Contractor has to see you AND the wife????

Group: alt.home.repair Date: Mon, Aug 18, 2003, 1:25pm (EDT+4) From:
c (TOM=A0KAN=A0PA)
Why won't a contractor come out to the house to give me an estimate? I
called a company that is applying that *liquid vinyl siding*. All I
wanted was an estimate. Wasn't going to pick a color. He insisted on
coming out in an evening when the wife was home. I told him that I knew
how much we could afford and if we go with it, then she can choose the
color. Nope, he would not come out just to give me alone an estimate.
Same for windows. We knew exactly what we wanted. Three sliders, two
double hung in white. Nope, we both had to be there. As far as I'm
concerned two sales could have been lost because of the bullheaded
stubborn policy.

+++++++++++++++++++
John wrote

Well, I see two sides to this, IMO both have legit reasons. I can see
the customers side but you also have to look at the contractors side.
It costs quite allot to give estimates, you require a vehicle, with
insurance, gas, and all the other expenses, then you have the sales
persons time and those expenses. I think it is somewhat reasonable to
expect the sales person to have the opportunity to see both. Don't
forget the estimates are free, if you were paying for them, the customer
has a more legit complaint.

The customer is requesting something for free, the requested can provide
it or not.