Between November 2003 & January 2004 I made numerous calls (all unanswered) to a vendor requesting a quotation on window replacements. (This was the only vendor revommended by my condo association or I would not have kept trying).
Towards the end of January they finally came to inspect the windows. I was not present. A few days later *I* called them and asked if they were ready with a quote. The owner mentioned a price that I said sounded reasonable but I needed to see a quotation with details and how long it would take to complete the job. I provided a fax number but he never sent me a quote.
March 1st I called and asked what was happening with the windows. The owner told me he had ordered the glass but it had been too cold to install. (It was in the high 50s F the week before.) When I asked just how warm it had to be to replace a pane of glass he told me they were just too busy for my job.
I told the owner that I absolutely had to have the windows installed before March 15. He said they would call me back and get the windows in before that deadline. As before...I received no calls until March 25, 10 days after I was promised an installation.
I told the owner that since I never heard from him, I was no longer interested and had someone else do the job. He said I committed to buying the windows even though I had not received a quote or signed a contract. Basically he said he'd see me in court since he has to sue people all the time (no wonder).
Can anyone tell me if I really did make a verbal commitment under the laws of Alexandria Virginia? Even though I stated that before going forward I needed a written quote? And if so, did I have any right to refuse the work since the deadlines the vendor provided were not met?
Honestly, I am much usually much better in business. Since this was the only recommended vendor by my very strict condo association I assumed he was vetted. Lack of returned calls, lack of a quote, lack of a contract and being told they did not have time for me lead me to believe they dropped me as a potential client. Whereas the other vendor I chose wrote me a quotation, had me sign a contract and leave a deposit.
Any guidance will be appreciated. Thank you!
Towards the end of January they finally came to inspect the windows. I was not present. A few days later *I* called them and asked if they were ready with a quote. The owner mentioned a price that I said sounded reasonable but I needed to see a quotation with details and how long it would take to complete the job. I provided a fax number but he never sent me a quote.
March 1st I called and asked what was happening with the windows. The owner told me he had ordered the glass but it had been too cold to install. (It was in the high 50s F the week before.) When I asked just how warm it had to be to replace a pane of glass he told me they were just too busy for my job.
I told the owner that I absolutely had to have the windows installed before March 15. He said they would call me back and get the windows in before that deadline. As before...I received no calls until March 25, 10 days after I was promised an installation.
I told the owner that since I never heard from him, I was no longer interested and had someone else do the job. He said I committed to buying the windows even though I had not received a quote or signed a contract. Basically he said he'd see me in court since he has to sue people all the time (no wonder).
Can anyone tell me if I really did make a verbal commitment under the laws of Alexandria Virginia? Even though I stated that before going forward I needed a written quote? And if so, did I have any right to refuse the work since the deadlines the vendor provided were not met?
Honestly, I am much usually much better in business. Since this was the only recommended vendor by my very strict condo association I assumed he was vetted. Lack of returned calls, lack of a quote, lack of a contract and being told they did not have time for me lead me to believe they dropped me as a potential client. Whereas the other vendor I chose wrote me a quotation, had me sign a contract and leave a deposit.
Any guidance will be appreciated. Thank you!
