MSE News: Tesco to refund customers after ditching kitchen business

Furts

adamg wrote: »

Im sure Sir Richard asked himself the same question when he went from selling vinyl at the local market to setting up a train firm, a media company etc etc

But this is not all it seems - the Virgin brand is sold on, franchised out etc.

Sir Richard gets remembered for the success which may have been nothing to do with him. Indeed, not even his company.

Remember Virgin Cola went somewhere - I do not recall the details.

How many remember Virgin Homes - the new build housing company? The answer is not many and it has been swept under the carpet. Another failure that is forgotten, except by those like me who used to work with them.

But back to Tesco - had they restricted themselves to selling kitchen units it might have worked. Getting involved with the hassles that go with the installation was their downfall. This expertise is not required with selling Heinz soup - Tesco do not have any further contact with the soup after selling it.


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Money-Saving-King

Furts wrote: »

Tesco do not have any further contact with the soup after selling it.


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They sell hundreds of goods at Tesco Direct that might require attention under various consumer acts after selling and that side of the business seems to be doing fine.

sniggings

Furts wrote: »

I second this, but will also add that customers who placed orders with Tesco should stand back and ask a fundamental question. It is common sense not to walk into the local Co Op and ask "May I buy a fitted kitchen please?" So why had they gone into Tesco and done this?

Further, why did Tesco think that their expertise in selling cans of Heinz soup mean that they were qualified to supply and fit kitchens?

This is a sorry tale where both the retailer and the consumer much share equal responsibility.

I bet Richard Branson is glad he didn't follow this advice, he would have never gotten into Virgin Money,Virgin trains, Virgin Wine , Virgin Holidays etc etc etc

No reason whatsoever why a business the size of Tesco can not get into any business they wish, they buy in the right people, it's not hard...the real reason they are pulling out will be a bit more complex than they "don't know how to fit kitchens".

Ken68

Maybe the ditching of Mark Two is something to do with Tesco recent "forward payments" black hole.

ryder72

Tesco allowed Mark Two kitchens to use their brand but had nothing to do with the offering itself. All issues including customer service was left to Mark Two. Why they did it is beyond me.

It also defies logic why anyone would think Tesco would be a good please to buy a kitchen or bathroom from.

nickcc

We also had a quote from Tesco Kitchens. The rep ( ex Moben) worked out the price to just over £10,000 excluding fitting whilst B&Q and Wickes quoted just under £5,000, all three quotes were for the premium range. We chose Wickes over B&Q as the Wickes back panels were far sturdier and not just hardboard.

poppellerant

Ramona123 wrote: »

I know REMOVED will be able to take the Tesco quotes and supply a kitchen of the same spec for a much better price as well.

Perhaps they supply spam too?

cddc

ryder72 wrote: »

It also defies logic why anyone would think Tesco would be a good please to buy a kitchen or bathroom from.

Clubcard points probably...... Mark 2 also offered the same kitchens under their own brand name. I remember having an argument on here with one fool who had quotes from both and paid more for the Tesco's one because he got Clubcard points:huh:

Mark Two's customer service was always its weak point. There were a few good people there but mostly you were left dealing with a disinterested voice who gave you the impression they could not care less. Not surprised Tesco's pulled the plug on it.

CKdesigner

From the very first day it was announced that Tesco were going into kitchens with Mark Two I knew it could only end one way. I really don't think it was Tesco's intention to get into the kitchen industry. I'm sure it must have been that Mark Two approached Tesco with the concept and Tesco saw it as a way of getting a big commission cheque at the end of every month, without having to do any work! All they had to do was let another company use their brand name - what could possibly go wrong!!!

Massive corporate greed!

Furts

CKdesigner wrote: »

From the very first day it was announced that Tesco were going into kitchens with Mark Two I knew it could only end one way. I really don't think it was Tesco's intention to get into the kitchen industry. I'm sure it must have been that Mark Two approached Tesco with the concept and Tesco saw it as a way of getting a big commission cheque at the end of every month, without having to do any work! All they had to do was let another company use their brand name - what could possibly go wrong!!!

Massive corporate greed!

"Massive corporate greed" plus gross incompetence. Tesco shareholders would expect Tesco management to have undertaken due diligence before this busineess contract was signed. This due diligence was not difficult - it required a few visits to builders merchants and kitchen showrooms. The unanswered question in this debacle is why Tesco agreed to a contractual bond with Mark Two.