Marvin Integriy dealer is pushing me towards Pella

17 years ago

Ok - I'm having a terrible time. The marvin dealer is pushing me towards Pella. BIG TIME.

Then he slipped and told me that his sister put in Marvin Integrity.

Me thinks that his commission is higher on Pella.

I think that with all the Pella horror stories I'm concerned that if a problem comes up it will be a mess. He says they work with the vendor, blah blah blah, but I just feel like something's amis.

He's also telling me to do casement windows when I have RO of 35x69" which seem like HUGE casements.

Can someone confirm that my senses are correct on this? Or am I just being difficult?

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Comments (6)

mightyanvil
17 years ago
It's impossible to know for sure but that size is the widest Pella makes in a casement and not my favorite for using crank hardware. They only make a frame size 65 or 71 inches tall so be careful about the R.O.'s. If he is pushing Pella ProLine I would rather use the Integrity double-hung window. What is the cost difference?

Ask him why his sister used Intrgrity. If he doesn't give you a satisfactory answer buy the windows from someone else.
pebbles396
Original Author
17 years ago
He was all over in circles. Told me Pella proline was fab. Then told me integrity is a great product but they don't want to be in the replacment business they only want to work with builders on new construction.

It was a train wreck, I'm sure it will take 20 yrs to get quotes.

I'm just a much bigger fan of marvin in general. We loved the integrity window when I saw it in person.

I told him I'd prefer to look at integrity and any windows that absolutely did not make sense for integrity that I could just do the marvin ultimate. He said he doesn't build houses for windows, blah blah blah.

Just seemed like a pocket lining thing and I wasn't a big fan of that. I'll let you know the cost diff as soon as I get it.
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You're not going to go wrong with either one. I would be more concerned about the quality of service from your local distributor. We buy a lot from both distributors in our area and I have no problem recommending both to clients. The local distributor puts a mark-up on the product and for us they are priced out about the same when looking at Marvin Ultimate DH or Pella Architect Series LX. The Marvin Ultimate DH is (IMO) a slightly better unit in terms of operation. To me the Marvin is a little smoother and more refined, but I would put either in my home. There are other products that Pella makes that I prefer over Marvin. The only comment or concern I would have is about the distributor. One of my distributors offers kick backs to architects and builders to push the customer towards their brand. We have been offered ski trips and fishing trips in the past. If your builder or architect is really pushing one over the other, be very leery. IF you are seeing a significant price difference then you might be paying for someones vacation. Price them both out and request line item pricing and elevation drawings with their bid. Both companies have the ability to provide this with the stroke of a few keys.
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Thanks, windowsonwashington. And to the novice, I've done some further digging and I now feel dumb about the amount I was about to pay for windows. I did not realize the mark-up until I priced the Ultimate and Integrity product without the installation (Do this first if you can before you invite anyone into your house. I did not). On average, I was being charged $1700 per window for window and install of the Marvins (Integrity, Infinity and Clad) and about $1,050 per Inline window installed. This seems a lot given that only a few were full frame replacement. Worse, only one of the six quote did a decent job explaining the installation process. A word of advise to folks window shopping, be discipline, methodical, analytical and do not treat the process as something to get done immediately (though I understand why you would feel this way). If you do, you likely will be taken advantage of. Do yourself a favor and give yourself the time to work through the process. Also, there's lot of misinformation out there about the superiority and inferiority of one product vis a vis another. Caveat emptor certainly applies for a purchase this costly. Another thing, read the warranty before you sign. By doing this, I was able to rule out the Infinity product, much as I liked the aesthetic of the casement. I'm sure there's more to come.
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calbay03
17 years ago
Sound like your instinct is correct. It is either commission or he is having problems with his distributor.

We replaced all our windows two years ago with Marvin Ultimate after looking at Integrity, Pella, Andersen, Milgard. Integrity is very nice but does not have the color we need so we went with Marvin AL clad, wood interior and stained them.

In terms of wood working quality, at least from all that we saw here in SF Bay area, Marvin's fine work beats the other ones hands down. Good windows should last practically forever and we have to live with them everyday. It is best you get what you will enjoy using everyday regardless of what the contractor says.
norcalbl
17 years ago
Pebbles,
Go to Marvin.com and find another Integrity dealer that will be happy to sell you integrity (use the dealer search tool). You can call the 800 # on the website also and talk to someone at Marvin. They are very helpful, and may be interested in one of their dealers that would rather push Pella.
pebbles396
Original Author
17 years ago
I think you're right. I was going to wait to get the quote then call, however I think the truth is this guy is just a little too sleezy.

It was kinda funny because DH could give a crap about most house stuff. I'm the one who cares what brand thinset the tile is set in, or the diff between framed and frameless cabinets, etc etc etc. He sort of refused to talk to me, and almost tried to pit DH and I against each other.

Funny how you have these insticts and then you really start to realize how crappy someone is a few days later.

I am willing to deal with the limited options to get the integrity. I think it's just a matter of finding an installer who isn't sleezy.

Thanks!
anthem
17 years ago
The only windows from Pella that I would consider over the Marvin Integrity's would be the Pella Architectural line. The Marvin Integrity is a better window than everything Pella makes outside of that line.

Marvin Integriy dealer is pushing me towards Pella

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mightyanvil

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Marvin Integriy dealer is pushing me towards Pella

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mightyanvil

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