Wren kitchen, best time to buy, now or post Xmas sale?
Discussion
Hashtaggggg said:
singlecoil said:
Builders really like Howdens a lot.
I wonder why......I learned some time ago that I was never going to be able to compete with a builder currently working on an extension (which of course triggers the need for a new kitchen) because when the client asked their builder whether the design I'd done was a good one, the builder would just say that they could get them a kitchen just as good for half the price, but the builder would have to buy it because they had an account and the client did not.
So the builder would not only make money on the fitting, but on the markup they would make on the units. The client would assume that the builder's recommendation was a third party endorsement, when of course it was not, and the customer would end up with a cheap kitchen (not good value, just cheap).
Edited by singlecoil on Thursday 12th December 15:14
singlecoil said:
Hashtaggggg said:
singlecoil said:
Builders really like Howdens a lot.
I wonder why......I learned some time ago that I was never going to be able to compete with a builder currently working on an extension (which of course triggers the need for a new kitchen) because when the client asked their builder whether the design I'd done was a good one, the builder would just say that they could get them a kitchen just as good for half the price, but the builder would have to buy it because they had an account and the client did not.
So the builder would not only make money on the fitting, but on the markup they would make on the units. The client would assume that the builder's recommendation was a third party endorsement, when of course it was not, and the customer would end up with a cheap kitchen (not good value, just cheap).
Edited by singlecoil on Thursday 12th December 15:14
singlecoil said:
Hashtaggggg said:
singlecoil said:
Builders really like Howdens a lot.
I wonder why......I learned some time ago that I was never going to be able to compete with a builder currently working on an extension (which of course triggers the need for a new kitchen) because when the client asked their builder whether the design I'd done was a good one, the builder would just say that they could get them a kitchen just as good for half the price, but the builder would have to buy it because they had an account and the client did not.
So the builder would not only make money on the fitting, but on the markup they would make on the units. The client would assume that the builder's recommendation was a third party endorsement, when of course it was not, and the customer would end up with a cheap kitchen (not good value, just cheap).
Edited by singlecoil on Thursday 12th December 15:14
Nothing wrong with a Howdens kitchen if they are fitted properly.
My parents bought a wren kitchen a couple of years ago. They got the units and appliances from them (spent about £10k I think), then my old man fitted it.
They had nothing but issues from the moment they paid. On delivery day, around 75% of the stuff turned up with the rest out of stock, will be a couple of weeks.
And wren also cocked up the design and the hob unit they supplied didn’t fit over the draw unit. However the worktops had been ordered and already cut from elsewhere so that hob had to be used.
In the end he had to bodge the hell out of a few things to make them fit.
They had nothing but issues from the moment they paid. On delivery day, around 75% of the stuff turned up with the rest out of stock, will be a couple of weeks.
And wren also cocked up the design and the hob unit they supplied didn’t fit over the draw unit. However the worktops had been ordered and already cut from elsewhere so that hob had to be used.
In the end he had to bodge the hell out of a few things to make them fit.
Alucidnation said:
singlecoil said:
Hashtaggggg said:
singlecoil said:
Builders really like Howdens a lot.
I wonder why......I learned some time ago that I was never going to be able to compete with a builder currently working on an extension (which of course triggers the need for a new kitchen) because when the client asked their builder whether the design I'd done was a good one, the builder would just say that they could get them a kitchen just as good for half the price, but the builder would have to buy it because they had an account and the client did not.
So the builder would not only make money on the fitting, but on the markup they would make on the units. The client would assume that the builder's recommendation was a third party endorsement, when of course it was not, and the customer would end up with a cheap kitchen (not good value, just cheap).
Edited by singlecoil on Thursday 12th December 15:14
Nothing wrong with a Howdens kitchen if they are fitted properly.
And indeed there is nothing wrong with Howdens kitchens, but let's not pretend they are anything more than a budget kitchen.
singlecoil said:
Nonsense. I didn't say that making profit was bad, just that in many cases the client doesn't realise that the builder is making money on the supply as well as the fitting. Nothing wrong with making money on supply either, as long as the client realises that's what's going on.
And indeed there is nothing wrong with Howdens kitchens, but let's not pretend they are anything more than a budget kitchen.
If they are happy with the price etc, it’s got nothing to do with the builder making money.And indeed there is nothing wrong with Howdens kitchens, but let's not pretend they are anything more than a budget kitchen.
Most people do not and will not pay for ‘designer’, and most of time, over priced kitchens.
Alucidnation said:
singlecoil said:
Nonsense. I didn't say that making profit was bad, just that in many cases the client doesn't realise that the builder is making money on the supply as well as the fitting. Nothing wrong with making money on supply either, as long as the client realises that's what's going on.
And indeed there is nothing wrong with Howdens kitchens, but let's not pretend they are anything more than a budget kitchen.
If they are happy with the price etc, it’s got nothing to do with the builder making money.And indeed there is nothing wrong with Howdens kitchens, but let's not pretend they are anything more than a budget kitchen.
Most people do not and will not pay for ‘designer’, and most of time, over priced kitchens.
It isn't only 'designer' kitchens which are better and more expensive that Howdens. Howdens have not discovered a hidden trick that nobody else knows about how to make good stuff at low prices, they make adequate stuff at comparatively low prices. Some other firms make better stuff at higher prices. The better stuff tends to last longer and look nicer.
Plenty of other business work on the same principle, car companies too, and yet people still buy BMWs.
We got a quote from Howdens, kitchen price was ok. Ended up with kitchen depot who were similar price, but more because they seemed really on the ball and had decent fitters.
I heard from our fitter the inside story on most of the suppliers as he’d worked for most over the years. Wren sounds even worse from the employees POV.
I heard from our fitter the inside story on most of the suppliers as he’d worked for most over the years. Wren sounds even worse from the employees POV.
Trustmeimadoctor said:
when they designed us a kitchen they were quite happy giving us a gap between a wall and hob of about 600mm! not exactly very safe or easy to navigate through
This was our experience. Hard sales, beautiful showroom. This was Wren Dundee. They would‘t let us take the drawings home until we’d paid 10% deposit. We drew the layout on the floor and you wouldn’t be able to open the dishwasher. They were desperate to put a island in. We ended up doing our own design and going to Howden’s. Between us and Howden’s we ended up with the design we’ve got now and we’re very happy with it. A couple of friends have wren units and doors and they seem fine.
Their fitting charges are ridiculously overpriced. Find a local fitter.
All their sold worktops (granite, quartz, Corian) are way overpriced. Again shop around.
Unitsonline.co.uk are great for price and quality units and doors. They do worktops too.
If you are looking at quartz, then take a look at Dekton. It is a bit more money but is far superior in my opinion.
Their fitting charges are ridiculously overpriced. Find a local fitter.
All their sold worktops (granite, quartz, Corian) are way overpriced. Again shop around.
Unitsonline.co.uk are great for price and quality units and doors. They do worktops too.
If you are looking at quartz, then take a look at Dekton. It is a bit more money but is far superior in my opinion.
A lot of builders goto howdens because you can just walk in and get the stuff on the whole; no waiting around. Which when you have guys on the job saves you money, and is a damn sight more convenient when something goes wrong.
However if fitting yourself, DIY Kitchens stuff I think is better quality for equivalent price generally speaking; but no good for most builders nor if you need it in a hurry. And if you muck something up, you have to order it in, queue a 2 week wait (e.g. I missed an end panel, was custom painted - but they turned it around within I think a week and a half which I appreciated).
NB: I've just fitted Howdens to the utility, and a DIY one in the main kitchen, so feel I have some experience.
However if fitting yourself, DIY Kitchens stuff I think is better quality for equivalent price generally speaking; but no good for most builders nor if you need it in a hurry. And if you muck something up, you have to order it in, queue a 2 week wait (e.g. I missed an end panel, was custom painted - but they turned it around within I think a week and a half which I appreciated).
NB: I've just fitted Howdens to the utility, and a DIY one in the main kitchen, so feel I have some experience.
My sister in law has had a few Howden supplied bits done recently, new internal doors and some new units in a new boot room extension.
See what you like and get told to ask your fitter/builder how much they'll be as a fitted cost as they don't give supply only prices to members of the public.
See what you like and get told to ask your fitter/builder how much they'll be as a fitted cost as they don't give supply only prices to members of the public.
FWIW said:
Looks like Wren have been successful in bullying their way into another Facebook page closure. Number 3 is it?
The chap who originally opened the latest page is on the hook for £150k after Decree in Absence.
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New Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/582577862555232/?r...The chap who originally opened the latest page is on the hook for £150k after Decree in Absence.
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