good the install is polishing a turd yields a turd that's been polished. It's an awful window.
Now to your apparent arrogance I will say this. I've most likley been doing this for longer than you've been alive. I have built my company into the best known, most respected companies in my area. My business has lasted through three recessions and yes, it's a business. Not only do we do great work we own this area. I'd wager that my payroll exceeds your yearly revenue. You're out of your league here
Trade:
General Contractor, Roofing, siding, windows
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: MN
Posts: 1,218
Quote:
Originally Posted by HomeSealed
That's fine, call it what you want. I own a business. The goal of my business is to be successful and I do everything I can to insure my customers get the best quality possible. I aspire to have the type of success that WW and others have. Maybe you are a great "contractor" and do a great job. Have you ever heard of the difference between owning a company and "owning a job"? I'm sure you can make a decent living for yourself, but are you really "in business"? Maybe I'm wrong but your comments would make me think otherwise.
...and BTW, the Alside windows that WW would install are far better quality than the re-badged Thermostar "pella" vinyl windows. I'd even take them over pella pro-series.
I wouldn't take a Pella personally, but whatever. The other rebadged windows you speak of are available at the big box stores.
I don't have a payroll, employees, or a sub crew, but I do know what honest business practices are. I do know what quality is also.
A family member works for a large window replacement company. They are union and only do commercial work. They do things similar to these other big advertising companies, only they get to use tax dollars to do it.
They rip out the old windows, use almost exact fit Traco insert windows (garbage), caulk them in, wrap the wood that may be there with coil, and call it a quality install.
Our small company of two people (my father and I) have done quite a few little fixin's behind big name companies that pop up like this for the last 20+ years. A big name, fancy billboard, and ear catching radio commercials will fool the public easily, but it doesn't last for very long.
To be honest, I plan to advertise in the near future to replace all these windows that have been installed in the last couple years.
The Following User Says Thank You to MJW For This Useful Post:
Buddy,
What exactly are you responding to? The comment you quoted was clearly addressed to someone else (mjw)so I'm not sure where you are coming from here acting like a knob. I've checked you out and I can say that you do have me beat in sales, however you are a bit off in thinking you're in "another league"....If you are ever in my area let me buy you a beer and pick your brain.
Buddy,
What exactly are you responding to? The comment you quoted was clearly addressed to someone else (mjw)so I'm not sure where you are coming from here acting like a knob. I've checked you out and I can say that you do have me beat in sales, however you are a bit off in thinking you're in "another league"....If you are ever in my area let me buy you a beer and pick your brain.
You came in here defending the business model of the castles of the world and Alside windows. I was just setting you straight on your misconceptions.
I am familiar with Castle windows. I love their business model,sell an average window for a high price with high pressure sales tactics. It makes my job easy when i visit a home owner after they were paid a visit by a castle rep with his 1970's style used car sales approach.
Alside do not make a good window in my opinion especially the UltraMaxx and Excaliber. Their Preservation is a pretty good window in my opinion. I prefer sunrise over anything Alside any day of the week.
Someone mentioned where will these "pop up" window companys will be down the road.
About 16 years ago my father in law had new "premium" vinyl sliders in the whole house. Long story short about 6 years ago they had to be replace from a shotty install the welds coming about. Local company was out of business so that "lifetime" warrenty was well dead like the windows.
So he brings in the big orange box and well guess 6 years later I am replacing them next week AGAIN. I was changing out a blind for him in his bedroom and "pushed" on the window, well I was VERY surprised when I had to catch myself before I fall out the damm opening! So I go around and look at all the windows 6 singles and two triples NOT ONE DAMM SCREW,,,,caulk is the ONLY THING HOLDING THEM IN. The metal wrap was a joke at best, they wrapped the old frame to the brick and nothing else not syaclone, caulk, insulation NOTHING.
Now lets get in to the real bad part with none of that sealed guess what has been happening for the pas 6 years inside the walls, WATER. Brick exterior and plaster walls and EVERY WINDOW HAS FRAMING DAMAGE.
Waiting on a response from the big orange and let me tell you what i am RAPING them on this. The sad part is he has had them do his cabinets, countertops and vinyl about 12 years ago, so its NOT just the little guys its the big guys with JUNK. Let me tell you they again sold him on "premium" vinyl window and three have fogged, two sash's have cracked.
I know, I know ohhh he should have paid attenion well your right to a point but h did jsut turn 83 Sunday so.
You came in here defending the business model of the castles of the world and Alside windows. I was just setting you straight on your misconceptions.
No need to set me straight my friend. Check your pm.... Btw, I haven't defended anyone's business model(other than my own), but I give respect to their success as it is due.
I am familiar with Castle windows. I love their business model,sell an average window for a high price with high pressure sales tactics. It makes my job easy when i visit a home owner after they were paid a visit by a castle rep with his 1970's style used car sales approach.
Alside do not make a good window in my opinion especially the UltraMaxx and Excaliber. Their Preservation is a pretty good window in my opinion. I prefer sunrise over anything Alside any day of the week.
That's interesting. I promise I'm not trying to pick a fight here, but can you tell me the difference between the UltraMax/ Sheffield with glass upgrades and the Preservation series?
the sill,fiberglass reinforcement,and a few others things that currently escape me. Preservation is also an exclusive program which is good for the dealer.
the sill,fiberglass reinforcement,and a few others things that currently escape me. Preservation is also an exclusive program which is good for the dealer.
True. They had a whole preservation program, including their 24'8" PFG siding panel at one time. It was offered to me a while back. I liked the siding but wasn't thrilled with the window and didn't want to give up my current window, which was a requirement.
the sill,fiberglass reinforcement,and a few others things that currently escape me. Preservation is also an exclusive program which is good for the dealer.
Preservation is a sloped sill? Like Ultramaxx? Or is it a pocket sill like the sheffield? My point is its the same window that you can get without the private label. I realize it is "good for the dealer" but I'm addressing the fact that you think Alside windows are crap but yet the Preservation is good. That fiberglass reinforcement must be revolutionary to turn a crap window(according to you) into a good one.
Trade:
General Contractor, Roofing, siding, windows
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: MN
Posts: 1,218
Quote:
Originally Posted by Roberts Ren
Someone mentioned where will these "pop up" window companys will be down the road.
About 16 years ago my father in law had new "premium" vinyl sliders in the whole house. Long story short about 6 years ago they had to be replace from a shotty install the welds coming about. Local company was out of business so that "lifetime" warrenty was well dead like the windows.
So he brings in the big orange box and well guess 6 years later I am replacing them next week AGAIN. I was changing out a blind for him in his bedroom and "pushed" on the window, well I was VERY surprised when I had to catch myself before I fall out the damm opening! So I go around and look at all the windows 6 singles and two triples NOT ONE DAMM SCREW,,,,caulk is the ONLY THING HOLDING THEM IN. The metal wrap was a joke at best, they wrapped the old frame to the brick and nothing else not syaclone, caulk, insulation NOTHING.
Now lets get in to the real bad part with none of that sealed guess what has been happening for the pas 6 years inside the walls, WATER. Brick exterior and plaster walls and EVERY WINDOW HAS FRAMING DAMAGE.
Waiting on a response from the big orange and let me tell you what i am RAPING them on this. The sad part is he has had them do his cabinets, countertops and vinyl about 12 years ago, so its NOT just the little guys its the big guys with JUNK. Let me tell you they again sold him on "premium" vinyl window and three have fogged, two sash's have cracked.
I know, I know ohhh he should have paid attenion well your right to a point but h did jsut turn 83 Sunday so.
This is exactly what I'm talking about.
The success of a company like this should not be praised. I don't care how much money they made. They lied to their customers!
I hear about this all the time and we have to explain why our window installed is ~$4-500 and WW (and the like) is at $189.........geee I wonder why.....
I have built my company into the best known, most respected companies in my area. My business has lasted through three recessions and yes, it's a business. Not only do we do great work we own this area. I'd wager that my payroll exceeds your yearly revenue. You're out of your league here
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