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Original poster

Are all the main kitchen suppliers really that bad??

57 replies

aslander · 19/07/2023 15:29

We are looking for a new fairly large kitchen. Magnet's quote seems high even with 50% off plus an extra 30% off the range we like and 0% finance. It works out no better than the quote we had last year. They seem sneaky in where they apply the discount and make up for any supposed savings elsewhere. Some reviews are shockingly bad, especially the after care/customer service side. Diabolical reviews in fact. Same with Wren.

Is this really the case? How bad can they really be? I feel nervous spending so much knowing I'm likely to have problems further down the line. I know there's the likes of DIY kitchens, Howdens etc so need to look. Also, has anyone had a second nature kitchen and if so is it any good? Thanks

OP posts:

SleepingisanArt · 21/07/2023 00:02

I would rather stick pins in my eyes than use Magnet ever again. A 3 week project (granite worktops which have to be templated, cut and fitted after base units go in) took 16 weeks.... Their lead fitter went on holiday for 3 weeks at the end of the first week.... Doors arrived damaged (scratches in the gloss, a manufacturing problem because it was under the protective film) and the area manager was called. He blamed me for using a scourer to clean them...... They weren't even hung. Finally agreed it was an issue when he delivered new doors which he opened and unwrapped to discover they were scratched. They have payment before they start work so really don't give a stuff if there are problems. I contacted the ombudsman who told them the offer of a discount on our next kitchen was not acceptable! I think we got £500 which is not great for the sheer stress caused and their incompetence!

The kitchen is less than 10 years old and needs replacing. I've found a local company who are family owned and use high end products. Reviews are good and you can visit customers kitchens. I'm saving!

Bluelightbaby · 21/07/2023 00:28

My ex husband is a builder and we put a Wren kitchen in our home (he still lives there) very well made with great customer service. He was so impressed that he’s recommended them to clients (who are equally as happy)

Archeron · 21/07/2023 01:35

Kitchens are much of a muchness. Obviously if you’re shopping at the top end of the market like Smallbone then that’s a cut above, but the main ones like Wren, Howdens, etc are more or less the same. Make sure your cabinets come pre assembled and that’s about it as far as any difference in quality goes.

The main difference is in customer service. A small independent showroom gives a better service. They actually own the business, unlike Wren whose kitchen designers just work there. And an independent will manage the full job from start to finish, unlike Wren where the sales person designs the kitchen then passes it to the fitting team and washes their hands of it.

An independent showroom will offer several brands such as Second Nature, which is ok as far as quality goes. I believe their doors are made in Italy and painted in the UK, and the cabinets are UK made and pre assembled (I have one of their kitchens and it’s fine).

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icebearforpresident · 21/07/2023 07:56

My wren kitchen is less than a year old and I can’t fault it, the whole experience was fantastic start to finish. There was one issue with an appliance which was being delivered direct from the manufacturer, the one we ordered was out of stock so we selected a new one, then the supplier cancelled the delivery, but wren were excellent at helping me sort it. Used my own fitter though.

RampantIvy · 21/07/2023 08:24

We were sent the wrong hob. I had asked for a gas hob, but they sent an induction hob. I checked my pans, which were all magnetic, so I kept the induction hob, and am so glad I did. I asked for a reduction in price and the money was put in my bank account the next day. This kitchen was from Magnet, and I love it.

Piscesmumma1978 · 21/07/2023 08:30

We've just had a Howdens kitchen fitted.

The main issue in most kitchens is definitely the fitter not experienced enough. Ours was ok but if we'd have used a better fitter it would have been perfect.

Howdens were great to be fair and will price match x

RampantIvy · 21/07/2023 08:42

Yes, we had a great fitter. He had replaced our worktops 12 years earlier, and when Magnet gave me a list of fitters and saw his name on it I rang him straight away. While he was doing the kitchen I mentioned that I would need to sort out flooring. He said that if I got laminate he could fit that as well. So I did and he did a fantastic job of that as well.

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