Alternatives to DIY KITCHENS - please help!

[FreyaStratfordStar]

Just tried to buy our kitchen from DIY KITCHENS and when we get to the delivery date section the earliest date available is 18th November!! The kitchen is still showing as available for delivery end of July online. They don't answer phones at the weekend, will probably take a few days to respond to support tickets. I'm really getting a bad feeling about the whole thing. We need a kitchen by the end of July as our current is scheduled to be ripped out in a few weeks.

British standard kitchens ?

They are cheaper sister company to Plain English

Would it be ready any earlier if, instead of having it delivered, you selected picking it up yourself?

When we bought from DIY kitchens they wouldn’t deliver as they had very specific delivery restrictions that we couldn’t meet.

I used a company who picked it up and delivered. It was really easy to do, and they were really good. They are based somewhere near DIY kitchens - would be happy to recommend.

No, all delivery options have the same date showing. I've been in contact with them via support tickets quite a few times this week and the delivery date was fine then. So frustrating.

Just had a quick look at their website. The delivery date depends on the range. Most are showing as deliver by 22nd July, some in September and one, an oak one, in November. I’m guessing that is your one? Any possibility of picking a different range?

I would message them on their support ticket system and see what they say; maybe the dates change regularly. I found that they tended to answer tickets first thing in the morning. If I replied, I didn’t receive an answer usually until the next day. It was a bit frustrating, but eventually worked out ok.

Support tickets took up a LOT of time, both before delivery and after!

No, ours is not the oak one showing the 18th. It definitely shows as 22nd July.

That’s annoying. I’ve just had a go at trying to ‘buy’ one of the kitchens listed as 22nd July, and I was able to select the 22nd for delivery. So it isn’t some weird glitch across the whole site. Maybe just the one you want? Which kitchen is it?

Linwood Oak. Think Buckton looks very similar. Going to check that out.

Just tried to ‘buy’ three peninsula units in Linwood Oak, and was able to pick 22nd July as the delivery.

I’ve had a thought... maybe the internal fixings or a part of one of your cabinets is out of stock, rather than the Linwood Oak.

What if you change the whole kitchen to different type and check the delivery date? If it is still November it will be because of cabinet fixings or something like that.

There are lots of companies that essentially do the same as DIY kitchens. We used SINC kitchens, a Northern Irish company and their 360 ranges are delivered in 3 weeks. We had no problems with them.

Thanks for advice. Just started basket from scratch and delivery now seems ok again. Wee panic there!

Did you have a bespoke colour in your basket beforehand? As the computer doesnt 'forget' if you've changed your order to non bespoke.

I had this issue and called and they were able to manually edit it their side so delivery was able to be the earlier date

I'd be wary... look on trustpilot.... the most recent reviews indicate serious problems with timescales. They've also suddenly got an influx of reviews from people who bought kitchens 4 years ago. The cynic in me thinks that they are trying to dilute the recent bad reviews but asking old customers to make reviews.

Noroof yes! I bought my kitchen from them 2 years ago and recently I’ve been getting requests from them for reviews

I bought from them a good six years ago. At the time they didn’t drill holes for the hinges for the cupboard doors. They used to have the option to ‘hire’ a tool to do it!
We didn’t realise this until kitchen was delivered. It was a nightmare. Just check before you buy!

@widow that's exactly confirmed what I was thinking then! Shame as we were going to use them this summer but I've been completely put off.

Just wondering if anyone has any comments to make on DIY kitchens since June. They seem to be our best option so far, but not if it’s going to be a nightmare to get ordered/delivered.

TIA

I ordered a couple of weeks ago and it was about a 6 week delivery frame - obviously can't comment on it yet!

Watching with interest as the delivery for bespoke painted kitchens is currently saying 14 weeks! I had hoped they would have had all their problems sorted by now :(

Have you looked at Better Kitchens? Similar set up to DIY. Ours is currently being fitted and I have to say that the whole experience from planning, ordering, delivery to after care service has been nothing short of amazing. The quality is even better than DIYs, they are always in the end if the phone and fall over themselves to advise/fix things with lightning speed. I would highly recommend them over and above anyone.

I used unitsonline (based in Wellington, Somerset) earlier this year. Very similar set up. Perhaps slightly more customer focused (in that they do offer a basic design service if needed and more options on variable cabinet sizes.) I'd recommend.

We used Units On line too and were very impressed. It was about a 4/6 week wait IIRC!