"We were told that this was a top of the line window and the price was only valid for today etc"

If this is what you were told by the contractor, it is more than likely that the ride has already begun. If it were me, this quote and contractor would be dismissed.

The soft lite elements most certainly is the best or at least one of the best windows made.

Harvey and andersen wouldnt come close in comparison.

I disagree with bpchill, why would you totally dismiss this contractor. Should he have said his window is the worst ever made? Lol

The window that would be equal or slightly below would be the sunrise window restoration series and maybe the enviro star 800 from okna.

fosterg - I wasn't referencing the first portion of the quote, but rather the second portion of the quote, where it states that the price was ONLY VALID FOR TODAY. Sorry you missed that part :), Therefore, I was dismissing only the contractor and not the window and the top performer it is.

Fair enough Bpchill.

As far as the " good for today" pitch; a lot of companies do that so their salesman dont need to make more trips to the home. I dont do that but some do and i have no problem with that. As long as they install a good window properly and dont charge an outlandish amount of money, nothing wrong with the today only price.

"a lot of companies do that so their salesman dont need to make more trips to the home. I dont do that but some do and i have no problem with that"

I do have a problem it, and like bp, I'd eliminate that contractor from consideration. Any sign of dishonesty or manipulation is a red flag.

You wouldnt do that? How do you make money my friend ?

Nothing wrong with what that salesman is doing. No offense but i dont believe you really feel that way. By the way, being the so called " honest guy" is a sales pitch. We all do it so we separate ourselves. Lets get real.

To the OP, was the salesman respectful? Is his company highly regarded?

Do you like the window? If so, you are in good hands.

That's a really bad quote. I'm in northern Virginia and the best quote I received for soft lite elements triple pane with krypton gas was 750 per window, with the average window being about 33x63. I ended up getting imperial ls double panes for 650 each.

No I wouldn't do that. I make money by being honest with my customers, convincing them that I'm offering the quality products they're looking for, and that I'll provide them with a level of service that is worthy of their business. I don't always succeed of course, but I don't feel the need to resort to high pressure sales tactics regardless. You may think it's just the "honest guy" sales pitch, but it's the way I conduct business, since it's the way I would want to be treated if I were the customer.

UltraWindows - Thank you for sustaining and maintaining the level of integrity that any industry deserves. I am in Sales myself, when I quote a price - that is the price, whether you accept it at the time of submittal or 6 months from that time.

Yes - As fosterg and I have already pointed out the product which you are considering is indeed a good product. I would be interested in knowing, if you didn't accept the contractor with the "good for today" price what he/she will offer you then. My experience with this type of sales pitch, within the window industry, is that they will drop the price.

Fosterg,

I ended up getting roughly 10 quotes before I settled on a contractor. I must say the majority of them were straight forward, with no special "buy today price". Those days are gone. People read forums like these and are not idiots. We don't fall for those gimmicks anymore.

FWIW, I have had the opportunity to interact with Randy at Ultra Windows over the course of several years now, and I can vouch for the fact that what you see is what you get in his comments. The ethical way in which he runs his operation and contributes on this and other forums is beyond reproach. Bpchill has made nothing but respectful, fair, and informed comments as well. Although I can't speak to his/her background, the explanation given does not sound at all inconsistent with the posting history.

As for the quote, Elements is a great performer. That price is probably toward the higher end of what is considered the normal range, but if it is a Cadillac option package and/or complex install, that would explain things... Really can't say for sure without knowing every detail... On the one day only price, I'll say this: I wouldn't say that there is much wrong with telling someone that you are willing to give them a few hundred dollars off if they feel comfortable moving forward. Afterall, it is saving time and money associated with followup, and giving an honest explanation of that is fine. That said, it is a common practice in this industry to use that as a high pressure tactic, including significant price drops that are illogical. It can also be indicative of other similar tactics where ethics can be open to question. Much like the price, it may be unfair to judge in this case without more info, but unfortunately those guys tend to be the rule, not the exception.

All that said, I'd recommend getting another quote or two and dealing with a company that you feel is trustworthy.

ppurus, to give you a comparison from a homeowner. I priced out a few windows (Simonton 5500, Simonton new construction, Grand Estates new construction, Okna 5500). The estimates were really all within hundreds of dollars. I have 10 windows and 3 doors, and my estimates were just under $11,000 NOT including installation which will be probably another $5-7K due to the fact we are changing current windows to doorways, etc. so a lot of structural work. I have read good reviews on that window. In my extremely limited experience I'd think your estimate seems fair. I was personally surprised that some of the lower quality windows came in about the same price, and I did wonder if it had to do with the fact that those retailers were aware of where I live. Some people here throw money at renos like it grows on trees, however I'm just a regular joe. Or josephine. Whatever :)

Some helpful feedback happyallison. Were your new windows installed yet?

fosterg, not yet, they are on order. They will probably be in within two weeks, however I had some special order doors and so those will be ready in a month. I will let you know how it goes!

Thank you for all the useful information. The fighting was entertaining for a while and then it got old.

We're going to get another quote before making a decision on the installer/window brand . I'll post again once we move forward.

We are always good for a little brawling from time to time. Keeps you on your toes.

As far as the today only price, I think it is acceptable under certain conditions. If the drop for the "today only" price is anything more than 1-2%, I think it is disingenuous. The reality is that the salesperson only has "X" amount of hours in the day and if you do decide to do business with him, that is one less client that he may be able to see/sell on the day that you would like to have him back. There certainly is a price associated with that if you are a salesperson. In some companies, the company will allow the salesperson to incentivize the sale with a small contribution from the salesperson in order to close out the project.

If the drop is anything large, it is smoke and mirrors and borders on offensive in many cases.

This was a little over two years ago what became of this. Also you did not say what type of window. Slider, Single hung, double or Casement. I would run if a salesman came across like that "this quote is only good today" Always Get a few quotes . We just did our rental in California just want to make sure we are on the same page (Replacement windows) I'm not trying to rub salt in any wounds we also had 10 windows replaced as well. At the grand total $3,700 installed and we are not talking about small windows either. One window is a 3 light panel common for older homes. This where it get's weird found the installer on Craigslist yes Craigslist, I think we got lucky. This guy went well and beyond customer service, was on time with his samples also checked in to see if we spoke with the Manufacturer after he left.

Also had one small problem with the large window 3 light panel the other windows grids did not match the center that is a fixed window, off so slightly. I called the installer he called the manufacturer. The manufacture sent there own Handyman out not the installer to fixed the problem less than two weeks. In those two weeks the installer also was calling and checking in to make sure the problem got resolved

Excellent service on both sides.

FROM TIME HE LEFT TOOK THE MEASUREMENTS TO THE MANUFACTURE 10 DAYS TO MAKE THEM AND INSTALL. More strange stuff, I don't know what windows I have!I I do and I don't. The company is Nuimage in Orange County somehow speaking with the manufacture they said they inquired Infinity windows which was part of Marvin windows which is a superior window company. If you look up infinity they are unique either you like them or you don't. Many companies acquire other companies. I'm thinking Marvin is branching out or getting out of replacement windows. Here is another example Sierra Pacific has inquire Hurd windows. We are living in this rental temporary we are building a custom house out of state we are having huge problem finding New Construction windows In our price point this is how I found this blog. I was looking into Softlite as well. Maybe I will call the company who did our rental see if they can recommend any other company or they can help in our new state.

douglas, in the few parts of that post that were actually coherent, you gave some pretty bad advice if the idea is to get a good value on window and install. You don't even know for sure what windows you have let alone their quality or efficiency, you hired a random installer from craigslist (hide your children), and you got it all for next to nothing. What a deal! I can tell you without a doubt that good installers are next to impossible to find these days, they definitely aren't looking for work on craigslist. The stuff on marvin is wrong too. There are is some separation in Marvin structurally between their fiberglass lines and the main Marvin lines, but they've not sold anything off, nor did they file bankruptcy and have their assets purchased like Hurd/Sierra pacific. Its true that the Integrity is a nice window, highly unlikely that it is the window that you got for that price. Pretty much impossible actually.

Ron I don't think you understand my post, It's pretty straight forward before you slam installers you don't know you should do your own research. First and foremost we are happy with the windows and service. Trust me catch up and start reading the nightmares out there. Why don't you check the company out first "Nuimage" no difference than any other big name companies Andersen, Pella, are doing the same, hiring third party installers. Big deal I found my guy on craigslist. Where do you think Home Depot Lowes, Andersen, Pella get theirs. I'm sure done of them as ever posted a ad for work?

Have you seen there installers and here the complaints.

So let's say I called Nuimage, they sent the same installer out, I wouldn't have know he's is on craigslist (Right) Ron you are the expert inform me and others what's the difference of a classified ad in a paper than craiglist? All he is doing is drumming up business. Maybe Nuimage is paying him to advertise to sell their product on Craigslist? All I know I have a warranty with Nuimage not the (Installer) and they already proven their warranty.

I love the fit and finished on mine as well don't have that big old gaudy funshion wield either.

And yes I do have the specs of these windows and along what type of glass. I just was was not sure who built them Nuimage or Infinity. I'm sure there knock offs however very happy so far. So the reason for my post since you can't comprehend it was I thought the quote of $13,000 plus for 10 windows was high, I was just sharing my two cents.

Sure the old quote is you get what "you pay for" REALLY!

Start reading and please see all the issues with these high end windows and the class action lawsuits going on!

Trust me I think all manufactures have some sort of issues to a certain degree.

Everybody please get a few quotes and read the warranty carefully, warranty is key!

My windows

outside one of 9

Sounds like you found a good installer. If we are going to play the averages on Craigslist...this will mean that the next 4,856 installers that are selected via Craigslist will be absolute disasters.

Obviously I am kidding about the totals, but the reality is that most folks would be doomed if they approached labor selections like this. I think taking your experience with a grain of salt here is probably a solid recommendation here.

I don't doubt the guy did a good job, but I suspect that if your windows started leaking in a year, that you won't be posting back up with follow up to a narrative that would undermine your logic. That isn't anything about your personally, just human nature to avoid any negativity.

The sad reality is that craigslist is a very mixed bag and much of it isn't good.