Howdens Traders passing on discount - Scam??

Alan_M_2

This I'm interested in, please post details of the claim, the ruling and the final summary, ideally scan the documents blacking out any personal information (names addresses and such like) so it just leaves the generic case

I'm also interested on what grounds do you believe you now have a criminal case against the builder that warrants involving the police?

This is genuine interest, not morbid curiosity.

neonpoppy

I agree with you Jillytb!!!!

I'm sorry but when I buy a kitkat for 50p I know that the shopkeeper is making a big % profit. But when you hire a builder you expect him to charge you for his work, his services, not for his secret sidelining as a retail outlet for kitchens. You pay labour and then he charges you for materials. If he tells you he is an outlet for Howdens then you understand and you move on and get competitive quotes but MANY builders will LIE to you and tell you they receive an X% discount. They are LYING. They are LIARS. And yet Jillytb it's you who are obviously to blame for your moral weakness in expecting people not to lie to you.

I understand that gullibility is one thing but you can get a builder who does great work, is recommended and you end up thinking he's a good stand up guy. Then he LIES to you about his "howdens discount" because he intends fully and completely to make a profit that he will hide from you.

Howdens know this which is why they stay in business. They are the builders choice because builders get to LIE to customers about their discounts and HIDE the fact they make a huge profit from you.

It's a scam to me.

Leif

Good for you. Had you negotiated a set price for the whole deal, that would have been kosher. I agree with you (and the court) that how you were treated is fraudulent (deception pure and simple). It does sound as if Howdens are complicit in fraud, otherwise what was the purpose of the invoice you were given?

I disagree with the earlier comments about profit being a dirty word. I am hoping to hire two lads to do my bathroom, and I like the idea that the profit goes directly to them, rather than B&Q for example, even if they charge a bit more. Honest work needs rewarding. End of rant.

jillytb

Ah Howden's thats another matter. Should the manager of the store really have supplied documents for his customers case in a civil matter, should the manager have been willing to give a statement at court as a Howden's manager without his employers knowledge.....

as for the judgement, now proved civil I can got to the CPS for a criminal prosecution.

jillytb

I do believe that what the judge ruled is going possibly pave a way forward for consumers and their dealings with builders who promote Howden's "best discounts". Watch this space!

keystone

Agree with Alan M. Please post the full depersonalised details. Its actually very important for everybody.

Cheers

Alan_M_2

jillytb wrote: »

I do believe that what the judge ruled is going possibly pave a way forward for consumers and their dealings with builders who promote Howden's "best discounts". Watch this space!

Indeed, if this is what you suggest then it could actually be a test case.

It is incredibly important you post de personalised versions of the rulings and summary.

Alan_M_2

jillytb wrote: »

as for the judgement, now proved civil I can got to the CPS for a criminal prosecution.

What has the builder done that has been considered a criminal activity?

Seriously - this is very important as it sounds to me there's a lot more going on here than a margin on some goods if something criminal has taken place.

milliebear00001

I have just had two quotes for the same Howdens kitchen (Burford) but from two different kitchen fitters. One came in at around £2400 to supply, the other was about £1000 less!

Needless the say, we are going with the fitter who gave the cheaper quote (whose fitting charges are also quite a bit lower).

I think different trades people get different discounts from Howdens and they then decide how much, or how little of that discount to pass on to their customer - hence the two very different quotes I got!

Incidentally, I also got a quote from an independent company that makes its own kitchens. Their quality is similar to Howdens and their total quote was very similar to the Howdens quote we've gone for - although their costing for the kitchen components was almost £2000 (with cheaper fitting costs).

I'd say shop around (a lot!) to get the best deal, although I tried sourcing trades separately and found this wasn't any cheaper than getting in a firm to do everything.

Tom_Jones

jillytb wrote: »

Ah Howden's thats another matter. Should the manager of the store really have supplied documents for his customers case in a civil matter, should the manager have been willing to give a statement at court as a Howden's manager without his employers knowledge.....

as for the judgement, now proved civil I can got to the CPS for a criminal prosecution.

And what are you going to prosecute the builder for what, making a profit ?

How did you get the information on the price your builder paid Howdens ? it appears by illegal means, which would be a criminal offence under Data protection laws.

Let's see the kitchen cabinet maker makes a profit when he sells to Howdens, Howdens make a profit when he sells to the builder, so why should you not expect a builder to make a profit when he sells to you ? It is none of your buisness how much profit he makes.

I find it a bit unbelievable that you have one a court case against your builder in this matter, and you need to provide proof that you indeed have.