ᐅ Would you consider buying from a bankrupt kitchen manufacturer?
Created on: 12 Jul 2017 14:23
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Smurfberry
Hello everyone,
As announced today (but already long expected), the kitchen manufacturer Alno is insolvent and has filed for bankruptcy.
Our current plan was to buy an Alno kitchen through the kitchen studio, but nothing has been signed yet. Alno itself says they will continue producing as usual. From many industries, we know that insolvency does not necessarily mean the end of a company – but I don’t know if that applies here as well.
So my question is: do you have experience with this situation, and would you still consider buying from a manufacturer in insolvency, or is it too risky since this has happened before and eventually no spare parts or service were available?
In my opinion, it shouldn’t be a problem in most cases, since it is not the kitchen studio that is insolvent, just the manufacturer. Spare parts might be more difficult to get, but service should still be available. Moreover, appliances are probably more prone to faults than kitchen cabinets and countertops.
What do you think? Thanks for your opinions!
Best regards,
Tom
As announced today (but already long expected), the kitchen manufacturer Alno is insolvent and has filed for bankruptcy.
Our current plan was to buy an Alno kitchen through the kitchen studio, but nothing has been signed yet. Alno itself says they will continue producing as usual. From many industries, we know that insolvency does not necessarily mean the end of a company – but I don’t know if that applies here as well.
So my question is: do you have experience with this situation, and would you still consider buying from a manufacturer in insolvency, or is it too risky since this has happened before and eventually no spare parts or service were available?
In my opinion, it shouldn’t be a problem in most cases, since it is not the kitchen studio that is insolvent, just the manufacturer. Spare parts might be more difficult to get, but service should still be available. Moreover, appliances are probably more prone to faults than kitchen cabinets and countertops.
What do you think? Thanks for your opinions!
Best regards,
Tom
B
Bieber081512 Jul 2017 15:50Regarding spare parts: In my experience, even with high-end branded furniture, you cannot rely on having the same front available after a few years. Also, white is not always the same shade. Everything else (carcass, fittings) can usually be repaired without involving the kitchen manufacturer. Therefore, I don’t see this as a valid argument.
You can arrange a delivery date with the kitchen supplier in writing(!), and it is also possible to agree on contractual penalties in writing(!) for cases when this date is not met (a price reduction, provision of a temporary basic kitchen, etc.). I would simply discuss this with them.
You can arrange a delivery date with the kitchen supplier in writing(!), and it is also possible to agree on contractual penalties in writing(!) for cases when this date is not met (a price reduction, provision of a temporary basic kitchen, etc.). I would simply discuss this with them.
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Caspar202012 Jul 2017 16:20Smurfberry schrieb:
A brief note regarding down payments. This is not really an issue for us since none of the studios we visited required a down payment, but I agree with the point made above: I make a down payment to the kitchen studio (my contractual partner), not to the insolvent manufacturer. That way, I’m definitely on the safe side.I wouldn’t rule that out categorically. After all, money is often already being transferred behind the scenes; and if the studio is too small, too specialized, or simply undercapitalized, the kitchen studio itself can also run into trouble.
Personally, I wouldn’t buy a kitchen from them anymore. Companies and their employees often have a different mindset (in terms of motivation/care/quality) when the company is going through such a stressful situation.
Of course, I feel sorry for the employees, but a kitchen doesn’t cost just $2.50. I worked hard to earn that.
So, we have a furniture store with a kitchen showroom. Currently, almost one manufacturer goes out of business every month. This doesn’t initially affect the customer. Of course, some kitchen components may no longer be available later – the salesperson has apparently already specifically pointed this out. This is something to keep in mind.
Usually, manufacturers are immediately replaced by another brand. Therefore, I don’t see why the kitchen showroom should be affected.
Usually, manufacturers are immediately replaced by another brand. Therefore, I don’t see why the kitchen showroom should be affected.
Smurfberry schrieb:
Thanks first for the initial responses. So it’s pretty much as I suspected. The contracting party is my kitchen retailer, so initially it’s their responsibility (in terms of warranty).The warranty is provided by the seller for 24 months, although effectively only the first 12 months are fully enforceable due to the reversal of the burden of proof.
Guarantees (such as 3, 5, or 10 years, which are quite common in the furniture sector) are provided by the manufacturer. If the manufacturer no longer exists and there is no legal successor, the guarantee is void.
Smurfberry schrieb:
A quick note regarding the down payment. It’s not an issue for us since none of the retailers we visited requested a down payment, but I see it similar to above: I make any down payment to the kitchen retailer (my contracting party) and not to the insolvent manufacturer. So I should definitely be on the safe side there.Safe side, well. At least you seem to be right about that, I’d say. But that’s something you will likely have to discuss with a judge if the retailer perhaps has a different opinion. Who wants to write off thousands of euros.
montessalet13 Jul 2017 06:49In this situation, I definitely would not buy an Alno kitchen. Never.
Of course, you never really have a guarantee of getting parts years later. We had a (relatively expensive) Poggenpohl kitchen installed in our house in 2007. After 10 years, we had to replace two fronts: that was completely hassle-free – the exact fronts, the exact color, simply perfect.
My advice: choose a different manufacturer (there are so many out there).
Of course, you never really have a guarantee of getting parts years later. We had a (relatively expensive) Poggenpohl kitchen installed in our house in 2007. After 10 years, we had to replace two fronts: that was completely hassle-free – the exact fronts, the exact color, simply perfect.
My advice: choose a different manufacturer (there are so many out there).
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HilfeHilfe13 Jul 2017 06:58Alno will not go under. The company is too large and well positioned for that. There will be layoffs and production will be cheaper. Debts will be cleared, a new investor will come in, and things will move forward.
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