ᐅ Buying a kitchen. Is a quotation from a showroom realistic?

Created on: 29 Nov 2015 10:13
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mading
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
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ypg
29 Nov 2015 11:03
What you list is definitely too expensive at 9,500 without appliances! Even if some extras are included.
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merlin83
29 Nov 2015 11:04
mading schrieb:
Hi Merlin,

Thanks for your reply. We were told that a deposit of 2000€ (about 2200 USD) would be due in December if we decide to go ahead, and that it should be paid promptly. The consultant seemed to have taken the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) and applied a 30% discount. Do you think the price for an Alno kitchen (etc.) is negotiable elsewhere as well?
Definitely. My experience mainly relates to Leicht, but essentially, discounts that are offered quite quickly are just to establish a real basis for negotiation, where the actual bargaining can then begin. How did you notice that it was actually the MSRP?
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merlin83
29 Nov 2015 11:05
kbt09 schrieb:
I would like to refer to this post. You don’t buy percentages. You can only really compare final prices, and even then only if you request prices for largely identical plans.
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kbt09
29 Nov 2015 11:08
@merlin83 ... you cannot compare percentages directly. And this is not nonsense, I strongly disagree with that.

10,000 euros minus 30% equals 7,000 euros
6,500 euros minus 0% equals 6,500 euros.

If I compare only the percentages, then I'm the fool.
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merlin83
29 Nov 2015 11:11
kbt09 schrieb:
@merlin83 ... you can’t compare percentages directly. And that’s not nonsense, I won’t accept that.

10,000 euros minus 30% equals 7,000 euros
6,500 euros minus 0% equals 6,500 euros.

If I compare only the percentages, then I’m the one being foolish.

Sorry, I was distracted; I had read something that wasn’t there.

Percentages of the recommended retail price lead to the final offer price. Reliable dealers calculate based on the manufacturer’s recommended retail price. Conversations with unreliable sellers are quickly ended.
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kbt09
29 Nov 2015 11:18
Okay 😉