Kitchen companies - unprofessional
Discussion
After 20 years, our kitchen is looking rather dated and in much need of a refresh. So we have made the decision to have a brand new kitchen in the Spring next year.
We contacted a few kitchen companies, ranging from the mid-range to high-end.
was one of the high-end.
In terms of sales, they really do push. After ordering a brochure, they contacted us every few weeks to see if we wanted to get a design/quotation etc. So we got the designer to come out and she was very good.
We were due to see their design for our kitchen in one of their showrooms and the day before the appointment, we had a phone call that our designer could not meet us because she was on leave (no indication whether sick or what). The other designer would step in as he said he had all the information to present the designs/styles/costing.
So, we met the designer who was to step in and were not impressed by some of the things he did/said:
- He criticised some of the ideas of our original designer, saying he wouldn't have done things that way.
- He said our designer was on sick leave and that she had done this before, being away for 8 weeks. He said he had no idea if or when she would return.
- The design and costing was only half complete, they had not finished the utility room. This was not mentioned when he contacted us before and we would have to go to their showroom again to see the plans (75 mile roundtrip).
- The building work did not have a breakdown (we don't know what it included).
- He had prepared an estimate for the appliances, but ignored the specification sheet written by our original designer.
- He was critical of Mark Wilkinson, saying they use MDF for some parts of their kitchens. I think he said use plywood.
I would never criticise the work of another colleague in front of prospective customers and I would certainly never discuss a colleague's leave in a negative manner.
All rather unprofessional in my opinion - anyone else had similar experiences? I think it's back to the drawing board with this kitchen
ETA
No naming and shaming please.
We contacted a few kitchen companies, ranging from the mid-range to high-end.
was one of the high-end.In terms of sales, they really do push. After ordering a brochure, they contacted us every few weeks to see if we wanted to get a design/quotation etc. So we got the designer to come out and she was very good.
We were due to see their design for our kitchen in one of their showrooms and the day before the appointment, we had a phone call that our designer could not meet us because she was on leave (no indication whether sick or what). The other designer would step in as he said he had all the information to present the designs/styles/costing.
So, we met the designer who was to step in and were not impressed by some of the things he did/said:
- He criticised some of the ideas of our original designer, saying he wouldn't have done things that way.
- He said our designer was on sick leave and that she had done this before, being away for 8 weeks. He said he had no idea if or when she would return.
- The design and costing was only half complete, they had not finished the utility room. This was not mentioned when he contacted us before and we would have to go to their showroom again to see the plans (75 mile roundtrip).
- The building work did not have a breakdown (we don't know what it included).
- He had prepared an estimate for the appliances, but ignored the specification sheet written by our original designer.
- He was critical of Mark Wilkinson, saying they use MDF for some parts of their kitchens. I think he said
use plywood.I would never criticise the work of another colleague in front of prospective customers and I would certainly never discuss a colleague's leave in a negative manner.
All rather unprofessional in my opinion - anyone else had similar experiences? I think it's back to the drawing board with this kitchen
Edited by AndyHCZ on Saturday 25th October 10:58
ETA
No naming and shaming please.
Edited by Big Al. on Saturday 25th October 11:08
Edited by AndyHCZ on Saturday 25th October 11:11
I can't speak for , but IMHO the golden rules of dealing with customers is to never criticise a colleague or a competitor in front of them, though I don't work for a kitchen company it doesn't sound very professional to me.
I'd imagine that they aren't cheap, so I'd expect a much higher standard of behaviour and very clear breakdown of costs if it were me.
Not sure how long this thread will last though due to the name and shame rules...
ETA
Name removed.
, but IMHO the golden rules of dealing with customers is to never criticise a colleague or a competitor in front of them, though I don't work for a kitchen company it doesn't sound very professional to me.I'd imagine that they aren't cheap, so I'd expect a much higher standard of behaviour and very clear breakdown of costs if it were me.
Not sure how long this thread will last though due to the name and shame rules...
ETA
Name removed.
Edited by Big Al. on Saturday 25th October 11:06
Woops - sorry, didn't realise I broke the rules (edited to remove another name).
I was quite shocked at how unprofessional they were. Certainly not the way to attract any customers.
Kitchens are a big expense (and hassle!) for any house. We all probably spend more on a kitchen than any other room in the house.
To be honest, their quotation is quite confusing. Everything is broken down but over a lot of paperwork which makes it a little nauseating to read.
I was quite shocked at how unprofessional they were. Certainly not the way to attract any customers.
Kitchens are a big expense (and hassle!) for any house. We all probably spend more on a kitchen than any other room in the house.
To be honest, their quotation is quite confusing. Everything is broken down but over a lot of paperwork which makes it a little nauseating to read.
I was once shopping for a very decent kitchen, i walked into a smallbones showroom and was not given the time of day, i was wearing my work overalls and the sales people really treated me like a piece of Sh*t.
I left and spent my very decent budget with Mccarron and co who were very very good indeed, no pressure what so ever and their kitchens are seriously nice.
They are ex mark wilkinson employees and they work out of the old mark wilkinson factory, well worth a look if your looking for that type of kitchen, not cheap but no *ullst.
I used the bromham showroom no idea on the london one.
http://www.mccarronandco.com/kitchens.php
SS
I left and spent my very decent budget with Mccarron and co who were very very good indeed, no pressure what so ever and their kitchens are seriously nice.
They are ex mark wilkinson employees and they work out of the old mark wilkinson factory, well worth a look if your looking for that type of kitchen, not cheap but no *ulls
t. I used the bromham showroom no idea on the london one.
http://www.mccarronandco.com/kitchens.php
SS
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