Will I regret this?

Today I had a scheduler contact me and ask me to complete a shop comparing five different window companies. I have to call and get someone from each company to come out and give me estimates, then fill out a report for each interaction.

The shop pays a nice chunk of change, but the hourly rate won't be so great. However, we're thinking of buying new windows down the line and this will be good research. AND, I'll be able to putter around in the yard in between appointments without feeling guilty.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

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The visits can take several hours, each. I hope you do not have sales persons coming too close together.

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson

Several hours each? I've had estimates for tree trimming, a construction project, California Closets, new flooring and a bathroom remodel. The longest was the closets at 90 minutes with the rest coming in at 20 to 60 minutes. What takes so much longer with these?

To KathyG, if you really are going to be replacing windows it seems any payment for research you will have to do is probably worthwhile. With no purchase involved in the shop at least you are guaranteed not to lose money

Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.

I know not to ask too many questions, which should speed things up :-)

@isaiah58 wrote:

The visits can take several hours, each. I hope you do not have sales persons coming too close together.

Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product. Eleanor Roosevelt

Window sales persons purposely take forever. The bring demo panes, use several sales pressure tactics, can be an hour promoting the product and company before they measure every window. If you have glass sliding doors, they quote replacing them as well. It's more fun getting a tooth pulled.

My posts are solely based on my opinions and for my entertainment, contact a professional if you need real advice.

When you get in debt you become a slave. - Andrew Jackson

Since you are considering purchasing windows down the line, I see this as a win, win situation. I always get a minimum of 3 estimates before conducting a major project on my home. I need to know if they are doing the work or do they contract out, who's pulling the permits and what money I get back if they go over their promised time line. Have fun with it. One of those companies may be your new contractor.

My advice would be to speak as little as possible and let them get their talking points out. If you get chatty they will stay forever. Otherwise, I agree with the 20 minute to 60 minute time frame as a rule. These visits will be valuable to you if you are actually getting windows as you can compare all of the estimates and sales pitches beforehand. I have had numerous window estimate shops in the past and it really did come in handy when I needed new windows for real. I was confident enough in the information I had from each company about themselves as well as the competition that I knew what was up and had a lot of estimates to go on for real life. When you do go into the process for real make sure each company knows you are considering several other options as well. You'd be amazed at how the prices move down if you show them competing bids on paper.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/17/2016 09:10PM by jkow.

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