Pella

David of Lexington, KY November 4, 2009

We built our house in 1998 and at the recommendation of the architect used Pella ProLine windows throughout. We paid a premium price for Low E and Argon filled windows. First problem- some windows arrived and were not labeled low E (low E is a coating on the glass from the glass manufacturer and it must be selected by the person at the factory to meet the order). The low E windows are slightly shaded and we have a gang of 3 windows in one frame and the middle window is not Low E as specified (on numerous windows). We called the rep and he came out and proceeded to tell us the labeling was just wrong. It was too late anyway as the fixed windows were not low E. Then the screens came the wrong size. New order of screens all the same and wrong again. Not worth the hassle but I have 2 sets of screens that don't fit!

Now in 2009 about 2 months after the 10 year warranty I noticed that several sashed were completely rotted (we don't open the windows a lot so didn't notice the rot under the paint). Also a fixed window is rotted and molding.

Now moved to CA and was talking to a neighbor who had the same trouble with Pella and now we find out it was a national problem from 1995-2000 or so until Pella supposedly corrected the problem. They will not honor the warranty. Our neighbor sued Pella (not in class action) and won the case. A big deal for Pella who spent millions defending so that they would not have to pay other people. Just be aware- we thought we were buying a quality brand, but the company was purchased by venture capital company and they have ruined the quality! They are pure garbage.

Sharron of Moravia, IA October 30, 2009

We purchased Pella Designer Series Double Hung Douglas Fur windows. We are trying to build green. Pella is made one hour away. We contacted Pella. They sent a rep to talk to us. We worked with him, John, for 2 months before we placed our order. He told us over and over that the timeline for the order is 10-14 days from time of order to receive the windows. Our contract stated that they would be delivered October 8, 2009. They did not come until October 23, 2009. We were told that our sales rep did not understand that the Doug fur order takes longer to process. We were upset because our project was ready for the windows October 8, as we were told.

The fun begins after they came late. We ordered nearly 35,000.00 worth of windows. The top floor was installed and some of the garage windows also. I started working on them, with another gentleman. The sashed will not function, the latches won't latch and one of the sashes have the cladding just flapping in the wind.

Pella just sent a Tech today, but he did not know what to do with the mess. He tried swapping out the sashes that were the same size, but that did not help. He took many pictures and measurements. He said he would have to get back to his drafting table to figure this out.

The windows are poorly constructed. We let all the help go. We can not pay they help for doing nothing. Our project is stopped. Nothing can be done without windows.

Dennis of Midlothian, TX October 28, 2009

When I purchased my Pella windows 12 years ago I thought I was buying quality. Now 12 years later two of my picture windows are leaking and the wood has now rotted. Pella only warrants for 10 years although this probably started withing the 10 years it was not apparant until recently.

Pella wanted to charge me 90 to come out and assess the situation. It appears as though I'm not the only customer experiencing this effect. One comment - Don't buy Pella windows. There is a reason they only warrant them for 10 years. 2000 to replace these two windows. They are not Pella.

June of Fowler, IN October 28, 2009

My first order of four ThermaStar Model 1 20 Series, Low E double-hung windows with upper grills were purchased at Lowes in Lafayette, IN. I was not satisfied with customer service and the long wait for a sales person when I went back to order more windows. I went on google.com and found a Pella Window franchise in South Bend, In.

I called and was directed to salesman, Michael S. and asked him if he could meet the price of the windows that was quoted to me from Lowes and he said "yes". I faxed him the Proposal fro Lowes with the description of the windows and prices. He informed me that he would need a 50% deposit to process the order. I sent him the deposit. About two weeks later he informed me that their police had changed and that full payment would be needed to process the order.

I sent the balance for the eleven windows, which totaled 2,014.50. Sometime later, before the delivery of the first ordered windows and having saved enough money, I ordered an additional Nine windows which totaled 1,921.49. I notified saleswoman, Darlene T., who I learned had replaced Mike S., to inform her that I received windows that had both upper and lower grills.

Darlene informed me that they would do a trade-out and subsitute the bottom window with grills to windows with no grills. Later she called me stating that she needed payment of 2,270.62 and to send the check to the Mishawaka store. Again I received a call from Darlene requesting payment of 1,043.39.

Noticing that sevral checks had not been cashed by Pella, I thought perhaps they were lost or misplaced. The day that delivery was scheduled, I called my bank and learned that all the checks had been cashed and I had overpaid 3,902.52. Also the windows were not the windows that I had ordered. Argon filled windows with both and bottom windows were delivered.

I contacted the Pella Store franchise owner, Herbert A. K. of Moscow, PA. K. owns Pella franchises in South Bend, Mishawaka and Chesterton, In. Also, has stores in Pennsylvania and formerly owned franchises in Illinois. K. sent me a check for 747.77.

Sorry, Mr. K., this pithy unexceptable amount will not do. The consequences of this Breach of Contract is that I have windows that I did not order and that do not match windows that were purchased at Lowes and installed before ordering these extra windows from the Herbert A. K. owned Pella franchise store in South Bend, IN.

On January 5, 2009, I received a letter from Jana P., Customer Support Specialist of the Pella Corporation in Pella, IA, that it is her understanding a letter was sent to me in 2007 from Mr. Warren O., General Sales Manager of the Mishawaka location indicating this matter is resolved since you have received all product and all over payments have been refunded. Pella Corporation fully supports the efforts of the Mishawaka distributor and now considers this matter closed.

I have read numerous complaints about Pella Windows and Doors and I think that all who have been ripped-off by Pella ought to write to the producer of AMERICAN GREED. The public needs to be informed. This experience has caused me much duress physically, emotionally and financially. It has been a nightmare.

Mike of rock falls, IL October 26, 2009

Like so many others, our Pella windows are failing. Our home was completed in 1998, 30,000 worth of Pella product. Three years ago, our kitchen "crank out" window rotted out and was replaced by Pella (had to pay labor as I recall, which is very expensive). Now, just today, I see I have two more on that side of the house going, and my fixed window has a soft spot. Leaking problems in our living room, also. As many now know, part of the problem is the aluminum cladding which does not overlap properly, allowing water intrusion, but I don't think that is the only problem.

Pella has been out -- after having to charge my cc 120 to come and not making it for 3 1/2 weeks -- never even climbed a ladder, but declared the problem "not there's." We have asked that our case be taken up to corporate. I have also contacted the Chicago firm which has the class action suit, but I have not heard anything. Insurance company engineer to come tomorrow.

I am already out about 7,000 trying to address the problem. I would guess my damages if all the windows which have a problem have to be replaced at my expense to be somewhere around 50,000, or more.

Paul of Beverly Hills , MI October 23, 2009

In 2005 we purchased a log sided home in Roscommon Michigan that was built in 1996. It has a cathedral ceiling with all Pella windows going all the way to the peak. One of the 4'x6'lower windows began showing dark spots on the window casing. I touched it and poked my finger into all rotted wood. The entire lower interior sill was rotting away from water damage. I suspected the log siding caulking was failing. I recaulked the entire window with but no help. You can feel the cold air coming through the rotted wood. It appears that the actual window seals have failed and the entire window is now rotting away.

The Local Pella dealer in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan has informed me that it will cost me 100 for a "Pella technician" to come out and evaluate the situation and to determine if it can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced. They will replace the window but will not cover any of the labor cost of actually replacing the window. Because this is a log sided home the labor to replace this window will cost thousands of dollars.

barbara of freeport, IL October 19, 2009

We had a small room additon built about three years ago. The first winter we had water collecting on the glass and leaking onto the wood so that i had to dry the wood every hour or so. When it became very old the water froze. We called Pella and someone did come out to replace the hardware. I think the idea was that the new hardware woud pull the windows tighter. We were told to cut down the humidity in the house. We have done so but still have the problem. We have anderson windows in the rest of the house that are 30 years old and do not have water or ice on them. I have read a lot of complaints by people who have bought pella windows and doors and been unhappy so I know I am not alone. We are not happy with a pella (architect series) sliding door that we purchased about 4 years ago and have the same problem with it so we probably should have known better then to buy the windows from pella. We had a pella window installed in a kithen in 1994 in a different house than the one we are in now and were very happy with that window so we purposely bought pella for our present house. We are very sorry and will never buy pella again and intend to tell everyone that we have been unhappy with their product.

ken of whitehouse, OH October 14, 2009

Every time the temperature gets below 35 degrees outside, our octagon shaped bathroom window collects moisture on the inside. When it gets below 30 degrees outside, the window gets ice on the inside about 2 inches around the outside edges. When I contacted Pella about this problem, they stated that I have too much humidity in the house. I don't have a humidity problem on the other windows so I think the problem is the seal between the panes of glass, but they won't do anything about it. The wood stained finish is turning black from the moisture on the inside of the window.

cheryle of greenville, CA October 14, 2009

We paid 11,000 for 16 windows, 10 yrs and 6 mo. ago. The wooden strips that go around the edges of the window have come loose on 3 windows. Because of the 10 yr. warranty, we were told to go buy some gorilla glue and fix it ourselves, or pay them to send someone out. How's that for customer service for some pretty expensive windows that don't last?

joyce of orchard park, NY October 12, 2009

in 2001 we purchased many windows from the store on walden and i wondered why the windows after about two years were beginning to develope a touch of black in the corners of the windows. some i refinished and removed most of the black and now this year saw the same problem. well this morning i looked at my bedroom windows heat is on in the house and there is a 12 inch overhang and guess what there is a little moisture on the bottom and the corners of the front windows

the windows were locked and were recently done with a helmsman finish but there was the moisture and so that got to wonder is this is what is going on and i just never saw this until it was black. what are your thoughts