deceptive advertising - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Home Serve · 01-20-2009, 09:18 PM

I'm sure this is going on all over the country but it really gets my goat as we say here in Missouri.
I hear TV and radio advertising from these large companies that promise "in writing" that by replacing your old windows with our new energy efficient windows it will lower your utility bills by 35%. That right folks: IN WRITING.
I have a mind to contact the Attorney General and ask how these companies can get by with this crap.

You get people out there getting ripped off by this stuff with some high dollar/high pressure salesman. Especially older people or even younger folks who don't recognize hype when they see it.
What is your reaction to this? It just burns me when I see their trucks around snagging people like this, just knowing they are taking people for a very expensive ride down the wrong road!!!!!!
Dave C

**Ed the Roofer** · 01-20-2009, 09:22 PM

Don't they typically say, "Up To 35%"

All that they have to do, is show one case study where One Home saved Up To 35% and they are telling the truth.

Ed

dougchips · 01-20-2009, 09:41 PM

When and if you read the small print they will pay you a $300 or $500 total fee if they are wrong.

The customer needs to prove how much heating fuel they used the year before and for the current year. Then heating degree days are taken into account. blah blah blah............in the end very few people ever see any money. Up front people see the BIG SAVINGS and they are too lazy to read the small print.

Home Serve · 01-20-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed the Roofer

Don't they typically say, "Up To 35%"

All that they have to do, is show one case study where One Home saved Up To 35% and they are telling the truth.

Ed

Ed and Doug, they do not say up to 35%. I've looked for some sort of documentation on their web site but it's full of nothing but trinkets and gimmes and such. I'm going to do a little more homework. There are two companies around here now doing this and it just irks me because I know the truth and many don't. I'm going to see if I can get a hold of something writen down so I can take a good look.

Dave C

dougchips · 01-20-2009, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Home Serve

Ed and Doug, they do not say up to 35%. I've looked for some sort of documentation on their web site but it's full of nothing but trinkets and gimmes and such. I'm going to do a little more homework. There are two companies around here now doing this and it just irks me because I know the truth and many don't. I'm going to see if I can get a hold of something writen down so I can take a good look.

Dave C

E-mail them and tell them that you would like to review it by e-mail and see if they will send you one. Somewhere in my desk I have a couple of them, one from a line of windows that I use to sell and another from a competitor.

dougchips · 01-20-2009, 10:25 PM

Here's one and the details are there.

Here's another

Home Serve · 01-20-2009, 10:41 PM

Here is the scoop you guys, energy savings 35-40% (looks like use the foam backing and maybe it generates it's own heat to keep you waaaarm) and guess what else? if you use this seamless vinyl siding you won't get any water behind the siding to cause mold and rot. none
wow! (I quote from web site below):
Seamless Vinyl Siding is the only product, based on energy savings and the elimination of paint, maintenance, and normal upkeep, that you are paying for whether you are buying it or trying to do without it. We finance with nothing down and payments to fit your budget.
FHA approved and considered a home improvement that will actually increase the value of your home.

Energy savings 35 - 40% (see what you could save)
One piece installation ensures water won't get behind the siding which causes mold and wood rot.

Home Serve · 01-20-2009, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dougchips

Here's one and the details are there.

Here's another

Guess it it pretty common hey? The web site I went to in our area had some details on energy saving with siding but not windows so I posted it above.
Thanks I printed some of that off of the links you posted. What a crock of crap, guess that's how some think they need to do business huh?
Dave C

dougchips · 01-20-2009, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Home Serve

Guess it it pretty common hey? The web site I went to in our area had some details on energy saving with siding but not windows so I posted it above.
Thanks I printed some of that off of the links you posted. What a crock of crap, guess that's how some think they need to do business huh?
Dave C

I think it sort of shady, with that said I need to edit some stuff off of my own site. The practice of a big offer and then small print is all over the place not just in our industry.

Go find airfare deals and actually try to book a flight, see how the price doubles.

Try to buy a car $9999 turns into $12000 with the small print.

I understand where you are coming from. People should rot in hell if they are telling old people on a budget that they will save 35-40 percent a year. Imagine some old penny counting lady on social security going broke when she does not save 35-40%? Heck BS'ing any potential customer about saving money is sort of evil.

tomstruble · 01-21-2009, 02:00 AM

most of those seamless? siding panels come about 40 ft long what if your house is 42 ft?

marc · 01-22-2009, 06:33 AM

I surveyed my customers about 5 years ago and found that the average savings was approx. 27%. Of course we wern't selling triple pane back then so I could see 35% savings with Triple pane windows with Krypton filled Low-E glass.

vinylguy · 01-22-2009, 08:06 AM

yeah i don't get it why all the fuss?
i put my windows and siding on my home and i have spent about 50% less this year on just oil alone.
i believe they can save someone up to 35-40 in energy bills just with my own experience.
maybe you need a better grade window or better siding!

kylemfk · 01-22-2009, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomstruble

most of those seamless? siding panels come about 40 ft long what if your house is 42 ft?

thats what gutter leaders are for!!

HomeSealed · 01-22-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinylguy

yeah i don't get it why all the fuss?
i put my windows and siding on my home and i have spent about 50% less this year on just oil alone.
i believe they can save someone up to 35-40 in energy bills just with my own experience.
maybe you need a better grade window or better siding!

I agree. I think that some of the "guarantees" offered are a little weak and misleading, but with high quality windows and siding upgrades 30-40% is not unreasonable savings...Instead of offering a guarantee with fine print, I just give my potential customers an honest assessment of what I think they will save.