Gutter-less

Well, ever since I bought my home I knew that I'd need to add gutters as soon as possible. I'd also decided that I'd proabably need some sort of leaf guard since I have huge trees with tons of leaves. I had one quote from a guy that had been referred to Dad, but I figured I ought to at least get another quote just to check out my options.

Friday night, a guy I like to call Sweaty Gutter Man came to give me a quote. I should've just called off the meeting after I met him at my house and the first thing he said was, "Oh, I thought I was meeting a guy." Hmmmm...didn't they teach him etiquette when they gave him a job as a salesman? Rule #1...don't insult your customer by inferring that she has a man's name. My second huge warning was when he immediately started telling me about his financing options. Never a good sign.

The guy sent me inside to call some of his references while he worked up my quote. What do I do? I go inside and call Mom and Dad to rush over and help me fight off the sweaty salesman. The guy did have a good product, and he was very persistent, but it's never good when someone shows you a quote but holds his hand over the amounts and reveals them line by line. No peeking!

After telling me that I had a very simple house with few corners and only one level, Sweaty Gutter Man revealed how much his gutters would set me back.

(Drumroll, please.)

...a mere $7,200. Yes, folks....that's seven THOUSAND, two-hundred dollars! It was so hard not to laugh in his face. That's more money than I've spent on the remodel of my ENTIRE house!!!! Of course, Sweaty Gutter Man didn't even leave me the quote and I certainly wasn't going to ask for a copy since there's a 0% chance I'll be needing his services.

Of course, I could get a couple hundred dollars off if I were willing to be a reference and also stick a sign in my yard a couple times a year. Why would I want to do that....then everyone would know that I was the schmuck who forked over $7,200 for gutters.

No thanks, Sweaty Gutter Man....you'll have to try and sell your goods to some other sucker.