Window replacement scams and dodgy sales tactics to watch for

We always deliver an honest service – but do other firms? Learn how to avoid common window scams.

At Calder Windows, we have spent the last 30 years building a reputation for excellent customer care and service. As FENSA-approved fitters, we can issue a certificate of quality with every installation. 

Superior quality will always sell itself – and there is no place in our family business for cold calling or pressure selling. And we want our customers to feel completely confident in their choices, so we always give a cooling-off period for every sale.

In short, you can trust us. However, it's a sad fact that the window replacement trade has a darker side. There are rogue traders out there who operate without honour or integrity.

To help you stay safe and protect your hard-earned cash, let's pull back the curtain on some of these scams and dodgy sales tactics.

The most common window replacement scams

The most effective scams are based on a kernel of truth. Take these two examples…

The government grant scam

You get a phone call or a doorstep caller excitedly informing you about government grants for double glazing and offering to check if you could be eligible.

The truth is there are a couple of government-backed schemes*, but only in rare circumstances will anyone qualify. Isn't it nice of this kind person to offer to find out if you're eligible?

No! This is the first part of the scam.

The eligibility questions will be designed to get important details about you and your finances – information that can be used to hack your passwords or bank account.

Part two of the scam is when they delightedly congratulate you on passing the eligibility check and ask you to put down a deposit for your new windows. They say you'll be able to claim this back from the government scheme. That's a lie! You'd be paying a fraudster.

* Phone your local council to check the eligibility criteria for the ECO4 scheme or the HUG2 scheme.

The pay-up-front-for-a-discount scam

You agree to a quote from a doorstep salesperson who seems to work for a recognisable company.

You're asked to fill in their very comprehensive questionnaire about you and your finances so they can offer you the best finance plan. However, there is an alternative, they say.

They can give you a very substantial discount if you'd be prepared to pay in full – upfront and in cash – for a "one-day-only deal".

Next, they'll show you a completely different selection that they tell you is far superior. These are, of course, more expensive. "After all", they say, "you only get what you pay for!"

Actually, these are the company's standard windows but they're trying to trick you into paying more than you should, believing you're getting a superior line.

An inflated initial quote

This salesperson is in for the long haul. They'll make an evening appointment, for your convenience and then tell you about the two-hour drive it took to get to you.

You're already being set up to feel pressured not to waste their time and effort.

Every window in your home will be inspected and carefully measured – but what they're also doing is looking for clues from your home and your conversation to find common ground. From births to bereavements, health issues to holidays, you can bet they've experienced it too.

The more empathy they can generate, the harder it will be for you to say no. 

Finally, it's time to calculate the quote. They'll begin typing into their laptop with an air of happy expectation. Soon though, you see a frown appear, the pursing of lips and perhaps an exaggerated exhale.

This little pantomime will be followed by some spurious reason why your windows are going to be more expensive than expected. Then they drop that massively inflated price and watch your shocked reaction. Gasp!

What follows is pure theatre. Over the next hour, this salesperson will work tirelessly on your behalf to find discounts, make little compromises and, finally, make a private phone call to his boss.

The idea, of course, is that after all that effort to get the quote so greatly reduced, you'll find it impossible to turn down and will gratefully sign the contract. Too late, many find out their "discounted price" was actually more than most standard prices.

Pressure selling at its sleaziest.

How to protect yourself



• Only deal with traders who are members of BM TRADA, FENSA or CERTAS. This means their work complies with building regulations and is covered by an insurance-backed guarantee that kicks in if they're not compliant or the company goes bust.
• Get multiple quotes to compare prices and quality.
• Look at online reviews – or ask family and friends for recommendations.
• Avoid evening visits. Have salespeople call during office hours – then you can easily call their company to do an ID check.
• Never pay money or sign a contract straight away. A reputable company will send you a full written quotation confirming the product, including installation hardware, labour, any equipment hire costs and insurance together with genuine offers or discounts. They will never offer a "one-day-only" deal.

At Calder Windows, we sincerely hope you are never the victim of any sort of scam or pressure selling. But just in case, check out the Which? guide to getting your money back after a scam.

And if you're looking for windows in Wakefield or West Yorkshire, feel free to get in touch for a quick, honest quote. We are FENSA-approved installers with more than 30 years of experience and dozens of great online reviews from happy customers.