Well, I just talked to the rep and asked if this was her decision or someone up the chain. "Er, well, it's what Kolbe decides. We're kind of just the middle man." I explained to her why this was not any problem of ours and was far removed from anything resembling good customer service, in light of the fact that we've already paid in full for what we don't yet have, we have to rehire people to reinstall the replacement at our cost and we have to put off finishing that part of the house until the window is here in 3 or 4 more weeks. I suggested when they deliver the new frame, their guy waits for the old frame or maybe puts it in for us and they can then charge Kolbe for their trouble. She said she understood and maybe if I could "sign something" saying we'll return the old frame it would be okay. Do they think we're going to split town with a defective frame or something? Jeepers. I asked to talk to her boss who said this was the first he'd heard of it and would let me know what he found out. I told him that whatever he 'found out', the answer from us was the same. Not paying for anything further. I think I may look for another Kolbe dealer.

Well you guys were right to go back to question the Integrity quote saying it should be less than the Kolbe Ultra - We took out about 80 lites across our entire package - again, without materially changing the look of the house - in fact we think we like it better. The architect had lites EVERYWHERE - in any case what a difference that and a little nudging makes on the pricing. To those out there shopping - certainly don't take that first quote as the answer - and 'value engineer' your grid patterns. Original Koble quote $38,700 - after removing those lights and continuing to press for some price movement $35,300 - more from the lite reduction that a price reduction - but we got 3% off if we pay in full at time of order Integrity - and this was the SHOCKER - original quote was a bit over $42,000. With the reduction in the number of lites, and the Marvin rep citing a 'calculation error and some more aggressive pricing' - the new quote came in at $29,300! This includes the hardware we want - Ultrex/Wood with primed interiors and screens. So now we really do have to think long and hard about which one to go with - thought it was getting easier (to go with the Kolbe) with the first Integrity quote $6K more than the Kolbe - but now with it thousands under, not sure which way to go - maybe it actually did get easier, but just swung in the other direction. Thank again for all the guidance - and had it not been suggested that some were surprised that the Integrity was higher than the Kolbe I probably would have disqualified it as an option without going back and questioning the quote.

@Robin: Our Kolbe and Kolbe windows look great--in fact they look new, if they were clean, after 13 years. No problems with condensation between the panes. We had to replace one large window but that was due to installation error, not the window. The issue we have had is with service. We had some broken handles and some of the windows are difficult to close (casement, due to settling, I suppose, in earthquake country). Our GC went out of business so I don't know where they sourced the windows from. I called several local places that 'carry' Kolbe and Kolbe and they could not help me. I called Kolbe and Kolbe and they were impossible. When we had the window replaced, the new contractor was able to assist with the other windows (11 years later). Also, in retrospect, I wish I had gotten sliders instead of french doors. One of the handles has been dysfunctional (a K/K thing), and I think french doors in general are not very secure (not a K/K thing).

Hapahaole: I have mostly fixed and casement windows that I'm ordering... However, for my renovation, I had a few awning windows (opened upwards) (The opening mechanism was a "slider" that pushes out the window not a "crank"). The awnings were both in standard window sizes and transoms. I had a group of 3 windows where I did the slider mechanism too (not a crank). I also did a giant full wall slider door....and a massive window (36 ft roughly) where they had to design/build based on structure and weight. We haven't had any issues with our slider (EXCEPT) we got "dividers" in them and since it came unfinished wood, the painters forgot to paint part of the interior slider that when the doors were opened a certain way, you could see it! After construction, they had to carefully remove the door to paint the part they missed (I couldn't watch I was so nervous). After getting a lot of quotes, I recall being surprised that I didn't think the Kolbe VistaLuxe was incredibly much more money, especially since Kolbe was considered higher-end than some of the Marvin lines. It definitely ended up costing more for Kolbe though but that is because I had a lot of "custom" special needs/wants for my windows and we paid an upcharge to my contractor holding him responsible for any fixes/warranties instead of buying the windows on our own and then having him just install. Most Marvin dealers I know are soup to nuts...they will order and do install and then be responsible for workmanship. Some dealers might sub it out to window installers they only use, some have their own crew in house, and others just hire someone to do it. But, with that said, check everyone's warranty for their product line. Good Luck!