Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

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Win-admin
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Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#1 Post by Win-admin »

We rarely post on matters of individual window companies but we feel compelled at this time to make consumers aware of this particular window company. We deliberated a great deal about this but ultimately decided we have some responsibility to report this unscrupulous dealer. We will not get into the details of this situation, but are confident in their accuracy, as we have had direct involvement in this.

In conclusion if you are looking to replace your windows and live in the Ohio area, please be warned about Zen Windows. Buyer beware, and we will leave it at that.
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Win-admin
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Re: Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#2 Post by Win-admin »

Despite quite a bit of effort on our part, we felt obliged to report there has not been any movement on the part of Zen Windows to correct what is quite an egregious situation.
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vicwiser
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Re: Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#3 Post by vicwiser »

I wish I had seen this alert before I used Zen Windows to send a contractor to do work at my home.
I trusted Zen to send capable workmen and not ask for payment until the jobs were done well, as promised. Sadly, not only was the work done poorly but there was damage done to my home. Although they promised to repair and replace the damage, they did not. One year later I asked for my money back---oh, yes, they asked for payment and I foolishly paid them in good faith. They have not refunded my money to have the work done properly and the damages repaired. I am very disappointed that I trusted them with the job and my money.

Sadly the owner Dan Walt even said: " I have an unblemished reputation and speak at industry events on proper business practices. I also do consulting work regarding ethical behavior in our industry.
The comments left by this client is completely fabricated."

Please see photos on the Zen Window facebook page and judge for yourself. http://www.facebook.com/ZenWindows

Delaware Mike
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Re: Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#4 Post by Delaware Mike »

Did they do a poor job of installing windows? I'm confused.......

vicwiser
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Re: Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#5 Post by vicwiser »

Zen Windows did replacement windows for me in Nov. 2009. It was OK . They DID ask for payment before the job was complete and satisfactory, although they say they do not. I withheld some of the money and they did come back to finish the job. The job was a little messy. There was caulking on the glass, debris in the yard, and I had to clean the floors. The installers said they don't clean the caulking finger prints and smears from the windows, so Dan Wolt, owner, offered to send someone, but I chose to do it myself. I chose them because they could install the windows before winter.

Dan told me that Zen Windows vets ( meaning: make a careful and critical examination) contractors for "Other" jobs. I called to have a flagstone patio relaid. The contractor sent by Zen said he also did concrete and waterproofing. Dan Wolt told me that Mark Smith had done excellent work at his own home. Also there would be one contractor for multiple jobs.

The work was horrible and there was damage to my home. The job started in July 2010 and in October, I finally hired someone else to remove three dump trucks of debris from the front yard, replant a tree, replace my neighbor's storm drain that was dug up by mistake, also install a storm drain that they said had been installed but had not.

The front porch had patches that would sweep out with a broom. It bows on one side. The walkway was not finished well and doesn't meet the driveway properly. The driveway slopes toward the foundation, isn't straight and is full of patched low spots. The sinking back porch is not sized to code. There is cement on the stone front and vinyl siding and both were gouged. They did replace the improper egress window well, after I bought and delivered it, but not properly. The perforated pipe used for storm drains was replaced after I asked the city inspector to visit and explain the code.

Like with the replacement windows Dan Wolt promised that I would not pay a dime until the work was done. He asked for payment and in good faith I paid. He also promised to repair the damages. They did not. He wanted the contractor to redo his work, but because of the damage that was not repaired and VERY poor work, I was actually afraid to have this done.

I asked for my money to be returned to have the work redone and the damages repaired. As of this writing March 2012, they have not.
Check out a few photos on the Zen Window face book page. http://www.facebook.com/ZenWindows

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HomeSealed
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Re: Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#6 Post by HomeSealed »

Certainly that company bears some responsibility for their quality, but why would you hire a window company to do concrete work? :shock:

Delaware Mike
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Re: Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#7 Post by Delaware Mike »

Sorry to hear this. I've heard of Zen before and I believe he was trying to franchise his business model which appears to something between a low-price window wholesaler and a "too good to be true" window guru. A lot of these guys send out mechanics and bit off more than they can chew. The construction field in general can be filled with prophets of false hope. I like to stick to what I know and I turn down a ton of work because folks see how fussy I am with my window skills and capping and often ask if I can do other projects on their houses. I've left a lot of money on the table over the years but I can sleep at night.

Hope things work out for you.

masterext
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Re: Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#8 Post by masterext »

exactly, why are you hiring a window company to do concrete work? by the way, never have a concrete guy install a window.

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#9 Post by Windows on Washington »

masterext wrote:exactly, why are you hiring a window company to do concrete work? by the way, never have a concrete guy install a window.

If he showed up looking like this, I would be worried.

Image

vicwiser
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Re: Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#10 Post by vicwiser »

Exactly, WHY would I hire a window company! :roll:

Check out the Zen Window website. Click on the OTHER tab. Dan told me he keeps a list of contractors he has
vetted (meaning: make a careful and critical examination) for "Other" jobs. He suggested because I don't live nearby, it would be nice for me to use this service, because it would be handled through Zen---
a company that is HONEST, Ethical and has Integrity.
I called to have a flagstone patio relaid. The contractor sent by Zen said he also did concrete and waterproofing. Dan Wolt told me that Mark Smith had done excellent work at his own home.

When Dan came out to see the work and damage, he told me that he had hired Mark because Mark had recently married the daughter of his window supplier. I trusted Dan to have picked a capable contractor, my mistake.

Delaware Mike, "a "too good to be true" window guru" is sadly what I have found. They did an OK job on my window replacement and I didn't trust my instincts. Dan can SAY and PROMISE anything but as they say "actions speak louder".

Windows on Washington, can I get the name of the contractor you picture above---I have learned that I am gullible

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Windows on Washington
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Re: Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#11 Post by Windows on Washington »

Live and learn. I have certainly made more than a few mistakes in my life.

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HomeSealed
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Re: Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#12 Post by HomeSealed »

I wouldn't say that you are gullible, it is just a bad situation. It does speak loudly though about working with specialists as opposed to "jack of all trades" types, but I understand you are saying that this guy was purported to be a specialist... It looks like you have the situation well documented, have you contacted the BBB or any other agency that would help with mediation?

vicwiser
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Re: Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#13 Post by vicwiser »

HomeSealed, I didn't contact the BBB because I couldn't then have an attorney and I think I will need one. I contacted the Ohio Attorney General last July---one year after not getting results. They informed me a few weeks ago that, Zen's lawyer pointed out, because I rented the house to a friend ( while waiting to sell my current house), I am considered a small business. So the lawyer with the Ohio Attorney General can't help me after all.

I am a bit paranoid to even choose a lawyer. I have contacted several and was advised to file a claim with my insurance company for the damage first. He said, they might even consider the work done as damage. It really is that bad. Then I am supposed to contact him for the remainder and my $1000 deductible.

As I wait for the insurance claims department evaluation, the contractor is still out there being recommended by Zen. Especially because of the sleepless nights, I decided to do what I can to share my story to give anyone else a more balanced view.

I found Zen online and thought they were legitimate after reading:
http://homerenovations.about.com/od/win ... indows.htm
I didn't find this site at that time. It might have made me more cautious and perhaps I would have listened to my instinctive thought " it was too good to be true".
"CONSUMER ALERT! Zen Windows" certainly got my attention, but there is no explanation for the alert.
Zen did get my windows installed in the time frame they promised. Dan did ask for payment before the work was complete though and that should have been a warning. But I bought the sales pitch that claims not to be a sales pitch.

Dan does a "You tube video" and explains that a contractor who has his profit, has no incentive to do anything---I thought that his integrity and ethics would be enough, but he is right about himself.

He has said:
I have been involved in the Home Remodeling Industry for four decades. I have an unblemished reputation"

"The comments left by this client is completely fabricated."

Actions speak louder than words: I invite anyone who would like to visit the site and view the work to contact me---and there are a couple of pictures on the Zen Face Book page.

JacktheDog

Re: Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#14 Post by JacktheDog »

I have experienced something similar a couple of times when having people do work for me. And I know better, and what to watch out for! Problem is eventually you have to make a decision and believe someone, and they get away with their lies because they are very good liars. You live and learn. I'm glad your windows were satisfactory. I'll add concrete contractors to my list of roofers and painters.

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HomeSealed
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Re: Consumer Alert! Zen Windows

#15 Post by HomeSealed »

Vic, there is no reason that you could not have a lawyer if you file a complaint with the BBB. In fact, most times, people will first go the route of filing a complaint with them, or NARI, or some other trade organization and if they get unsatisfactory results, then they resort to litigation.

On the topic of homeowners insurance, i'm not sure how that would work. What I can say is that if in fact your insurance would let you file a claim in these circumstances, they would then go after the party responsible.

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