Sales Guys, Smooth Lies & Shiny Brochures: What They’re Really Selling You in the Window Industry
From "All W-2 employees" to “lifetime warranties,” let’s pull back the curtain on the window industry’s favorite sales tricks—and what homeowners should really ask.
You open the door and there he is.
Pressed polo shirt, giant smile, carrying a shiny binder and a laser tape measure like it’s the sword of truth.
The Sales Guy™ has entered the chat.
He says he’s here to help you “upgrade your home” with the best windows on the market, installed by his amazing team of full-time W-2 employees who just love customer satisfaction.
But hang on. Let’s talk.
🤥 Lie #1: “Everyone at Our Company is W-2.”
This one’s a classic. It gives you the warm fuzzies, like everyone on their team gets dental and a Christmas bonus.
But let’s peel back that sticker on the corner of the brochure:
That guy standing in your living room?
He’s probably not a W-2 employee at all.
In fact, there’s a good chance he’s a
1099 commissioned salesperson.
That means he doesn’t get paid unless you sign the contract. And he’s got bills. Which explains why he’s pressuring you to sign tonight, in your own home, before his “special pricing” expires (spoiler: it doesn’t).
And while he’s promising a team of “in-house employees,” many companies subcontract the entire installation. So unless you’re asking the right questions, you might never meet a single W-2 employee from start to finish.
💼 Lie #2: “I’m Here to Educate You.”
Sure. Just like infomercials are documentaries.
Sales reps are trained to sell—not to install, not to diagnose, and definitely not to educate.
Their job is to sell:
- Their company’s reputation
- Their limited product line (usually one manufacturer)
- And most importantly… themselves
What you won’t hear much about:
- The actual install process
- The real challenges of your specific home type
- The type of sealants, flashing, foam, or buck frames involved
- How they’ll protect your home from water intrusion
- And especially not the limitations of the warranty
Why? Because that stuff’s messy. It takes experience to explain.
And let’s be honest—he’s not the guy swinging the hammer.
🏚️ Lie #3: “We Use Only the Best Windows.”
Translation: “We sell the one window our company has a contract with.”
Most sales guys aren’t comparing brands for your benefit.
They’re pushing a product based on
whatever earns them the biggest commission,
whatever is in stock, or
whatever the company cut a volume deal on.
Meanwhile, they might say things like:
“This is what we put in mansions on the beach.”
But the truth is,
not all homes—or windows—are created equal.
A concrete block home in Ocala doesn’t need the same solution as a wood-frame home in St. Pete or a manufactured home in Okeechobee.
Good luck getting the “sales guy” to know the difference.
😏 Lie #4: “This Warranty Is Lifetime—So You’re Covered Forever!”
Ah yes, the Lifetime Warranty.
So comforting. So vague. So very
limited.
But your sales guy probably won’t mention:
- That the “lifetime” is usually prorated
- That labor isn’t covered after year one
- That the warranty may be voided if the installer uses the wrong screws
- Or that it excludes coastal conditions, which is funny—since this is Florida
And if something goes wrong?
Guess who won’t be returning your calls.
(Hint: He’s back out there measuring windows for someone else, hoping they don’t ask too many questions.)
💬 So, What Should You Actually Ask?
Next time the Sales Guy strolls in, try these questions:
- “Are you W-2 or 1099?”
- “Who will actually install my windows?”
- “Can I see the full warranty terms—especially the exclusions?”
- “Do you use subcontractors?”
- “What’s the specific process for installing windows in a block home with stucco?”
- “Do you offer more than one window brand?”
- “What’s your air infiltration rating on this product?”
- “How do you handle flashing and waterproofing?”
Watch his smile fade ever so slightly.
🛠️ Real Pros Don’t Just Sell—They Serve.
At Windoor Retro Professionals, we’re not into pressure tactics, vague warranties, or sending a guy with no install experience to lecture you about your home.
We
match products to properties, not commissions.
We
educate our clients, not upsell them.
And yes—our installers know more than how to operate a laser measure.
We install products from multiple manufacturers like PGT, Simonton, Eastern, CWS by Pella, Wincore, and more—because you deserve options, not a one-size-fits-all sales pitch.
✋ Final Word from Joe
There’s nothing wrong with sales guys—some of them are even my friends.
But let’s be real:
Your home deserves a lot more than a smile and a pitch deck.
You deserve truth. Process clarity. And an installation team that knows Florida inside and out.
If you’re tired of high-pressure sales pitches and “special offers” that expire at midnight, we’re the team that shows up with a tape measure and a plan.
💡 Want the Truth, Not the Sales Pitch?
Contact Windoor Retro Professionals today for a consultation that’s focused on you, your home, and your long-term peace of mind—not someone’s commission check.
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