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Sears Informative - Replacement Window Estimates - Replacement Windows
Replacement Windows
I have been receiving estimates from replacement companies and am attempting to compare products. I have received one quote from Home Depot, one from THV that sells Thermal Line triple pane windows and two quotes from Sears. Home Depot and THV have both supplied me with written information about their windows, i.e. warranties. Both Home Depot and THV showed me models of windows that they are selling.
In the past I have purchased windows from Sears without comparing price or quality under high pressure sales tactics and was not an informed consumer.
The current estimates I am getting are based on 4 double hung windows 35w x 43L and 1 window 35w x 35L and 1 slider window of 70w x 43L. The first price estimate from Sears came in a little over $5,000 for Low E^2/Argon Southern Climate WeatherBeater Max windows. Later, a Sears representative followed up to find why I did not purchase the windows. After a reading off a list a four questions, the representative determined that was price was the factor. He said Sears would send out another representative with s substantially lower price. Though price was a factor, it was not the only factor.
My concern is the salesman did not seem willing to provide any guarantees in writing. I never receive an warranty on the first set of windows I purchased just a 3 year warranty on the installation on the contract I signed which I explained to the salesman. This salesman claimed that window seal failure was warranted for a lifetime and told me if I could find a warranty from a company the guarantees the window seal failure it that would be good window because it is rare for window seal failure to be warranted. I asked him to send a copy of the warranty from Sears that states that window seals are guaranteed. I never received it.
A second salesman came with a lower quote of about $4,000 but with line of windows called Sears limited with Low e^2/Argon with only difference of the windows being space 7/8" on the Weatherbeater Max verses 3/4" on the Sears Limited. No model window was shown. I was told the warranty on Sears Limited for glass breakage for twenty years, however he could not provide me anything in writing what the warranty covered during his visit.
In summary, it appears that Sears puts as little information as possible in writing to make in next to impossible to compare their products with their competition. It appears they expect a consumer to have blind faith to believe whatever their salesman promises is true. Noteworthy, on their contacts they note that any verbal agreements made by the salesman is non binding.
In the past I have purchased windows from Sears without comparing price or quality under high pressure sales tactics and was not an informed consumer.
The current estimates I am getting are based on 4 double hung windows 35w x 43L and 1 window 35w x 35L and 1 slider window of 70w x 43L. The first price estimate from Sears came in a little over $5,000 for Low E^2/Argon Southern Climate WeatherBeater Max windows. Later, a Sears representative followed up to find why I did not purchase the windows. After a reading off a list a four questions, the representative determined that was price was the factor. He said Sears would send out another representative with s substantially lower price. Though price was a factor, it was not the only factor.
My concern is the salesman did not seem willing to provide any guarantees in writing. I never receive an warranty on the first set of windows I purchased just a 3 year warranty on the installation on the contract I signed which I explained to the salesman. This salesman claimed that window seal failure was warranted for a lifetime and told me if I could find a warranty from a company the guarantees the window seal failure it that would be good window because it is rare for window seal failure to be warranted. I asked him to send a copy of the warranty from Sears that states that window seals are guaranteed. I never received it.
A second salesman came with a lower quote of about $4,000 but with line of windows called Sears limited with Low e^2/Argon with only difference of the windows being space 7/8" on the Weatherbeater Max verses 3/4" on the Sears Limited. No model window was shown. I was told the warranty on Sears Limited for glass breakage for twenty years, however he could not provide me anything in writing what the warranty covered during his visit.
In summary, it appears that Sears puts as little information as possible in writing to make in next to impossible to compare their products with their competition. It appears they expect a consumer to have blind faith to believe whatever their salesman promises is true. Noteworthy, on their contacts they note that any verbal agreements made by the salesman is non binding.
Comments:
Posted by Too Good To Be True on 2007-09-19:
Good information.
I voted your review 'Very Helpful'.
I voted your review 'Very Helpful'.
Posted by DigitalCommando on 2007-09-19:
There were 3 fresh Army recruits waiting to be shipped off to Iraq. One recruit said to the others "I know it's going to get hot over there, so i'm gonna bring a solar powered fan" The second recruit say's "Yeah, I know, I'm going to bring a big block of ice" The third recruit was from arkansas and he said "I'm going to bring a car door!" A car door? Why would you wan't to bring a car door? The third recruit answers "Well, if it gets really hot, i'll just roll the window down!........ Seriously though, you should ask a few contractors in your area and see what windows they like/don't like as these are the guys who have had to deal with the problems, and their opinions won't be motivated by profit.
Posted by Too Good To Be True on 2007-09-19:
DigitalCommando: lol
Posted by spiderman2 on 2007-09-20:
Since you have had previous bad experiences with Sears and are not happy with them now. I suggest you use someone else. I would also suggest that you contact local contractors or window installers instead of going through a box store.
Posted by Lidman on 2007-09-20:
LeeMan, very good information that should be helpful to anyone thinking of buying new windows.
Thanks and very good review.
Thanks and very good review.
Posted by squeekie on 2007-09-20:
dude don't go through sears or home depot, lowes, ect to have contract work done. call the little guys directly ask your neighbors who they might suggest. those big companies make a killing off people like us. I has Home depot do an estimate on a our roof, 13 1/2 square, they quotes us about $4500 higher than a previous quote. do some homework and hirea local person. I bet it will get done better as they depend on word of mouth.
Posted by LeeMan on 2007-09-20:
Thanks for the feedback. I will be getting my next estimates from local contractors. I did not think the proposals were reasonable. I felt the salesman may have believed he had a easy sale at first from a potential repeat customer. However, when I stated some of my concerns regarding Sears prior sales practice, the salesman told me at one point I was wasting his time. However, I pointed out to him it was Sears who prompted a second quote. I was hoping for better this time around, but that was not to be.
Posted by squeekie on 2007-09-20:
LeeMan, you wasting his time was a guilt trip. Iwouldn't trust sears or home depot either. Id get up on my own roof and shingle it myself before id let one of their contractors touch my house. same goes for about any other repair. Im glad you will be looking into some little guys. ask around. see what you come up with. good luck!
Posted by ninny on 2007-09-20:
I wonder if we can get enough people together on this site and elsewhere , to stop shopping at sears. Maybe then we can get their attention. Money talks.
Sears
3333 Beverly Road
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192-3322
attn: customer service
Sears
3333 Beverly Road
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192-3322
attn: customer service
Posted by squeekie on 2007-09-20:
I agree ninny you spend alot of money for poor service. I have seen so many complaints against sears lately. I rarely go there for much of anything anymore.
Posted by Too Good To Be True on 2007-09-20:
Another Sears complaint.
Posted by geather-c on 2007-09-21:
going rate in my area eastern North Carolina is $250-$300 per window buy from home depot,lowes etc. yourself. pella brand seems to stand out try to find and independent contracter as sears does,but adds a markup so you pretty much pay them for little to nothing,be sure to get references and a written contract,warranty etc you watch court t.v don't you? if thy can't provide this run don't walk away.don't ever pay up front maybe pay for materials and labor when the job is done OH! if you pay by credit card(not debit) the credit card company offers protection ,but check first. the main point I'am getting at is COVER YOUR ASS and pay by check if you don't have a credit card with enough balance even if you have to take the person,company to the bank to cash your check.remember trust has to be earned..get info to let you know the person,people are who they say they are,contact local atthorities to see if they have a license and are bonded.hope this helps.
Posted by alwes on 2007-09-28:
Hey Thanks! I found this review sooo helpful.We just had a Sears rep come out and give us a quote last night and almost passed out when they gave us the price. We were tempted to sign because of the so called great warranty they were offering us but something told us to hold off. We have been talking about installing our own windows but are still at a loss on what window brands are good quality windows. Do you have any suggestions on quality brands? I live in Orange County, Ca. Any info. or suggestions you guys can share on installing your own will be of much help and greatly appreciated.
Posted by LeeMan on 2007-10-02:
Alwes,
Try JDPower website www.jdpower.com under the tab homes. It gives results of consumer satisfactions of various windows. Simonton windows were rated number 1 by builders. It is just a matter of finding a contractor that installs the brand of window you desire. Anderson and Certaintweed were among the top windows. In a small town in Kentucky my choices are more limited. The nearest dealer for my city is Nashville and I believe a town in Illinois for Simonton windows, but the difficult matter is finding a contractor that installs this brand. The contractors in our area usually have a preference of one brand. One factor is compare the thickness of the PCV and make sure it is 100% vinyl. Energy savings in replacement windows greatly overated. The average time to recoup your costs in energy savings can be over 10 years depending on how much you pay per window and cost per KWH even replacing single pane aluminum windows. There is window company in my town that "guarantee" you will recoup your costs in 8 years. However, there are so many loop holes in the warranty that they have actually "guaranteed" you nothing. The AAMA website can provide you manufacturer information on windows. I am purchasing new windows mainly for cosmetic reasons. I calculated the worst possible savings of energy costs per year of a $125 and it take 40 years to recoup my cost on $4,000 worth of windows. However, if you are planning to sale your house within a year, your payback typically would be much better.
Try JDPower website www.jdpower.com under the tab homes. It gives results of consumer satisfactions of various windows. Simonton windows were rated number 1 by builders. It is just a matter of finding a contractor that installs the brand of window you desire. Anderson and Certaintweed were among the top windows. In a small town in Kentucky my choices are more limited. The nearest dealer for my city is Nashville and I believe a town in Illinois for Simonton windows, but the difficult matter is finding a contractor that installs this brand. The contractors in our area usually have a preference of one brand. One factor is compare the thickness of the PCV and make sure it is 100% vinyl. Energy savings in replacement windows greatly overated. The average time to recoup your costs in energy savings can be over 10 years depending on how much you pay per window and cost per KWH even replacing single pane aluminum windows. There is window company in my town that "guarantee" you will recoup your costs in 8 years. However, there are so many loop holes in the warranty that they have actually "guaranteed" you nothing. The AAMA website can provide you manufacturer information on windows. I am purchasing new windows mainly for cosmetic reasons. I calculated the worst possible savings of energy costs per year of a $125 and it take 40 years to recoup my cost on $4,000 worth of windows. However, if you are planning to sale your house within a year, your payback typically would be much better.
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