From: mykbuckley@yahoo.com (Mike)
Newsgroups: misc.consumers.house
Subject: Re: is this a bad install job? (link to pics)
Date: 23 Apr 2004 08:21:17 -0700

Anytime you use Lowes, Home Depot, etc and have them install it, you
will have problems. The main reason is that they will contract the
lowest bidder. These guys are normally people who are not employable
elsewhere(ie ex-cons, drug addicts, etc.) Are these the kind of people
you want to have access to your home? You probably signed some
agreement for the installation so the store isn't liable for damages
caused by the workers right?  What you are supposed to do is go to
Anderson or Pella and have it professionally installed. One of the
first things I check when buying a home is, who made the windows and
sliding glass doors. Extra points if its a good brand. I figure if
someone took the care to install good quality doors and windows, then
they didn't skimp on the rest of the home.

Now, to fix your problem. Stay calm and talk to the store manager, do
not raise your voice or sound like a jerk when he says he can't help
you. You don't want to give him any ammo when he tries to defend
himself after you call his boss. Then, calmly, ask for the number to
the district manager and leave quietly.  Call him asap. He is probably
off on weekends so you want to do this on a weekday.  Ask him if you
can email the pics to him and ask him if he would accept this kind of
work on his home. These guys took the district manager job not only
for the money but so they don't have to deal with customers anymore.
He will be livid that he is paying a store manager $60K+ and still has
to deal with irate customers.

"glh"  wrote in message news:<768e547910676eeec69cc4cca002baf2@news.teranews.com>...
> I need a reality check here.
> 
> I purchased Masonite steel french patio doors from home depot (first mistake
> I guess?) and had them (contracted out) install it (second mistake?). Thee
> doors are scratched and smudged. Please take a look at the pics and tell me
> if I shouldnt been complaining?
> 
> I mentioned this to both home depot and the contractor. Their response was
> that all doors need to be painted after install anyway, so it doesnt matter
> that they were scratched as the paint would cover it up.
> 
> My questions are;
> 
> -Is it a requirement for steel doors (the doors themselves) to be painted
> after installing? The doors are white, which leads me to believe that they
> were painted / finished at the factory.
> 
> -Is it a requirement for the frame to be painted? As it is white and not
> bare wood I would think no.
> 
> -Should I accept the job done on this install? Some of the scratches go down
> to the steel. Nail holes arent filled and the plugs for screws are still
> taped to the window.
> 
> Home Depot is sending the installer out tomorrow. For what reason I dont
> know. In my mind this cant be fixed, only replaced.
> 
> What do you think?
> 
> http://mywebpages.comcast.net/glh-usenet/doorinstall/index.htm
> 
> Thanks!
> -Giles