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Friday, April 4, 2014

Newpro Is No Pro


At this stage in my life, I didn't think there was a lot in this world that would surprise me.  This major renovation has taught me a lot.  There are still a lot of surprises out there.

Yesterday, I got a sales call from a company called Newpro "congratulating" me on the purchase of our new home.  The young man asked me if there was anything that they can help me with concerning any renovations.  I told him that most of our immediate renovations were completed, however, I am getting quotes to replace the front door as well as two additional outside doors. I informed him that the front door has to be custom made due to the size and age of the home.



The young man proceeded to tell me that Newpro specializes in this area and he wanted to set up an appointment for a rep to come out and give me an estimate.  Would tomorrow at 10AM be convenient with me?  Sure, I told him.  And your husband will be present?  No, I told him, my husband will be at work earning the money to pay for the three doors.  The caller said he would have to check with his supervisor, but Newpro customarily does not send a sales rep out unless both the husband and wife are  present.  For some reason, I have a feeling they are not quite as strict about the wife being there as they are the husband.  But he said that the rep would be there at 10 unless I hear from his supervisor.

So this morning, I awaited the rep.  At 10:30, I called Newpro and told the receptionist that I was waiting for a sales person to show.  She put me through to Mike A.   I explained that I had an appointment at 10 and no one showed up.  He promptly told me that the reason no one showed up is because my husband wasn't going to be home.  I asked him what that had to do with it.  He told me that the Better Business Bureau strongly suggests that in order for a rep to make a sales call, that both home owners need to be present. 

HUH?!?

Now if I was Mike A., the last thing in the world I would mention is the Better Business Bureau. While waiting for the sales rep to appear, I googled  Newpro and found that they have quite a few complaints filed against them with the BBB. 

So I then asked Big Mike what Newpro does if the residence is solely owned by one person.  He told me that he would have to check (?) and sometimes the rules would have to be broken.

How does this company stay in business???

After owning five homes all across the country and living through two major renovations, I have never come across such a business practice. 

By the way, I have 3 appointments next week with door companies.   They didn't even ask if I had a Mister!

Would love to hear your thoughts!












Preppy Empty Nester
Preppy Empty Nester

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17 comments:

  1. Personally, I will not do business with companies who are cold calling for work (ie...WE NEED WORK!!!). I prefer using contractors that I have been referred to by friends or family, or who are "known" in the community. My concern with their question would have been if they had asked and then agreed to the "wife only being home"...let's see...wife home alone, burglars and perverts welcome...SCARY!!!!

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  2. My guess is they wanted to make the sale, and if the husband isn't home for the sales pitch the wife could say she needed to consult with him first before making the final decision.

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  3. Have a HUGE glass of wine.....no make that two HUGE glasses of wine and call it a day. Enjoy your weekend. R

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  4. Ruth gives great advice.
    Denise

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  5. Just plain weird. I'd never do business with someone who cold called. Recommendations from friends or realtors (who can be the best sources) are the way to go.

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  6. They probably did you a favor showing their ass so quickly. Think if you had hired them to do the work and then found out how scummy they are!

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  7. This happened to me years ago, we were replacing 40 windows in our house and actually we called a few places and 1 of them said "would my husband be home", and actually I had to laugh, as I had my admin in my office call and make the appointment, and she didn't know how to react, she told me that my husband needed to be home. Clearly these companies haven't read recent reports that show woman now make more money than men, they have a higher level of education than men, and a large portion of fortune 500 companies are run by women. Soon companies with such a level of stupidity will be out of business. Enjoy the weekend.

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  8. This is why I screen ALL phone calls & why my DH NEVER answers the phone. Hugs, Dawn

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  9. This sounds very fishy. I'd be concerned about a home invasion scam. please be careful, katie!
    Needing both of you at home? Weird. This isn't 1950!

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  10. Let me just tell you, Katie. After being in the Home Improvement Business for many, many years that is what we did NOT do. That is "old school" high pressure sales. They have a "quota" to meet and are told NOT TO LEAVE without getting a signed contract- (always with the promise that you can cancel within 72 hours). They play back and forth between hubby and wife and often TWO sales people show up instead of one. Run-don't walk- away from that company. xo Diana

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  11. This is scarily concerning...I cannot imagine they will be in business long. That is crazy. Its not their business if you have a husband and for all they know you are the sugar mama....hahahaha.
    That is the most bizarre thing I have ever heard and to me, it reeks of a serious scam. I can just see it now.....we will be seeing them on 20/20 one night as the newest company to scam people....beware and always listen to your instincts.
    I think you need to tell big Mike to take a hike.

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  12. I have had similar experiences with contractors and car dealers; it's galling! I'm glad you "outed" them; shame on them! Thanks for making me laugh - as always - with your adventures in renovating! Beth

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  13. The only reason that your husband might want to be there are safety concerns! Sounds crazy but these days you can'r be to careful..And just wanted to tell you that I love your blog!!

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  14. I am in shock! I've never had someone ask for my husband to be home! Absolutely crazy!

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  15. My husband IS a contractor and they will NEVER, NEVER call random strangers to "sale things to" under any circumstance! BE VERY CAUTIOUS of those type people. And don't fall for that scary scam again!!!!! Its not an "old school" thing and ignorance these days, its a scary "lady home alone in big rich looking neighborhood" scam! Then they try to sound all polite and proper by saying they won't come unless your husband is home. So now they know YOU are home alone and hubby works and .......oh mercy, BEWARE!!

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  16. The comments above say it all. Also, as soon as anyone wants to know who is home, RED FLAGS. You get really good advice on this blog. Sometimes, if I ever run into someone who is this weird, I just tell them my crazy cousin Jethro handles everything. "Click" is the next sound. :) :)

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