Getting a discount from an independent Kitchen Company.

ryder72

I dont see why it is unreasonable for a supplier to grant a dealer some exclusivity over a territory (This does not mean that they cannot sell outside the area - that would be illegal). The supplier would like to see their brand protected and the retailer would like to get a return on their investment. Consumers are free to shop around for better prices.

Extending on from CKD's comments about consumers doing the ground work to reduce the retailers involvement to get the best price, one also needs to consider how a price comes about. We supply a German kitchen range and our nearest brand competitor is about 25 miles away. If I wanted to secure business near the competitor, I could do that but I would have to take into account delivery costs, cost of servicing a client further away and the consumer needs to take into account the comfort factor of dealing with someone local and make a decision they are comfortable with.

Ultimately, the answer is - ask for a discount by all means, but a good honest retailer should offer a 'price to secure the business' and may have a small amount to negotiate. If you can afford that price and like the price/value proposition, you have got a good deal. Honestly, I would be wary of a retailer who has thousands to discount as its clearly marked up to mark down. How would you ever know you have haggled it down to the best price they can offer.

ferretkeeper

I would have thought if you are getting similar prices from them all then they are all offering a fair price.

If you're not convinced take your design to Wickes or B&Q or whoever on the high street and get their prices. Then compare it to what you've got from the independents and decide if by paying more you are getting a better product, better service and therefore better value for money. Surely that's what people are looking for by going to an independent?

By all means take the prices from several and see if your preferred company can beat the best, but it sounds like they are all pretty competitive.

£16k actually sounds cheap for a bespoke kitchen to me, I doubt you could get the same from the high street for much less. We've just re-done our tiny kitchen on a mega shoe string budget and it still cost about £4k, I reckon if we paid full high street price you could have easily doubled it, so let alone going bespoke.

Furts

ryder72 wrote: »

Ultimately, the answer is - ask for a discount by all means, but a good honest retailer should offer a 'price to secure the business' and may have a small amount to negotiate. If you can afford that price and like the price/value proposition, you have got a good deal. Honestly, I would be wary of a retailer who has thousands to discount as its clearly marked up to mark down. How would you ever know you have haggled it down to the best price they can offer.

I go with this which is why I was amused by OP's post. Here is somebody being critical of a discount structure being offered by DIY sheds but then asking what can be expected of Independents.

There will not be meaningful discounts when moving into the "retail experience" that comes with Independents. One does not go to an exclusive make of car dealership and expect discounts so why should the question be asked of an Independent Kitchen Retailer? This is the same scenario but with a different product!

Furts

CKdesigner wrote: »

Hi Furts

Simply if a customer wants a quality kitchen that really is not much more expensive, if at all, than a DIY store kitchen, then I think they deserve having quality design, service and advice.

CK

I agree with this 100%.

The only fly in the ointment is that far more consumers should be questioning the ridiculous quotes they receive from DIY sheds. Once these have been driven down to rock bottom they should then decide if they wish to pay the uplift that goes with an order from an Independent.

I know the ridiculous prices some sheds insulted me with when I was looking for a kitchen. Many were just taking the p-ss!

ryder72

Its a standing joke with European kitchen manufacturers to look at the kitchen retailing structure in Britain and ask the question - if your houses and cars arent discounted 50% in new year sales, how come your kitchens are.