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carolinemurray Guest
14:28 25/01/06
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Re: "Subject To"
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Re ""Subject To"" posted by trakuk at 16:15 09/01/06 ...
I had 7 windows and french doors fitted by safestyle in Feb 05. The price was �3200 - this was half the of the cheapest quote I had before. The 3 hour sales pitch seems to be the norm for all the big firms. Safestyle were by no means the worst. I had a couple of problems on fit day with one window and door (damaged hinge on window and mark on glass of door. I can't fault the company, a fitter was back out the next morning to replace the hinge and the glass in the door was replaced within 3 weeks (it had to be made to order). The door dropped slightly after the glass refit, they didn't query my call and sent someone out to fix it - fair enough I had to wait a few weeks but for the price you pay and the 10 year warrenty I have no problem with the initial problems. Almost 12 months on any everything seems ok. The one thing that does't help their bad reputation is the customer service staff. I don't think they have any training and the few times I have spoke to them they are most unfriendly - however, the fitters have always been professional and polite.
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alir
19:30 23/01/06
Posts: 1 
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Sister company?
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| Does anybody know if Safestyle Uk and Virgo home improvements are linked?
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trakuk Guest
16:15 09/01/06
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"Subject To"
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Myself and my wife had the misfortune to sit through a 3 hour presentation from a Safestyle salesman we stated that we wanted 9 windows and a set of french doors, this with some haggling resulted in a price of �5300, now I don't know if this is a good price or not, he stated as you would expect that the price he quoted was for today only. My wife and I were both agreed that we would not sign anything and for this the salesman stated that Safestyle have been told by the trading standards that they can use the special conditions box on the contract to provide a subject to condition. This meant that as we said we would like to pay cash we could put in the special conditions box that we could put in there "subject to client arranging finances" could anyone confirm if this is legal.
Additionally the door selling regulations state
� If you agree to a visit after the seller rings you up or sends someone round to ask if he or she can visit, you still have the right to cancel within seven days.
Thanks
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NoWayWon'tPay
11:30 05/01/06
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Rogue Traders
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| Anyone thought about contacting Matt Allwright (sp) at Rogue Traders, I'm sure he would be delighted to check these guys out.
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pcll Guest
2:40 31/12/05
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Re: j.
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Re "j." posted by sunseekers at 10:42 16/03/05 ...
You are wrong. Please check your facts before posting. The survey fee you paid to Safestyle is not for the surveyor. AND IT IS RETURNABLE IN THE EVENT OF CANCELLATION. Too many people make assumptions before checking the details. Read your contract. I hope your installation went OK. I'm sure it did.
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Guest
13:21 30/12/05
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Re: God Damn
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Re "God Damn" posted by jchapman at 10:21 02/12/05 ...
hello. i myself work for safestyle..not as a fitter but an engineer,and i can assure you that although like you said you paid more for the product you can be assured that the fit will be of the highest quality.i have worked for many window companies and can tell you this safestyle DO look after thier customers and are definatley no rip off company.all i can say to those who supposedly hate safestyle is why print all the rubbish ...is it because YOU did not get the job!!!!
Post edited by moderator. I noticed your later post re mistake and amended this in line with your intended comments, however, I think the people who post "against" Safestyle are doing so to express their opinions based on thier experiences as a customer, it may be that some areas are receiving a less than satisfactory service from safestyle, leading to the posts you referred to
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ss Guest
12:10 17/12/05
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Re: Safestyle UK Reps
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Re "Re: Safestyle UK Reps" posted by Dura at 20:31 07/12/05 ...
I am a surveyor for said company, and like yourself i hate safestyle uk, as soon as ican find other employment i am off, but in the mean time let me assure you that i will make sure the customer gets everthing if not more than whats on the contract and it complies to ALL fensa regulations at whatever cost to the company, also be aware that there is a cooling off period of about 2 weeks and a cancellation form on the back of the green copy of the contract (please do not quote me on this as i am not 100% sure).
REMEMBER SAFESTYLE TREAT US LIKE S*** AND WE ARE ON THE CUSTOMERS SIDE.
PS Dont have if a good job doing opt for a 1-6 or 8-1 app time. (it makes a difference)
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davids
16:53 14/12/05
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| I recently applied to work for Safestyle UK as a sales consultant and really wish that I'd seen this site first as it would have saved me a lot of grief and wasted time. I was very dubious about them at the interview in a local hotel (why not in their branch office?) and my suspicions were aroused even more when I was being trained (in a different local hotel) to sell the product in what I can only describe as a highly unethical way. What worried me most is that they seemed to be training far more sales consultants than they could possibly require and the "pay deal" that I'd signed up to stating that "if I left within 9 months I would be liable to repay training costs of �1950 out of any outstanding commisions". When the penny dropped I realised that in all likelihood one would be worked very hard to get to the point where �1950 in commision was payable and then "let go", thereby allowing all commisions and profit earned by the sales consultants hard work to be divvied up between those in on the scam- Branch manager, recruiter and trainer , with costs for the product going on to the parent company. I could go on and on about what I saw and heard however my main point is DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT WORKING FOR THIS OUTFIT.
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davids
16:53 14/12/05
Posts: 2
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| I recently applied to work for Safestyle UK as a sales consultant and really wish that I'd seen this site first as it would have saved me a lot of grief and wasted time. I was very dubious about them at the interview in a local hotel (why not in their branch office?) and my suspicions were aroused even more when I was being trained (in a different local hotel) to sell the product in what I can only describe as a highly unethical way. What worried me most is that they seemed to be training far more sales consultants than they could possibly require and the "pay deal" that I'd signed up to stating that "if I left within 9 months I would be liable to repay training costs of �1950 out of any outstanding commisions". When the penny dropped I realised that in all likelihood one would be worked very hard to get to the point where �1950 in commision was payable and then "let go", thereby allowing all commisions and profit earned by the sales consultants hard work to be divvied up between those in on the scam- Branch manager, recruiter and trainer , with costs for the product going on to the parent company. I could go on and on about what I saw and heard however my main point is DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT WORKING FOR THIS OUTFIT.
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Dura Guest
20:31 07/12/05
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Re: Safestyle UK Reps
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Re "Re: Safestyle UK Reps" posted by holcrav at 13:15 17/11/05 ...
After 2 hours hard sales by a salesaman who turned up at my door, I am now �4000 indebted to Safestyle and GE money. To say the least I could have got my windows �1500 cheaper from other companies. I have always been assertive and never before taken in by door to door salepeople, on this occassion with their very hard sales tactics I am afraid I have been taken in BIG TIME. I have since discovered by neighbours and colleagues that they were not impressed by their service from start to finish.
My only hope now is that the installation will be ok. Watch this space
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jchapman Guest
10:21 02/12/05
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God Damn
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| You people, tut tut. I mean, come on. Why do people insist on posting grumbles about a company with nearly 30 branches nationwide all with on target sales of 30 to 50 thousand pounds per night. Now that is a massive operation. What you have to remember is this company which was set up on a loan of a couple of thousand pounds. Within the last 11 years or so it has become massive. They are the only company advertising on television. Backed by west yorkshire fire service, Fensa, glass and glazing federation and many others. They have done tv shows like better homes with carol vorderman. Its not a crap company, they just want to do a job and when people want the rock bottom price and haggle for ages with salesman, there is nothing left in it for them. what sort of service and reliability do you expect from a company that you have drained everything out of within a couple of hours in your house? 1h 30mins is sufficient to get the deal done and get rid. Remember, the fitters get 11% of the job you pay for. Divide that up over the amount of fitters and the time it takes, into an hourly wage......would you work well for it???? you get what you pay for.....if you dont then grumble....they do have baseball bats though
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warweezil Site Admin
14:03 17/11/05
Posts: 277
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Re: Safestyle UK Reps
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Re "Re: Safestyle UK Reps" posted by holcrav at 13:15 17/11/05 ...
Sadly you overlook the fact that many people dont feel able to take control of a situation, I was once called upon by an elderly neighbour (making a "quiet" phone call to me from her bedroom) to eject a bed salesman from her flat, you know the sort of scam, they advertise a price, but the end offer is nowhere near as low, (I think that scam is illegal now) but the fact remains that without the "assertiveness" to take control of a situtation, many are pressured in just the way they describe.
Sadly sales is a pressure industry both within employment and within the methods employed by some companies.
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holcrav Guest
13:15 17/11/05
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Re: Safestyle UK Reps
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Re "Safestyle UK Reps" posted by netari at 13:11 15/11/05 ...
We had a sales rep come last night after us calling them yesterday morning. He was all ready to do the 'hard sell' on us. Luckily both my partner and I are in sales so we politely asked him to cut the bull and give us the best quote for 3 windows. He had measured, we had haggled and filled out the paperwork in less than an hour. You dont have to listen to these people! They want to be in your house as much as you want them there. You have to be firm and strong with them and when they say 'thats all we can do' you can always get a better deal. We have paid �1000 for 3 large windows which i think is a very fair price. So......the actual sales went well, fitting should be in 2 weeks, hopefully i will have another good review then.
My point of writing this message now was that so many people moan about being pressured into something when in reality, they are allowing someone to do it. It is a nightmare of a job and they are only trying to make a living. Cut the bull, make them give you a quote and you never have to say yes or sign anything there and then.
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netari Guest
13:11 15/11/05
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Safestyle UK Reps
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We had TWO reps come over last night to quote us for our windows. We have 8 windows and a back door that needs replacing, and we had already got a couple of competitve quotes from reputable local companies. We decided to give Safestyle a chance, as we wondered if a big national would have the buying power to match or improve on the quotes that we had been offered. Theres no harm in trying - we have just moved and are on a tight budget...and now we wish we had not bothered.
We had over 3 HOURS of hard sell - some of it extremely aggressive and pushy. And I used to work in car insurance, and so have seen my fair share of sales tactics - and these were borderline illegal. I am not exaggeratting when I say I was very glad of my partner being in the house with me when these guys came around - I am hardly a wilting flower, but these guys would have seriously intimidated me if I was on my own. We had a 'manager' and a 'trainee.' They tried everything from cajoling, to trying to scare us about security. They even seperated us for a while and each tried to sell individually to each of us - which I really did not like. The quote was not competitive until we told them what we had been offered elsewhere and then they promptly knocked a load of money off. They refused to show me how they worked out their prices - the other companies had no problems going through this with me, they tried to sell a very dubious finance agreement which they had no paperwork for and sounded too good to be true, and they did quite a good job of slandering their competition on the area.
Now, I am a fair person - I am sure there are people out there who have had no problems with this company - but they will not be getting any business of mine until they change their sales techniques. And this is their loss because in the end their quote was worth considering. A sales rep needs to remember that they REPRESENT their company, and by making a hash job of quoting a potential customer, they are ruining their companies reputation - a person with a bad expereince will tell 10 people - a person with a good experience will tell 1 (if you are lucky.) They should remember this.
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schivers Guest
11:16 11/11/05
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Safestyle UK
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I had a very pleasant experience with Safestyle. I'm an incredibly cynical person and had no intention of trusting a word the salesman said and from the start of his sales pitch, I said to him that he was not to mess me around and to give me the cheapest price he could. For 9 windows, with georgian inserts I paid �3800 which I was very happy with, as it was cheaper than all the other quotes I'd got. The salesman was very nice and, although he stayed a long time, it was a pleasant experience. He wasn't too pushy and when I said I wouldn't sign a contract that night he gave me a 14 day cooliing off period.
The fitters arrived on time and were lovely and very friendly. They did their job so professionally and I was really pleased with the outcome. They hoovered up all the mess and swept my driveway of any glass that might have been left there. The house was left in the same state that it was in when they arrived. I can't fault their after-sales care, either. I had two phone calls, checking everything was in order, and my windows are still as beautiful as they were when they were fitted.
I have to urge anyone that has a good experience with Safestyle to write on here, because after I looked at this website I was really really nervous about my windows getting fitted and it was completely unnecessary. I'm sorry that people have bad experiences, but I can imagine that a lot more people have good experiences. I really hope that everyone that has had problems have managed to sort them out.
Sarah.
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tracieb Guest
7:43 10/11/05
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safestyle
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After having my windows fitted on the 12/10/05 I have just been beset by one disaster after another. I paid �10800 for the windows and was told fitting would take 2 days so with the time booked off work i awaited the arrival of the safestyle fitters. In fact i think that safestyle fitters only work part time as they never arrived before 9-30am. What should have been a 2 day job actually turned into a 4 days. The workmanship was that bad that 2 of the fitters actually got the sack while fitting my windows!!!!! The fittes duly left after 4 days leaving behind them a trail of disasters. My front door lets in water when it rains, the bay window has been left with the inside wall with big chunks of plaster missing and a gaping hole where i can see daylight so draught proof it is not !!!!
The back door and surround well i dont know where to begin!!! The upstairs bedroom window has not had a rsj put in so i have now been left with cracked bricks and a dodgy window. The after sales service from safestyle is non existent. I am now waiting for them to come out and fix the problems after many problems to their so called call centre. I have now been given a date 10/12. ONE FINAL POINT TO MENTION SAFESTYLE ARE A BUNCH OF COWBOYS PROVEN BY THE FACT THAT ONE OF THEIR FITTERS ACTUALLY ASKED MY HUSBAND IF HE COULD GET HOLD OF A GUN FOR HIM
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pbhak Guest
13:38 02/11/05
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Re: Safestyle windows
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Re "Safestyle windows" posted by clare.hugh at 13:24 02/11/05 ...
Good luck Clare , with Safestyle, benefit of the doubt, I've dealt with them, just think, if the windows aren't done will they send the boys round with a baseball bat to fix them. Oh all of a sudden they can't find who said that to you!!!! Right, they threatened my wife and me if i didn't go thro with it, They would take me to court etc he even said that he thought i was stupid when i replied that I'm not going thro with it because I had a better quote from a local firm. As an experiment when I moved areas I called them on their number to ask for a quote they said someone would get back to me, nobody ever did. I deeply hope that they do not mess you about because what i went tho with them i wouldn't even wish it on my mortal enemy
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clare.hugh Guest
13:24 02/11/05
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Safestyle windows
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Hmm where do I start... well in 2004 I got a quote from them for seven windows, one bay and two doors. The quote was for �5,500. I then got a call two weeks later from an accounts amanager stating I had been given too much discount and i had to pay �2000 more. As you can imagine I stopped everything going through, cancelled the credit agreement. After this I was bombarded with calls asking if the installation was ok... I told them all I had not gone trhough with it, they asked why, i told them and they said they could help etc etc BUT I then got a call from one nasty bloke stating that he was on his way with a baseball bat to beat me and my bloke up! He called repeatidly all night, i phoned the police and the head office neither of which could track this sales guy. I have had soooo much trouble with this company from sales calls you wouldnt believe.
two days ago i got two sales blokes trying to sell me windows from their company, i explained what had happened and they got someone down to my house yesterday to re quote me. I got all what i wanted for �3,500 with 70% discount for all the trouble i had recieved. The bloke they sent was fantastic, i have a written promise I wont get my price bumped up also. My installation date is in two weeks and so far I am happy now. My suggestion is to give this company the benefit of the doubt, if you want a proper service with mega discounts then state you have had a hard time with them and see what they can do for you, its worth a try!! I also stated I was paying in cash, i couldnt be pushed on budget, they would get a sale from me if they could provide everything I wanted for my price!! Take my advice and you will save money!! ha ha
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alex.331 Guest
20:10 26/10/05
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Re: On the 28-10 Safestyle came to my home selling windows,
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Re "Re: On the 28-10 Safestyle came to my home selling windows," posted by starfleet at 12:39 12/10/05 ...
They came to our home too and sold me �10,000 worth of windows icluding the chage for credit and doors which I was assured were the best quality and would,nt change clour which it did including the handles and trying to get someone to speak to me in a civil manner to get repairs done was a nightmare.I was told three weeks was the earliest they could have someone call round untill I asked them if they were familiar with the consumer credit act 1974(as amended)goods being fit for the purpose...........someone was there next day. After this hurdle about a year into paying the credit people GE Capital �186.40 per month we started getting letters saying our account was in arrears, not being able to understand why, we requested a statement finally about three months later on our fifth ot sixth request one arrived and we were shocked to see we were being charged between �141 and �164 a month interest plus other charges so now after having paid �186.40 and month for a year we now owed �10,665.79 which was more than I owed in the begining!!!!
Complete blaggers and the charge for this credit means unless I pay it off in full I,ll never have it paid off dont use them or their Credit company!!
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warweezil Site Admin
16:31 25/10/05
Posts: 277
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Re: 10 Aggressive Sales Calls in 4 Weeks!
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Re "10 Aggressive Sales Calls in 4 Weeks!" posted by richa at 15:47 25/10/05 ... I love getting sales calls now, I immediately interrupt thier patter with a request for thier name and the address of thier office. I then inform them that they have breached guidelines associated with TPS registered numbers and I will be making a formal complaint regarding this, they usually cant get off the line fast enough, that maybe has something to do with the �5000 penalty involved.
You may want to consider registering your number with the Telephone Preference Service - its free - you can do it online at http://mpsonline.org.uk/tps/
Also you may want to register with the Direct Marketing Association scheme - you can learn more at http://www.optoutuk.co.uk/index.asp
Take control of your data and fight for your right not to be disturbed by marketing calls at home.
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richa Guest
15:47 25/10/05
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10 Aggressive Sales Calls in 4 Weeks!
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Safestyle UK are THE MOST unprofessional bunch of muppets I've ever had the displeasure of being subjected to over the phone.
After receiving 10 aggressive sales calls from them over a 4 week period, they now simply hang up on me if they think they aren't getting anywhere... and believe me, I'm VERY clear with them... I used to be polite too, but it's a complete waste of time!
It seems it's time for Trading Standards to get involved, so I've writen to them today...also copied in BBC's Watchdog programme.
I've found a way forward though.... as soon as they say "Safestyle UK" just hang up! It gives me great pleasure to give them a taste of their own medicine! ...try it!!
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Monkeydoug
21:24 20/10/05
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I was born at night but not last night.
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Having just spent 3 painful hours in the company of a Safestyle UK sales Rep, I felt like posting a negative comment.
Personally, I haven't got 3 hours to waste just to get a quote for 6 bloody windows, and the little old lady that got refused credit tonight which meant I got a super low price over the phone tactic made me 100% certain that I wouldn't ever use you.
If you gave me a quick quote and your best price right off the bat I probably would still be considering you, rather than writing this.
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starfleet
12:39 12/10/05
Posts: 2
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Re: On the 28-10 Safestyle came to my home selling windows,
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Re "Re: On the 28-10 Safestyle came to my home selling windows," posted by mc2554 at 12:34 17/03/05 ...
I have had first hand experience of safestyle experience, they are in my opinion not worth recommending, run by a bunch of aggressive kusra's. They made my wife cry, I then spoke to them to cancel the order and the manager said to me i will deal with this call with the contempt it deserves, and i couldn't cancel the order. I was lucky i had a get out clause written on to the contract which I duly used. So don't give me any of your talk about competitors purposely writing bad reports. Truth is safestyle should BOG OF
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amandah Guest
14:11 06/10/05
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| Just to say that I totally agree with the Safestyle after service - I have never been spoken to like that in my life!!. All I want is somebody to come out and look (again) at my door and window - they are bowed and the customer service rep just asked me if I could use a screwdriver - have now gone to trading standards and they have taken it up - Safestyle still ring weekly to offer BRILLIANT deals and I have all on not to swear down the phone. The price was good, the fitters seemed good but the rest is a shambles.
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warweezil Site Admin
0:59 17/09/05
Posts: 277
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Re "" posted by callezra at 23:45 16/09/05 ...
If you look around the net you will actually find consumer sites where people post comments good and bad about companies, however Grumbletext as the name implies seems to be more focussed on the negative aspects of businesses trading in the UK. It is a place where consumers compare notes about what goes wrong.
What does seem worrying are some of the sales practices mentioned, The fact that they are mentioned here suggests that people (potential customers) are concerned enough about the way some members of the sales force operate to post here about it.
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callezra Guest
23:45 16/09/05
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Just to put you all in the picture.
Safestyle UK fit �2.3million a week of replacement windows and doors. They get dozens of calls from existing customers to go back and do more work every week. They do get the odd complaint like any other company would do-but it is the same old story. If my job was done badly, then everybody else's must be.
All national and local companies get complaints and safestyle have the lowest ratio of them (which magazine). I understand that when it is your house that is affected you obviously want something done about it.
Its funny how when a bad job gets done, everybody hears about it-but are there any websites or "praise text". If a good job is done nobody hears about it.
I also know that some customers find little things wrong just so they can complain-which we british do very well-and they hope they can get out of paying.
I work for safestyle and 99% of the customers I speak to are very pleased with the work and sales people.
If you think a job is not done well then refuse tom pay until sorted out-simple.
I would not hesitate to have safestyle fit my windows-and I work for them.
Anyway-thanks for listening.
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ggrindley Guest
1:21 06/09/05
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Re: On the 28-10 Safestyle came to my home selling windows,
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Re "Re: On the 28-10 Safestyle came to my home selling windows," posted by TT at 5:53 27/10/04 ...
Isn't it a 14 day cooling of period?
Isn't that what the consumer credit act says?
I had a salesman today well, last night. He left at 1:30 am. He did the usual, ringing up his boss for a 'preffered price' (around 12.30am). Gave me a very good quote on windows that they only do down south. Got a signature of my wife and myself, took his �80 cheque and assured me that I had a 14 day cooling off period and that I would get my cheque back should I decide to cancel.
From what I have read on these sites, it appears that Safestyle UK are exempt from the Consumer Credit Act!
I always assumed that the 14 day cooling of period was as it sounds, not just if the company you are dealing decides that they can do without your business.
Can someone clear this up please?
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ggrindley Guest
0:37 06/09/05
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Re: Safestyle UK
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Re "Re: Safestyle UK" posted by inessa at 2:19 08/04/05 ...
You bank at the wrong place mate!
I've just had a quote from Safestyle UK and I could get double money for far less payback and interest from my bank. You get an even better deal from your mortgage lender.
You are right about people not knowing about finance.
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Lynne Edin
14:36 04/09/05
Posts: 1
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Re: j.
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Posted by L Edin (Havant)
I had my windows and doors replaced by Safestyle, completed only last Wednesday.
All I can say is what a fantastic job at a very reasonable price!!
I did visit this site prior to my UPVC being fitted and was extremely apprehensive-How wrong could I have been!!
The salesman was extremely professional, I had no trouble cancelling finance and paying by cash, and the fitters (Adam and pal)) were obvious experts who did a fantastic job, from original visit to fitting was just over 2 months (and that is because I changed the style of my front door).
[b]THANKYOU SAFESTYLE FOR SAVING ME MONEY
I HAVE ALREADY RECOMMENDED YOU TO ALL MY FRIENDS
[/b]javascript:emoticon('')
Very Happyjavascript:emoticon('')
Very Happyjavascript:emoticon('')
Very Happy
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PCLLNG Guest
3:14 31/08/05
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Re: Double glazing in general
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Re "Re: Double glazing in general" posted by squirt at 8:36 05/02/05 ...
And I suppose you think you will get a good job done by kids from a young offenders institute! I cannot criticise you for your views that everybody should be given a second chance but it seems to me that you are part of the "cheap price at whatever cost brigade". Do you not realise that having your windows replaced is a major building project? It is essential that you have time served fitters / joiners doing the job. The window industry is plagued by idiots who think they can do a good job by employing cheap inexperienced labour. I've worked in the indusrty for 8 years now and have seen the results of the " I'll give you a cheap price brigade"
You would be horrified if you spent a week on the road with me. There is an old saying " you get what you pay for " and this is exactly what you will get in the window industry.
Last week I replaced a set of windows for a lovely young couple in Bolton. I felt so sorry for them. They had been conned. They had paid �2800 for their widows to be replaced by a "friend of a friend" and you should have seen the finished article. Broken hinges, udersised windows, cracked sealed units, beadings cut short, gaskets cut short, serious damage to plaster linings, safety glass not fitted, illegal openers, spacers missing on sealed units, the list just goes on and on. Gales blowing in all over the house.
The same guy had fitted them a set of French Doors (extra cost to the windows) .He had left them with a gap of 18 inches (yes 18 inches- thats aprox 500 mm) above the doors which was letting in all the elements that Bolton can throw at you. Needless to say he has now disapeared with their money never to be seen again.
They had already made arrangements with a local builder to rectify the french doors. He had boarded up the top of them as a temporary job until he could get a unit made to fill in the gap. I agreed to replace the widows for a price of �3600. If I could have done them for less I would have I felt so sorry for them.
They will get a good job done this time but why oh why didn't they pay the going rate for it in the first place. They stood to save �800 and ended up losing �2800!
THE MORAL - Don't let some idiot loose on your property. It could cost you a fortune. Insist on having time served tradesmen / women do the job. Don't pay too much but don't pay too little. Lets face it if you pay a little over the odds all you lose is a bit of money. If you pay too little you can end up losing the lot.
BY THE WAY- I sell �1000,000 of windows a year on average (Yes 1 Million). I have only worked for one company in the window industry. I wouldn't work for anyone else. I have over 2 thousand satisfied customers. I give a personal service to all my customers and make sure they get a good job done. Who do I work for? SAFESTYLE U.K.
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porgy426
21:50 28/08/05
Posts: 1
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Re: j.
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Re "j." posted by sunseekers at 10:42 16/03/05 ...
did you get your windows fitted? would you recommend them? thanks
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gwell Guest
12:26 24/06/05
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Thanks grumbletext! - Safetyle Uk customer service
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I wanted to post and say thanks.
A Safestyle UK sales person called my girlfriend during the day and organised an appointment, saying he'd call me when i got home from work at 6.
I thought id do a search for 'Safestyle UK Complaint' using a search engine. This site was among about 4 that I looked at.
When Robin from Safestyle UK (01189 663059) called to confirm, I explained that A: I wasn't looking to replace my windows, B: I wouldn't use a company that hadn't been recommended by a friend and C: their reputation was appalling.
After discussing for some time about 'have you ever used British Airways', 'Have you ever been into Marks & Spencer' - 'do a search for them and see how many complaints they've had' 'Were a massive company - we're bound to get complaints'. I said thanks but no thanks.
Robin laughed at me and sarcastically wished me good luck finding a double glazing company with THAT attitude. I wasn't even looking for one in the first place! So that's my experience of safestyle uk customer service.
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raymcv Guest
23:32 19/06/05
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Re: Double glazing in general
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Re "Double glazing in general" posted by Plumbjon at 14:33 04/02/05 ...
I must say that our Plumbjon sounds very bitter - If he was an installation manage then this is the sharp end of a tough industry.
he is exaggerating margins and earnings by suited salesman. The industry is plagued by "self employed" staff who struggle often in a variable market place. There are a numbe rof issues that the industry faces but his recommendations to negotiate prices down is wrong. If you pay a low price what do you think the fitters will do? If you want cheap nasty service then pay a low price to a disreputable company. BRackenwood windows are the best of a bad bunch - I worked there for 6 years as a salesman and most if not all of my customers were immensly satisfied.
My advice is pay a fair price - Insist on asking for a good fitting team - ask for recommendations and pay at the end.
Ray
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RAMONE Guest
15:29 11/06/05
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Re: Be very wary if using Safestyle
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Re "Be very wary if using Safestyle" posted by CEM at 11:06 25/04/05 ...
We have used ANGLIAN - They have taken 19 months to complete this job. The first fitters spent 12.5 hours installing 14 items, rework has taken nearly 47 hours.
It's not just the fitters that are the problem either, I have had to involve Trading Standards to finally get results.
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gilliansmith
17:40 08/06/05
Posts: 1
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I was approached by a door to door salesman and asked if i would like a free quote for replacemnt windows. I agreed and they sent round a salesman. I researched the company on this site. Two points recurred. One that the salesman would waste time trying ot get a high price and make calls to office etc to get a lower one and 2 that after a price had been agreed a surveyors fee was to be paid up front. After that the surveyors would come to the property and find something wrong which would require an extra payment.
I explained these points to the salesman and he agreed to give me his best price. No messing around and i thought it was reasonable and he assured me that i could proceed without paying anything up front.i said i would speak with my husband who was abroad and get back to him.
Two days later their office called and sent round a second salesman.With an assistant. At first i thought he was the surveyor but it transpired he was the follow up guy who they send round to knock off a few pounds if someone is hesitating.
He reduced the price by a further 30 pounds. I signed the contract and agreed to pay in full on completion and was given a start date. I arranged for workmen to come in a few days later to follow up with redecoration etc.
I then wasted another half day waiting in for two surveyors to come around and they said it would take about an hour and a half to measure.Sure enough they found that there was a 'problem' and it would require an extra payment. I told them that I had discussed this with the sales men and was not prepared to put up with nonsense like this so not to waste my time and theirs by measuring. They said they would measure up anyway as they were sure the problem could be resolved.
I was due to fly out the next day and so rang the office to ask what was happening. They said they would sort things out. I was due back two days before the start date and whilst away i received an e mail and a letter saying that they had cancelled my contract as they were entitled to do. This has caused a lot of wasted time and energy for me. Plus a delay of several weeks as i wanted the windows done before the end of June.
There is one small term in t he contract that says whilst the consumer cannot cancel the contract THEY can for whatever reason. I feel that this could be construed as an unfair term or condition at Law. I should be able to enforce the contract but of course wouldnt for fear of deliberately shabby workmanship.
I feel aggrieved that these people can waste time and try and bully people into paying more money after a perfectly reasonable offer of a quote and an acceptance. Time and inconvenience cannot be measured in pounds but i would like to make people aware that even forewarned with information such as is available on this site you cant beat a good con trick.
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Labbers
18:19 03/06/05
Posts: 1
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Please avoid using these abusive thugs!
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Please, have nothing to do with this bunch of abusive thugs! Read this and make your own mind up. My mother is a pensioner living alone. She wanted double glazing to replace her very old windows. Safestyle UK turned up purely by chance a few days later, and I met the salesman with my mum. She was very specific about what windows she wanted, including a 50/50 split for the bathroom. It was agreed that 7 large windows would be fitted for what we thought was a very good price. A surveyor attended while I was away on holiday and apparently barely spoke to my mum. The survey was not explained but he refered to the original form filled out by the salesman and asked her to sign the survey form. The fitters arrived as planned and were excellent. They worked hard and were very courteous to mum. I attended to make sure it was going ok. However two windows were completely wrong. The surveyor had replaced a frosted glass with clear and the 50/50 split was a normal large window with a small window at the top, which meant mum would have to stand on the bath to open it. Their suggestion was to put the small window at the bottom! We refered to the original sales form and were told to pay �100 off the original price, and they'd sort the problem. We thought this was a goodwill gesture for the fact they'd got the order so wrong. They told mum they'd be back a few days later, giving a specific time and date, and mum gave them a cheque for the work, less �100. They phoned at 5pm on the day they were due, to say their van had broken down!! but they'd be there the day after. On replacing the wrong glass in the kitchen and the wrong frame and glass in the bathroom, the fitter asked for the �100 balance. When mum questioned this and said she didn't understand why she had to pay, the regional manager Neil Bucknall told her if she didn't pay, they'd take the new window out and put back the old one. She phoned me in tears. I called Mr Bucknall and explained we thought there was nothing outstanding. He was rude and abusive and told me that unless mum paid the �100 they would take her to court and make sure she'd be given a bad credit rating. He wouldn't let me speak, was continually abusive and so foolishly I thought I'd try Head Office. There I spoke to Phil O'Malley. I was polite and explained what the problem was. He told me I was a fool, asked what planet I was on, and that I was trying to have him over. Apparently the �100 was 'held back' until they'd completed the work. He was obnoxious, rude, arrogant, aggresive and abusive, quite simply the worst customer services manager you could ever imagine. Both Bucknall and O'Malley were immediately on the offensive. O'Malley also threatened to take mum to Court, to put the original window back in, that we'd have no 10yr warranty and that there was no point writing to complain as he would deal with the letter himself.
I asked for a compromise, at which he said he'd offer a complimentary cleaning kit!! I asked him to apologise to mum and I\'d discuss it with her. I quickly got on the phone to mum, told her to await the apology and that I'd be inclined to refuse to pay, as the liklihood is this firm wouldn't be in business in 10 yrs anyway but that it was her decision. O'Malley phoned and apologised but demanded the money, at which mum told him she wasn't paying and that he'd have to take her to court! Go Mum!! We're now awaiting the abusive and threatening letters. Please do your research and make your own mind up. The management are rotton to the core, from the top down. Please take my advice, avoid this firm like the plague!!
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Mrmikey
21:17 18/05/05
Posts: 1
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Re: Safestyle uk
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Re "Safestyle uk" posted by dmarks at 14:58 25/02/05 ...
I have t had 9 windows and two doors fitted today by Safestyle. They were 2 weeks early on the original fitting date, the fitting crew were superb, the job was done in 8 hours and looks fantastic.
If you let a salesman beat you into a crap finance deal then thats your own fault. Go to your bank for a loan and then pay cash. Learning to say no isnt difficult.
I would recommend them to anyone. ( subject to getting a million cracks in my front door over the next year )
Mike Routledge
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CEM
11:06 25/04/05
Posts: 1
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Be very wary if using Safestyle
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| I had 7 windows and French doors fitted by safestyle in Feb 2005. The first problem was on the fitting day - a ghost hinge on a window. In fairness an engineer arrived the next day to fix it. I had also noticed that there was a sticky mark on the inside of the door window unit so had to wait 2 weeks for the replacement to be fitted. A week after this was done the door dropped about 1/4 inch. I had to wait 5 WEEKS before they fixed it. When I pointed out the security element of this to the guy on the phone I was told not to be silly, if the door locked then what was the problem waiting 5 weeks, needless to say I slept soundly every night knowing that.... The fitter that fixed it was amazed at how the previous engineer had fitted the glass. The side of the door frame hasn't been filled properly and now has a massive gap. The 'customer service' agents are a joke. They speak to you like dirt and more or less tell you that you can like it or lump it. I am constantly amazed at how rude they are. They musn't get any training and come across as yobs. My advice - if you choose safestyle watch the fitters like a hawk and don't hand over a penny or sign anything until you are completely happy. My fitters got a cob on when the head office rang me to check everything was OK before the fitters left and I mentioned the broken hinge. They also got the hump when I said that I didn't want to sign off the job and pay the deposit until the hinge was fixed. One follow on engineer told me that the local depot deal with issues for the first month so this is the best time to log any problems but after that you go on the national database and are left waiting for weeks just to get an engineer to come out. Be very wary - the product seems fine but the workmanship isn�t up to much. The old saying of you get what you pay for is true. Only go with Safestyle if you want to save a few grand (they were over 3500 pound cheaper than other quotes) and can cope with the hassle of having to deal with the morons at head office and using a few days holiday waiting in for engineers. I haven�t had it as bad as others as engineers have always arrived when they said they would.
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Lived2regret Guest
11:56 21/04/05
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Bend over backwards....?
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Re "" posted by lee_pcs at 6:57 24/03/05 ...
I really do disagree with your comment that they will bend over backwards to help.
My experience with Safestyle left a very bad taste in my mouth:
Their 'interest free' deal was a very complicated matter which cost me more money in telephone calls and time and the stress I went through trying to get my 'interest free' deal;
The staff are downright rude. The way I was spoken to when I called to report a damaged windowsill left me totally gobsmacked but was nothing compared to what I experienced after the 3rd time I had to call in. The windowsill was warped, the reason being given "because the sun is shining on it and it's getting too hot". So when I made a perfectly reasonable request to have it replaced with one that wouldn't warp, I had to endure a tirade of sarcastic and rude comments from whom I assumed was a young lady which left me wanting to travel down to their hq and smack her one. I asked for my call to be escallated to a supervisor, who was equally as offensive and then I had the privillage of being spoken to like I was a complete moron, by the 'manager'.
I strongly recommend that any one considering making a purchase from Safestyle, think again. They may be cheap, but the quality is poor which means that it is inevitable that you will at some point need to contact their 'customer care' team which is an experience you will regret. And one that will more than likely be left unresolved.
DON'T USE THEM!
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un happy customer
10:41 15/04/05
Posts: 2
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Re: Safestyle UK
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Re "Re: Safestyle UK" posted by un happy customer at 10:15 14/04/05
...Well well well what a suprise safestyle do another no show....... I think the next step is to see a solicitor, and trading standards and cancel the direct debit.... what a bloody awful company not even a courtesy call... no appology nothing........
Oh and by the way if you have chosen honey oak like we did.... i was told the following..." The reason for the door cracking is because it is in the sun it was not made to be in the sun" this was quoted to me when i rang them.....
So The saga continues....
I had to ring safestyle to see where there fitter was..... oh came the reply he is 25 mins away.... so i wait in another 50 mins and he finally arrives... Good morning he says I have come to drill holes in your door.. WHAT i said.. well that is what i have been told to do. drill holes in your door to stop it cracking... but it is all ready cracked so it is to late... i told him he was supposed to be replacing the panel and he said he knew nothing about that... the fitter was helpfull and measured the door for the fourth time. I then rang safestyle again.. and was told that was all he was coming out to do drill holes in the outside of my door ! this will fix it.. �700.00 for a door that is faulty and needs holes drilled into it to fix it... I do not think so... the area manager was an idiot as he organised the replacement panel measured the door and then said it is not cracked... I was told by their managers that i was " having a laugh if i thought they would replace my door and that there is no way this will happen..
So i owe them �659.00 the door is worth about the same and i have cancelled my DD with the finance company and refused to pay them any further.....
Result finance company to call in new company to repair or replace door....
I also have friends who have similar stories to tell.. I have worked in the building game, My father had his own building company for many years. but before that he worked for some very big names in construction (costains, Bovis etc) and I worked for him for sevral years. I have fitted many windows.. But my experience of safestyle is horrifying... high pressure sales, awful aftersales service.. stick with your local window company.. You'll get a better service...
!!!!! BEWARE OF GETTING RIPPED OFF BY THESE COWBOYS !!!!!
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un happy customer
10:15 14/04/05
Posts: 2
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Re: Safestyle UK
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Re "Re: Safestyle UK" posted by Guest at 15:38 13/04/05 ...
Well here we go.... I purchased 3 windows and 2 doors from safestyle.. within a year the panel in the front door cracked and had to be replaced.. a couple of weeks later the braking mechanism failed on one of the windows. i could not get this fixed by safestyle and gave up.. then within another 8 months the front door panel cracked again. so got it replaced again. another 12 months down the line and oh dear the panel in the front door failed again. called safestyle, they sent out fitter and i never heard from them for 3 months so I rang them again, they had no record of a fitter coming out to measure the door so they arranged another date.. the fitter came out and measured the door. I never heard anything for 6 months so rang finance company and told them i was not making any more payments until the door was fixed.... I then recieved a phone call from an area manger who came out measured the door and also said he would have the hinges on my window replaced.. An appointment was made for this morning for the work to be carried out....... it is now 11.05 and no show so far they have 55 mins to show up then i cancel the direct debit....... I have a door that is worth nothing and when the gaurantee runs out will have to be replaced as i am not willing to pay them for a new door panel every year, a hardwood door will last 20 years or more.. a safestyle door will last less than one year.. my door has 5 cracks in it upto 14 inches long... they have been in less than 5 years and had 4 new panels.... be warned this stuff is in my oppinion is expensive rubbish... they even measured the inside of the window opening so when the windows came they were 2 inches to small... I am discusted that this company get away with so much without being challenged...... I will NEVER buy windows or doors from them again......
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smartlad Guest
15:49 13/04/05
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Re: Safestyle UK
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Re "Re: Safestyle UK" posted by smartla at 23:17 11/04/05 ...
Edited by Grumbletext: Sorry Smart Lad, per my other post, there's no commercial advertising on the Grumbletext board.
Adrian at Grumbletext
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Guest
15:38 13/04/05
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Re: Safestyle UK
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Re "Re: Safestyle UK" posted by squirt at 11:06 04/02/05 ...
Hi everyone
first of all stop collecting quotes.
that means my kingdom for an horse!
when you collect quotes you are collecting high prices they all work on the same level which means you wont get anywheer
what you need to do is get a deal .
a deal is what you want to pay and a quote is what they want you to pay so stop fooling around and get a deal just email me [email protected] and i will give you a deal price over the fone the solve all your problems at the same time with real fitters real aftersales and a real price ....thats a deal isnt it?.......................
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smartla Guest
23:17 11/04/05
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Re: Safestyle UK
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Re "Re: Safestyle UK" posted by inessa at 2:19 08/04/05 ...
hi again this is inessa
I WROTE THE REVIEW ABOUT SAFESTYLE BUT WOULD LIKE TO SAY
YOU CAN DO A LOT BETTER ANYWHERE IF YOU STICK TO GUIDE LINES
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inessa Guest
2:19 08/04/05
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Re: Safestyle UK
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Re "Re: Safestyle UK" posted by squirt at 11:06 04/02/05 ...
safestyle are ok . lots of other companies write on these sites to discredit safestyle
their finance is no different to anyone elses as they all use the same banks
it is not extortionate in fact most of the time it is cheaper than your own bank
let me explain when your own bank says 6.9% just half that which is 3.5% then times it by how many yaers you want it over . so lets say 10 years x3.5% thats 35% well is that extortionate or what. the problem with a lot of people is they dont understand finance. safestylehas the experience and the after saels you will need local comapnies have not . there are approxiametly 3000 double glazing companies go bust every year so they are not coming back to you. so now do you think your windows are cheap, look at the whole picture and pay the right price for the full picture .gurantees for ten years can only be real if the companies are in business over ten years and all the local companies the cheap windows you buy are a throw away item like your hoover they last three years then what so if you think cheap is best then think again. a satisfied safestyle customer
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nigel.thorne Guest
21:48 04/04/05
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Re "" posted by lee_pcs at 6:57 24/03/05 ...
I have called them today 4th April and they are due to visit 5th April to quote, after looking at the messages on this site I will give them a miss. They are due to call me on the mobile as thats the only number I gave them prior to the visit to confirm I am in... guess what I wont be and I will tell them why.
Lucy I found the site, thats to you all for saving me some hassle.
i have a quote from a local comp for �1150 for 3 woodgrain on white with queen ann lead 2 of 1400 x 1100 and 1 of 750 x 1100 (aprox Size) do any of you know if this is a good price, the only reason I called Safestyle was to get a price to see if my �1150 is about right, or not.
thanks
Nigel
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lee_pcs Guest
6:57 24/03/05
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It is unfair to criticise any company directly for these credit agreements. All big companies use finance companies and GEC/First National tend to be the normal choice. The are the B*****s that rip you off. As for safestyle there product is by far the best i've seen at a reasonable price, although not the cheapest, i am still looking however just to broaden my choice. At the end of the day i'm sure they'll bend over backwards for you at a later date 
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beachcomber Guest
21:34 18/03/05
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| Re "" posted by personpal at 16:01 04/02/05 ...You were very lucky to avoid being dragged into a credit agreement with Safestyle. And I can tell you from personal experience that they do not live up to any of their promises. Once they have got your signature thats it.You sign up for a standard loan for an extortionate interest rate, and you pay from day one of the agreement. Read my previous post dated 28/09/03, "In july of this year...". I was not the only person to be lied to by them, as you will see if you read all the earlier posts. They have been reported to trading standards numerous times, have had compaints upheld, and still manage to carry on ripping people off. Basically if its not written down in black and white, they can tell you anything and get away with it, and believe me they will. Advice to anyone considering this "company" DO NOT USE SAFESTYLE IF YOU VALUE YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH AND YOUR HOME.
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mc2554
12:34 17/03/05
Posts: 1
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Re: On the 28-10 Safestyle came to my home selling windows,
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Re "Re: On the 28-10 Safestyle came to my home selling windows," posted by piggingeorge at 19:25 16/11/04 ...
I have read your message about safestyle coming to leave you a quote on windows and was disgusted at how you said you were not going to have a quote because of the garbage posted here. If you look carefully at these messages the majority of people complaining are people who have never used safestyle. I have been in double glazing for a long time, and i can tell you that a lot of complaints put on the internet are actually from rival companies in particular the bowater groups, (Zenith and Staybrite). I know this because i have worked there and have had conversations with the management there where they actually admit that most of it is just rival propaganda. I currently work at safestyle and i ring the existing customers to check up on everything. I very rarely come across complaints, but when i do the majority are just simple teething problems and are quickly sorted out. One question asked is are you happy with the service you have recieved from safestyle, and in all my time their i can count on one hand the number of people who were not satisfied. Next time you want to criticise, why not get a first hand opinion first.
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sunseekers Guest
10:42 16/03/05
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j.
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OH no! We are getting windows fitted by Safestyle on monday, hope all is well.
Glad my hubby is taking day off, so i wont be home alone at inspection time!
By the way they no longer take a 'deposit'. we were asked for a chq for �60 to pay for the surveyor. So even if they cancel (as we did get quite a good price), we won't get that back as it went straight to surveyor. Who after all did his job, very thoroughly i may add.
Wishing myself luck (she says with crossed fingers and toes!)
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