House owners warned

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33261, 26 June 1973, Page 12

House owners warned

House owners have been warned not to sign in haste contracts for covering the exteriors of their houses with longlasting materials.

The director of the Consumers’ Institute, (Mr R. J. Smithies) said a number of products were being sold with the claim that they would eliminate the need for painting and other maintenance for many years. The products include sheathings of metal or

asbestos, all with various decorative finishes, and also thick spray-applied paints. “Depending on the product, the cost can range from about $5OO to more than $4OOO for a normal house,” he said.

“In our opinion this is far to much to sign up for on the basis of a single talk by a salesman who comes to your door.

“Our advice is to take your time. Take several weeks—or even months—to find out all you can about different materials and brands. “Remember that the salesman will be praising a single product (his own) and you should take time to find out about other brands and materials.” HIGH PRESSURE Mr Smithies said Consumers’ Institute had no reason to doubt the quality or effectiveness of the various materials, although in the case of some materials, success depends on correct application. But some selling methods give the institute concern. “We have had complaints

about high-pressure methods and misleading claims. “Some salesmen tell the homeowner he has been specially selected and will be given a reduced price if he will allow his house to be used as a display home to promote the product. NORMAL PRICE “There is evidence that at least in some cases this is a sales gimmick and is offered by some firms to all prospective customers. About 40 people telephoned our Wellington office in one week to discuss offers made to them by one firm and without exception all had been offered the special ‘display home’ reduction. “This suggests to us that the so-call reduced price is the normal price.” Mr Smithies said that some people had got into expensive contracts which they could not afford. “We ?annot stress too strongly that people should not rush into such commitments. In many cases there may be no real need for such exterior coverings.”