ᐅ Strategy for Buying a Kitchen / How to Negotiate Effectively?
Created on: 6 Aug 2020 16:47
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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?
A
Alessandro8 Sep 2020 15:24This is about the "household income that is still subject to taxation"! Even 90,000 is definitely not a lot!
I strongly support a social system and am grateful every day that we live in countries like AUT or DE, but I don’t see building a house or receiving child construction subsidies as a basic right, especially when someone who earns more does not get it.
Besides, higher earners also pay much more in taxes...
But that is a different discussion.
I strongly support a social system and am grateful every day that we live in countries like AUT or DE, but I don’t see building a house or receiving child construction subsidies as a basic right, especially when someone who earns more does not get it.
Besides, higher earners also pay much more in taxes...
But that is a different discussion.
Yes, that’s true. Essentially, progressive tax rates based on income are already a tool of the welfare state. A valid argument would be that a tax rate is, by definition, a percentage, so higher earners automatically pay more tax than those with lower incomes. Logically, that’s not incorrect. However, the welfare state considers it appropriate to ask higher earners to contribute even more, following the principle that “the stronger supports the weaker.”
Personally, I think a taxable income of 90,000 (90k) is already quite a lot of money. Sure, as a dual-income couple with degrees, it’s easy to reach that level. But even we, as an academic couple, fit into that category right now because I’m not working yet and won’t be full-time for a while. It’s important to remember that a large part of the population earns significantly less.
Also worth noting: with such an arbitrary threshold as 90,000, a division is created between “average earners” and “higher earners” that completely overlooks the fact that true social inequality lies in the fact that an incredibly small portion of society owns an immense share of the total wealth. Compared to the scale we’re talking about, even people earning a six-figure annual income are still small fish.
Personally, I think a taxable income of 90,000 (90k) is already quite a lot of money. Sure, as a dual-income couple with degrees, it’s easy to reach that level. But even we, as an academic couple, fit into that category right now because I’m not working yet and won’t be full-time for a while. It’s important to remember that a large part of the population earns significantly less.
Also worth noting: with such an arbitrary threshold as 90,000, a division is created between “average earners” and “higher earners” that completely overlooks the fact that true social inequality lies in the fact that an incredibly small portion of society owns an immense share of the total wealth. Compared to the scale we’re talking about, even people earning a six-figure annual income are still small fish.
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Stefan00110 Sep 2020 07:59Alessandro schrieb:
When all the good ones go bankrupt, only the dishonest furniture giants remain, who (as you rightly say) deceive customers. If all the good ones go bankrupt, that doesn’t make any sense. If they are good, they don’t go bankrupt.
How do I find the good dealers without wasting the time of the 4 bad salespeople, which you see as damaging to their business?
The good dealer actually benefits from me getting quotes (and thus has the chance to win me as a customer). The only ones harmed are the bad dealers, since I won’t buy my kitchen from them.
The lack of transparency is intended, at best, to lock me in with one seller long enough that I lose the motivation to compare further (just imagine I might find a good dealer in that time!!!).
And regarding cherry-picking:
Most people are willing to pay more for extra services—or conversely, put in the work themselves to pay less.
If I want to buy and install the appliances myself to save 500€ (about $570), that means one thing:
I don’t see the value in paying 500€ for the purchase and installation of these appliances (and that’s true!).
It’s really foolish if the kitchen dealer doesn’t provide a transparent invoice and instead includes the installers’ or the salesperson’s labor hours in the cost of the appliances.
Look at IKEA: A very clear statement—200€/m (about $230/ft) for installation. Just like that, I can easily decide how much this work is worth to me. I don’t waste any salesperson’s time, and I don’t need to know how much margin IKEA makes on it. I can focus on what really matters to me: Is the service worth the money or not?
PS: And I just bought my kitchen at a kitchen studio after IKEA’s planning service wasn’t enough for me, and after 4 kitchen studios tried to fool me before I finally got excellent advice without any nonsense at the 5th one.
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pagoni202010 Sep 2020 09:12There is demand both for Ikea, the furniture store, and the kitchen studio, and everyone finds satisfaction in different places (or not); it’s not simply black and white here—so the small ones are good and the big ones bad, or the other way around. In my opinion, that’s too simplistic; it would be nice if it were that simple.
Of course, there is a lack of transparency and questionable practices in many other areas of commerce (mobile phones, cars, insurance, leasing, food, and many more). That’s precisely why comparison websites are becoming more popular, and why organizations like consumer testing foundations or Foodwatch are gaining more recognition. But here, the topic is kitchens, and there is systematic obfuscation; this is not just a single opinion—there are numerous statements from acknowledged experts and countless user experiences here that are simply baffling.
It seems inappropriate to generally imply that a customer only follows the “being cheap is cool” mindset, as this slogan was not invented by customers. To believe that customers shape the market remains wishful thinking.
Ikea or whoever is not “better,” but also not inherently worse, and the customer who is satisfied with the overall package is making the right choice for themselves. So why these blanket statements that one approach is perfect while the other is untrustworthy?
One person chooses Ikea because they enjoy the kitchen they assembled themselves throughout their life and they can touch and inspect everything beforehand. Another person gets anxious even at the thought of holding a screwdriver. Both—or many approaches—are valid.
On my auto mechanic’s invoice, for example, I can see every part installed as well as the labor involved, and they don’t starve for that. Since when has it become an unreasonable expectation to receive a clear and verifiable quote or invoice? Why should that not be the customer’s right or make them appear suspicious?
Regarding “negotiating,” we negotiate something every day. Our employment contracts, the house construction with the general contractor (GC), the GC negotiates with the tiler, the tiler with the wholesaler, and so on. Negotiating, or being price conscious, is not something to be criticized. We constantly negotiate with our spouses, our children. The key is to be fair in this “negotiation,” from both sides, and I don’t see that customers are generally less fair than the sellers.
The seller can say stop, and the customer can leave the room. Both are free to do so.
Someone who pays a price without questioning it is not automatically more fair than someone who engages in a “normal” sales conversation about price and performance with their service provider. Otherwise, wealthy people would automatically be fairer than low-income individuals who need to be more careful with spending.
I generally dislike sweeping judgments, neither from the customer’s side nor from the seller’s. I am not THE Ikea customer or THE furniture store customer. Sometimes I am one, sometimes the other—always according to what fits me best. This is exactly part of a free market.
Our friends had an Ikea kitchen and also arranged the tradespeople through Ikea. They were less satisfied with the result. We, on the other hand, enjoy planning and experimenting endlessly; we also include elements from other companies and then have them installed by our long-known carpenter. So this time, it was a stylish Ikea kitchen. We can always see the price upfront, handle the product ourselves, and the result is great for us. If we didn’t know this carpenter, we would probably have bought the kitchen elsewhere and wouldn’t be less satisfied.
Therefore, I don’t understand the frequent black-and-white definitions here of what is right or wrong.
Of course, there is a lack of transparency and questionable practices in many other areas of commerce (mobile phones, cars, insurance, leasing, food, and many more). That’s precisely why comparison websites are becoming more popular, and why organizations like consumer testing foundations or Foodwatch are gaining more recognition. But here, the topic is kitchens, and there is systematic obfuscation; this is not just a single opinion—there are numerous statements from acknowledged experts and countless user experiences here that are simply baffling.
It seems inappropriate to generally imply that a customer only follows the “being cheap is cool” mindset, as this slogan was not invented by customers. To believe that customers shape the market remains wishful thinking.
Ikea or whoever is not “better,” but also not inherently worse, and the customer who is satisfied with the overall package is making the right choice for themselves. So why these blanket statements that one approach is perfect while the other is untrustworthy?
One person chooses Ikea because they enjoy the kitchen they assembled themselves throughout their life and they can touch and inspect everything beforehand. Another person gets anxious even at the thought of holding a screwdriver. Both—or many approaches—are valid.
On my auto mechanic’s invoice, for example, I can see every part installed as well as the labor involved, and they don’t starve for that. Since when has it become an unreasonable expectation to receive a clear and verifiable quote or invoice? Why should that not be the customer’s right or make them appear suspicious?
Regarding “negotiating,” we negotiate something every day. Our employment contracts, the house construction with the general contractor (GC), the GC negotiates with the tiler, the tiler with the wholesaler, and so on. Negotiating, or being price conscious, is not something to be criticized. We constantly negotiate with our spouses, our children. The key is to be fair in this “negotiation,” from both sides, and I don’t see that customers are generally less fair than the sellers.
The seller can say stop, and the customer can leave the room. Both are free to do so.
Someone who pays a price without questioning it is not automatically more fair than someone who engages in a “normal” sales conversation about price and performance with their service provider. Otherwise, wealthy people would automatically be fairer than low-income individuals who need to be more careful with spending.
I generally dislike sweeping judgments, neither from the customer’s side nor from the seller’s. I am not THE Ikea customer or THE furniture store customer. Sometimes I am one, sometimes the other—always according to what fits me best. This is exactly part of a free market.
Our friends had an Ikea kitchen and also arranged the tradespeople through Ikea. They were less satisfied with the result. We, on the other hand, enjoy planning and experimenting endlessly; we also include elements from other companies and then have them installed by our long-known carpenter. So this time, it was a stylish Ikea kitchen. We can always see the price upfront, handle the product ourselves, and the result is great for us. If we didn’t know this carpenter, we would probably have bought the kitchen elsewhere and wouldn’t be less satisfied.
Therefore, I don’t understand the frequent black-and-white definitions here of what is right or wrong.
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