ᐅ Strategy for Buying a Kitchen / How to Negotiate Effectively?
Created on: 6 Aug 2020 16:47
S
Shiny86
I’ve started planning my kitchen and feel completely overwhelmed. It feels like being at a bazaar. Exactly what you see on TV shows happened to me. So far, I’ve visited 4 kitchen showrooms. I’m still waiting on the design and price from 2 of them. These are smaller studios, so I’m curious to see what they come up with.
But with the other two, it went exactly as expected. Twice I asked the manager for a discount, and it turned into a kind of show. The comments were laughable: “We can do it for price X, but then we won’t make any profit on you. The manager will probably want to talk to me about this.” Even after the second discount, I still felt like I was paying too much. Both salespeople set deadlines for me. One even said I had to sign the contract that same day.
I also don’t know how to negotiate smartly or what the right tactics are. I don’t really know the actual value of my kitchen. When does negotiating become unreasonable? How do you know for sure when there’s no more room to negotiate? Are there actually people who don’t negotiate at all and just accept the first offered discount? I’ve wondered about that too. It’s a shame I don’t know any kitchen salesperson personally to get insider tips.
Since I have a lot of expensive requests, I feel almost ridiculous setting my budget too low. The problem is that I can’t compare apples to apples because my kitchen concept has changed with every planning appointment. In my small town, I’ve now visited all the studios except for Roller. There are still studios in neighboring towns, but I already feel like I won’t have a kitchen even after visiting 5 more showrooms.
Nearly all plans are for a Nobilia kitchen, coming to around 20,000 euros (about $22,000), or even more if I include my latest wishes. I’ve asked if I should buy the appliances myself to save money, but I was advised against it. They said they wouldn’t install them due to warranty reasons.
What price would you set if you were in my position? And please share how you got your kitchen and how you negotiated.
My requirements are:
- A tall cabinet row with 6 cabinets, each 60cm (24 inches) wide, boxed in drywall. Two of these should be pantry cabinets with pull-out shelves, and the other 4 will house appliances.
- A kitchen peninsula about 1.2m (4 feet) wide and approximately 3.10m (10 feet) long, with drawers on both sides only.
- I want quite high-end appliances, probably Bosch Series 8 black Carbon Accent line, likely including an oven with microwave, a combi-steam oven, and a built-in coffee machine.
- Cooktop with an integrated downdraft vent, recirculating air, flush-mounted (Bosch Series 8 has been planned so far, but I don’t know how good the cooktop is).
- Very quiet dishwasher, brand doesn’t matter (Bosch and Neff have been suggested so far).
- Refrigerator inside a tall cabinet with 2 bio-fresh drawers, brand doesn’t matter (Liebherr and Bosch have been suggested).
- Ceramic countertop
- Undermount ceramic sink
I don’t want to spend more than necessary. But I realize I probably won’t get everything for 15,000 euros (about $16,500).
How should I proceed?
But with the other two, it went exactly as expected. Twice I asked the manager for a discount, and it turned into a kind of show. The comments were laughable: “We can do it for price X, but then we won’t make any profit on you. The manager will probably want to talk to me about this.” Even after the second discount, I still felt like I was paying too much. Both salespeople set deadlines for me. One even said I had to sign the contract that same day.
I also don’t know how to negotiate smartly or what the right tactics are. I don’t really know the actual value of my kitchen. When does negotiating become unreasonable? How do you know for sure when there’s no more room to negotiate? Are there actually people who don’t negotiate at all and just accept the first offered discount? I’ve wondered about that too. It’s a shame I don’t know any kitchen salesperson personally to get insider tips.
Since I have a lot of expensive requests, I feel almost ridiculous setting my budget too low. The problem is that I can’t compare apples to apples because my kitchen concept has changed with every planning appointment. In my small town, I’ve now visited all the studios except for Roller. There are still studios in neighboring towns, but I already feel like I won’t have a kitchen even after visiting 5 more showrooms.
Nearly all plans are for a Nobilia kitchen, coming to around 20,000 euros (about $22,000), or even more if I include my latest wishes. I’ve asked if I should buy the appliances myself to save money, but I was advised against it. They said they wouldn’t install them due to warranty reasons.
What price would you set if you were in my position? And please share how you got your kitchen and how you negotiated.
My requirements are:
- A tall cabinet row with 6 cabinets, each 60cm (24 inches) wide, boxed in drywall. Two of these should be pantry cabinets with pull-out shelves, and the other 4 will house appliances.
- A kitchen peninsula about 1.2m (4 feet) wide and approximately 3.10m (10 feet) long, with drawers on both sides only.
- I want quite high-end appliances, probably Bosch Series 8 black Carbon Accent line, likely including an oven with microwave, a combi-steam oven, and a built-in coffee machine.
- Cooktop with an integrated downdraft vent, recirculating air, flush-mounted (Bosch Series 8 has been planned so far, but I don’t know how good the cooktop is).
- Very quiet dishwasher, brand doesn’t matter (Bosch and Neff have been suggested so far).
- Refrigerator inside a tall cabinet with 2 bio-fresh drawers, brand doesn’t matter (Liebherr and Bosch have been suggested).
- Ceramic countertop
- Undermount ceramic sink
I don’t want to spend more than necessary. But I realize I probably won’t get everything for 15,000 euros (about $16,500).
How should I proceed?
H
hampshire8 Aug 2020 12:24Scout schrieb:
A book recommendation from a former furniture salesperson:
"Smart Kitchen Buying: Perfect Planning, Recognizing and Comparing Quality, Getting the Best Price." The first response (see above) is the best advice!
pagoni2020 schrieb:
Is it forbidden to reuse appliances from the "old" kitchen when buying a new one? Of course not. But usually at a higher price (at the kitchen studio) and/or reluctantly, as I mentioned.
pagoni2020 schrieb:
No, quite rigid and old-fashioned from the carpenter/kitchen fitter of the previous owner and paid with real money. pagoni2020 schrieb:
The carpenter or suitable specialist assembles the IKEA kitchen and provides a warranty on their workmanship. The carpenter does not give a warranty on the IKEA furniture itself. If something happens after one year, you have to fix it yourself. Or do you think the carpenter will do that for free?
pagoni2020 schrieb:
In your life, that might be the case, maybe that is why you have that obvious thought. No, not at all in my case...
pagoni2020 schrieb:
Wow – that includes a few real clichés. ... that’s why I am giving this critique.
I have now been part of this forum for over 7 years, about 2 of those as a moderator, and have read all posts. But even without the moderator role, an attentive reader will notice that most original posters and questioners only focus on the bottom line – quality does not matter, as long as they save money!
Yes, there are exceptions – maybe you are one of them… or not, which honestly doesn’t matter for this forum banter – but overall, that’s how it looks here.
And since I have experience not only as a homeowner but also as an employee and self-employed tradesperson, I know that it is usually not appreciated when companies earn profits or generate turnover in a way consumers don’t understand.
I should have written that I did not want to be personal with the quotes; I only copied them as examples so that it’s worth responding, and yes: a bit of provocation also belongs in the forum.
P.S. I am a happy IKEA customer!
P.S. I am a happy IKEA customer! (Time’s up) So please read more neutrally, my friend! Just because I quote you and criticize it, does that mean I have to be criticized in return? That’s like being overly sensitive, childish behavior...
I already said I don’t like that and that we stood up...
pagoni2020 schrieb:
What do you think about these extreme examples mentioned here?
pagoni2020 schrieb:
Or do you have to stay seated and be shown up in order to finally be considered a "decent customer"? Everything is always black and white or good and bad. Apparently, that’s how some people see life.
I already said I don’t like that and that we stood up...
P
pagoni20208 Aug 2020 18:25ypg schrieb:
Carpenters do not provide a warranty on Ikea furniture. If something goes wrong after a year, you have to fix it yourself. Or do you think the carpenter will come for free?Why would a carpenter give a warranty on someone else’s furniture? Where did you read that? Carpenters offer a warranty on their own workmanship. If there is a problem, I call them, they work on it, and I pay. At least in my case, they don’t come for free — where did you get this strange idea from?
My own work is paid for, and so is outside work; I thought this was the normal practice everywhere.
ypg schrieb:
then you have to fix it yourself.…I like to tinker everywhere myself… but less so with carpentry work. As I said, the carpenter is always happy to come because a) they are properly paid and b) they enjoy our cappuccino on the terrace. You are describing a problem as a general rule, but it’s not necessarily something you have to deal with. ypg schrieb:
that most original posters and questioners only look at the bottom right – quality doesn’t matter, saving money is the main thing!…that may be true to some extent, but I don’t like generalizations against tradespeople, customers, Ikea, or Bulthaup. The problems are usually very individual, and just as there are decent Ikea customers, there are also foolish Rolls Royce buyers. ypg schrieb:
I have been on this forum for over 7 years, 2 of those as a moderator, and I’ve had to read every post.If I based my view only on what I have read, seen, and heard professionally all my life, I’d only be roaming the city with a machete. Maybe that’s why I appreciate the “gems” among people I mentioned and remain loyal to them. I simply dislike stereotypes, even if they are tempting because everyone has their horror stories about tradespeople—just as about customers, bankers, police officers, or doctors.
If you catch me doing that, I’ll reconsider and buy a round!
ypg schrieb:
And since I have not only been a homeowner but also both an employee and self-employed tradesperson, I know that it’s usually not appreciated when consumers make profits or turnover difficult to understand.That’s the fate of the self-employed, which I also know, that they can claim everything as expenses, have lots of free time, organize their schedules themselves, and are all rich. I know that. But the world isn’t all black and white… keyword: searching for gems… I have been living in Saxony for years now; you can imagine the (pre)judices often heard in both directions. Yet I also find the nice people there—or those who like me. Prejudices exist everywhere—public servants, teachers, plasterers, and so on—but that can’t really determine our basic attitude.
ypg schrieb:
and yes: a little provocation belongs in the forum too…and at how many forum points can I finally read those? ypg schrieb:
Just because I quote you and criticize that, must there always be a counter-criticism? …and I thought you could at least criticize here sometimes; shame! ypg schrieb:
That’s like a sore loser, just childish…Nope, should I send you a picture of myself? An unflappable cheerful young man, by the way. ypg schrieb:
I already said I didn’t like it and that we got up and left...I said the same thing! Darn, I’m not sure if it’s good to agree with you.
If your Ikea door squeaks, just let me know.
pagoni2020 schrieb:
I told you so The reader interprets it differently!
pagoni2020 schrieb:
I like to tinker with everything... but less so with carpentry work. The topic was the furniture, not the work.
pagoni2020 schrieb:
If you catch me doing that, I’ll revise it and buy you a drink! Well, there’s quite a bit of word twisting going on... maybe some things should be read twice?
pagoni2020 schrieb:
Prejudices exist everywhere—civil servants, teachers, plasterers, and others—but that shouldn’t really affect our basic attitude. Oh, is that so?
P
pagoni20208 Aug 2020 19:13ypg schrieb:
The topic was furniture. Not the work. The discussion drifted, among other things, to the claim that you repeated above—that "most people" (quote) want everything for free anyway/do not want to properly pay for the craftsman’s work, or that Ikea customers generally try to avoid any kind of warranty out of stinginess (paraphrased).
ypg schrieb:
The reader understands differently! Not necessarily the -general reader-, but clearly -YOU- as the reader.
ypg schrieb:
Well, that’s quite a lot of twisting of words from you... maybe some things should be read twice? ...this, too, can have various causes, which can be found both in the reader and the writer. Reading something twice generally never harms.
ypg schrieb:
Oh, is that so? At least I am working on it despite my professional life; let’s keep working on it—it would finally be a nice goal.
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