Jen,

I'm wondering if what the saleman showed you was a product called Gutta Gard (www.guttagard.com)?

Based on prices here in Cincinnati and St. Louis I would say the quote you received seemed a little high (based on the figures you gave). You should be able to get a good quality job for about half the price or less, from what you were quoted.

Anytime a contractor wants a contract signed that night and doesn't give you time to do your homework, is usually a red flag.

If Gutta Gard was the product you were shown, it is a reverse curve product and there are many other reverse curve products on the market.

We have had an ongoing discussion about these products in another forum, I will give you the link below if you haven't reviewed this area yet.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gutter Protection Systems

I just went and checked the literature and the product is Dixie GutterGuard (www.gutterguard.net). The price strikes me as a bit high as well.

During the course of the presentation we were seriously considering doing business with this company in a few months when we have the funds. Unfortunately, the salesman has pretty much blown his opportunity. Initially he told us that the price quoted ($8909) was good for six months. He mentioned it several times, in fact. Then later, when we said we would call him within the next six months when we were comfortable that we could pay for the job, he said that at that point he would have to make a second trip out and requote it because of all of the additional damage that will be done to the house while we wait. Then he pretty much sealed his fate by insulting us; we were not going to be swayed by his 10% sign-today discount and when he asked if we would rather save the 10% now or pay almost $1000 more later, we said we would rather pay the additional cost later if we were confident that we could pay for the job. He implied that we were lying to him and said that we would not call him in the future. I advised him that he was rapidly losing any chance of our calling him by insulting us and implying that our word was not good. He left it with a handshake bet with my husband - if we call him within the next six months to do the work he will honor the $8909 and give us $1000 off of that because nobody ever calls him back. However, he was pouting and had an attitude about him, which rather turned me off.

We would not have spent an hour and a half of our time or his if we weren't seriously interested in what he was selling, but he wasn't paying attention to our needs that we expressly stated (namely, to not make a decision until we were comfortable with payment). We also told him several times, in response to his asking, that the only reason he was there was because the kid showed up at the door the day before and I could not pretend that I wasn't home, yet when we refused to place an order he asked us several times why we called them to come out if we weren't prepared to move ahead with the project. He also offended my husband by insisting several times that I be in on the presentation because, according to him, the wives always insist that they go ahead with the sale because the gutters make the house look so pretty.

I appreciate your feedback, Jim. I'm also interested in what you think of his behavior, given that I read elsewhere that you are in a similar line of work. If we decide to go with someone else, I am inclined to send a letter to him and his supervisor advising them of why he lost the sale, which will have nothing to do with the product or the price.

Jen S. in PA

Oh sorry, I meant JOHN, not JIM!!!

That's ok Jen :)

The type of sales tactic / pitch that you received seems to becoming more common. I can almost guarantee you that if you call reputable company's out of the phone book in your area, you will get a good quality product, and you may be shocked at how much lower the price may be, I'm just speculating. When I give a quote to a customer, I always encourage them to get three bids to make sure they are getting a fair price.

There are alot of these same type of company's in our area too, that are canvassing the neighborhood setting appointments and sending out the high pressure salesmen. We don't operate that way. I'm not saying that all of these types of company's are shisters but you just have to be careful.

Most of the time these company's won't even come out if both the husband and wife are not there, that way you can't blame it on your husband or he can't say well I need to talk it over with my wife when it comes down to the decision making. Usually when these company's want both of you home you can almost always expect a high pressure sales presentation.

I think alot of these company's or salesmen rather realize that you may not call them back once you do your homework and find out how much price gouging had took place during their presentation, I only say that because I think the price you received was way high unless you have an unusual home.

I'm not affiliated with Alcoa other than we just install their products in our local areas here but when it comes time, you can contact Alcoa via their web site at www.AlcoaHomes.com and request a list of contractors that can perform the same type of work in your area that you are looking for or you can obviously go to your local yellow pages. If you have any other questions just post them here or email me.

Thanks

Based on prices for regular gutters in my area, they would make handsome profits at half the price quoted to you. That much regular guttering cost me about $900.00 installed including downspouts.

Jen:

My name is Tim Staub, and I own Elko Products, the maker of the Elko GuttaGard. For a professionally installed job, you can get GuttaGard on your home for less than $1,000. If your husband is willing to climb a ladder with a flat head screwdriver and a pair of tin snips, he can do in in about one hour for less than $200.

GuttaGard is a solid aluminum gutter protection product that operates on the same physical principle as the high priced alternatives. It has a simple patented clip (a new and improved clip that has been tested in hurricane force winds) that makes it simple to install.

More importantly, when it clogs (and eventually every product WILL clog), it's easy to remove and clear the clog from the downspout (where 95% of clogs occur).

You can find us online, and we also have a toll free number. I don't feel it's appropriate to post it here, but if you Google "GuttaGard", you'll find us. I'd be happy to talk with you directly.

We also offer a free Consumer Guide to the Gutter Protection Industry on line. Please drop by and visit, Jen.

Good luck in your decision.

Tim Staub
President
Elko Products

Thanks for the comments, guys. We will keep these products in mind while doing our research.

Jen S. in PA

hello jen

I own Flo-master gutter systems located here in langhorne, Pa. You probably have seen our ads in val-pak, money mailer, clipper.. etc, We are one of the tri-state area's biggest gutter protection companies (second only to gutter helmet).

I have reviewed what dixie has quoted you and to be honest... its over twice what you should be paying. THos "wedge wood" pieces cost .22 cents a piece so they arent breaking the bank installing them.

Please allow one of our estimators come out and give you a no - obligation quote on what you have. We offer thickgrade .32 seamless gutters in 24 custom colors. All of our gutters are hung with hidden screw type gutter hangers every 30" We offer two different gutter covers that range from lifetime warranty to 2 years.

The company has installed over 38,000 feet of gutter and gutter protection in 2005 alone and we have people available here 24 hours a day to speak with you.

call us and well see if we cant help you out with your gutter problems.

Matt Difabio
Flo-Master Gutter Systems
215-757-6920
609-386 FLOW
877 FLO-GTTR

What's with all the self-advertising?!!! Staub posts essentially the same ad every time someone inquires about gutter covers ... and now Flomaster is blatant enough to apparently include his home, business and cell phone numbers to solicit business!

Has anyone besides a salesman tried the Gutter Filter?
I have lots of oaks and acorns and want some kind of gutter cover. thanks

Check out gutterstuff.com while you're checking the others. I'm not connected with them in any way, but it sounds like a good option. Our house is two story in front and three story in back, with so many neighbors trees always dropping or blowing something that I'm considering it. Only problem seems to be that its a new unique product, and they seem to limit their distributors so the only competition is other types of gutter guards. Don't know price right now but rep at Home Show quoted $10./ft. This included installation and checking gutters for proper pitch. Looking at the seedlings growing in my gutter, doesn't sound bad. Sorry I can't include the link but don't know how.

I also had gutter helmet installed,they are ICE MACHINES which would be ok if I sold ice or we were in hell! Oh wait,these things have made my life hell. What a waste of money.I have ridge vents and soffit vents they still claim lack of venting is the cause but also state they are not venting experts.I called after the very first snow and they still couldn't get out to see the byproduct of their product.They came in May! All these companies know there is a problem with aluminum snow and sun, without sun I don't get hardly any icicles my house is overbuilt with 6" walls and more than enough insullation and venting,they just fail to fully disclose what you might be in for,and our safety and satisfaction means nothing to them compared to our money.I am currently involved with the bbb and am going to go to arbitration.People need to speak up and try and unite around this blatant misrepresentation of these products