Wickes Kitchens force to use credit

scagwaysi

I have just had Wickes quote for a total renovation of my kitchen. A job that will cost just shy of £15 000
Whilst this is no doubt a huge amount of money for a very small kitchen I want to keep everything high end and I was not upset by the total. I think I had negotiated it down to the best level I could.

The problem arises when asked how I want to pay. I told them cash, either by bacs transfer or even off a debit card. ( I do not have a credit card even though I am aware of the advantages of paying on one)

I was told that if I pay cash then I would have to pay the entire amount on placing an order even though there is a 3 month lead time on actual work commencing.

The alternative is to take Wickes 4 years interest free credit and pay 10% on order then just pay off the account after fitting.
My problem with this is I am self employed and may not get 15K credit even if I apply, and I certainly don't want to apply and be refused and have that refusal on my file.

Neither in the present climate do I want to pay that amount of money upfront when there are no guarantees that Wickes will even still be trading in 3 months time and lets assume that they are it would still be unwise to pay in full until completion. A realistic deposit on order would be acceptable.

It is unfortunate but I am going to have to begin the process of designing and quoting all over again with another supplier and it really is a minefield of choosing and comparing so many different products to achieve the finish i want.

Is there anyone else come up against this problem? and if so did Wickes move from their payment in full on order policy?

Clive_Woody

Could you not pay the deposit by debit card, then the balance by whatever means suits you?

So many companies want to sell credit deals these days, presumably due to some sort of kick back. Try asking to speak with the branch manager and stating that you do not wish to make a credit application.

scagwaysi

Thanks Clive,
They want the whole amount to proceed with the order.
If i took the credit then the credit company would pay Wickes the entire cost up front.
If i don't take their credit then I would have to pay the whole amount.

I don't mind paying a deposit upfront so that they can order stock even 25% but to expect the whole project to be financed 3 month before commencement is totally unreasonable.

i shall not be proceeding with Wickes.
I do not want their credit even at 0%. Neither am i going to give Wickes 3 months interest free credit of my money

Dan-Dan

I supply and fit bathrooms, we charge for goods at point of sale with a deposit towards fitting (if the customer uses us for that)
It works for us but we are not Wickes obviously

Dan-Dan

Also, if you were not using Wickes to fit it, how else would you expect to pay for the goods?

FreeBear

scagwaysi wrote: »

It is unfortunate but I am going to have to begin the process of designing and quoting all over again with another supplier and it really is a minefield of choosing and comparing so many different products to achieve the finish i want.

Make contact with some of your local small independent kitchen suppliers - They should be a little more flexible on payment terms and could well work out cheaper than Wickes.
Or you could go direct to Benchmarx and get exactly the same units from there.

pelirocco

Its pretty normal , we have just had a kitchen installed by a company that has a few shops , they insisted on payment up front . We had a quote from Wickes and they quoted the same amount , for standard units , where as ours were made to measure and better quality

scagwaysi

Thank you for your replies.
I took Wickes quote and pictures of projected project into a local independant kitchen and bathrroom place.
He ran it through his own software and came up with a price very close to Wickes but including a waste disposal and a quooker tap. along with cabinets that look better quality.

Best from my point of view he only want 500 pounds deposit on order and the rest paid in stages by bacs though project.

He is coming to my home to survey at weekend and if he does not find any unexpected disasters looming he will get the order.

Clive_Woody

With Howdens I paid a deposit on placing the order, then remaining balance a couple of days before delivery.

Glad you got it resolved....and got an even better deal

Undervalued

As I understand it (and I may be out of date) providing you pay £100 or more of the total bill by a credit card, the credit card company would be liable for whole £15K if Wickes went under!!

If I remember correctly, the credit card companies hate this (understandably) and fought a test case to a high level but lost.

Assuming this is still the case would it not make sense to get a credit card with a small limit just for this purpose? You can always cancel it once the kitchen is done to your satisfaction.

Do double check that I am not out of date on this though!

Clive_Woody

Undervalued said:

As I understand it (and I may be out of date) providing you pay £100 or more of the total bill by a credit card, the credit card company would be liable for whole £15K if Wickes went under!!

If I remember correctly, the credit card companies hate this (understandably) and fought a test case to a high level but lost.

Assuming this is still the case would it not make sense to get a credit card with a small limit just for this purpose? You can always cancel it once the kitchen is done to your satisfaction.

Do double check that I am not out of date on this though!

So long as the purchase is for more than £100, you only have to pay 1p on a credit card to get Section 75 protection

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/section75-protect-your-purchases/