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| - Called Olson Iron this morning to make an appointment for a free estimate (as advertised on their website) to have RV gates and front door security gates for our home. Side note, I called this company because we previously had them out FIVE YEARS ago to give us an estimate on another unrelated project that we didn't end up doing as we felt it was a bit expensive for us at the time. But I thought let me give them a call again since I am shopping around and compare prices again. Who knows, maybe they will come in under somewhere else?
After telling the gal what we wanted she proceeded to get my information. I did tell her about us getting an estimate in the past, it didn't seem to be any problem (at the time we talked I didn't know the exact year but later found out estimate when I got home). Then I get put on hold for some time. When she comes back she tells me that if I know the dimensions then they can give me an estimate over the phone and if that over the phone estimate sounds good then they will send an "estimator" out at the cost of $150.00 to do a formal written estimate. IF we choose to accept the estimate then the $150 is applied toward our purchase. I asked the gal why the $150 charge. She tells me its because they have already been out to our home before in the past for an estimate. Note, she did originally want to look up our past estimate but she didn't have a way to verify that because she said the records from a few years ago aren't kept onsite. I said "Let me get this straight. only the first estimate is free, any others after that cost $150?". She said "Yes." I said no thank you, I will have to go somewhere else. She obliged and let me off the phone. No trying to save a potential sale of thousands of dollars.
I would like to specifically note that their website advertises free estimates. No where does it have any fine print stating they are only given once any another future estimate will cost $150. Now I certainly understand being in business and it costing time, money, gas, etc. to drive to a customers home for an estimate and if they don't end up accepting it, it seems a waste of time right? Sure. But $150? Seems a bit outrageous to me. On the other hand maybe I was told this STUPID fee because I did let it be known that I was gathering other estimates as well. Which I am sure what any typical consumer would do before spending a lot of money on a home project. Had the website said only the first estimate is free and any others after that cost $150, I would have not wasted this gals time and skipped over calling them in the first place.
I do have to say that the gal on the phone was pleasant, which is why I give two stars. She was probably just doing what she was told to do (while I sat on hold). She wasn't rude in any way. I just think asking a potential customer to pay $150 for someone to come for an estimate is ridiculous. At least if you are going to do that, make it something more reasonable about $65-$75 or so. Geesh.
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