New Kitchen - Are there any Decent Shops near Purley?

bobwilson

So as with most things, I've learnt my lessons and always go with first impressions as they 99% of the time have proven accurate.

I called my local Wickes several times, no answer, so if that's their customer service I guess they're ruled out.

I called John Lewis and they wanted me to choose a kitchen without seeing it, as apparently "the store isn't big enough to show examples of all kitchens".. they then offered to give me the addresses of all their stores across the country to go to, to view their kitchens. They didn't know if their prices included installation. They even asked me if it was in the small print of their brochure. Shouldn't they know that? I don't have a brochure, but apparently they didn't either. The ''call centre'' girl also refused to let me speak directly to the branch (which was the number their website lead me to believe I had rang). Considering that customer service, I guess they're ruled out.

These tests seem basic, but already we've ruled out 2 major stores!

Magnet answered the phone so they passed the first test. The guy also knew whether prices were shown in store (its a simple yes or no). So, he passed the second test. I went on their website which had ''50% off SALE!" all over it, but when you dig deeper, the kitchen prices don't seem to have 50% off and don't state if they do or do not reflect the sale price.

Having been stung by rogue traders in the past, even large stores, we're extremely wary.

I know that service depends on the specific brand you visit. Can anyone recommend a decent place to buy a decent kitchen anywhere in or near Purley, from personal experience? :T We're looking for somewhere that won't go bust as soon as we buy, won't do a hash job of the installation and then be impossible to contact, and who provides a few years guarantee of the installation & all parts etc. or preferrably takes payment after you're satisfied the job has been done properly.

keystone

As there are several kitchen outlets within spitting distance of Purley I wonder why you are busying yourself applying random "tests" by telephone instead of getting your backside out there and visiting them?

Sorry to say it (and I'm sure you didn't mean it that way) but your post has "awkward customer with attitude problem" written all over it. You could have avoided giving that impression by starting your post six lines up from the bottom with the sentence "Can anyone recommend...." and not saying any of the rest of it.

Cheers

CKdesigner

Hi Keystone

To be honest I didn't think 'awkward customer', I just thought if someone is in the market for a major purchase spending several £1,000s then the least they would expect is a fairly general conversation with someone that knows what they are talking about. Admittedly though, you probably are right about ringing a DIY store, I wouldn't see the point, you would be better off making a visit to the local one and see if the kitchens they do are of a quality you would be happy with before bothering to speak to someone.

I would say that most of our customers ring for an initial chat before they visit, which I do prefer, then I can make sure I am available when they do visit and not out on a survey or something.

CK

keystone

CKdesigner wrote: »

To be honest I didn't think 'awkward customer',

Yes, on reflection, I see your point but it was the first part of the post that raised my hackles.

I just thought if someone is in the market for a major purchase spending several £1,000s then the least they would expect is a fairly general conversation with someone that knows what they are talking about.

Actually I agree. Thats why it would have been far better to start off with "Can anyone....." or even "Having been stung...." because the rest preceding it is just guff and IMO anyway, gets OP off on the wrong foot.

Admittedly though, you probably are right about ringing a DIY store, I wouldn't see the point, you would be better off making a visit to the local one and see if the kitchens they do are of a quality you would be happy with before bothering to speak to someone.

Quite.

I would say that most of our customers ring for an initial chat before they visit, which I do prefer, then I can make sure I am available when they do visit and not out on a survey or something.

But then thats the sort of service that an indie should provide. Noone in their right mind expects that from a shed. Or do they?

Cheers

Stooby2

The Wickes at West Wickham (Coney Hall) has half the store dedicated to kitchen and bathrooms and may be able to help - about a 15-20 min drive for you. No idea how reliable or otherwise they are.

Trying to ring a store is a bit pointless I've found as they only give their general number which is usually the one of the customer service desk - who are dealing with 101 customers as well.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Ki-Ba in Selsdon is good. Their website isn't, but if you go there (just by the lights at the junction of Farley and Addington Road), that'll let you see the sort of things they do (and their guys are very picky about the quality of their work).

cattie

If you find an installer first with trade accounts with either Howden's or Magnet trade then I would recommend either of these 2 companies. I've had both Howden's and Magnet kitchens in the past, just about ready to have a new kitchen installed in my new home and will be going with one of these 2 companies.

As far a pricing is concerned with both these companies, you won't know that until the designer has been and given the pricings to your installer. I'd never pick a kitchen from any kitchen supplier and then go with their installation service as you pay through the nose this way. Far better to get your own fitter.

happyhero

If you are looking at anything from Wickes to John Lewis then I am surprised you have not looked at Ikea which is on the Purley Way. I find their kitchens very good and have fitted several, I find their quality much better than the likes of Wickes and B&Q, although their appliances I might be tempted elsewhere. Their appliances are ok but you can get better but spending more of course. I find the Purley way Ikea to be one of the better ones to deal with, although I am biased as that is the nearest one to me but I have used the others too.

Also they have all their kitchens on display so you can look and play with them to see what you think. They will also do a plan for your layout for free, so even if you don't use them it gives you some ideas to start on.

With kitchens you have to be careful not to go somewhere more up market lets say and just end paying more for the same thing you could have got from another chain store.

Hope that is of some help.

Leif

Why not try and find an independent kitchen shop near you? Places like B&Q do not have the best reputation although the cabinets are okay. I think the problem is that they pay their fitters peanuts. Optiplan are good, and they make their own cabinets:

http://www.manorcabinets.co.uk/showrooms.html

Examples:

http://www.optiplankitchens.co.uk/portfolio.htm

This site can give you some idea of how good the larger places are:

http://www.reviewcentre.com/

Obviously an independent local shop would not be listed.