Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - So, you say you need some home improvements

ngdawg · 09-01-2004, 06:23 PM

A salesman comes calling last Thursday-we need a new roof. He gives us a price of $8460 after discounts (original est was $11,000). Now, our entire house is less that 1800 sq ft.-it measures 25x29, not including a leanto that holds the pantry. I tell him I can not sign anything-he's the first to give us a price and I would like others. No problem, he says, HOWEVER: 'in order to hold this price, we need you to sign the contract. How long you need to get other estimates?' I say a week. OK, we agree that Sept. 3rd is our date to decide.
Second company-estimate/proposal is for $4400!! Same work, no shortcuts. So, I go with them, of course. Reputation is excellent too. End of story? noooooo....
I call company number 1 and tell the VP of my decision. He asks for a copy of the proposal for the chance to match it. As I read the terms of work to him, he stops me with "Did you know that roofing mfgr was sued in a class action for inferior product? It leaked, fell apart. We stopped using it years ago." I tell him, no, I didn't know, but I will certainly check that out. I googled for the lawsuit-it had been settled in 1998!!!! Funny how he failed to mention that part. But, they weren't done. Salesman calls me to try to steer me their way-I said I don't appreciate being bullshitted and sorry, but no thanks. He calls a 3rd time!!! Tells me we are locked into the contract as we 'passed the date of recindance'!!!!! When I reminded him of our agreement that he had hardsold us into, he suddenly had a change of memory, denied any hardsell and claimed he stated it was only a price guarantee- at which point I said I was calling my lawyer and I hung up.
Then it occurs to me- a possible way out of this mess. The part of the contract that is for cancellation asks for signatures with dates. So we will sign them with the 'correct date'( yesterday's) and send them by FAX.
Is this 'wrong'? Not that what they are trying to do to US is right-we were bamboozled for sure. But, has anyone had this type of thing happen to them? Is there a lawyer in the house? Will we set ourselves up for more legal trouble by signing and dating one day back? And I am writing the credit card company(he insisted on a deposit to 'hold the price') to refuse payment of the charge. He hardsold us with lies and doublespeak. He just didn't think I would figure this out.
NEVER EVER sign anything!!!!! If the salesperson insists, toss him out! We were too nice..now I'm so pissed off and hoping this doesn't turn out to be a drawn-out nightmare of legalities.

09-01-2004, 06:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
ngdawg peekaboo Location: on the back, bitch	So, you say you need some home improvements A salesman comes calling last Thursday-we need a new roof. He gives us a price of $8460 after discounts (original est was $11,000). Now, our entire house is less that 1800 sq ft.-it measures 25x29, not including a leanto that holds the pantry. I tell him I can not sign anything-he's the first to give us a price and I would like others. No problem, he says, HOWEVER: 'in order to hold this price, we need you to sign the contract. How long you need to get other estimates?' I say a week. OK, we agree that Sept. 3rd is our date to decide. Second company-estimate/proposal is for $4400!! Same work, no shortcuts. So, I go with them, of course. Reputation is excellent too. End of story? noooooo.... I call company number 1 and tell the VP of my decision. He asks for a copy of the proposal for the chance to match it. As I read the terms of work to him, he stops me with "Did you know that roofing mfgr was sued in a class action for inferior product? It leaked, fell apart. We stopped using it years ago." I tell him, no, I didn't know, but I will certainly check that out. I googled for the lawsuit-it had been settled in 1998!!!! Funny how he failed to mention that part. But, they weren't done. Salesman calls me to try to steer me their way-I said I don't appreciate being bullshitted and sorry, but no thanks. He calls a 3rd time!!! Tells me we are locked into the contract as we 'passed the date of recindance'!!!!! When I reminded him of our agreement that he had hardsold us into, he suddenly had a change of memory, denied any hardsell and claimed he stated it was only a price guarantee- at which point I said I was calling my lawyer and I hung up. Then it occurs to me- a possible way out of this mess. The part of the contract that is for cancellation asks for signatures with dates. So we will sign them with the 'correct date'( yesterday's) and send them by FAX. Is this 'wrong'? Not that what they are trying to do to US is right-we were bamboozled for sure. But, has anyone had this type of thing happen to them? Is there a lawyer in the house? Will we set ourselves up for more legal trouble by signing and dating one day back? And I am writing the credit card company(he insisted on a deposit to 'hold the price') to refuse payment of the charge. He hardsold us with lies and doublespeak. He just didn't think I would figure this out. NEVER EVER sign anything!!!!! If the salesperson insists, toss him out! We were too nice..now I'm so pissed off and hoping this doesn't turn out to be a drawn-out nightmare of legalities. Last edited by ngdawg; 09-01-2004 at 06:28 PM..