(Editor’s note: If you’ve checked out any of our online reviews, you’ll notice that there’s a name that comes up often – Dave. Many of our very satisfied customers rave about Dave, and this month we’re introducing him to you. Here he is on duty at our Savage showroom. We recently talked with Dave about his job and his background.)
Interviewer: Dave, if you could tell us what you do at Window Outfitters.
Dave: My title is sales manager and I am in-house, but I don’t do a lot of selling here in our office. My job is to go out and meet with customers and take measurements after people contact us. They may come in through our website or a referral from another customer.
We are also listed in a book called “The Five Star Reference Guide” that is mailed to a number of counties. We’re listed as a preferred contractor for replacement windows, exterior doors, and siding, so sometimes people find out about us that way.
Dave: I am in-house, yes, but I don’t do a lot of selling here in our office. My job is to go out and meet with customers and take measurements after people contact us. They may come in through our website or a referral from another customer. We are also listed in a book called “The Five Star Reference Guide” that is mailed to a number of Twin Cities area counties. We’re listed in this guide as a preferred contractor for replacement windows, exterior doors, and siding, so sometimes people find out about us that way.
Once we get a lead, then my job is to contact them and find out what they’re looking for. If it seems like something we could provide for them, then I make an appointment to meet with them in their home. I take some pictures and take measurements. Then with the information I get, I come back to the office and put together a quote for them.
Interviewer: As somebody who is hands-on in working with sales leads as well as existing customers, is there one particular thing you can point to for the success of the company and for you personally?
Dave: I would say that we have an advantage over our competition because we work with a variety of manufacturers for the products we install. We are able to offer our customers more choices than most other contractors.
For example, when I go on a call I tell people that we’ve got about 10 different brands of windows. And it is very unusual for me after I’ve made the appointment with the homeowner and taken the measurements that I would quote just one window. I like to quote two or sometimes three different brands so they have a choice.
Part of my job is to educate the homeowner and let them know what options are available. I don’t know about you, but when I buy something I like to have a choice. One of our biggest competitors is Renewal by Andersen, but they’ve only got one thing to sell. With them and many window contractors like that, the approach is, “Do you want it – yes or no?” It’s very high priced and high pressure, but they’ve only got one option. But I’ve got at least ten. I’d rather have them get options from me instead of a competitor. If I can quote them three different windows they often decide they don’t need to talk to anybody else. Or they may see that nobody else is giving them options like I do and they like the way we explain how we’re going to do the installation. And I always include references that they can contact regarding our service and our installation expertise.
Interviewer: Are you ever on job sites as a project gets going?
Dave: Yes, I am kind of like a mother hen. My wife tells me to leave them alone because they know what they are doing. But again, when I sell to a customer, I am selling me as well. I worry about every job because I want each job to be perfect
Interviewer: So when you sell a job, you are overseeing what the customer needs and wants?
Dave: The foreman we have has forgotten more about installation expertise than I’ll ever know. But I just want to make sure we’re keeping the customer happy. Do they need anything? Is it going smoothly? I don’t get to every job, but I want them to know that I am concerned. I want them to get what they’ve paid for.
Interviewer: I am sure that is appreciated. Tell us a bit about your history both in the window business and with Window Outfitters.
Dave: Bob Davis and I were in the computer business back in the 60s – we’ve been friends for that long. Then he started this company about 15 years ago. When we would get together occasionally for lunch or something he would say, “When you get tired of computers why don’t you come over here and sell windows? It’s a little easier.” I finally got tired of the rat race in computers and came here.
Dave’s personal commitment to the satisfaction of each customer he works with is an integral part of our success as a Minnesota exterior remodeling contractor. Customer service is of extreme importance to us, and we trust that when you contact us for your next replacement window, exterior door, or siding needs, you’ll get a chance to speak to Dave or one of our other team members and find out for yourself how our customer care matches the high quality products and installation services so many Twin Cities homeowners have come to expect from us.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
