Hello everyone,
We are planning to build a house and are currently assessing whether the size of the kitchen is sufficient. We came across an offer from a reputable kitchen studio: they offer us a fixed price to select a kitchen from Schüller, Alno, or Hecker (completely our choice including all fronts, etc.). The kitchen studio is contractually guaranteed one day to take photos of the kitchen. That is definitely acceptable. Our main concern is whether the price is actually a good deal or not. Our kitchen measures 3.56 meters (11.68 feet) long and 2.80 meters (9.19 feet) wide. On the 3.56-meter (11.68-foot) side, there is the sink with cabinets underneath and on the right two tall 60-centimeter (24-inch) cabinets housing the oven and refrigerator. There are no wall cabinets because there is a wide window above the sink.
On the other side of the kitchen, they are offering us an island 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) long and 95 centimeters (37 inches) deep. Again, no wall cabinets. On the kitchen side, all cabinets are 60 centimeters (24 inches) deep, and on the other side facing the dining room, the cabinets are 35 centimeters (14 inches) deep. The kitchen would therefore be open. Part of the offer is that we can freely choose which cabinets we want (wide, narrow, drawers, pull-out pantry cabinets, etc.). There are no restrictions here. We can select as many expensive pull-out cabinets as we want. Everything is included.
Without appliances and plumbing, they offer us these cabinets for 9,500 euros with a 30% discount on the official price. We have selected the fronts from price category 1. We can buy the appliances from them or source them ourselves, and installation is included either way. The kitchens from these manufacturers are always top-of-the-line (large drawers with a load capacity of at least 80 kg (176 lbs), metal drawers, removable drawer fronts for easier cleaning, etc.). However, features like electric cabinet openers are not included.
They also offer various appliance packages at trade fair prices, but this is not a priority for me.
Now the questions for you:
- Is this a good offer for a kitchen from these manufacturers?
- Would you go ahead and purchase the kitchen (just the cabinets initially)?
- Is this a fair price, or can similar prices be negotiated almost anywhere?
The kitchen builder told us that the manufacturer covers the price difference because they save costs by not having to rent a hall, build the kitchen, photograph it, and then dismantle it. It is contractually agreed that photography takes place on just one day. No one will visit to inspect the kitchen, and no names or addresses are shared. The photos will be used for a catalog.
Thanks for your advice. I am happy to attach a layout overview of the kitchen if needed.
Best regards
Mading
We are planning to build a house and are currently assessing whether the size of the kitchen is sufficient. We came across an offer from a reputable kitchen studio: they offer us a fixed price to select a kitchen from Schüller, Alno, or Hecker (completely our choice including all fronts, etc.). The kitchen studio is contractually guaranteed one day to take photos of the kitchen. That is definitely acceptable. Our main concern is whether the price is actually a good deal or not. Our kitchen measures 3.56 meters (11.68 feet) long and 2.80 meters (9.19 feet) wide. On the 3.56-meter (11.68-foot) side, there is the sink with cabinets underneath and on the right two tall 60-centimeter (24-inch) cabinets housing the oven and refrigerator. There are no wall cabinets because there is a wide window above the sink.
On the other side of the kitchen, they are offering us an island 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) long and 95 centimeters (37 inches) deep. Again, no wall cabinets. On the kitchen side, all cabinets are 60 centimeters (24 inches) deep, and on the other side facing the dining room, the cabinets are 35 centimeters (14 inches) deep. The kitchen would therefore be open. Part of the offer is that we can freely choose which cabinets we want (wide, narrow, drawers, pull-out pantry cabinets, etc.). There are no restrictions here. We can select as many expensive pull-out cabinets as we want. Everything is included.
Without appliances and plumbing, they offer us these cabinets for 9,500 euros with a 30% discount on the official price. We have selected the fronts from price category 1. We can buy the appliances from them or source them ourselves, and installation is included either way. The kitchens from these manufacturers are always top-of-the-line (large drawers with a load capacity of at least 80 kg (176 lbs), metal drawers, removable drawer fronts for easier cleaning, etc.). However, features like electric cabinet openers are not included.
They also offer various appliance packages at trade fair prices, but this is not a priority for me.
Now the questions for you:
- Is this a good offer for a kitchen from these manufacturers?
- Would you go ahead and purchase the kitchen (just the cabinets initially)?
- Is this a fair price, or can similar prices be negotiated almost anywhere?
The kitchen builder told us that the manufacturer covers the price difference because they save costs by not having to rent a hall, build the kitchen, photograph it, and then dismantle it. It is contractually agreed that photography takes place on just one day. No one will visit to inspect the kitchen, and no names or addresses are shared. The photos will be used for a catalog.
Thanks for your advice. I am happy to attach a layout overview of the kitchen if needed.
Best regards
Mading
The photo trick is currently the latest trend... because it also implies that you have something really special. We had to hear this at the trade fair in Stuttgart and at the well-known large showroom house in Nürtingen. Usually, the prices quoted during the first few appointments are completely unrealistic.
There was also negotiation about a prompt down payment, which supposedly had to be made for tax reasons (unfortunately, when the other party deals with taxes daily, this is immediately questioned).
At the beginning, we couldn’t get the kitchen from any dealer with more than a 15% discount off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). After a lot of back and forth, we finally ended up with a 31% discount.
Based on our experience, smaller reputable kitchen stores offered discounts off the MSRP. Only the furniture stores used unrealistically high prices above MSRP as the basis for calculation.
There was also negotiation about a prompt down payment, which supposedly had to be made for tax reasons (unfortunately, when the other party deals with taxes daily, this is immediately questioned).
At the beginning, we couldn’t get the kitchen from any dealer with more than a 15% discount off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP). After a lot of back and forth, we finally ended up with a 31% discount.
Based on our experience, smaller reputable kitchen stores offered discounts off the MSRP. Only the furniture stores used unrealistically high prices above MSRP as the basis for calculation.
Hi Merlin,
Thank you for your reply. We were told that a deposit of €2000 (approximately $2200) would be required in December if we decide to proceed, and that this would need to be done promptly. From what I could see, the consultant used the manufacturers' suggested retail prices and applied a 30% discount. Do you think prices for an Alno kitchen (etc.) are similarly negotiable elsewhere?
As a layperson, I want to get a sense of whether the offer is fair and actually provides advantages, or not.
Thank you for your reply. We were told that a deposit of €2000 (approximately $2200) would be required in December if we decide to proceed, and that this would need to be done promptly. From what I could see, the consultant used the manufacturers' suggested retail prices and applied a 30% discount. Do you think prices for an Alno kitchen (etc.) are similarly negotiable elsewhere?
As a layperson, I want to get a sense of whether the offer is fair and actually provides advantages, or not.
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