any feedback on factory-to-you millennium windows? (Dallas, Plano: home, contractors, living)

[dgz]

I was talking with a salesman from Factory-to-You who is based in Rockwall. He came over selling millennium vinyl replacement windows that use a highly insulative glass. He did this test with a lamp and a heat meter (and I put my hand in front of the lamp and it was pretty hot). Then he drops different types of window glass to show how the resist heta. There was a triple-pane argon glass and this two-pane millennium glass which weighs about 1/4 less. The millennium glass was lighter and it cost less. The price seems reasonable if the glass does in fact perform the way it appeared in the test.

But I've never heard of this company and I'm highly suspicious of anyone selling me windows/siding/etc. these days. Has anyone heard of them?

They're on BBB with a satisfactory rating and two resolved disputes (within in the past few years). Apparently Factory-to-You uses a company called Home Craftsman in Dallas (which I could find nothing about) to assemble the windows and it gets its 'special glass' from Cardinal Industries. (I could not find any phyical address on the Cardinal site.) The test looked pretty impressive but I'm so suspicous of anyone in the windows/sidiing industry. And their pay schedule seemed ok. It was the usual 'put 10% down and then pay the rest after the job has been completed.'

[rwc2117]

I had a visit recently from a door-to-door salesman representing the Factory-To-You company. I accepted his materials and made an appointment for "the quote". Here is what I have learned, Factory-To-You (FTY Windows) is a local Window Installer/Contractor. They install "Millennium Windows" as well as other windows from various manufactuers. They are a current BBB member with good standing. BBB recorded two customer complaint issues within the past 36 months, both resolved. I understand from the salesman that FTY sub-contracts these jobs out..so be careful, I would ask for the name of the sub-contractor and check them out thoroughly, after all...it will be the sub-contractor that is actually doing the work. A note...The Factory Window Warranty is void in cases of improper installation. I would definitely want to see the installer's warranty and thier coverage, I think the window's warranty will speak for itself. I would also ask for at least 10 reference jobs in your area. I was told the "Millennium" window is exclusively made for FTY by Home Craftsman (www.homecraftsman.net) a local DFW manufactuer. Incidentally, Home Craftsman has a list of "AAMA Certified Installation Masters" for thier products, I did not see FTY on thier listings. As far as the Home Craftsman company and thier products, I could not find either listed with the EWC (Welcome to the Efficient Windows Collaborative Web Site) or the NFRC (NFRC - Welcome), that troubles me....alot. Hope this helps.

[blake52]

I have been looking for information and was interested by some of the information I found here. Their salesman came across well and seemed know the product although I did think of some questions after he left. I was able to find Home Craftsman on the internet at homecraftsman.net/frontk2. I have been looking at windows and will probably go with Factory To You. They were refered to me by a friend but still wanted to check things out myself. The glass rated higher than any other product I have seen. Cardinal makes several products and this seems to be the best. I was able to find them under Cardinal Glass. I have asked about the installation process and feel comfortable with it. The installer has been putting in windows for at least 20 years. Seems everybody sub contacts installation. They use only one installer. I also was able to find Home Craftsman on the NFRC website. They were listed under Alenco windows. I assume they are related. The numbers rated much better than required by energy star so I don't have any issues there. Vinyl products seem to much better than aluminum and I like the way look. My home needs a face lift. Everything seems find with the windows at my friends house. I am going to ask for a couple of references just to be sure.

[dgz]

Thanks! Just a followup... After the Factory-To-You salesman left my house, I thought about it for a day or so, and I just felt 'uncomfortable' about the purchase. Perhaps it was because I had trouble finding information about these other companies... Also, the other thing that bothered me was that as he was leaving my house, he had made a comment about living 'right down the street' and gave me a specific address. Well, I checked the owner of that address and he has never lived there. So, the next day, I sent a 'receipt upon request' letter to him at the Rockwall address he gave me on his business card, saying that I wished to not go ahead with the purchase. About a week ago, I got that letter back as 'undeliverable.' So, I would strongly suggest avoiding this guy.

[fifties1]

I too had the sane experience with Factory to You. Cancelled my contract as the salesman made me feel very uncomfortable and I did not want to deal with subcontractors. Ended up having my windows installed by a company in Richardson, Window Expo. Was very pleased, great price, and had 22 windows installed in 3 weeks.

[dhorn92]

Originally Posted by dgz

Thanks! Just a followup... After the Factory-To-You salesman left my house, I thought about it for a day or so, and I just felt 'uncomfortable' about the purchase. Perhaps it was because I had trouble finding information about these other companies... Also, the other thing that bothered me was that as he was leaving my house, he had made a comment about living 'right down the street' and gave me a specific address. Well, I checked the owner of that address and he has never lived there. So, the next day, I sent a 'receipt upon request' letter to him at the Rockwall address he gave me on his business card, saying that I wished to not go ahead with the purchase. About a week ago, I got that letter back as 'undeliverable.' So, I would strongly suggest avoiding this guy.

Hello,

I came across this forum last night while trying to find the website of Factory To You, which is FTY Windows as I later found out. I am doing some work for the vice-president of the company who I inquired about this issue. He informed that the salesman you spoke with was his father, who at the time he had just moved from Rockwall to Plano. Court records hadn't changed over yet in his name, so that is no reason to avoid this company. I strongly suggest using their services.

I did a little research for you, since apparently you couldn't do it yourself, and instead jumped to conclusions.

Factory to You Siding & Windows, 3676 Hawthorne Trl, Rockwall, TX on Yahoo! Local (broken link)


Happy Window Shopping NOOBS!

[dgz]

You said that he moved from Rockwall to Plano, but about 10 months later, he is still not listed at the Plano address that he gave. Also, why would my certified letter get a 'return' if it was sent to the business address (vs. the owner's father's residence address)? I'm going to go with my gut feeling and consider possibly going with Windo Expo instead.

Originally Posted by dhorn92

Hello,

I came across this forum last night while trying to find the website of Factory To You, which is FTY Windows as I later found out. I am doing some work for the vice-president of the company who I inquired about this issue. He informed that the salesman you spoke with was his father, who at the time he had just moved from Rockwall to Plano. Court records hadn't changed over yet in his name, so that is no reason to avoid this company. I strongly suggest using their services.

I did a little research for you, since apparently you couldn't do it yourself, and instead jumped to conclusions.

Factory to You Siding & Windows, 3676 Hawthorne Trl, Rockwall, TX on Yahoo! Local


Happy Window Shopping NOOBS!

[bentley21706]

We bought the windows 3 years ago. THe salesman performed the demo with the light and discuss the quality of the coatings on the glass and we were sold. However the installation crew we very inept and we had a tough time getting them to redo some of the shoddy work, ie cracking the trim arround the windows and globby caulk work. We now just cleaned all 27 windows for spring and have noticed that there are several small bubbles on the inside coatings. I would welcome anyone who can help me track the owner down to get warranty work.
I should have listen to my gut and not purchased from these guys.

[tycobb2522]

Wow. I think just based on the comments from the "members" who are clearly representatives of the company, they should be avoided.

Hint to window company salesmen posing as forum members: maybe make a few unrelated posts prior to jumping in with half a page of information and claiming to be some innocent bystander.