Builder's choice of kitchen?

[FantasticMrsFoxx]

We are due to start our new kitchen extension in the next couple of weeks and our builder was in touch today to discuss our new units.
We went to Howdens who quoted, via our builder, £5k.
We then went to Wickes and bought the same units for £2k.
To our mind one cream shaker kitchen is just like any other so cost then becomes a variable.
Our builder has suggested we are in for a rocky road of problems ahead with mistakes with the delivery, scratches to doors which will be a nightmare to replace and basically cr@ppy customer service. He even went as far as to say we ought to forgo our deposit and cancel the order and go with a Howdens kitchen instead.
Is it just sour grapes because he'll not be getting a mark up on the Howdens kitchen or should we follow his advice?

[321rd]

We have previously had two Wickes kitchens and have been very happy with them. The first one was installed about 15 yr ago and the house recently sol with the same kitchen in it. Looked great on the rightmove photos!!
We would have gone with them again as we are currently looking for a new kitchen but they don't have any styles that we like ATM. I would defo recommend the quality and service.

[MatildaTheCat]

My friends are having an extension and Howdens have quoted them £18k (!!!!) for a not very huge kitchen. That excludes work tops/ splash backs and fitting. Needless to say they aren't happy and will look elsewhere.

I hate any business that charges different prices to different customers and Howdens are ahem making it worth your builder's while to get their kitchen.

[VulcanWoman]

I got local fitter to fit Wickes cream gloss kitchen, no probs.

[gingerdad]

We had issues with Howdens bits missing and wrong items sent. I'd stick with wicks

[FantasticMrsFoxx]

Thanks all. Even if I have to spend a couple of hours on the phone, and take a couple of trips to the store, it's worth the £3k difference - which we can use towards the appliances etc.
Unsurprisingly Howdens have come back to use today and are offering to reduce their prices as they are having an 'October sale' but only if we place the order this month!

[Iwantakitchen]

We've just had a Howden's kitchen fitted, by a builder who fits any kitchen except Ikea. The quote was 2k cheaper than B&Q kitchen. Three items delivered were damaged and replaced within 6 hours, and we had ordered the wrong handles Howden's replaced them no questions asked and refunded the difference. In many shops, the delivery timescale is over two weeks so if you have an item damaged or missing, it can be two weeks before you get a replacement. It's not just a trip to the shop, it's a long wait with a builder who can't start on another job and an unfinished kitchen for weeks.

[VulcanWoman]

They sound like the double glazing sales.
My kitchen is the take away in store units from Wickes, so no long wait if anything is damaged.