Double Glazing Sales Issues

[hirsty2000]

Before I start, I would like to point out that I am well aware of my naivite in this matter, but the salesman was so convincing that I totally trusted him.

 

I recently purchased UPVC double glazing for a front door and side window for by basement flat. Aware that we lived in a conservation area, I specifically asked the question of the salesman whether planning permission would be required and received the response "Yes normally you would, but because you are below ground level and out of normal eye view the normal rules do not appy and you can install what you like. Even if you had required planning permission we would certainly take care of that for you and have a great relationship with all of the local officers". I know - NAIVE!!

 

Anyway we wnt ahead on the basis that a surveyor was booked to come round and that the company were FENSA approved (and that they would take care of any planning permission issues).

 

6 weeks after the windows were fitted we received a letter from the local planning office detailing that we were in contravention of local permission regulations and needed to replace the window and door.

 

I have spoken to the company director and he is adamant that the salesman never made the statement and that it was not their problem to resolve.

 

I maintain that at best they lied to get my business and at worst are negligent in not seeking proof of planning permission before going ahead with the works.

 

Any comments or help appreciated!

[Conniff]

Hi hirsty

 

You shouldn't think of yourself as naive, there is no reason at all why you shouldn't believe that a company doing this for a living wouldn't have a good working relationship with the planning office, they must be in contact with them almost daily.

 

I would write to the planning office first, explain all what you have said above and ask if there is a chance of retrospective planning permission. If they say no, ask if you can have time to sort it out with the company, and how much time they will let you have. They wont be demanding that you pull it down immediately.

Make sure you let the planning office know the name of the company, and you might even get some help from them.

 

As glazing sales usually ask that two of you are present, were you accompanied or by yourself when the salesman called?

 

It would make things easier if there was two of you.

 

Assuming that the planning office say no to retrospective permission, write to the glazing company, don't do telephone any more, and ask for a face to face meeting with the boss and the salesman so you can put it to him personally, don't accept the salesman calling around to your home.

 

Any further action will depend on what the glazing company have to say.

 

With the reputation that double glazing salesmen have, if this went all the way to court and the judge had the choice of who to believe, you or the salesman, I know who he would give the benefit of the doubt to.

[Guest wino]

I would also inform trading Standards

[gyzmo]

DEFINITELY! There may be other complaints also. May also be worth trying your own mystery shop. Have a friend invite these people round and ask the same question (record it). It will not prove that it was said to you, but DOES prove that they are saying it, which adds credence to your own claim, which may assist matters.

 

It is worth mentioning that, in future, ALWAYS ask for anything said to you to be pointed out in the contract. If they cannot do so, then it is either a lie or a [problem]. Verbal comments are difficult if not impossible to prove. Written contracts are a lot easier!

 

I'm sorry that this ha happened to you, but I do hope that you will in future take time to make sure of everything said to you. Legitimate organisations will be happy to let you check things or mull over the details. Conment and dodgy persons in general will want your signature there and then (the sooner that commission sales is criminalised the better).

 

In future:

Always read the terms before signing - a legitimate company will happily let you do this (and indeed should encourage it)

Always check what is said to you. Is it in the contract? Does the seller have the knowledge or expertise to say what they are saying? Even if it appears so, there is nothing wrong in checking it out before signing.

 

Hope that helps and good luck.