Please can someone - anyone - advise me. A year ago in December 2006 I
signed an initial contract for double glazing windows for my flat from
a VERY large d.g. company. The sales rep. was quite happy to take my
£1000 deposit. Then an engineer called to take measurements and
confirm the style - which had to fit in with the others in the block.
Everest told me that metal frame PVC windows would be best. HOWEVER I
also showed the two reps. a crack in the inner wall caused by a longer
crack in the outer wall which at the time was thought to be caused by
subsidence &/or a thermal effect (whatever that is). I now understand
that metal frames are the worst to have installed in cases of cracks
in walls. So I have not signed the second contract to agree that metal
framed windows are what I want. NOW the co. is charging me an EXTRA
£1500 for 'wasted materials.' Since I didn't sign the second contract
there shouldn't be any wasted materials. So the co. is also theatening
bailiffs to collect the extra £1500. Obviously I am going to challenge
them not only for the return of the deposit but also for wrongly
advising me on the type of windows required knowing full well the
problems with the crack in the wall. They need to be wooden framed.
But what if the bailiffs call round when I am in out or town? Can they
simply break in and take what they want, leaving my flat door with
broken locks etc.? And how do I fight the comnpany? Apparently from
various web sites they can be real b'stards when it comes to bullying
'troublesome' customers. Many thanks - Chris B.

On 22 Dec, 20:35, CJB wrote:
Please can someone - anyone - advise me. A year ago in December 2006 I
signed an initial contract for double glazing windows for my flat from
a VERY large d.g. company. The sales rep. was quite happy to take my
£1000 deposit. Then an engineer called to take measurements and
confirm the style - which had to fit in with the others in the block.
Everest told me that metal frame PVC windows would be best. HOWEVER I
also showed the two reps. a crack in the inner wall caused by a longer
crack in the outer wall which at the time was thought to be caused by
subsidence &/or a thermal effect (whatever that is). I now understand
that metal frames are the worst to have installed in cases of cracks
in walls. So I have not signed the second contract to agree that metal
framed windows are what I want. NOW the co. is charging me an EXTRA
£1500 for 'wasted materials.' Since I didn't sign the second contract
there shouldn't be any wasted materials. So the co. is also theatening
bailiffs to collect the extra £1500. Obviously I am going to challenge
them not only for the return of the deposit but also for wrongly
advising me on the type of windows required knowing full well the
problems with the crack in the wall. They need to be wooden framed.
But what if the bailiffs call round when I am in out or town? Can they
simply break in and take what they want, leaving my flat door with
broken locks etc.? And how do I fight the comnpany? Apparently from
various web sites they can be real b'stards when it comes to bullying
'troublesome' customers. Many thanks - Chris B.

Get some advice from a local citizens advice. It's a contractual
issue, and depends on a few factors, so unless we know all the
contract details and all of what went on, then advice could be way
out.

Don't worry about bailiffs. Court bailiffs can only be used after a
CCJ is obtained and then only if you default on any court order. They
may employ 'debt collectors' but these have no power at all - just say
"No thanks" and close the door. There is nothing they can do.

State your position to the company and reach a resolution. If they
want to take it further, then company will have to pursue a civil
claim, and then you will argue against their claim, and counterclaim
for your losses.

dg

CJB wrote:
Please can someone - anyone - advise me. A year ago in December 2006 I
signed an initial contract for double glazing windows for my flat from
a VERY large d.g. company. The sales rep. was quite happy to take my
£1000 deposit. Then an engineer called to take measurements and
confirm the style - which had to fit in with the others in the block.
Everest told me that metal frame PVC windows would be best. HOWEVER I
also showed the two reps. a crack in the inner wall caused by a longer
crack in the outer wall which at the time was thought to be caused by
subsidence &/or a thermal effect (whatever that is). I now understand
that metal frames are the worst to have installed in cases of cracks
in walls. So I have not signed the second contract to agree that metal
framed windows are what I want. NOW the co. is charging me an EXTRA
£1500 for 'wasted materials.' Since I didn't sign the second contract
there shouldn't be any wasted materials. So the co. is also theatening
bailiffs to collect the extra £1500. Obviously I am going to challenge
them not only for the return of the deposit but also for wrongly
advising me on the type of windows required knowing full well the
problems with the crack in the wall. They need to be wooden framed.
But what if the bailiffs call round when I am in out or town? Can they
simply break in and take what they want, leaving my flat door with
broken locks etc.? And how do I fight the comnpany? Apparently from
various web sites they can be real b'stards when it comes to bullying
'troublesome' customers. Many thanks - Chris B.

You have been appropriately astute in the wording of your dilemma. If it
is Everest, I'd kick up a fuss - they would hate adverse PR. Having said
that I have used Everest twice, firstly for secondary glazing and then
for a d/g front door which has been in place for circa fifteen years
without problem. Their secondary glazing was good as well. I had no
problem with them at all and guess they will hate bad PR.

Recently had Zenith/ StayBright replace all our windows and soffit/
gutters et al. with excellent service bar two issues - they decided to
literally rip out wrought iron brackets which were an original feature
of the house (and had our hanging baskets on them) damaging the face of
the brickwork (another feature of the house) and their estimator decided
for whatever reason that our bathroom window was a brick course deeper
than other windows in the house! The fitters ripped out the windows
prior to ensuring that the new ones were the right size! Result, the
fitters decided, without talking to me, that they should take out a
course of bricks below the window to install the oversized one
temporarily! Thankfully, they found enough new bricks in the eves later
so that the final installation did match the existing brickwork!