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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Furious don't describe it!

49 replies

lucjam · 14/02/2012 17:42

First ever AIBU thread so don't be too horrible to me. Anyway I digress...

AIBU to be fucking furious at HOWDENS the kitchen place. I'm due to have a kitchen delivered a week Friday, design all finalised, not paid yet waiting for invoice, had final quote. Anyway I just had an email there is a 3% increase in prices as of Monday, so I either take delivery by Saturday or pay 3% more.

Where exactly I'm supposed to store it I don't know? It's not flat pack. Why the hell should I pay 3 % more? I've been working on this with the designer for weeks. What a joke, so tempted to tell them to screw it except the plumber, chippie and electrician are all booked, the sink, taps, dishwasher, cooker, hob, splashback are all delivered or about to be.

My kitchen is due to be ripped out on Monday what the hell do I do, I don't have 3% more, we have paid out £1820 on the roof today and £500+ to the garage yesterday as car failed its MOT.

OP posts:
Hassled · 14/02/2012 17:45

No advice, but that is shit. They've given you the quote, and that's what you should be paying. Might be worth you reposting this in Legal Stuff to find out what your rights actually are.

catgirl1976 · 14/02/2012 17:46

Call them. Tell them calmly you will not be paying the extra 3% as you were advertised the kitchen at x price and purchased it based on their final quote. If they do not waive the 3% I would be very surprised.

If they insiSt tell them you will charge them for storage and for the days pay for your booked workmen and go to the OFT.

RhinosDontEatPancakes · 14/02/2012 17:48

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

silverfrog · 14/02/2012 17:48

agree with posting in Legal and seeing if anyone knows about this.

I would be furious too. and calling them to say I was paying the price quoted and signed for (did you pay a deposit, btw? if you did, surely you were entering into a contract with the shop, and they cannot change the terms now) at time of design/signing off on designs/signing off on the order etc.

like the idea of charging storage if they deliver early (since the delivery is usually part of the contract)

TheParan0idAndr0id · 14/02/2012 17:48

Calm down for a start, you should never be too angry for proper grammar.

Tell you'll pay for it now and have it delivered next week.

Lougle · 14/02/2012 17:49

If you had a quote then AFAIK it is binding.

If you had an estimate then they can increase the price accordingly.

Could you arrange to pay before Saturday, with delivery booked for next Friday? That way, you have paid before the price increase, but still don't have to store the kitchen before you are ready.

jammydodger1 · 14/02/2012 17:49

your like me stop.think rationally. have they already make your kitchen to your measurements? what does the contract say (small print) about price increases, surely they have already made it at the prices quoted (if they can deliver by saturday) so why is it subject to price increase when it has already been made? rememer they want your business and more so recommendation.

LynetteScavo · 14/02/2012 17:51

I dunno. I had a Howdens kitchen in my living room for a week.

LynetteScavo · 14/02/2012 17:52

I was going to suggest paying earlier, but you really need to check everything is perfect before you pay.

CamperFan · 14/02/2012 17:56

I would tell them politely that you will not be paying the 3% rise, but the price they have quoted you. I would be completely stunned if they didn't honour their original price in this financial climate.

Original poster
lucjam · 14/02/2012 17:56

You have to take delivery on or before Saturday. The email said this "I have been advised that all kitchens that have not been delivered to site will be affected. Any chance you can take delivery by this Saturday or even on Saturday?" She sent that email with final estimate today because I had noticed that she had missed something off the last one, it has an "expiry date" on it now of the 19/02/2012. Argh.

I don't take kindly to comments about my grammar I'm dyslexic and try my best. You've made me feel so much better thanks!

OP posts:
CamperFan · 14/02/2012 17:57

They will not risk losing the business for 3%, I guarantee!

Fisharefriendsnotfood · 14/02/2012 17:58

I got howdens to HALVE the price of my utility room by putting it on builders account and me paying the builders. Do you have a chance to do anything like that?

MyNameIsntFUCKINGWarren · 14/02/2012 17:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

workshy · 14/02/2012 18:00

you have no contract with them until you pay them and the quote will be for a certain number of days so unfortunately they can change the price -they are just trying to get some money in their tills -tell them they can hold the price or you will walk away

you may be suprised that as a special favour because you are a good customer they will hold the price Wink

msrisotto · 14/02/2012 18:02

What about the third option? Threaten to pull out of the sale completely? If you haven't paid yet then they are entitled to up the price but you don't have to agree to it. Their choice!

RandomMess · 14/02/2012 18:02

Are you paying their full price or the buidlers discounted price?

jammydodger1 · 14/02/2012 18:03

what I dont understand is its not "month end" when companies try get money in early so why now?

Original poster
lucjam · 14/02/2012 18:04

It's already on a builders account, been haggling on prices and designs for week. Public can't buy from Howdens so it always has to be through a trades person.

Will be taking my business elsewhere or may try another local branch as they are all franchises, surely one of them wants my thousands of pounds?!

I don't have room in my lounge for 18 kitchen units plus the white goods!

My builder doesn't have premises to store it.

OP posts:
Original poster
lucjam · 14/02/2012 18:06

it's not been made they carry huge amounts of stock or if they don't have it they 'borrow' from other Howdens in the area.

OP posts:
catgirl1976 · 14/02/2012 18:06

I am convinced they will not want to lose your business for 3%

Calm down, breathe, remember you have the power in this situation and then call them and be calm and firm

workshy · 14/02/2012 18:08

perhaps your designer is going on holiday and want's to get it in for his commission?

definitely worth an ask though

Original poster
lucjam · 14/02/2012 18:10

Email was sent 4 mins before they closed for the day, has to wait until tomorrow now.

I only have the money because I was left it by my Grandma in her will, I was close to her having lost my Mum suddenly. She died a year ago yesterday so it's pretty crappy timing!

OP posts:
Clytaemnestra · 14/02/2012 18:10

My caterers did this the week before my wedding, they called and said because the cost of meat had gone up I had to pay an extra 20% per head. We were feeding 120 people at 40 pounds a head. I was furious, but it was the week before my wedding, they weren't just doing food but providing the tables chairs and everything else so they had me over a barrel,if I'd refused to pay they would have quit (allegedly). I had a quote, no mention in it of prices may vary and paid a deposit.

In retrospect I really wish I'd stood up to them as I'm still angry three years later.

I would try desperately to find somewhere to store it, even if it means losing use of your living room for a week.

arwen110578 · 14/02/2012 18:18

This is very strange as I was having a conversation with a colleague whose husband is a builder and used this company. They tried to do exactly the same thing with him and he was trade (obviously). I can't remember the exact reason why but he was unable to take delivery on behalf of the client (i think because of the state of the project at that time).
Anyhow apparently the customer service was awful and despite his longstanding business with them and the fact they had agreed previously they could store for 'x' amount of time they would not budge. He was ordering approx 10 kitchens plus a year with them and he's not anymore!
No specific advice but interesting as they obviously make a habit of this?!