Comments on: Kitchens Direct

By: Adamh

Adamh — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 20:56:16 +0000

In responce to Fran’s comment:
“Can anyone please confirm whether all the negative comments are really from Kitchens Direct or from a company called Direct Kitchens? The latter is a company owned by Vance Miller the rogue trader who has appeared on Watchdog, been in prison etc.”

I can reassure you that Kitchens Direct is nothing to do with Vance Miller. Kitchens Direct is owned by the HomeForm Group who also own Moben Kitchens, Sharps Bedrooms, Dolphin Bathrooms and Technik appliances.
HomeForm Group Limited Cornbrook 2 Brindley Road |Old Trafford Manchester M16 9HQ
Registration Number: 01632417 (England) VAT Reg 902 1945 47 http://www.homeform.co.uk

By: Fran

Fran — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:20:07 +0000

Can anyone please confirm whether all the negative comments are really from Kitchens Direct or from a company called Direct Kitchens? The latter is a company owned by Vance Miller the rogue trader who has appeared on Watchdog, been in prison etc.

I’ve placed an order (supply only) with Kitchens Direct and am assured by the sales rep that they have nothing to do with Direct Kitchens, or Vance Miller and have never been on Watchdog.

However I’m now really nervous and considering cancelling but want to make sure as the sales rep was good, polite, knew her stuff, designed a reasonable kitchen and is now trying to find me a local reference site to visit to put my mind at rest. I have just a couple of days left to cancel my contract, so would appreciate a comment.

Thank you!

By: Vicky

Vicky — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:01:08 +0000

I have not used KD and will never do so after seeing what they did to my poor grandmother. The demanded all monies upfront and gave her a poorly made kitchen that two years on is falling apart. They have no shame really and refuse to listen to her or to come around and see the problems. It took over a month to install and arrived with completely different work top, when my grandmother informed them that it was not what she picked they insisted that she did and implied she was losing her marbles and told her that it was too bad it was already cut and ready to go. Awful awful people. please please please look elsewhere.

By: SMW

SMW — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 10:45:48 +0000

we arranged for Kitchens Direct to come out, the rep didnt even show, no phonecall whatsoever so we didnt bother chasing up as to why they didnt show…
few months down the line received another telephone call from KD and we explained what had happened before the lady on the telephone was very apologetic and very nice and said she would (if we accepted) arrange for another rep to come out and offer us an amazing deal… so we agreed…
the rep came out (elderly guy) was very nice and chatty spent nearly 3.5 hours with us designed the kitchen to suit what we wanted looked amazing on the drawing he advised us on the best way to achieve maximum space in the kitchen and we were impressed….
he then worked out all the figures etc and came back to us gave us the overall cost including appliances etc fitting etc etc and then listed the discount he would give us and the final figure was very good for the kitchen we wanted
The quality of the samples shown where good and the rep seemed to know what he was talking about… (this is where it turns ugly )
the rep after he gave us the price said what did we think “we said yes seems acceptable but we would need time to consider it all / discuss it” he replied “ok i,ll give you ten minutes” and proceeded to walk into another room !!!! we said we need more than ten mins, spending 20k on a kitchen we needed to make sure the design was what we wanted etc… the reps attitude then turned very arrogant, unpleasant, sarcastic and very very rude….. the atmosphere in the house went from pleasant to awkward…!!!!
the rep left in a huff with his samples
we telephoned KD to complain and spoke to a Manager who again was very apologetic and sincere and said he would come out and go through it all again with us and give us further discount…..
but having read the reviews on quiet a few forums, websites it appears the KD give the first impression as good and great and competent etc but is this a ploy to get you to sign the contract and handover your money !!!!
we had arranged for KD Manager to revisit us but i think we will go with instinct and cancel….

there are alot of cowboys and companies who will “butter” you up to get your money and then thats when the problems start, installations, delivery of goods etc….

The lasting impression the rep gave us was not very good and regardless whether we would sign a deal or not, his professional approach should be the same as when he walked through the door…

it just gave us the impression he wanted a sale and a deposit and that was it….

There is alot of bad feedback on KD but the experiences we have had with them so far have been 50/50 and i suppose all companies have some bad feedback at some point… but there are just too many on KD….

By: Kaitie2

Kaitie2 — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 20:11:54 +0000

Ah – after sales ‘phone call. Apparently (yeh right) I was asked “how did it go?”

So, after my speel and going off in a tangent, she asked oh so politely if there was any chance of KD visiting – NOPE , NOT ON YOUR NELLY!!
B;ess, it wasnt her fault

me xx

By: Kaitie2

Kaitie2 — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:28:24 +0000

Well, guess I must be dim, slow witted, stupid, and completely unable to make any decisions….
A few days ago I booked an appointment for a Rep to visit. Appointment made and a few days later received a call (presumably from a call centre) to confirm the booking time and date and was asked a few brief questions. When asked if my partner would be present at the appointment I said he would not be and was subsequently bombarded with why? And that they prefer us both to be at the property and they would reschedule the 2 hour allocated appointment time for the weekend when said partner would also be available. I said that was actually acceptable and I wished to keep the appointment as arranged….
So appointment day arrived (today) and approx just hour an hour before the Rep should have been standing on my doorstep, another call was forthcoming. This was to inform me that due to illness they had to cancel the appointment, but would be pleased to arrange another one for the weekend when my partner would be here. I mentioned that that was totally unacceptable and what was the pressure for US to be present? I was rather rudely told that this was because they were travelling out to see us and would be giving us a free quotation! I retorted by mentioning that in this day and age most reputable companys do. When I enquired further for an explanation, none was forthcoming…
I told them to poke it basically.
Little were they aware that I own my property outright, would be purchasing the kitchen and actually AM the main earner and not the ‘little woman’ indoors who doesnt have a brain cell and would be unable to coherently negotiate with any person they cared to send on the said appointment and possibly execute a deal.
Their attitude is disgusting & appalling.
So glad a rep didnt arrive as I don’t deal with people with that attitude and any hard sell would fall on deaf ears as I will not tolerate it in any form….the Rep wouldn’t know what hit him/her and would have immediately been shown the front door, possibly prompted out by my size 6 foot!
However, I really only wanted a comparison quotation to those I already have…and Im afraid Kitchen Direct…my pennies will be going elsewhere to an Independant kitchen supplier…..
End of novel – LOL

By: Leigh

Leigh — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 15:22:54 +0000

6th June 09 – Please please read this if you are about to use Kitchens Direct. I nearly cancelled after reading the reviews on the web that state how awful they are and that they are pushy etc. I’m a mum of 8 month old twins and recently contacted KD. The guy that came to quote was genuinely nice and not at all pushy. He gave me a quote of 7k7. The manager called me several days later. I told him I would only pay 6k5 which they accepted. The original sales guy came out to me on a Sunday, on his day off as I wouldn’t pay a deposit without seeing the contract. I told him I was worried. He said 20 or 25%? of the money goes to some standards company who won’t pay it back to them if I make a complaint and that it comes back to me. Anyway, I signed the contract (nervously). The kitchen was delivered bang on time. The fitter turned up bang on time, was absolutely lovely and took 4.5 days to fit the kitchen. The kitchen looks amazing and it’s excellent quality. I couldn’t be more chuffed. He even boxed in my boiler pipes without me asking. I honestly believe that the really bad reviews are probably written by rival kitchen companies. If KD were that bad, wouldn’t they be on Watchdog? I would 100% use them again and refer them to my family/friends. I can’t say how your experience would be but I can only say I’m seriously skeptical about the awful reviews on here.
Leigh – Sawtry

By: Caroline

Caroline — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:46:36 +0000

Hi there,
I bought my Kitchen and solid Oak flooring from them and managed to get the cost down by simply asking also if it helps they do supply only!! which is where it makes it a lot cheaper this is what we did. Went for a solid wood kitchen as well as work tops, items are good quality and very pleased with them. Now for the negative they supplied some stuff damaged, items took ages to replace and they never answer calls or letters sent when you do speak with someone they aren’t very polite and it did take us a few months to sort. But overall we have a very good solid kitchen and flooring and a very reasonable price, JUST MAKE SURE when the items are delivered that you check them no matter how long it takes even though the driver says he can’t wait and DO NOT HAND OVER THE MONEY if it isn’t!!!
Hope this helps..

By: MrDaz

MrDaz — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:14:43 +0000

I think they want the woman there because more often than not she is the decision maker with regards to home improvements. The man will tend to agree with what she says.

The other angle is that they’ll definitely want both partners there. There’s nothing worse for a salesman to be pitching away and then find out that they’ve pitched to someone who then has to ask permission from someone else. The impact of their pitch will be lessened by you relaying it to your wife. They want both people there to make sure they’re pitching to the right person.

In terms of haggling, depends on what part of the month you’re in. If you’re lucky you’ll be close to the end of the month and your salesperson will need the sale for their target. If you stall over price you might get it knocked down, you might get more thrown in. One thing’s for sure, don’t sign off on on the day, wait for their closure team to call you a few days later, they’re empowered to offer you more of a discount.

By: Adrian

Adrian — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:03:42 +0000

We had a planner around today and I have got to say she was very good. Price was fairly high but we are not committing yet as we need to make plans with a builder.

Can anyone offer any tips about knocking them down in price ?

ROB – reading your comments I feel you are wrong to say they want the female there as well because she “is the gullible one”, the kitchen historically is a predominantly female domain in the house so it makes sense to include them in the decision process. Nothing sexist, just common sense, especially in such a high cost expense.

Cheers,
Adrian