We had Universal Direct into our home this morning. The sales representative pretty much admitted defeat once we told him which other replacement window companies we had already received quotes from.
Best Replacement Windows – Columbus, Ohio
We all do it, we Google phrases like “best windows near me” or “best replacement windows in Columbus, Ohio,” in an effort to feel like we are doing our homework as consumers. When we finally got to the point where we were ready to replace the builder grade windows in our almost 10-year old house, we dreaded the fact that we knew we needed to be prepared to let 3 or 4 or even 5 different replacement window companies into our home just to get an idea of the cost.
The first company we let in was Mad City Windows, then McCloud and then Rosati Windows. After the Mad City marathon appointment of over two hours, we knew that three in total would be our limit for over-the-top Window Presentations. However, I kept thinking, there has got to be a better way for consumers to get a ball-park idea of what it will cost to replace the windows in your home without sitting through a window demo.
Replacement Window Home Demonstrations
My full-time, day-time gig is in the banking industry. Specifically, I demo and sell two payment solutions that help businesses make payments. So I typically get excited when I get to watch another professional demo their product and how they either close me that day or get me closer to a yes. However, when I began to think about parading multiple window companies into my home just to gain a price, it felt like there had to be a better way and this website is a result of that.
As consumers, we can get almost any type of information needed on the internet. But what you can’t get, is a specific price on your window project unless you invite a company into your home. That also means that you have to be prepared emotionally to stay strong if you are not quite ready to make a decision yet.
After the three demonstrations, I realized there was a need for a better way to compare Window Replacement Companies in Columbus, Ohio. If we could get the big-12 companies in central Ohio to give us a quote for our home, which is likely pretty typical in this market, then that gives you something concrete to gauge the cost of your home. The number of windows, the material of your exterior, the age of your home, double-pane vs. triple pane and whether you want a color other than white, will impact your final cost. But at the least, you can use the Wacky Window Woman Comparison Chart to see the cost difference between the largest players in Columbus, Ohio.
McCloud Windows vs. Universal Direct Windows
During the time that we were waiting on our McCloud windows to come in and be installed, I took advantage of the fact that I still had the crappy builder grade windows and invited the big players in town into my home to get quotes for this website.
“R” from Universal showed up and was very polite and good with our dog, who barks at all people who come into our home. He immediately started asking questions to gain an understanding of why we “were in the market for new windows and were we serious.” We shared with him that we had gotten quotes from a few others. He asked us who and we told him. Being in the Biz, he knew Rosati, Window World and McCloud was less expensive than his pricing at Universal Direct. Emotionally he admitted defeat and started packing up his brochures. I recognized this, as I’ve had it happen to me. When the customer wants something specific and you know your product can’t perform or you can’t beat the price, as a sales person, you have nothing to offer and you might as well pack up your stuff and head home.
He could have tried to one-up the others with some spec his window had that he knew the others didn’t or played up how his warranty was better by this feature or that feature, but he totally gave up. He called our 1,580 square foot home of twelve-windows a “large” project and that it would be over $20,000. As we begin to question him on items like would haul-away be an extra cost or was there an add-on if we wanted financing, he said that we could assume his windows would be $2,000 per window give or take and everything were asking was not considered an extra. I thought to myself, so why isn’t he selling that? Rosati charges extra to haul away the old windows and adds a flat fee to the cost if you want to finance, why wasn’t he using those facts to fight for the sale?
On the other hand, “Joe” from McCloud windows showed us some unique features, like the memory mesh screen that after he put a golf tee through it, went right back to shape. He also shared that their windows are made of 100% virgin vinyl and not from pieces and parts that were melted down to manufacture the window. He was very professional and offered a full demo of the construction and operation of the window. He provided an electronic quote and didn’t put heavy pressure on us to make a decision that day.
“R” from Universal didn’t even bring his window sample into our home.
Best Windows central Ohio
During that conversation with “R” at Universal Direct, we shared with him that the quotes we had secured thus far were about one-half of his price of ~$20,000. Rosati and McCloud both ended up being about one-half of his price. He indicated that he could never get his price down that low and didn’t even offer to leave us a paper or electronic quote. He did leave us his very fancy brochure and we were able to confirm their windows were pretty much like the others, nothing really different sets them apart.
Be sure to see the Wacky Window Woman’s Replacement Window Comparison Chart to see how the different window companies in Columbus, Ohio stack up one against the other. Clearly, in this match up when you compare the window specs and the price, McCloud Windows comes out on top.
McCloud Windows – Grandview, Ohio
From what we were able to gather from “R’s” brochure (because let’s face it, he didn’t even bring the window in the house), the windows offered by McCloud Windows and windows offered by Universal are pretty much the same, so in this case it comes down to price.
Whether you are just starting your Replacement Window shopping journey or have been on it for a period of time, use the comparison chart to see how the larger, well-known replacement companies in Columbus, Ohio stack up one against the other.
