mfi kitchen's good or bad

Girl_least_likely_to

pompeyrich wrote:

There is only 1 price list as far as I know but this was discounted by 65% for most things and even more for some other plinths and stuff. The Builder we used has been around for a while and recommends Howdens, so maybe his discount is greater than a new account holder, I dont know, maybe they go on previous sales, you will have to ask.

OK, I understand now. My OH's builder mate has a similar arrangement with a builders supplier. 65% is a really good discount so even if new account holders only get 30% say it's still be cheaper than getting it via MFI.

Thanks for your reply

alzeebub

We've bought an MFI kitchen once before, never again; missing doors, poor quality chipboard and terrible customer service have seen to that!

National Kitchens now get our recommendations every time; nothing missing, quality units and friendly, helpful staff see to that.

They supply the kitchen furniture only so you'll have to shop elsewhere for sink, appliances and worktop but the savings make it worthwhile.

Good luck, whoever you use.

Will_it_make_me_rich

I've had a look at national kitchens and they do have a good selection of different units in a lot of sizes but the fact that their are no showrooms does put me off.
My wife would never entertain the idea, and since the design and selecting the units is up to you if I got it wrong or failed to order something I would never hear the end of it.
Also I have actually priced a kitchen up with them and even without worktops and appliances it came in about the same price as MFI with all the appliances, sink & taps.

kingsblue00

We bought a kitchen from MFI in July last year, they had one of their sales on but I still knocked them down.We fitted the kitchen ourselves & for what you pay for I think the cabinets/door fronts are resonable value for money, everthing delivered with no damage.I've just helped my brother fit his b&q kitchen & would say theres nothing between them quality wise! so its worth playing one off against the other.

davef

Girl_least_likely_to wrote:

OK, I understand now. My OH's builder mate has a similar arrangement with a builders supplier. 65% is a really good discount so even if new account holders only get 30% say it's still be cheaper than getting it via MFI.

Thanks for your reply

Hi
Does not make any difference. Each Howdens outlet competes against each other. There are 2 here in Plymouth. I use the new larger outlet in Cattedown and got 75% discount on my first deal. They are open to negotiation if you haggle enough and back up your claims with info about other quotes you have received etc.

I have made it clear that I want a large discount (70%+) for future projects.

Also the big advantage for me is that 99% of what you need is in stock, on the shelves. The parts I needed that were not there were delivered next day from a different Howdens up the line. I also had some units & panels left over and I received a full refund. They do however have to be in original packaging. Not many rivals would do that - but they are trade suppliers and want repeat business off me !!

Hope this helps.

alzeebub

Will_it_make_me_rich wrote:

I've had a look at national kitchens and they do have a good selection of different units in a lot of sizes but the fact that their are no showrooms does put me off.
My wife would never entertain the idea, and since the design and selecting the units is up to you if I got it wrong or failed to order something I would never hear the end of it.
Also I have actually priced a kitchen up with them and even without worktops and appliances it came in about the same price as MFI with all the appliances, sink & taps.

You get what you pay for. There's a huge difference in quality between National Kitchens and MFI. It's really not that difficult to ensure you order the right units either

flat_broke

I'm about to buy a new kitchen for a property that I'm about to move into. I think I'll plump for an MFI one too, the feedback here seems generally good. Quite like the look of the Valencia Oak Shaker...If anyone can recommend a good joiner in the Kingston area (and maybe has a howdens account ) please do pm me! Thanks

will_it_make_me_richer

Girl_least_likely_to wrote:

Please can you let me know how you get on at Howdens? It sounds like we like the same range from MFI (Space)? Would be very interested to know what the difference in price is .

I gave Howdens the plans for our kitchen in the week so we popped in today to see how things are going, it's all done and everything was sent to the builder they said!
Unfortunately we don't have an account with Howdens so even though I tell them what I want they then contact my builder and give him the price. :rolleyes:
Anyway they printed off some pictures of the design for us and when we got home I contacted the builder.
It's unclear if the price given to the builder includes VAT. If it does then thats great their cheaper than MFI, if not then their not as cheap.
Magnet came in at a lot more, almost double, but their high gloss cream is of a darker shade than MFI and Howdens and we don't like it so much.

Girl_least_likely_to

will_it_make_me_richer wrote:

I gave Howdens the plans for our kitchen in the week so we popped in today to see how things are going, it's all done and everything was sent to the builder they said!
Unfortunately we don't have an account with Howdens so even though I tell them what I want they then contact my builder and give him the price. :rolleyes:
Anyway they printed off some pictures of the design for us and when we got home I contacted the builder.
It's unclear if the price given to the builder includes VAT. If it does then thats great their cheaper than MFI, if not then their not as cheap.
Magnet came in at a lot more, almost double, but their high gloss cream is of a darker shade than MFI and Howdens and we don't like it so much.

Thanks so much for the update. We've still not managed to get to Howdens for a brochure but we're having an extension done ATM and our builder says he has an account there . He's never got a kitchen from there but it's looking good. We like the cream in the Space range too, I agree the Magnet one isn't as nice. I received a brochure from Kitchens Direct who do a similar range but there's are horrible in comparison to MFI's. I don't know where/if you're getting appliances from MFI/Howdens but Kitchen Direct's look quite cheap. I'm after a range cooker and there's a double oven one on their website for only £299.

loopylass

If your thinking of appliances dont go for diplomat i think its mfi's make we made that mistake with our washing machine it went wrong after 4 months after a lot of hassle we got a new one out of them but chose hotpoint no problems so far