New Kitchen from Wickes

katy123

Hi

Just a quick one really, buying a kitchen and having it installed, we've paid a 10% deposit and now have 2 options:

1. pay rest upfront (90%)
2. take credit (interest free for 6 months)-kicks in once kitchen fitted

We have the cash to pay upfront (option 1) but fear they will drag things if we pay 100% already. For option 2, taking out credit with Hitachi (company providing credit), do they release the credit (90%) once we have happy with the kitchen? Thus, putting pressure on wickes to do a good/quick job? Also, the risk of administration of course. Many thanks.


oh, can we get our deposit back if we canceled?

misssarahleigh

They release the credit once you have signed the deal.

By the sounds of it you want some wiggle room to withhold part payment until your satisfied. Credit won't let you do this, although ask the store regarding when you pay and how. Have they told you it needs to be all paid up front?

wealdroam

Another consideration is that by taking the credit option you may be able to get a resolution from the credit company if Wickes for some reason are unable to resolve any problems.

Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974 may well apply, and makes the credit company jointly responsible for the contract.

Have a look at MSE's Section 75 refunds article, its not just for credit card purchases.

Leo2020

If you don't trust Wickes to do the job why buy a kitchen from them in the first place?

Fishingtime

After the 6 months of hell my friend had with her Wickes fitted kitchen,I would go the credit route.
My friend payed the full cost £10.000 before the installation and was left without a fully working kitchen for 6 months

katy123

Thanks for all the replies, misssarahleigh, yes they want all £ to be paid up front.

Does anyone know for sure if taking credit over paying 100% upfront has more protection in terms of resolving issues if we aren't satisfied? Many thanks.

wealdroam

katy123 wrote: »

Does anyone know for sure if taking credit over paying 100% upfront has more protection in terms of resolving issues if we aren't satisfied? Many thanks.

Did you read the article I linked to earlier?

Particularly this bit...

Does it apply to other credit? While the bulk of claims are made to credit card providers, the law also applies to other types of credit agreement (except where the supplier is also the creditor, eg for some car finance).
Personal bank loans specifically for large items do not get Section 75 protection, even though the loan's a regulated agreement. This is because to be covered the finance must be properly linked to an item (known as a Debtor-Creditor-Supplier agreement) so that the finance company can see a clear relationship between the money and the goods.
Paying by credit card is paying directly for goods, meaning the relationship's clear, whereas bank loans, even if ostensibly for a car, could actually be spent on anything.

This is saying that if the credit can be specifically linked to the goods, the you are ok.

Problems arise if you were to get (say) a bank loan for the kitchen, which could in fact be spent on anything.

Meepster

Best option:

Get the kitchen from Wickes but get someone else to fit it.

Their installation service is massively over-priced and the quality of workmanship is hit and miss.

Most sheds want payment upfront, that's just the way they operate, just make sure you put it on a credit card, that way you'll have protection through the card company.

Incidentally, you should get a better deal if you DON'T take the finance, as they make less profit when you bring the finance into the equation. You did haggle with them over the price didn't you? If not, go back and hammer them down (and seriously, dump their fitting charge, you'll save a fair bit)

Oh and yes, your deposit is refundable, despite what any manager or design consultant tells you...