TV Report Charges Misrepresentation of Foam-Filled Windows

8139 Views 7 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Dave Ruc, Aug 23, 2009

windowguru

Discussion Starter · Jul 26, 2009

In case you missed it....

An investigative report on Fox 29 News in Philadelphia has accused a Pennsylvania-based distributor with falsely promoting its vinyl replacement window line as having foam-filled sash and frames, when only small amounts of foam were evident in products found in the market. Broadcast on July 20, the report was based on initial allegations from a New Jersey contractor.
The report, which can be viewed below, shows windows purchased from Windowizards, based in Levittown, Pa., that feature foam in the sash corners and only one chamber of the frame profile. Also shown is product literature featuring completely filled profiles.
Windowizards responded to the report with a letter to the station, which states it was inadvertently using improper artwork supplied by the window manufacturer, Okna Windows in Bristol, Pa. Okna also responded with a letter to the station, apologizing to Windowizards and its other customers with improper promotional materials. Both companies deny that there was any intent to deceive customers.

Save

Reactions: 1

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

enforcer

· #2 · Jul 26, 2009

the news report is irresponsible. the allegations come from an employee who was fired for shoddy work as well as stealing jobs from window wizards while employed. Okna made a window specifically for window wizards with a foam filled frame. howevernthere were some operational issues so the manufacturer only filled one side of each frame with foam,this fixed the problem and kept the PERFORMANCE NUMBERS THE SAME;this was backed up by the NFRC. however, window wizards continued to use the original literature of showing the frame fully filled.
thats the whole story. business as usual. by the way,Okna have one of the best performing products in the industry.

Save

Reactions: 3

windowise

· #3 · Jul 27, 2009

Response to Windowizards, and Okna Misrepresentation

Our consortium has viewed the Fox 29 report, and read the legal opinions of Window & Door Magazine. The act was committed, there are responsibilities as a manufacturer, and reseller.

In Europe this never happens, we have the best vinyl window systems, and constant qaulity control, we pride ourselves in constant reinvestment into Research and Development.

What we sell the consumer is the best product, we don't upsell, or down sell. After reviewing Windowizards literature, and sales techiniques, there is no education to the consumer. We feel that their techniques are to sell windows, that is all. As the installer said, provide an illusion to the consumer. The report covered 3 years of this problem, not an isolated incident as stated by the CEO.

The facts speak for themselves, even if it is a mistake, the act was committed, and will have severe problems for both the Manufacturer, and the Reseller.

I believe that this is an oportun time for European, and Chinese window companies to invest in the American Home Improvement Products market. It is obivious Americans do not trust their own brands, that is why they buy foriegn cars, and products. I believe Americans will buy foreign home improvement products now. Because of the quality, and track record of the European, and Asian fenestration systems.

See less See more

Save

Joasis

· #4 · Jul 27, 2009

I would not hold my breath on that statement. I can also assure you that while many of us admire European products, that does not mean we will buy them over Made in the USA products.

Save

Reactions: 5

Tom Struble

· #5 · Jul 27, 2009

itmay have been a mistake,but it was definitely false advertising
i have also taken the tilt locks out on some ''foam filled'' units
only to find a small pcs of extruded foam loose in the frame
not solid filled like the literature said

Save

Windowpains

· #6 · Jul 29, 2009

One thing you may be missing here my European friend is that OKNA is a Polish company who has set up shop her in the states and the last time I checked Poland was in Europe. So much for all the European integrity you have described.

And Enforcer you should watch the entire story; the window that the TV station just purchased and dissected found insufficient foam in the cavities that should have been filled. Just because the guy who brought this to the publics attention was fired does not mean it is not true.

OKNA screwed up here and should not be defended.

Save

dougchips

· #7 · Jul 29, 2009

I found the story rather entertaining since I don't sell their windows. Hopefully they have the budget to pay the window companies to remove and replace the defective windows if not some people are going to be in hot water.

On a side note I like their windows but I would not touch them with a ten foot pole until this mess is cleared up.

Save

Dave Ruc

· #8 · Aug 23, 2009

Unfortunately the American building material industry has already been deeply infiltrated by foreign products. I am unaware of any Asian products however Certanteed is a french product, Ryan homes now purchases Canadian materials, and (please excuse my spelling) but Scheoco? windows are one of the top rated windows in the world and are a German Company. For Vinyl Siding and of the sorts, I try and buy Allside's Materials at every opertunity as it is an american owned and operated company.

Also to Windowwise, I would agree that okna is not to be defended in a seemingly devistating and futile mistake, however talking up the Asain building material industry to this forum is not going to get you very far and comparing this to the Automotive industry is a far streach. There are very different and delicate circomstances that dictated the decline in that industry and it mostly revolved around unions, oil, and the lack thereof anywhere else. Though someone representing the European window Assc. that is attempting to gain sales in the American Market should know that... I am not impressed. Good sales starts with good delivery my friend. Furthermore an even more rediculous claim is that anyone with a brain can actually appreciate 90% of most Asain goods marketed to the US with the exception of the Auto Market as their regions circomstances required their automakers make their vehicles superior in fuel economy among other things far before the US industry in order to make fossil fuel proppelled autos even feasable to afford in those countries.

See less See more

Save

1 - 8 of 8 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.

Top Contributors this Month