Howdens

mrbigstuff

Hi all,

I have a builder who will be fitting a new kitchen for me in October once the howdens rep comes round to design and price up. I know there is a sale in October. I have a few questions about Howdens though. From what I have searched on here I gather the more the builder uses howdens the bigger his account discount will be? He can choose how much discount to pass on from Howdens eg Howdens give the builder 40% of my kitchen but builder only passes on 20% is he entitled to use the other 20% on another kitchen fit? Is that the deal HOWDENS and fitters have?

I say this because I can't think of another reason why Howdens won't give me the buyer the price break down which I really do not like because it is not transparent and can't believe this practice is even legal. Surely the buyer is entitled to see this otherwise how would you know if the builder is ripping you off or not?

I've read other post online of customers finding out the builder handnt passed on the full discount.

It seems wrong.

Be greatful if anyone has any experience they can give me

All the best

leveller2911

Its the builder who has the account so the discount is his and not the customers.

Look at it this way, If you own a car dealership and you sell 200 cars a year and the manufacturer gives you a 30% discount on those cars would you pass on that full discount to Joe Bloggs who wants to buy a car?.

If you go to Homebase and want 1 kitchen every 15-20 years do you think you would receive a genuine discount?

mrbigstuff

leveller2911 wrote: »

Its the builder who has the account so the discount is his and not the customers.

Look at it this way, If you own a car dealership and you sell 200 cars a year and the manufacturer gives you a 30% discount on those cars would you pass on that full discount to Joe Bloggs who wants to buy a car?.

If you go to Homebase and want 1 kitchen every 15-20 years do you think you would receive a genuine discount?

I see, that makes sense. Thank you.

fatpiggy

I've just had a Howden's kitchen fitted by a local (recommended) builder, and the the entire order was itemised and printed off for me to look at. Given that my builder has known the Howden's rep for more than 30 years as they lived on the same road, I have no doubt he got a good discount! I'm very pleased with the kitchen, by the way.

mrbigstuff

fatpiggy wrote: »

I've just had a Howden's kitchen fitted by a local (recommended) builder, and the the entire order was itemised and printed off for me to look at. Given that my builder has known the Howden's rep for more than 30 years as they lived on the same road, I have no doubt he got a good discount! I'm very pleased with the kitchen, by the way.

That's fine if you have a trust worthy builder, unfortunately if he hadn't been he would have still got the discount but not passed it on or showed you the bill like others have complained.