Sales practice

[HandySparks]

I had a phone call from a sales girl at Solar Fusion in Bournemouth a couple of days ago. She phoned back today to confirm an appointment for someone to visit and survey for solar PV and/or solar thermal. It's not No.1 on my priority list at present, but I thought I might as well get an opinion on whether either would be possible on my house.

Originally, they were going to visit during the evening. Then I realised that if they did this, they wouldn't be able to properly see the surrounding trees which shade the roof for a short part of the day, so I suggested changing to daytime.

Also, they insisted that both myself and my wife were present at the survey. When I said that my wife had no interest in sitting through a presentation and was quite happy for me to deal with it, they cancelled the appointment.

Is this all normal practice?

 

[TrickyDicky101]

I haven't dealt with Solar Fusion but I did get quotes from several other installers from around the area (I live near to Eastleigh) and none of them insisted my wife was present (just as well as she would have given them short shrift).

 

[TedM]

It's normal practice for commission only salesmen who want you to sign up straight away - in return for a discount off a massively inflated price, in the hope that you haven't already got sensible quotes from other suppliers.

All contrary to legal and best practice sales guidelines.

 

[and]

My first PV solar rep who came round was from PV Solar UK - wouldn't send me a quote by post, wanted to come back to visit me personally. Two weeks later on the phone he stated quite openly that he wouldn't send me a quote, that he had to discuss it with me in person and that he would then need a decision there and then ... I told him this was hard-sell tactics and he hung up.

I reported him to his manager, the manager apologised saying hard-sell wasn't company policy.

A couple of days later I received a written quote from the rep scribbled on a small piece of paper that came along with some glossy information. He later phoned me to asked what I thought of the quote ... offered no apology!

High price, pressure salesmen and the quick-clip system! ... you decide!

 

[hanky-pankysex]

He wants them both there to get the sale right then instead of customer saying "i need to confirm with the wife" and the sale going cold, defo a true bit of sales!!

 

[Worcester]

Solar Fusion Salesmen are on 8% commission, plus the sales manager's 2% commission, their salesmen are well trained commission only sales professionals. You will get a very strong sell from them (not quite hard sell) as they are working for an MCS regsistered company they should folow the REAL guidlelines to the letter.

It is standard prcatice for them to do a one visit close, so will insist on both present. If a deal isn't closed on the day it goes back to their commission only telesales team...... so strong incentive to get it closed or lose the lead!

Their prices were some of the highest I have seen.