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Window scrappage scheme misinformation
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DIY Conservatories Chris
Intermediate
Join Date: 30/09/2009
Posts: 79
Location: Sheffield, UK
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Posted: 21/10/2009 9:46:44 PM
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I have heard to day that that our good friends Anglian have been running a TV advert which mentions something about the government running a scrappage scheme for homeowners to install new windows. I haven't seen the advert, so forgive me if the detail is a bit sketchy. Maybe someone could post if they have seen it.
My main pont being though, is that, to date there in fact is no scrappage scheme in place.
There is a petition running to get number 10 to consider it, but that is as far as it goes so far.
Please beware of any salesmen trying to sell on the basis that you will receive grants for scrapping you old windows.
As soon as I here whther it has become a reality or not I will let everyone know.
Cheers,
DIY Conservatories
Mighty Oaks from little acorns grow.
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jsunder
Beginner
Join Date: 15/06/2009
Posts: 10
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Posted: 23/10/2009 9:15:09 AM
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cheers chris - there was a post on here, a news piece the admin put up, that pointed people toward the petitions page, where people can sign up if they choose (I haven't, personally).
People do need to be aware that it is not yet in place, whether it will or should be is another matter.
What thoughts? Surely the scheme would have to be open to all suppliers and installers and not just the big companies. Therefore a good thing?
Still got my reservations, personally.
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Ian Vincable
Newbie
Join Date: 08/10/2009
Posts: 7
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Posted: 23/10/2009 9:36:33 AM
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I've not seen the advert your talking about Chris - will look on youtube when out of work ;)
It wouldn't surprise me if the discount portion of the bargaining was being put down to an internal scrappage scheme - so instead of the salesman ringing the boss etc to knock a couple of ks off the price they just say 'anglian offer a scrappage scheme' and then wait to see if the government hop on it.
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DIY Conservatories Chris
Intermediate
Join Date: 30/09/2009
Posts: 79
Location: Sheffield, UK
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Posted: 27/10/2009 9:25:40 AM
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Quote: Quoted From jsunder:
What thoughts? Surely the scheme would have to be open to all suppliers and installers and not just the big companies. Therefore a good thing?
Still got my reservations, personally.
Hey jsunder. I think in principle it's got it's merits if co-ordinated correctly. For example, for businesses like mine (DIY) there has to be some measure in place for the consumer to be able to take advantage of the scheme. People shouldn't have to feel forced into having full installs just because it's only open to installers. Think about all the (ahem) 'super'stores that supply at the moment, they're going to want a piece of it too. Similarly, where should the line be drawn, 10 20 30 year old windows, timber windows, non LowE, etc. it could turn into a bureaucratic nightmare.
My business head says bring it on, but my environmentalist head says we need to be careful. We could inevitably end up with a load of perfectly good windows simply ending up in landfill just because companies start selling on the basis of scrappage alone.
My jury too is still out.
Cheers, C
DIY Conservatories
Mighty Oaks from little acorns grow.
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DIY Conservatories Chris
Intermediate
Join Date: 30/09/2009
Posts: 79
Location: Sheffield, UK
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Posted: 27/10/2009 9:57:26 AM
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Quote: Quoted From Ian Vincable:
I've not seen the advert your talking about Chris - will look on youtube when out of work ;)
It wouldn't surprise me if the discount portion of the bargaining was being put down to an internal scrappage scheme - so instead of the salesman ringing the boss etc to knock a couple of ks off the price they just say 'anglian offer a scrappage scheme' and then wait to see if the government hop on it.
Hi Ian, I think perhaps you may have hit the nail on the head there. Having done a bit more digging they appear to be talking about 'Our nationwide scrappage scheme'. If the advert is the one I've now found, there's a quick mention at the end. What is quite amusing though is that they say that they performed a thermal test at 6:45 in the morning "so it was under the exact same conditions". I wasn't aware that 6:45 was so key in the meteorological world :-)
Cheers, C
DIY Conservatories
Mighty Oaks from little acorns grow.
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Babsabout
Newbie
Join Date: 28/05/2009
Posts: 1
Location: Norwich
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Posted: 28/10/2009 9:53:11 AM
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Interesting stuff. My feeling is that you are a bunch of old cynics!
(no offence :) )
If a company can combine the two real issues that concern us today - climate and the economy - with one push (which is what this scheme seems to be doing) then I am all for it.
Too often there is no or little financial incentive to go green - allthough this is changing somewhat with grants for solar pannels etc - and I think that this scheme would help homeowners just as much as businesses, although I agree that it may be a bit of nightmare to implement!
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DIY Conservatories Chris
Intermediate
Join Date: 30/09/2009
Posts: 79
Location: Sheffield, UK
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Posted: 29/10/2009 9:29:52 PM
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Hi Babsabout, no offence taken. Afterall this is a forum and everyone is entitled to their opinion.
I think if you just take a look at 'anglianeyes' response here, you may well understand why there would appear to be a degree of cynisism. The 'tactics' of companies for many years have given our industry an understandable bad taste for consumers. and it's the fact that 'tactics' is the operative word here.
Think of the cried wolf scenario. When companies are renowned for thinking of nothing but their own interests it really is hard to imagine that there would suddenly be a change of heart overnight.
As for the green issue, I couldn't agree with you more. There needs to be more done to address environmental issues and that 's prety much what i'm trying to say in my post above. We need to be careful that such schemes don't just end up producing more waste when it may not be necessary. And that's a comment coming from a business owner with an environmental ethic. My business was founded with the principle of helping the environment (pm me if you want to discuss it some more as it wouldn't be etiquette for me to post it here) so don't think that there aren't better ways to tackle the 'green' issue.
Cheers, C
DIY Conservatories
Mighty Oaks from little acorns grow.
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Martin T
Newbie
Join Date: 19/11/2009
Posts: 3
Location: Norwich
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Posted: 19/11/2009 11:30:58 AM
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As the person who created the Window Scrappage Scheme for Anglian Home Improvements, I can assure you it is genuine and we are 100% supportive of the GGF Petition.
That said why wait for the Government? We didn't become the largest by following the herd.
Many other schemes have followed and the petition is now through the 2,000 mark. We welcome the competition and the support for the scheme.
Marketing At Anglian
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DIY Conservatories Chris
Intermediate
Join Date: 30/09/2009
Posts: 79
Location: Sheffield, UK
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Posted: 19/11/2009 8:49:19 PM
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Quote: Quoted From Martin T:
As the person who created the Window Scrappage Scheme for Anglian Home Improvements, I can assure you it is genuine and we are 100% supportive of the GGF Petition. That said why wait for the Government? We didn't become the largest by following the herd. Many other schemes have followed and the petition is now through the 2,000 mark. We welcome the competition and the support for the scheme. [/quote] Hi Martin and thanks for your reply, In response, with all due respect, as Anglian's Marketing Director you wouldn't be anything but behind your scheme. You will note from my post after seeing your advert, that I am not questioning it's validity, merely pointing out that it is in fact 'your' scheme not a government scheme. I felt it was necessary to inform people that it is not a government endorsed scheme. Personally, I don't see it becoming a government endorsed scheme any time soon. The whole thing appears to have lost momentum. I do though question the validity of such a statement as "we performed the test at 6:45 to ensure the conditions were the same". A bit of marketers' licence perhaps? As far as not waiting for the government, then for that I applaude you yes. However, it would be very interesting particularly for other posters if you could outline in a little more detail the premise of your scrappage scheme. How do you quantify whether windows are in fact in need of scrapping, what benchmarks do you use for qualifying the need to replace, what policy do you take if your tests show the existing windows are perfectly adequate, what do you do with the old windows, etc. As far as being the largest, that doesn't necessarily lend itself to being the best. And I'm sure you'll agree if your honest, Anglian doesn't necessarily have the most blemish free history. Consumers have long memories and bad marks linger a lot longer than good, that's just an unfortunate fact of life. However, I admire the fact that you have come to take part in this discussion at least. That shows a quality worthy of a fair hearing. I only hope that others will take a similar objective view. Forums are excellent places for different sides of stories. At least that way people have the opportunity to make up their own minds. Cheers, DIY Conservatories
Mighty Oaks from little acorns grow.
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Martin T
Newbie
Join Date: 19/11/2009
Posts: 3
Location: Norwich
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Posted: 20/11/2009 10:06:19 AM
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The premise of our scrappage scheme is clearly to capitalise on the huge success and consumer awareness of the car scrappage scheme (which is partly not wholly funded by the Government). We can do this because we responsibly recycle the vast majority of windows we remove but I would not deny it is designed to encourage reticent consumers back into the market during these recessionary times as was the original car scheme.
We are happy that others have decided to follow us and launch their own scrappage schemes - we hope they too responsibly recycle.
As for big and best, I think you may be mixing us up with a competitor who makes such a spurious claim.
On you other point regarding our 43 year record, we have a long history and for brief periods times it may have been chequered but I am proud to work for, and happy to vouch for the company that Anglian Home Improvements is today.
With regards to the next phase of the Scrappage Scheme we are revising advertising to make it 100% clear that it is an Anglian scheme and remove any potential and unintentional ambiguity regarding the involvement or otherwise of the Government.
Best regards.
Marketing At Anglian
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DIY Conservatories Chris
Intermediate
Join Date: 30/09/2009
Posts: 79
Location: Sheffield, UK
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Posted: 20/11/2009 1:26:29 PM
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Quote: Quoted From Martin T:
The premise of our scrappage scheme is clearly to capitalise on the huge success and consumer awareness of the car scrappage scheme (which is partly not wholly funded by the Government). We can do this because we responsibly recycle the vast majority of windows we remove but I would not deny it is designed to encourage reticent consumers back into the market during these recessionary times as was the original car scheme.
Thank you again for your honesty.
Quote: Quoted From Martin T:
We are happy that others have decided to follow us and launch their own scrappage schemes - we hope they too responsibly recycle.
As do I
Quote: Quoted From Martin T:
As for big and best, I think you may be mixing us up with a competitor who makes such a spurious claim.
No, please don't misunderstand, I simply wanted to make the point that largest isn't necessarily representative of being the best.
Quote: Quoted From Martin T:
On you other point regarding our 43 year record, we have a long history and for brief periods times it may have been chequered but I am proud to work for, and happy to vouch for the company that Anglian Home Improvements is today.
Again, you are a representative, so your comments should go without saying. I'd be surprised of you took any other standpoint.
Quote: Quoted From Martin T:
With regards to the next phase of the Scrappage Scheme we are revising advertising to make it 100% clear that it is an Anglian scheme and remove any potential and unintentional ambiguity regarding the involvement or otherwise of the Government.
This last point I am most impressed with. It is refreshing to hear that you are looking to ensure there is no further misunderstandings for the consumer. I do hope you don't use it a points scoring exercise or an opportunity to dig at your competitors.
Perhaps you would PM me when you have completed it so I may review it to give the forum further feedback.
Cheers,
DIY Conservatories
Mighty Oaks from little acorns grow.
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insiderinfo
Beginner
Join Date: 04/11/2009
Posts: 10
Location: mid glamorgan
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Posted: 23/11/2009 10:25:52 AM
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Martin T
Unbelievable that a marketing director needs to stoop so low as to say that their marketing ploy is genuine; if this is a genuine offer and not just a silly discount how is it only applied to the list price of the product, as this is how i believe it is done ie the more the customer spends the more they get off
please verify thanks
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DIY Conservatories Chris
Intermediate
Join Date: 30/09/2009
Posts: 79
Location: Sheffield, UK
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insiderinfo
Beginner
Join Date: 04/11/2009
Posts: 10
Location: mid glamorgan
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Posted: 25/11/2009 10:47:28 AM
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DIY Chris
Yes this is how it works but am waiting for a response from Martin before i expose it completely, unlike other companies who are running it properly it doesnt apply to the recycling part
Come on Martin give us a response - u did start this
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Martin T
Newbie
Join Date: 19/11/2009
Posts: 3
Location: Norwich
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Posted: 30/11/2009 10:44:19 AM
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Gentlemen,
This is getting a little ridiculous. As I have said previously I am proud to work for an ethical company with a proud and long heritage. I do not intend on being drawn into debate about specific customer issues or indeed respond to false accusations.
I do however support this forum as a place for sensible debate and feedback.
Martin
Marketing At Anglian
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susie51
Newbie
Join Date: 04/01/2010
Posts: 1
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Posted: 04/01/2010 3:30:09 PM
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Re "Window scrappage scheme"
My elderly parents saw this TV advert, and needing 8 new windows for their bungalow phoned up for an appointment. A rep turned up who quoted them initially £14,000 for replacing these 8 windows. As they were obviously astonished at this price, he said if they order that day he could get it down to £7,000; then with the "window scrappage sheme" another £2000 off. Fortunately they told me before ordering any.
I asked a local recommended glazing firm to quote, who told me their was no such thing as a window scrappage scheme. He quoted £2,300 in total, and has since completed the work satisfactorily.
I think anglian windows marketing campaign is a disgrace, making it sound like a bona fide government scheme, similar to car scrappage scheme. The outrageous quotes given by the anglian rep in order to entice my parents to sign up were offensive and they should be reprimanded in some way.
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