Bummie

I needed a replacement window for a small reno I was doing so I phoned my local window shop for a price on a casing/fixed vinyl window that was 53 by 40 3/4. I don't usually get my windows from this company but thought I would give him a try as a young guy had just purchased the company and I like to see young people getting into business..... so I help where I can.

Anyhow.... he said he would fax me a description with the price. When he faxed me I noticed that he had the width x height reversed.... no big deal... it was only on paper. I called his shop and talked to his wife, who was dealing with a crying baby at the time, as he was out on a job. I told her to tell him to order the window but he had the height and width reversed ... so just change that. She said it would be about 3 weeks.

Three weeks go by and I stop into their shop to see if my window is in. He says "What window??" I explained that I had called to their shop 3 weeks prior and talked to his wife. His response was.."She didn't tell me!!" So I say "I still need the window!!" and he promises to put a RUSH on it.

Another 3 weeks go by and she calls and says my window is in. I go and get the window and pay for it. When I get back to my truck one of his guys has it loaded in my truck so off I go to the job.

Not being my first window swap job I measure the window when I get to the job site. You got it ....WRONG SIZE!!! 40 3/4 by 53!!!

So I go back to his shop and his stand is "I ordered it off the fax I sent you!!! You didn't tell me any different!!"

I tried to explain to him that I had told his wife about the reversal of dimensions but it fell on deaf ears. She don't remember the call.

AND HE WON'T GIVE ME A REFUND!!! Any comments or ideas???? I hate to just leave $525.00 on his counter with me having a useless window.

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NailPounder

When we place an order they fax us a confirmation with all the order details (brand,size,options etc.) we have 24hrs to correct anything on the order, after that the window is ours not matter what. I have our office manager go over them as soon as they come in. I think you own a casement window. Been there done that many times...

enforcer

first of all,you sound like a very nice guy by giving a new guy a shot. wish more people in this world were like you. anyway, always sign off on the sizes before you put in an order. this is unfortunate and for a guy that has a new biz,its just a dumb move on his part.

Triple Pane

Thanks for giving the young guy a chance. As I am 29 it is great when we get the respect of the seasoned veterans. We also have our sales manager check and we do get a conformation fax in 24 hours. Sorry about the window mix up but, that is why we do everything in writing. If I had orderded a window that way I would be paying for it...

Bummie

Thanks for the replies guys. I know now to get everything in writing..... with signatures. I thought I was saving some time by doing this over the phone but it cost me big time!!!! I guess I have a window for the next addition I build.

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tomstruble

education is expensive sometimes

Grumpy

I guess the moral of the story is always get it in writing.

When ever I am ordering custom stuff I always do it in writing. None of my window suppliers will order any windows for me without a signature and I damed sure aint gonna' sign something that's wrong. Furthermore my windo suppliers won't allow me to make any written changes to their typed estimate even if the price isn't changing. They'll always take my revisions and put them into their computer, since it's all computer ordered, and fax them back to me again.


The bright side is you now have a nice sample.

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-Grumpy
Chicago Gutters Chicago Roofing

genecarp

Best way to prevent things like that from happening, (unfortunately)
1- assume everyone is an idiot
2- assume most people will not do what they say
3- leave nothing to chance, even with a good paper trail there is a 50/50 chance things will be wrong, but at least you have a leg to stand on
4- did i mention people are stupid ?

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A W Smith

Question. after receiving the fax, why did you not fax back the correction? and then have them fax you a corrected order to sign and fax back? Of course his wife is "not going to remember" the phone call. Its in her best interest to forget it. Like Grumpy said. at least you have a sample window. Chalk it up to a lesson learned.

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

dougchips

I have a nice but useless 34x37(I think) casement window sitting in my bedroom that I order the wrong hinge on. Within the next couple of days I will wrap it and give it to my kids for Christmas--it will look great over their bunk beds. How many kids get a replacement casement window for Christmas? I average a little less than one screw up window a year (pure luck) and with the exception of a garden window they have all been cheap windows.

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To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

Celtic

Considering the previous fiasco...why did you not measure it at their shop?

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Tinstaafl

Hey, wanna trade for a 28 5/8 x 51 3/4 double-hung? It was exactly 10" too short.

My boys are 19 and 20. I don't think they'd go for the xmas thing.

A W Smith

I still got 3 windows out of four I ordered wrong about 18 years ago still sitting in their wrappers in my brothers garage, They were from a Bradley Beach hotel/rooming house which IIRC had about 47 something windows in it. These four were to be mulled twins for a porch balcony storm window replacement but I inverted the total width and height. They were only about 85 bucks at the time Metal Industries. Plus I had the fifteen dollar refund coupons. Sold one at a garage sale. I wonder if that property still has those windows in it?

Oh here it is!!

http://www.thebradleybeachinn.com/

see that enclosed balcony on the home page with the four windows over the porch? thats what i screwed up, Oh and that turret? Roof struck by lightning and blew a 3 foot hole in it I hadda repair. Apparently new owners as back when I worked on it it was an "investment property" if you know what i mean.

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Al Smith
http://www.awsmith.com

dougchips

No, I'm sort of fond of the casement--not really looking forward to installing it on my own home for free.......maybe I'll hit the kids up for some labor money.

On another note, I had a 36" wide x 48" tall garden window sitting around my warehouse for 5 years that was measured wrong. I finally installed it on the front of my work trailer with some flowers, it looks cool. About 6 months after I installed it I sold the exact same size to someone.......could of saved me $900.

__________________
To get the best replacement windows, or sun rooms contact the replacement windows experts at FHI Vinyl Window Company.

Tinstaafl

Hah! Ain't that the way it goes? Guarawnteed.

tomstruble

never thought of giving my screwups for chistmas presentmaybe a merry chistmas here after all