Howdens Kitchen Fitters

MMC5445

Advice needed but a bit of background. A guy who I know has an account with Howdens as a Kitchen Fitter. He knew I was after a kitchen and said that he could get a real good discount for me from Howdens, however he would not be able to fit the kitchen himself. I happily agreed. He got me the kitchen which was delivered and I paid him the full amount excluding the discount of £2000. As I was searching for a kitchen fitter, the guy who got me the discount contacted me and said, whatever you do don't tell Howdens I gave you £2000 discount of the price they had quoted me, he further went onto say that he would now have to fit the kitchen because if he didn't then I would have to pay the £2000 discount back to him.

Fast forward - this guy is now messing me about and delaying everything, I have contacted him several times about still not receiving the quote to fit the kitchen, this has now been about 3 months, I really do not want him to fit the kitchen but at the same time I can't afford to pay the £2000, so he has me hanging. Just to add no contract has been done by him

If there are any Howden fitters out there - Is this guy right in that if he does not fit the kitchen I have to pay the £2000 discount back? many thanks

born_again

Howden sell to all builders, and it seems to normal consumers. To fit their Kitchens.

Clive_Woody

It's no secret that Howdens produces a variety of quotes (for the customer and installer) and most fitters pass on some if not all of the "discount". The list prices for Howdens kitchens are wild, I doubt anyone has ever paid full price. I think our kitchen list prices was something like £40k we paid nowhere near that.

The level of discount for each installer varies from what I have heard and I don't imagine Howdens could care less if they pass this on to the customer or not.

Basically I don't see any reason why you should use this guy. If you have the kitchen and have paid for it, then you are done with him. He can ask for the discount back, but then you tell him to do one, he never paid Howdens full price.

plumb1_2

he’s telling you porky pies. Howdens will not ask for any discount back period.

The only issue you might have is that if anything damaged or missing when you come to fit the kitchen, then things can get sticky.

But if you go into the branch and explain that he’s been messing you about for 3 months and you had to get another fitter. And they’ll be ok with that.

Don’t Mention Anything about Discounts.

I’ve had a howdens account for over 15 yrs, and often let mates go in a pickup stuff they want, they just use cash/ card etc and get my discount.

gazfocus

As others have been said, Howdens are known for giving the tradesperson two quotes…one for the tradespersons cost and another (at a higher cost) for the tradesperson to give to their customer (i.e. you). So you get a quote from the tradesperson that's come from Howdens and you think that's what the tradesperson is paying, so the tradesperson can make a profit.

Personally, I don't like the way it's done as it feels deceitful but I understand that tradespeople need to make a living.

Anyway, all that to say, Howdens won't give a rats who you get to fit the kitchen. Your kitchen fitter 'mate' will be no more qualified or endorsed to fit a Howdens kitchen as they would be to fit a B&Q/Wickes/Ikea kitchen.

Tell him to jog on and get someone that actually wants the job.

p.s. I wonder if his true concern is that you'll find out he ripped you off with the kitchen and that's why he doesn't want you to get someone else?

WIAWSNB

This is weird.

As far as you are concerned, you wanted a kitchen, and someone you knew said they could get it for you at a discount.

He did. You paid. End of. The kitchen is yours, at the paid-for price. (If you are curious, you can always go to a Howdens and ask their 'customer' price.)

Why has he 'changed his mind' over the installation? Who knows - perhaps he now fancies the job?

But the situation is, you always expected to have to find a fitter, and that hasn't changed. So, find the person you want, and get on with it.

If this fitter needs additional parts, then if he doesn't also have an account, I guess you go in there yourself and pay full whack. (I had to pick up some wtop edge strips and a tube of coloured w'top filler and nearly fainted when it came to over £75.)

What's your reason for not wanting to use this guy?

Bottom line, tho' - don't feel coerced into engaging with him if you don't want to.

There is no reason for you to mention to anyone what you paid for the kitchen - it's no-one's business but yours. And what can this guy do - he bought a kitchen using his account, and passed the full discount to his customer. I'm struggling to see what rule or law was broken.

Unless I'm missing something, this guy isn't being upfront with you for some reason, and that is usually reason enough to not employ him. Trust has gone.

Albermarle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81883688#Comment_81883688

This is weird.

There is something strangely familiar with that phrase 😀

HHarry

Howdens have sold a kitchen, at a price they were happy with - job done. As others have said they won’t be asking for any extra money. I doubt they care whether or not the original guy fits it. But the warranty / any delivery damage sits with that guy - you can’t go directly to Howdens.

So you can get anyone to fit it. In the event of a warranty issue it might get tricky - but it doesn’t sound like the first guy is all lthat reliable, and you might have a fight even if he did fit it.

If the first guy tries to get you to repay any discount, he’s ripping you off.