ᐅ Cost increase surcharge for the kitchen after contract signing
Created on: 13 Oct 2021 07:47
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exto1791
Hello everyone,
Yesterday we received the final offer for our kitchen, and we noticed the following clause in the offer:
"The offer is valid until 28.02.2022. If the kitchen is accepted after 01.03.2022, we unfortunately have to charge a price increase surcharge of 4.5%."
I don’t quite understand this. If I place the order for the kitchen now, I am committing to the price in the offer, so I shouldn’t have to accept any surcharge. We are planning to move in around April/May, so it’s quite possible the kitchen won’t be accepted before 01.03.2022.
The dealer’s response was that the kitchen should be taken into stock by February next year, meaning the kitchen would need to be measured early enough once the plasterer has finished. Then it might still be possible to avoid the surcharge.
We are really very, very happy with our kitchen builder, but I honestly think this is unacceptable. What experiences have you had with this? Is this actually common?
Yesterday we received the final offer for our kitchen, and we noticed the following clause in the offer:
"The offer is valid until 28.02.2022. If the kitchen is accepted after 01.03.2022, we unfortunately have to charge a price increase surcharge of 4.5%."
I don’t quite understand this. If I place the order for the kitchen now, I am committing to the price in the offer, so I shouldn’t have to accept any surcharge. We are planning to move in around April/May, so it’s quite possible the kitchen won’t be accepted before 01.03.2022.
The dealer’s response was that the kitchen should be taken into stock by February next year, meaning the kitchen would need to be measured early enough once the plasterer has finished. Then it might still be possible to avoid the surcharge.
We are really very, very happy with our kitchen builder, but I honestly think this is unacceptable. What experiences have you had with this? Is this actually common?
exto1791 schrieb:
Absolutely right! But in commercial calculations, there always has to be some kind of customer reference / satisfaction / etc.
In this case, it just isn’t there anymore.May I ask whether you pay the initial quoted price or the discounted price after some “negotiations”? Where does your satisfaction begin, then?
Isn’t the issue of satisfaction somewhat too… “one-sided” in your view?
ypg schrieb:
May I ask whether you will be paying the initial offered price or the discounted price after some "negotiations"?
So, where does your satisfaction actually begin?
Don’t you think your view of satisfaction is somewhat too … “one-sided”? We have actually had the offer for about three quarters of a year now – but we have NOT negotiated yet!
In none of the offers (so far the 7th offer due to changes, etc.) was the TZ mentioned. Well, when we went there recently and said we would place an order, that note came up in the offer.
Then, when we asked about it, I got an answer that I was not satisfied with… So no, I don’t think my view of satisfaction is too one-sided. I just think he should have addressed it more clearly and better, and especially been willing to negotiate, instead of going with something like: “if we can measure in time, it’s enough; if not, then the TZ applies.”
I’m simply missing a solution-oriented approach on his part…
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Pinkiponk13 Oct 2021 10:24exto1791 schrieb:
Well, when we were there last time and said we wanted to place an order, the offer came with a remark.Unfortunately, almost all sellers operate like this. At the very end, something disadvantageous for the client is "slipped" into the offer (or included in the terms and conditions), which was never mentioned beforehand.Pinkiponk schrieb:
Unfortunately, almost all sellers operate like this. At the very end, something unfavorable for the client is "slipped" into the offer (or is included in the terms and conditions), which was never mentioned before.I completely agree...
I also believe that as end consumers, we accept far too much, and unfortunately, sometimes we are forced to accept certain things.
Nevertheless, this does not change the fact that I will be "filing a complaint" with my dealer – in my opinion, this is entirely justified, even though some here may disagree with me.
That’s the only way to make progress... 😀
exto1791 schrieb:
Yes, I simply see it the same way...
I also believe that as an end consumer, people accept far too much—unfortunately, in some areas, they are even forced to accept it.
However, that doesn’t change the fact that I will “complain” to my dealer about this—which I think is fully justified, even if some here may disagree with me.
That’s the only way to get results... 😀 I actually have to veto that, not to defend any kitchen supplier, but they really cannot predict during the initial contact—let’s say sometime in spring this year—that by autumn all manufacturers will be raising prices in unison!
In spring and summer this year, the market was still relatively reasonable, but since around August, price adjustments have been happening at a rapid pace, and I guarantee you won’t get away without a surcharge, unless your onsite measurement can be done before March 2022.
Unfortunately, we have to accept that transport routes have multiplied, factories have closed, wages have increased, etc. All of this is included in that 4.5% increase, which to me still seems moderate, especially considering inflation, which is also above 4%. Over the last two months, I have received more than 50 letters with price increases over 25%, which makes one thing clear:
Either you buy at the new price or not, but the common problem is that everyone is adjusting their prices.
exto1791 schrieb:
We have actually had the offer for three quarters of a year now – but we have NOT negotiated it yet! Okay.
I only asked because it is common in the kitchen industry for people to receive a quoted price that is then reduced after several rounds of “negotiations.” If that’s not the case here, I apologize for the assumption.
However, I find it surprising that you have had the offer for three quarters of a year.
Yes, it is usually necessary with the general contractor (GC) that the kitchen planning is done very early on. The kitchen manufacturer expects to hold onto the kitchen “on standby” for three quarters of a year or longer, and it is usually called off about six weeks before installation. But is it really standard to allow the kitchen manufacturer to do this so casually? Ultimately, it has just become a habit. A win-win for everyone: GC, client, and contractor.
What puzzles me now is: Have you not signed the kitchen contract yet?