“Last week, an elderly lady in Hughenden Valley was approached at the door by someone informing her that there had been a legal dispute concerning the quality of the guttering fitted on her house. As a result of this, the caller said that they were in a position to supply and fit replacements free of charge.

The lady was already aware that her guttering was in need of some attention, so she agreed to these people coming to her house the next day to do the work. After they had started the work, she became concerned and she consulted a friend who recommended that she should speak to Trading Standards. She phoned Trading Standards and they sent someone to see her straight away.

Meanwhile, she made the workers aware of what she had done. They made an excuse of needing to collect more materials and left immediately – before Trading Standards arrived. It then became apparent that not only had they removed her guttering, but they had also removed the soffits and facia panels as well.

Fortunately, no money changed hands, but it was highly likely that some excuse for payment would have been forthcoming if they had stayed any longer. Needless to say, they never returned! Trading Standards are advising residents to be on their guard and not to deal with cold-callers. If you have any information on this incident or a similar scam or have been the victim of doorstep crime please report it to Consumer Direct on 0808 156 2259.”

If you have any information in relation to this message, please contact Thames Valley Police on 08458 505 505 To find out more about Thames Valley Police in your area – please go to their website at www.thamesvalley.police.uk

If you have information about crime but do not want to speak to the police, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Another aim was also to actually augment sales during the school summer holidays by selling some replacement double glazed windows and doors as well as find out how our company is perceived in the marketplace. I am approaching the task was with “a warts and all” straight down the line free consultation about what the options and costs really are, plus also supply a written no obligation quote for customers to consider in their own time and space. I have been keen to distance myself from the ancient traditional selling tactics still employed by some double glazing companies, as I am appalled by any hard sell approach, so much so, that if anyone tries it on with me, I personally will never buy on principle, even if I want the product, think the price is reasonable and the company has a good name.

My experience over the last 8 weeks of “selling” aluminium, composite and UPVC residential doors, bi-folding and sliding doors, French doors and sliding patio doors, along with “A” rated UPVC and aluminium energy saving windows has been a really enjoyable one. I’ve met over 30 different customers so far, and visited many different properties, all with differing requirements.

I’ve been encouraged by how well Hazlemere Windows is perceived, and treated with real courtesy by the customer’s I’ve visited. I have also been thrilled that over a dozen folk so far have kindly said they wish to proceed, which considering I have never sold double glazing before, is very encouraging, and a credit to the brand strength of Hazlemere Windows name and quality of their products, fabricators, fitters and installation.

My finding show that there remains a whole in the market for double glazing companies with a genuinely honest and straightforward approach. Consumers seem fed up with the lack of integrity and morality exhibited by double glazing sales representatives, many of whom they had difficulty getting out of their homes!

Whilst it is deeply disappointing that such people and policies persist within the double glazing industry, such foolishness does rather pave the way for family firms such as Hazlemere Windows, who more than 26 years on, still don’t ask for a deposit for replacement retail windows, doors and Roofline, nor expect a penny till the installation is completed.

I am therefore proud to be associated with such a firm, who actually replaced all my own Beaconsfield property’s doors and windows with powder coated aluminium double glazing more than 18 years ago, and I’m still delighted with the quality of both the product and the installation.

Bi-Folding and Sliding Doors, Conservatories and Orangeries On Display in Hazlemere Showroom

Hazlemere Window Company Ltd, meanwhile do manufacture aluminium windows, doors, conservatories, curtain walling and orangeries in their factory next door to the showroom on Cressex Business Park, whilst also supplying and installing UPVC, composite and aluminium products.

The vast majority of the contemporary furniture on display was purchased from Peter Green furniture in Reading, who Hazlemere Window Company have negotiated a deal with to benefit their clients. Hazlemere Window Company customers visiting Peter Green’s impressive Reading or Southampton home furniture showroom will benefit from an exclusive 5% discount.

Hazlemere’s new showroom follows on from the company’s 38,000 square foot factory expansion in 2010, bringing the industrial and office space on site to 56,000 square feet. Hazlemere was established in 1985 by bothers Stuart, Ian and their father George Braham. His three sons Stuart (Managing Director), Ian (Conservatory Design Consultant) and Alan (Windows and Doors Consultant) remain the majority shareholders and all three still work full time in this family owned and run business.

Hazlemere are proud to be independent double glazing designs manufacturers, suppliers and installers of Commercial, Domestic and Trade architectural fenestration products, offering clients a wide range of profiles, materials, finishes and options, with every product, whether in aluminium, composite or UPVC being made bespoke to order from scratch.

Hazlemere Windows unique selling proposition in the retail market is that they a) have 26 years experience and expertise, b) are an established and trusted family firm, c) do NOT require any deposit, d) have their own designers, surveyors, fabricators, installers and service engineers, e) consequently control the entire process in house, f) will not install outside their retail trading area for the customer’s sake, and g) guarantee both window, door, conservatory and orangery products as well as each installation for ten years, whether is material chosen is aluminium, composite or UPVC.
Tweet

Steve Baker MP Opening Hazlemere Windows New 8,000 sq.ft. Wycombe Showroom

The High Wycombe Member for Parliament had previously had a complete factory tour of Hazlemere Windows adjacent aluminium windows, doors, conservatories and curtain walling double glazing factory in 2010. Steve was shown the four new conservatories and two new orangeries in new showroom, along with the wide range of aluminium, composite and UPVC replacement residential doors and windows on display.

Part of Hazlemere Windows New 8,000 Sq.Ft. Energy Saving Products Showroom

Along with the many local media and Trade Press representatives that attended the official launch day, Steve was extremely complimentary about the quality of the showroom and range of products on offer, so you can imagine this was a great encouragement to both the Directors and staff, as the new High Wycombe showroom has been specifically geared up to represent the energy saving thermally efficient long lasting products now demanded by consumers.
Tweet

On demonstration display is the latest technologically advanced thermally efficient energy saving double glazed windows and doors, along with contemporary and traditional conservatories and orangeries. Hazlemere’s experienced consultants will be on hand to offer free expert help and advice about the energy saving benefits of todays latest energy efficient modern materials and the ranges of double glazing home improvement products on offer.

Latest Energy Saving Energy Rated Windows, Doors, Conservatories & Orangeries

Just as if anyone comes along to the Showroom any time (it is open seven days a week), Hazlemere offer any home owner the opportunity to bring along their own sizes for windows, doors, conservatories, orangeries, porches and secondary glazing. By attending this launch event at Hazlemere’s home improvements showroom, Hazlemere’s expert consultants can provide customers with an “on the spot” no obligation estimate based on their measurements of their property’s exact requirements. To help customers do this Hazlemere offer a Quick Window Estimator to assist customer take decent enough measurements in order that the estimates provided will be as accurate as possible without viewing the property.

This free customer service by Hazlemere’s experienced professionals enables property owners to budget, plan and prioritize their current and future home improvement needs. So to benefit from Hazlemere’s genuine launch special open weekend offers, either go along or request a free home visit to carry out no obligation survey, consultation, and if required ask for a written no obligation quotation to consider in one’s own time.

Hazlemere Windows new 8,000 square foot High Wycombe home improvement showroom is on Wellington Road, High Wycombe HP12 3PR. The extensive display area has on show the latest energy saving aluminium and UPVC windows, doors, conservatories, orangeries, as well as secondary glazing, composite front doors, stable doors, aluminium and UPVC patio sliding doors, French doors and bi-folding and sliding doors.

Alternatively, you can freephone 08000 825825 or email enquiries@hazlemere.co.uk to book a free home improvements consultation with one of Hazlemere’s experienced window, door, conservatory, orangery, porch or home improvement experts in the comfort of your home, or at our showroom at a date and time totally convenient to you. Hazlemere Windows Showroom is open seven days a week, and there is always an expert on hand to advise on what the best products would be for your particular property.
Tweet

Logically, my thinking is that if retailers or manufacturers offer you an extended warranty on any product (usually an additional 2-4 years), I assume they do expect their products to last at least that long, or surely they would not take the risk of costly repairs and/or replacement, despite the fact they will have had some monies upfront if consumers do take up their “offer” of an extended warranty.

In an article published on the BBC’s business website on 14th April 2011 entitled “Extended warranties face study from OFT” it states that “Currently, retailers have to make it clear that buying an extended warranty is optional and not compulsory; that customers can have up to 30 days to buy the extra insurance cover; and that there is a 45-day cooling off period so they can change their mind after buying the warranty.”

The BBC also advises that if say you buy an MP3 player and it “breaks down precisely 366 days after you bought it. The large electronics firm that sold you the MP3 player says that because the one-year guarantee had elapsed, there’s nothing they can do to help you. You’ll just have to buy another one.”

However the truth under the Sale of Goods Act is that electronic goods like washing machines and MP3 players are “expected to last a long time”. The Sale of Goods Act says that your MP3 player must be fit for purpose.

“It must be as described. It must be of satisfactory quality, sufficiently durable, free from any defects,” says Dr Christian Twigg-Flesner, a consumer law expert at the University of Hull. According to the BBC’s business website “If you’ve ignored the manufacturer’s warnings and have been leaving the player out in direct sunshine and wearing it in the bath, then you probably haven’t got much of a case.”

“But if the player has been lovingly treated and has still conked out that suggests something may have been wrong with it at the very beginning. It works like this. For the first four-five weeks you have a “right of rejection” – if the item you’ve bought breaks down, you can demand a refund.”

“For the next six months, you are entitled to replacement or repair of the goods. It is up to the retailer to prove there was nothing wrong with it if they wish to get out of having to do the work. And then after six months, there is still a duty to replace or repair faulty goods, but the onus is on you, the consumer, to prove that there was something wrong.”

“And the key time span is six years. That’s how long goods may be covered by the Sale of Goods Act. It all depends on what “sufficiently durable” means. If a light bulb goes after 13 months, the consumer is not going to be overly gutted. If their washing machine goes after the same time span they are going to be livid.”

The government’s guidelines say: “Goods are of satisfactory quality if they reach the standard that a reasonable person would regard as satisfactory, taking into account the price and any description.”

“And be aware that if you go to the washing machine repairer, spend money attempting to diagnose an inherent fault, and find out you have been using it the wrong way, then you are going to be out of pocket.”

A key fact is that your relationship in the Sale of Goods Act is with the retailer, not the manufacturer.
“The retailer likes shepherding you off to the manufacturer,” says Dr Twigg-Flesner.

Hazlemere Window Company offers all its customers a robust ten year guarantee on all their aluminium and UPVC windows, doors and conservatories. Click here for details
Tweet

The Hazlemere Group wrote to every single customer/household on their database in June 2010, informing them of the significant changes to the building regulations after 30th September 2010. Property owners now only have 30 days including today to purchase our most affordable windows that meet current legal requirements. From 1st October 2010 onwards, we will only be able to provide them with windows that have an energy rating of C or higher.

I do however think it is important to point out that our double glazing that has less than a C rating still delivers excellent benefits, and is without doubt a much better option than sticking with old timber or single glazed crittal windows. Not only do you need to purchase these windows on or before 30th September 2010, but you must have had them installed by 5th April 2011 in order for them to be issued with a FENSA certificate. Hazlemere Windows are currently able to promise that we will have them installed and ready in your home well well before this final deadline, so there is no need to panic as long as you do request a no obligation quotation very very soon, and sign/date an order before the end of this month!

It is worth remembering that the cost of having new windows and doors put in your home is a much less costly option compared to moving house. When you add up all the costs of moving home such as paying stamp duty, estate agents fees, removal vans, solicitors and legal fees (most of which attract VAT as well), it can often make real financial sense not to change property, enabling you to stay in your current residence for a fraction of the cost.

Another reason it is worth considering ordering replacement double glazing now, is because as long as it is installed before Christmas 2010, you will avoid the 2.5% Valued Added Tax increase from 17.5% to 20% VAT that comes into effect on Tuesday 4th January 2011.

When looking at double glazing, take advantage of well established independent local firms that offer a genuine no obligation free home consultation by an experienced expert. From the outset, advise every firm you approach that you will not tolerate any hard selling tactics, plus that you will require a written quotation to consider in private. Make it clear you are not going to rush and that you will make any decision in your own time and space. Be wary of any double glazing sales person or firm that claims it can offer you delivery in only a few weeks, as ask yourself why are they not busy and able to offer delivery quicker than other firms quoting several months? If one firm has a substantially larger order book, it could well mean that more people had chosen to wait and have a longer delivery to get the firm, quality of product and workmanship they want, rather than rush to try and save money with a quick fit outfit desperate for the work.

It is all about choice, but the process of producing good quality energy efficient high quality bespoke replacement double glazing does take time. Firstly, after a client signs up, the sales consultant’s measurements, product specifications and costings have to be double checked. Then a professional surveyor needs to arrange a new appointment at the client’s convenience to take accurate exact measurements of each opening. From his survey and assessment of a particular property, the raw materials and appropriate glass is ordered. Upon receipt of these (which can take several weeks if the product required is not in standard colours or finish), the work is scheduled for production in the factory, enabling the windows and doors to be fabricated, then checked, before an installation date is set. Fitters are then assigned to carry out the installation on a mutually agreed date with the client.

Steer clear of any firm looking to cut corners in order to be able to deliver a lower cost product, as they will still be looking to make a profit out of the deal, so it may well be worth asking yourself at which point in the process will they do this? Where will they make their margin on your contract? Will there be any area of compromise? If so, will it be a) on the survey, b) on the quality of the raw materials, c) on the glass specification, d) during fabrication, e) on quality control, f) during installation or g) on after sales service? There is nearly always a reason why one firm is less and one is more, so please remember the faithful old saying that “you get what you pay for”.

I would therefore be wary of sales representatives and/or firms promising a quick delivery, as if they have lots of customers ordering they can’t do them all as priority, plus if they have taken a 25% deposit off you, it is very difficult to cancel the order if they don’t achieve the delivery date promised, as they have your money. At Hazlemere Window Company we don’t take any deposit and will quote a realistic genuinely achievable delivery period. I believe we therefore offer consumers the choice of waiting a little longer and ending up with a high quality product, installation and a ten year fully comprehensive guarantee, or taking a risk on a firm who are “promising” a fast delivery.

This risk can be reduced by doing thorough research into the product, the specification on offer and each of the firms under consideration. As nowadays energy efficient double glazing is not cheap, it is worth taking one’s time and carrying out sufficient investigation into your chosen double glazing supplier and installer, to ensure you get a decent return for the investment you are making in your property. You may be fortunate enough to have a job well done, as there are some really decent local independent UK double glazing manufacturers, suppliers and installers around, so don’t be rushed into signing on the dotted line, wait till the sales representative has gone before selecting the right product for your property.

Candidates should have excellent organisational skills, a very pleasant telephone manner and be a confident communicator.
This dynamic position is full time Monday to Friday 8.30am – 5.30pm, with 28 days holiday (including statutory Bank Holidays), with a salary commensurate with experience. We are an equal opportunities organisation. Hazlemere Group current vacancies

If you know anyone who would be suited who would like to apply, please get them to email their CV to Hazlemere with their availability and a covering letter explaining why they are particularly suited to this unique role to m.hanson@hazlemere.co.uk or post to HWC, Wellington Road, Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe, HP12 3PR. Closing date: 10am Tuesday 31st August 2010

Also Hazlemere Windows, Doors and Conservatories have a dedicated Service Department, run by an experienced Service Manager with two full time expert Service Engineers, who not only assist in delivering Hazlemere’s comprehensive ten year guarantee, but repair double glazed windows, doors and conservatories installed by other double glazing companies who no longer exist, leaving their unfortunate customers to pay for the repairs (as the “guarantee” is sadly often worthless) unless they took out an independent warranty, like the IWA one Hazlemere Windows offers to it’s retail customers.

Being a family firm with 25 years experience, Hazlemere will not take on retail work further afield than it can be certain of offering a first class after sales service to, hence why we will only go so far for the sake of both our valued customers and ourselves, as we will only take on a contract to replace one door and/or a whole houseful of windows if we can be certain we can offer a decent after sales service delivery for the customer concerned. So location is an issue, and one that our consultants take into account before making an appointment for the initial free consultation, site survey and no obligation quotation.

Distance from Hazlemere’s High Wycombe factory is an even bigger determining factor when it comes to designing, fabricating and installing UPVC and aluminium conservatories, as these tend to involve at least a dozen visits to site by a whole series of conservatory experts, including our conservatory design consultants, surveyor, site manager, ground workers, builders, bricklayers, electricians, installers, glaziers, plasterers and finally the operations director to ensure all works have been completed to the customers satisfaction.

Hazlemere have their own grab lorry, mini-digger, trucks and vans to be able to facilitate the entire construction of a conservatory “in-house” from start to finish to ensure a high quality finish, which is another reason why Hazlemere do put a finite limit on the distance they will travel to build a conservatory. Hazlemere can and do travel further afield to erect a “top only” if customers prefer to use a local builder to construct the conservatory base and any dwarf walls and soakaway (which can represent up to 40% of the costs of building a conservatory) to the scale plans provided by Hazlemere’s in-house conservatory design team and experienced conservatory surveyor.

In summary, the main reason Hazlemere’s retail operation will only go so far is to ensure it can and will, only supply and fit high quality double glazing windows, doors and conservatories that it guarantees to service throughout the fully comprehensive guarantee period of ten years.