Alright, so I'm about to replace the windows in my house, and um...the quotes I'm getting are kinda all over the place. One guy dropped his price by like 15% after I hesitated a bit, another wouldn't budge at all. Got me thinking—how do most of you handle negotiating prices when you're buying new windows? Quick poll:
1. I always negotiate hard, never accept first offer.
2. I'll ask once, but don't push it.
3. I just pay whatever they quote, hate negotiating.
4. Depends on my mood and how pushy the salesperson is.
Curious how everyone else handles this stuff.
I usually fall somewhere between 2 and 4, honestly. Last year when we replaced our windows, I got three quotes—one was super high, another suspiciously low, and the third seemed reasonable. I asked the reasonable guy if he could match the lower quote, and he knocked off about 10% without much fuss. Didn't push it further because I liked his reputation and reviews.
Funny thing is, the cheapest guy called me back a week later offering an even lower price, but by then I'd already committed. Sometimes it's not just about price...quality of work and trustworthiness matter a lot too. I've learned that if someone drops their price dramatically after just a little hesitation, their initial quote might've been inflated anyway. So yeah, I'll negotiate a bit, but I don't make it into a sport or anything.
"Sometimes it's not just about price...quality of work and trustworthiness matter a lot too."
Totally agree with you there. I've seen some window installers cut corners on insulation or sealing, which ends up costing way more in energy bills down the road. A quick tip: always ask specifically about the type of sealing materials they use—foam insulation versus basic caulking can make a huge difference long-term. A slightly higher upfront cost is usually worth it when you factor in comfort and savings over the next 10-15 years.
Couldn't agree more about insulation quality. Another thing to watch out for is the window frame material itself—vinyl vs. fiberglass vs. wood. Vinyl's cheaper upfront but can warp over time, fiberglass holds up better long-term but costs a bit more, and wood looks great but needs regular upkeep. So it's not just sealing...the frame choice matters big-time for durability and maintenance down the line.
When I replaced my own windows a few years back, I went with fiberglass after weighing the pros and cons. Sure, the upfront cost stung a bit, but they've held up impressively well—no warping issues like vinyl. Sometimes paying a bit more upfront saves headaches (and money) later on...
Fiberglass definitely has its perks, but honestly, vinyl windows aren't automatically doomed to warp. I've installed plenty of quality vinyl options that held up great over time. Proper installation and choosing a reputable brand can make all the difference...without breaking the bank.
Totally agree on vinyl windows holding up fine—mine have been solid for years, even through some nasty winters. As for haggling, I usually drop a casual mention of another quote I got that's slightly lower (even if it's a tiny fib...shhh). You'd be surprised how quickly they'll knock off a few hundred bucks to keep your business. And hey, if that doesn't work, offering coffee and donuts never hurts either.
Yeah, vinyl windows are surprisingly durable—I was skeptical at first, but mine have held up great for a few years now. As for haggling, mentioning another quote definitely works, though I'm not sure about the donut bribe...seems a bit much. But hey, whatever saves you some cash, right?
I've never tried donuts, but I did once casually mention that I was considering DIY installation to save money...the salesperson immediately knocked off a decent chunk from the quote. Guess they figured some profit was better than none. Has anyone else tried mentioning DIY as leverage, or is that risky if you're not actually planning on doing it yourself?
- Mentioning DIY as leverage can definitely work, but I think it depends a lot on how convincing you sound. I've tried something similar once when getting quotes for new flooring.
- I casually dropped that I'd watched some YouTube tutorials and was thinking about doing the install myself. The salesperson immediately offered a discount—nothing huge, but noticeable enough to make it worthwhile.
- That said, I think there's some risk involved if you're not at all comfortable with DIY. If they start asking specifics—like what tools you have or your experience level—you might find yourself in an awkward spot.
- Personally, I'd rather use competitor quotes as leverage instead. Feels less risky since you're genuinely shopping around anyway.
- Curious though... did the salesperson push back at all or ask any detailed questions when you mentioned DIY? Or did they just jump straight into offering a better price?