Wren - want a 10% deposit to secure a 'good deal'

kittennose

We're almost 80% towards agreeing a kitchen with Wren, the basic layout is agreed we just need to spend some time choosing what doors and sinks etc which we should finish in the next 2-3 weeks.

Wren however are pressuring us to secure our price with a 10% deposit based on the fact that their offers and deals all end tonight and will likely go up.

However we are reluctant because this gives them no incentive to make further deals with us, and also seems daft when the kitchen design isn't even agreed yet. 

However we do not want to lose out on any deals either.

I know that this is just pressure selling 101 but there's always that nagging feeling...We've already walked away from Howdens due to a very pushy sales guy.

FreeBear

Now go find a local independent kitchen supplier/installer. You will probably find their prices to be on par, if not cheaper and you'll get a better installation.

Wren does not have the best of reputations, and Howden's pricing is far from transparent.

Belenus

kittennose said:

We're almost 80% towards agreeing a kitchen with Wren, the basic layout is agreed we just need to spend some time choosing what doors and sinks etc which we should finish in the next 2-3 weeks.

My advice is to not go that final 20%

Find a good local independent who will almost certainly do a far better job for less money.

Wren however are pressuring us to secure our price with a 10% deposit based on the fact that their offers and deals all end tonight and will likely go up.

Ignore this blatant pushy sales tactic.

koalakoala

If that’s how they work walk away

BikingBud

Took me 6 months of calls before they stopped haranguing me. Eventually said we were considering doing more significant work and would need to assess schedules and possibly even revisit the concept.

Go and look and chat, enjoy their facility to view the concept but be firm about your plans and your timeline.

maisie_cat

Their are several facebook groups dedicated to customer experiences, you may find them useful

TELLIT01

Never be pressurised into making a major financial decision on the basis of a 'special offer which ends today'.  If they really want your business the offer will be there tomorrow, next week, next month.  That said, I would avoid Wren like the plague.  They have a terrible reputation for failing to hit delivery dates.

We used Howdens and had a very good experience, and were very happy with the quality of the units too.  Is there another Howdens branch you could go to, assuming you actually liked the product?

kittennose

TELLIT01 said:

Never be pressurised into making a major financial decision on the basis of a 'special offer which ends today'.  If they really want your business the offer will be there tomorrow, next week, next month.  That said, I would avoid Wren like the plague.  They have a terrible reputation for failing to hit delivery dates.

We used Howdens and had a very good experience, and were very happy with the quality of the units too.  Is there another Howdens branch you could go to, assuming you actually liked the product?

Howdens were shocking for us, really aggressive selling and about 10k overpriced. All kitchen companies have a ton of good/bad reviews. I think it's more down to that local firm/branch than the overall brand. We're sticking with Wren or DIY unless we find a local firm, but most of those are bespoke 30k kitchens as were in a nice area.

kittennose

As it happens the offer improved from 50% off to 60% off. So for prosperity, anyone reading this in the same situation I would certainly wait.

badger09

kittennose said:

As it happens the offer improved from 50% off to 60% off. So for prosperity, anyone reading this in the same situation I would certainly wait.

I’m glad you’re pleased with that result. 

My reaction would have been to walk away as that is the modus operandi of several well known large companies. In the distant past, I’ve had personal experience of similar ‘fantastic time limited discounts’ from Anglian & Everest double glazing/conservatories, and Hillary’s made to measure curtains & blinds. They start with the maximum price they think you might possibly consider, then gradually introduce ‘personal reductions’. 

Eg in our previous home, Hillary’s 1st figure for 2 sets of full length fully thermal lined large curtains was £1950 in 2014. Rep gradually reduced it to £900 and eventually asked how much I would be prepared to pay. I told her I was not buying from them as I did not like their methods. I had exactly the same curtains made by another company for £640. 

Good luck

ps did you mean posterity🤔

Postik

I would never be pressurised into making a large financial decision.  If a company can offer a 50% off sale then they were charging 50% too much in the first place.  I've also seen time and time again these sales are supposedly "coming to an end" just to be extended or replaced with a different offer whereby one way or another the price ends up roughly the same.

Glad it worked out for you in any case.