To ask for your thoughts on Wren

[Florence1960]

I had a couple of negative experiences when I went in just before the first lockdown and later on. Partner thinks their 0% finance is a good idea and encouraged me to go back. This week I organised a phone appointment with someone I had seen before, in the store. I sent him images of my (almost) final design and he put me under immense pressure to make a decision about going with them by putting down a deposit. I’m looking at another company and want to compare like with like as best I can. He gave me a price for the main kitchen and when I asked for a price for the utility room he said he wasn’t prepared to do that until I had made a financial commitment. I’m reluctant to do this until I have looked at the design again and discussed it at home. Am I being an idiot? It’s a lot of money and I don’t want to put down a deposit until I’m sure. Salesman keeps on saying unless I put down a deposit now I won’t be eligible for this that and the other offer...I’m feeling really uncomfortable about the whole thing. I have been talking to another local company and the salesman there is great, I would feel really guilty if I don’t go with them.
What are your thoughts on the situation? I’m feeling very pathetic about it all, I felt a bit bullied this afternoon.

If someone from any company rides roughshod over you and won't allow you time to mull things over and consider options, then you need to resist. My DM taught me 'If in doubt, say no' (I think she only meant it in terms if marriage proposals but I use it in many situations 😂).

I generally dislike salesmen as I feel that if the product is good and the price acceptable, all a salesman needs to do is set out info honestly. If they put high pressure on me, I take great pride in resisting as forcefully. I usually tell them in advance that I am not going to place an order there and then and that I want the necessary info and will then go away and consider it. If they don't like that then I don't book the appointment.

Also, regarding kitchens, think about looking at Which? reviews on appliances and then order on-line.

There's nothing wrong with the actual basic units if you find some in Wren that you really like. The fact that they come assembled can speed up fitting time. Avoid any pull out internal bits and spinny corner things. You don't need them. You can always add those in the future if you really want them. The one thing that is worth paying extra for is a bin cupboard.

I would find your own kitchen fitter and look at worktops, appliances and under unit lighting elsewhere. We've had IKEA worktops which are excellent value for money.

I know someone who had a Wren kitchen installed about 5 years ago. There were lots of problems with it BUT they were all sorted out eventually.

...and Stimpy!

Oh lord! I didn’t read the OP and thought this was a baby name thread! I need to go back to bed!

Horrible horrible company. The fitters they employed were from Bodge-it and Scarper. In the end we threw them out and had our own builders complete the work.

The kitchen itself is fine.

I'd personally find a local well recommended joiner and have them build what you want.

Big companies are generally shite in my experience.
Great until something goes wrong, which it normally does.

Had a Wren kitchen fitted in 2017. Units are great but do not use their installers! Ws lied to by the salesman that using their team would ensure a smooth installation. Load of bollocks. Made it worse.

As for Customer Service? Had a few issues with wrong pieces being delivered. They were fine delivering the correct pieces but they don't take the wrong pieces away. I ended up with almost another third of a kitchen!

And a few months ago the wrapping on a unit starting peeling off. they sent out a replacement panel and sent a fitter around to replace so no issues there.