Splodge's Kitchen it's nearly there but there's just one thing...

[splodge2001]

Hello

Some you may remember my ranting kitchen posts of a few months ago. I got a huge amount of help on here and I'm pleased to say that new kitchen is being installed on 11th jan after much haggling/negotiation resulting in a massive discount from Wickes - anyone interested in details pls contact me. I got more than 1K off the discounted price.

Anyway here's the thing. LED lights. Are they any good as task lights or are they just for show. I'm interested in your advice.

Thanks a million

Splodge,I'd be interested in how you got your discount.The kitchen I want is hopefully going in the sale tomorrow,so I'll be hoping to knock a bit more off if poss.

Sorry,I know nothing of LED lights though,but will be interested to see what other people think.

Where are you having the LED's put? We have some just for show in the kickboards. The ones under the unit are for 'mood' lighting I think, the guy that measured up for us said they were unlikely to provide enough light to work by so we didn't get them.

We got a great discount from them too. and their fitters were quite too.

LEDs under cabinet. Hmmm doesnt sound good on that front OOPSAND...We've got an issue with trying to find the right under cabinet lights...

We're not having a pelmet so any lights have to be really discreet + we can't have any wires showing.

As for discount Furious, get Wickes to design a kitchen you like, call up nearest Benchmarx,who sell the same kitchens (trade only), charm them into sending you a quote via email and use this to beat Wickes down. Wickes will match all cabinet prices

If you're getting appliances too, listen very carefully

1. Wickes will usually do some deal on appliances to get you to buy the whole kitchen from them. This may include things like a free dishwasher when you spend more than 2k. No one else is going to offer a free dishwasher (obviously) but you can use this trick use it to your advantage. Simply tot up the total cost of your appliances from Wickes including any discounts.

1. Contact a couple of online appliance dealers like www.appliancesdirect.co.uk. Give them the model numbers and the TOTAL price. Take the best price you can find and...

1. Go to Benchmarx with this total price - (Wickes will not match online prices) + the more places you ask the more discounts you'll get.

1. Take the new Benchmarx quote back to Wickes

Thanks Splodge!Thats great.I'd already bargained them down re the range cooker [co-op did same one cheaper],but have now decided I need a dishwasher too.Apparently the kitchen I want is going in the half price sale tomorrow too,but anything I can get off will help.

Furious, DH beat them down further on the sale price too I don't think they can afford to lose the sales atm, we got our range cooker from them and they threw in a free cookerhood and posh brita filter tap too.

Further info:

The profit margins on the carcasses are huge!!!! When they say there's a 50% discount it's bollox. That's the standard price!!! A piece of chipboard never cost £500.

I got a brochure from Gower who make Wickes/Benchmarx kitchens. They sell entire kitchens for £500 to small traders, imagine what they sell them to bulk buyers like Wickes for. It wouldnt surprise me if a 10 unit kitchen cost Wickes £300, they sell it to you for £3k - what a nice profit!

They could knock 75% off and they're still in profit. SO be ruthless!!!!!

oops,thanks very much.I always feel a bit cheeky bargaining when something is already in the sale,but obviously Wickes have room to manouver on their prices.Hmmm,didn't want a cooker hood before,but now that you mention it.....

Cool,Splodge,I'll tell my dh,he is keen to 'bid them' as my dad would say.Or I could take my dad-he NEVER pays retail for anything and I used to cringe listening to him bargain the price of stuff down.But these days I do it too.I am shameless.

Yep, knowing that they can knock huge amounts off and still turn a profit helps you know how far you can push it. Good Luck

we have LED strip lights under our wall units and they are VERY bright. Definitely good enough to work by.