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How do you spot a conman?
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jmason
Newbie
Join Date: 28/05/2009
Posts: 6
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Posted: 28/05/2009 2:26:02 PM
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Hi guys!
I have my ideas about how to spot a conman, after having a couple round now - all the old tricks, 'phone calls to the boss' and trying to hurry it up all the time - and I stand my ground. But what signs get your alarm bells ringing?
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BigNige
Newbie
Join Date: 29/05/2009
Posts: 1
Location: Manchester
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Posted: 29/05/2009 11:52:17 AM
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And, the classic - the (obviously amazing!) offer i'm giving you won't be available after today.
bet these dirty tricks work loads of times - just think of the poor old grannies having to fend off these a**holes!
Northern Monkey. And Proud! :)
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jmason
Newbie
Join Date: 28/05/2009
Posts: 6
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Posted: 06/06/2009 1:56:48 PM
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your right Nige, I have had experience with overly aggresive, or obviously 'trained' sales people, and my favourite thing to do is to make out like your really, really interested, right up till the last moment, nod enthusiastically, give all the signs that you're about to sign the money over, and then pull the rug and tell them to get out!
Is that sadistic?
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georga
Newbie
Join Date: 08/06/2009
Posts: 5
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Posted: 08/06/2009 2:28:23 PM
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Yes, it might be a little sadistic!
I think the most important thing is to actually be prepared for them as much as possible - the internet gives people loads of resources to read into the exact product they want - and only get in touch with a company once you know
a) exactly what you want
b) exactly how much you think it should cost
of course, the other old scam is to try and take as much money as they can up front, and I would recommend never paying more than possible and also making sure that all deposits are paid via credit card, as this protects you if the company goes bust or if there is another breach of contract - in that the credit card company will become jointly liable, and they are often more likely to pay out than the liquidator...
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Ros
Newbie
Join Date: 28/05/2009
Posts: 3
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Posted: 09/06/2009 4:44:19 PM
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When you say 'as little as possible' how much would you say is a reasonable amount? 50%?
I have had a quote where the salesman has said that he could get the price down if I paid in cash - the thing is, he's from one of the big firms so I didn't see why he would want to that.
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georga
Newbie
Join Date: 08/06/2009
Posts: 5
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Posted: 09/06/2009 4:45:44 PM
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nope stay well away ros,
pay on card, and card only! They want deposits quickly so they can get their bonus - pay no more that 30%.
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boozerburt
Newbie
Join Date: 15/06/2009
Posts: 3
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Posted: 15/06/2009 3:13:21 PM
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I think that if you see this man you know you've been sent a con man....
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-489256/Double-glazing-salesman-punched-customer-getting-quote-rival-firm.html
seriously though, anyone know who he works for now?
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jmason
Newbie
Join Date: 28/05/2009
Posts: 6
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Posted: 15/06/2009 3:17:12 PM
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@boozerburt - I remember reading about that at the time, and no I don't know where he is now! (or even if he got done, to be honest).
Maybe we should start a rogues gallery on the forum....
seriously though, some of the crooks they hire are so desperate to get their cash that they can be verbally, if not physically, intimidating, and I think that psycologicaly the effect of having them in your own house makes it easier to become vulnerable to their tactics.
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chuckles1212
Newbie
Join Date: 15/06/2009
Posts: 2
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Posted: 17/06/2009 10:15:13 AM
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People seem to suggest that double glazing companies out there play to their own set of rule
Is there any set of actual rules (i.e. laws) which govern how salesmen are meant to sell to people? Or is it in fact just a free-for-all?
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jmason
Newbie
Join Date: 28/05/2009
Posts: 6
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Posted: 17/06/2009 10:21:46 AM
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That's a really good point chuckles. Since 2008 the 'cancellations of contracts made in a consumer's home or place of work regulations 2008' has come into play, which gives consumers protection for contracts that are made during solicited or unscolicited visits from salespeople.
This includes the fact that all contracts made in a home now have to have a seven day cooling off period on any contract agreed that is over the cost of £35. This means that if you feel that you have been pressurised and have made the wrong choice, you have seven days to cancel the contract, which you must do in writing. The whole thing can be found here, and is worth a glance:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/uksi_20081816_en_1
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Silversurfer56
Newbie
Join Date: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4
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Posted: 27/07/2009 8:33:32 PM
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Hi Guys!
Some really good points here, would also add that as with most situations the usual applies. Trust your gut instinct! You can usual tell if something just seems suspect or a bit to good to be true. Take the time to do some background research on the company and don't hand any money over until you feel completely happy and confident.
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shammrok
Newbie
Join Date: 27/07/2009
Posts: 1
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Posted: 29/07/2009 5:23:35 PM
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I'm toying with the idea of replacing the windows in my house. Obviously this is a big layout of money and I want to be certain that I'm dealing with a legitimate company that are not going to rip me off. Any ideas of ways of find out information about a companies background and the things I should be looking for when doing this kind of research?
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s.jenkins
Newbie
Join Date: 31/07/2009
Posts: 2
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Posted: 31/07/2009 11:21:44 AM
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I would have a look on the Companies House website. Here you can perform a web check on a company all you need is either the company name or the company number. This type of search will bring up info on how long the company has been formed, previous trading names, the country it was formed in and details of when they last filled their accounts.
www.companieshouse.gov.uk
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psnowflake
Newbie
Join Date: 14/08/2009
Posts: 3
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Posted: 14/08/2009 11:37:24 AM
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As winter is fast approaching I have arranged for a rep from a local double glazing company come out to quote for replacement windows. He has said that the quote is a no obligation quote but to take advantage of it I will have to pay a up front deposit on the day of his visit. Is this the usual way of operating?
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psnowflake
Newbie
Join Date: 14/08/2009
Posts: 3
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Posted: 17/08/2009 10:04:30 AM
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Following on from my previous post- Would I be well within my rights to ask to speak with other satisfied customers?
And secondly when I was talking with the sale rep he informed me that all their windows are covered by a “insurance backed guarantee” but didn't explain what this actually was. Any ideas of what this actually means?
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Richierich
Newbie
Join Date: 18/08/2009
Posts: 4
Location: Kent
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Posted: 18/08/2009 8:55:28 AM
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Insurance backed guarantees are rarely worth the paper they are written on as they can often wriggle out of the guarantees especially when the company goes bust. I know several clients of double glazing firms that used this method and none of them ever got any satisfaction from the so called guarantees.
I work for the largest home improvement company in the UK and that is Anglian... You cannot beat going with a comapny that has been around since 1966 and has over 1 million installations. Our sealed units are guaranteed for 15 years and we will stand by this. This company is so big that should it go down, your windows will be the last thing you'll be worried about, plus the chances are the government would step in and bail them out anyway. So look for a company that has good financial standing and s.jenkins made a very valuable point in suggesting companies house as one method of giving you some peace of mind.
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