Neil Travis Review of DM design
Agreed to a salesman to visit our home after chatt...
Agreed to a salesman to visit our home after chatting with their display team at the home show at the SECC. Did explain that I wasn't ready just yet for a new kitchen as I needed to have my boiler moved first. He explained that this wasn't a hassle as the quote will still be valid (within a reasonable time frame) The guy came as agreed at 7pm. First thing my wife and I did, was explain the situation with the boiler and he also said.."no problem"
So..on with the sales pitch. Showed us a couple of brochures for us to start thinking what colour doors we would like, we chose cappuccino gloss but he didn't have a sample of that colour so showed us a gloss black and cream. My wife explained what she wanted from a new kitchen which was based around floor to ceiling units with built in appliances
At this point he went into the kitchen to measure up and give us 1 option of what would work? No alternatives?
Drew a sketch and showed us the layout which was quite good. Then next brochure was worktops but again no real conviction/advice of what would work with the colour
He then made a call to someone to ask how much discount we were eligible to? and he explained to the man on the phone that we live in a cul de sac, 20 odd houses and the people opposite us have solar panels (which he did mention he should drop a flyer through their letterbox?) I recall a quote of a a- discount (whatever that means?)
We asked if it was possible to see the layout in 3d rather than paper but was told that only happens once you sign on the dotted line?
Next came his little made up cupboard where we got to play with a soft closing drawer and door. Even told me the hinges were galvanized....OOOOOPS (i'm a Quality Manager...in a galvanizing plant and these hinges are not galvanized)
Next came how to pay..even though we hadn't even been asked how we planned to fund the project or what kind of budget we had in mind (as you will see later in the review, this could have saved the salesman a lot of time!)
We were also advised (BY A SALESMAN?) to buy our own appliances...including the sink, so this quote was basically going to be for the carcasses (12 in all) to be delivered and fitted within a day (which i explained didn't impress me as I want it right...not rushed)
He worked the financing part using 15k as an example, still no mention of what we were to be quoted?
Then proceeded to show us a b&q quote claiming they charge 5k for install which in his opinion is excessive (locked that bit in my head for later!!!!!)
Then the bomb was dropped, we were told if we signed there and then we would get a discount and a show home (using pics of before and after) discount.
Told him I wouldn't be signing tonight without a visit to the showroom to see and feel the doors etc in my hand and without discussing the quote in detail with my wife. He said that he had been explaining the quote as we went along, so I explained that no, we need to talk behind your back first.
Oh right...the bomb I earlier mention...now bear in mind that we were to but all appliances ourselves and this is the price for carcasses and fitting...ARE YOU READY...
OK here it comes......29k,
God loves a trier eh, I explained to him that my wife would show him out, I left the room so I could laugh/cry/scream/shout/horse him out...not sure in which order I wanted to do it,so I left the room.
Obviously got calls from customer services and a Director over the coming days apologizing for this and they would make a revised offer as an apology? Customer services did sound a lovely woman so I am not going to berate her in any way , but even a revised offer of say 15k is not half price as the original price was mental in the first place so how will I ever know what the true cost should have been versus the apologetic offer? ALL TRUST IN THE COMPANY NOW TOTALLY EVAPORATED.
there are delighted customers otherwise they wouldn't still be in business, don't feel pressured into signing and get a couple of quotes before committing to purchasing. Is DM Design going to build my new kitchen???
I'm afraid not......
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