Wren Kitchens - My Review

Paulstu

I noticed on the delivery boxes that you only have 48 hours to report any damage to the units. So I had to go through all the boxes last night and open up every unit, rather than leaving it until Jan when the units are being fitted, I guess this is fair enough but 48hrs isn't very long, especially when the units were delivered at 8.30am and I was then at work that day.

The units are as expected, not sure why some people are surprised that they are made of chipboard, that's what kitchen units are made of, not solid timber!!

Anyway, some minor areas of manufacturing blips on two doors and one of the decorative panels, plus a scratched handle. No major issues, but as I've spent so much I want a perfect kitchen. None of the issues would stop the kitchen being installed and probably wouldn't show unless you looked hard.

On the magic corner unit there was a printed sticker saying that the corner post wasn't available when the unit was packaged, but it was then included in the delivery as a separate package, so no problem there.

As I said in my last post, the units are very well packaged and in a way that you can remove the delivery straps and the packaging to check them but then repackage them very easily as there's no need to rip the packaging to get into it. All the doors are protected by plastic film and cardboard.

I emailed Wren last night with a list of the issues and accompanying photos, no response yet. However I got a message this morning on Facebook, as a result of my original post to them, asking if my delivery was okay and if there were any problems, so happy with that service. I've just realised I didn't see the worktop bolts, although they were on the checklist, so need to go find them now!

I'm particularly happy with the glass fronted doors and the worktop, both look great, particularly the worktop. We've got a worktop from the luxury bespoke range and it's great quality, especially the edging and the rounded breakfast bar corners, doesn't look like laminate.

I'll continue to post with any more news on responses from Wren etc. Waiting for delivery of all my kitchen appliances today from four suppliers, not sure Friday the 13th was the best day to have selected but we'll see!

Paulstu

....not Wren, but Debenhams! I ordered a hob and oven from them a few weeks ago for delivery today. I had a message last week, about two weeks after I placed my order, to say the hob is out of stock and won't be delivered until Jan at the earliest. So I cancelled the hob.

I've just had a call to say that the oven won't be delivered today as the van has broken down. They will deliver tomorrow between 12.30 and 4.30 so I've got to wait in all Saturday afternoon, another afternoon wasted!

Meanwhile the hob has been delivered by another supplier, and I've had to clean it as there were numerous marks on the stainless steel, which looked like stains, but a bit of elbow grease removed them, but not what I had expected to have to do. Friday the 13th!!!!

Paulstu

I've now had a couple of emails and a phone call from Wren HO and the Southampton Store. They have ordered replacement parts for me and they will be delivered to the Store mid Jan, due to the Xmas break, and I can then choose to collect them or have them delivered. Fortunately that doesn't affect my installation as that will be around the same time.

I'm not sure how I would feel if I was due to have the kitchen installed next week. The faults wouldn't stop the installation and the doors could simply be swapped when they arrive, so I guess it would be okay and it's not the fronts of the doors that are the issue so wouldn't affect the overall look.

A very speedy service and I haven't had to resort to calling the MD, although I have his mobile number if I need it!

So not a perfect story but just some minor issues that are being dealt with. Maybe I'm just lucky or perhaps Wren do simply get it right some times!!

Would I recommend Wren? Possibly, I've had great service from the start and could probably get similar minor niggles with other suppliers products, but perhaps wouldn't get such good communication. I've had worse service from my fitter and Debenhams, so Wren are the least of my worries!!!

Andrew_V

I have recently bought a wren kitchen and could not be happier. There were a couple of items missing but they were delivered next day. Excellent service. I can only imagine that the negative reviews are a drop in the ocean. Well done Armando and your team.

NB I cannot comment on fitting as I used by own builder.

Annon2000

Just a few tips re wren. I used to work for them and quit the middle of last year after working for them in Manchester.
1) the product itself isn't that bad quality wise however damages and missing items are the norm (this happens as the cabs are all ore assembled) The company is growing so fast after sales service is an after thought. If you can hold out the end product is pretty good quality wise and good value.
2) the sales guys are under massive pressure to hit targets and will go all out to secure a deposit from you. Getting 20% off the first price quoted to you won't be an issue especially late on a Saturday. Don't be afraid to walk away the deal will be there today, tomorrow next week etc these guys are in sale all year around.
3) as previously mentioned the designers are taken on with little or no experience and thrown in at the deep end so there are quite often planning issues and missing items. Check your plan and measurements.
4) the installation service is hit and miss and it will depend on your installer we had good and bad at our store.
5) Top tips - plan your own kitchen go in with the cabinets you want, haggle hard before placing a deposit and you should end up with a fairly decent kitchen although it may take a little time to get there. Ignore the piece where they show you other peoples cabinets in the branches, 90% of it is incorrect. Any issues call Armando as per previous posts he can make things happen pretty quickly.

MinaVlad

I have been sacked in the middle of the sales period with one if my other college. I am an amazing designer, customers loved me, I looked after them with all my heart, but after 10 days of continuous work, no breaks, 10-12 hours work a day I lost my spark, my conversion was falling, so I was sacked! Designers and staff work from Boxing Day to 21th January without day off, without signed agreement of overtime, and if you don't like it you can go - that is the 'Wren culture'.

Good quality product, but after they sack you then no one will know what is going on with your customers. If your conversion is not around 77-100%, then forget about working there, you will last there for max 4 months. It does not matter that your design is crap as long as you sell the product, that is what only matters. Staff is only a number, a statistics of performance monitored very closely, no free weekends, long ours. On the top: lonely ambitious managers with miserable private life. If you have a family do not bother to sell your soul to Wren, because that is what is happening... The management gives their life to a company what is not even their own, they never see their children, and if someone decides they will be sacked tomorrow. Just in my store there were 5 managers and over 30 designers sacked in the last 1 year. Huge pressure, and not as much money as you would expect, because if the manager discount the kitchen too much, the designer is penalised, and loosing money on the commission, what is already very low. The company still gets the business, but the designer might not make any money on the sale. That is how they control not to pay too much money for the designers.

I wish more of us would share their experience here, very sad.

cddc

MinaVlad wrote: »

. If your conversion is not around 77-100%, then forget about working there, you will last there for max 4 months.QUOTE]


Jeez....what planet are these guys on! In the company I work for, if you have a conversion rate of over 50% you are considered a star!

Takeaway_Addict

cddc wrote: »

MinaVlad wrote: »

. If your conversion is not around 77-100%, then forget about working there, you will last there for max 4 months.QUOTE]


Jeez....what planet are these guys on! In the company I work for, if you have a conversion rate of over 50% you are considered a star!

I guess it depends on what this is being measured against. If it was being measured against people just walking into the store room to have a look then probably harsh. If it was at the point of designing then there is obviously some serious interest because if not it shouldn't have got there in the first place so a 77% conversion rate maybe acceptable.

Though all in all, doesn't sound the greatest place to work for.

cddc

Takeaway_Addict wrote: »

cddc wrote: »

I guess it depends on what this is being measured against. If it was being measured against people just walking into the store room to have a look then probably harsh. If it was at the point of designing then there is obviously some serious interest because if not it shouldn't have got there in the first place so a 77% conversion rate maybe acceptable.

Though all in all, doesn't sound the greatest place to work for.

It normally means from quote to order. Now bearing in mind that particularly at this time of year, because of the widely advertised sales, there are an awful lot of what I would term speculative quotes (Oooh look, there is a Sale on, lets just see what it might cost.... draws quick sketch and pops into nearest showroom, just to see like..).


Also bearing in mind that if they are visiting Wren, there is a good chance they are visiting at least one of their competitors for a comparative quote.. I think that the expectation of a 77% conversion rate is optimistic to say the least!

Ruthern

MinaVlad wrote: »

I have been sacked in the middle of the sales period with one if my other college. I am an amazing designer, customers loved me, I looked after them with all my heart, but after 10 days of continuous work, no breaks, 10-12 hours work a day I lost my spark, my conversion was falling, so I was sacked! Designers and staff work from Boxing Day to 21th January without day off, without signed agreement of overtime, and if you don't like it you can go - that is the 'Wren culture'.

Good quality product, but after they sack you then no one will know what is going on with your customers. If your conversion is not around 77-100%, then forget about working there, you will last there for max 4 months. It does not matter that your design is crap as long as you sell the product, that is what only matters. Staff is only a number, a statistics of performance monitored very closely, no free weekends, long ours. On the top: lonely ambitious managers with miserable private life. If you have a family do not bother to sell your soul to Wren, because that is what is happening... The management gives their life to a company what is not even their own, they never see their children, and if someone decides they will be sacked tomorrow. Just in my store there were 5 managers and over 30 designers sacked in the last 1 year. Huge pressure, and not as much money as you would expect, because if the manager discount the kitchen too much, the designer is penalised, and loosing money on the commission, what is already very low. The company still gets the business, but the designer might not make any money on the sale. That is how they control not to pay too much money for the designers.

I wish more of us would share their experience here, very sad.

:beer:

I totally agree with everything you have said, They are a vile company to work for, and I also saw some great designers sacked while complete numpties were kept on just cos they could sell , even though they made loads of mistakes and designs looked awful.
Managers cannot do their jobs properly due to stress, and same with designers.

anybody wishing to work for this company please take note !!!!