Magnet quality(?)

switch007

I just had what was pretty much an argument with a sales person in a Magnet store in Chichester who stood up above us and declared that she was "downright offended that you would think of offering me less that what I have already given you"! I compared Magnet's quote to B&Q, Wickes etc (£5-6k including appliances and fitting.. read on) and she laughed that off saying "they aren't in the same league in terms of quality as our kitchens", stating they have a 15 year gaurentee. I said, if they are good quality, you don't need to gaurentee them!!

She was a bit miffed because we didn't want any fitting, appliances or anything. She threw in about £1300 of "freebies" (sink, taps, cheap hood, standard work surfaces) but I felt this only slightly justified their inflated carcass prices, even at 50% off. Our original quote which included everything came to £11k.

The quote is currently at £4500 for Appleby, 11 cabinets, end panels, sink, worktops, cornices, cheap hood and hood housing.

I said there isn't much variations in carcasses, just 15mm, 18mm, flat pack and pre-built. She went on about how Magnet manafacture their owns kitchens etc to the highest quality. Is this really true, aren't they on par with Howdens pre-built carcasses? We aren't exactly talking solid oak, hand built by Germans here.

I just can't believe how rude she was. I guess they aren't used to people haggling. I'm going to ask a kitchen fitter tomorrow to have a look at their quote and tell me what he thinks (and about Magnet!).

I don't really know their profit margin precisely, I just thought I would go for as much off as I could, but she could have been a bit more polite about it.

Doozergirl

No experience of Magnet but if you think that the kitchens are of the same quality, then they probably will be. The carcasses sound the same so if they come in the same build, then why would they be of any better quality?

You'd be ill if you knew how much a Howdens carcass cost!

I don't perceive magnet to be of a higher quality and from what I know of some of Magnet Trade prices, their price point isn't much different to Jewson etc. If someone told me they had a Magnet kitchen, I wouldn't drool with envy!

If she won't come down any further at this point then I would use another retailer to play them off against. It does help with leverage.

Or try to get to speak with the manager perhaps? Give them the price you'll buy at today rather than just asking for more discount.

SteveU

We've just had a new kitchen and started off with Magnet as they have arguably the best name (or so we thought).

We were soon put off by the price (£12k for a 3mx5m kitchen) as everywhere else was working out at £5-6k cheaper for an identical spec kitchen.

We had a second kitchen plan done by a local kitchen store who pointed out some major flaws in the Magnet kitchen design!!

We eventually settled for an Ikea kitchen which we got on Interest free credit and it came to £3,500 for everything.

I still can't work out how Ikea manage to beat everyone else hands down on price as the quality is right up there with the rest of them. All of the frames are 18mm, the appliances are all made by Whirlpool, etc..

Anyway, moral of the story is in my opinion, steer well clear of Magnet unless you like paying hugely inflated prices for not much better quality.

Nile

Hello switch007

I'll move your thread to 'The (Consumer) Vent' board.

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Regards

Nile