It’s here – a buying decision made as a result of reading ciao! I know that this is the whole point of the thing but I am not usually so organised as to know in advance what I am going to buy and then look it up to see what people say about it.
However… when my wife finally lost patience with our lack of wardrobe space and strongly suggested my Easter holidays would be best employed in redecorating the bedroom I took a look. To my surprise people were saying nice things about MFI. Once I realised that Sharp wanted four grand for a couple of wardrobes I started saying nice things about MFI as well. So off we went to Aberdeen and had a look round. I pulled and prodded and kicked the built in display wardrobes and they seemed strong enough. We then went looking for a salesperson – to their eternal credit they don’t descend on you as soon as you enter. We got a nice computer image of what our bedroom would look like with new wardrobes, a plan and a price and that was that. No
sales hassle at all. We spend some time at home looking at options and playing with the measuring tape and eventually made a buying decision.
We chose five double wardrobes, two bedside chests and a dressing table. To finish it off there were cornices for the top and plinths for the bottom for that build in look. Delivery took about two weeks and no one tried to sell us their finance package. The whole lot came to about £1100. Installation was available for about £500, but hey, that’s what holidays are for, isn’t it?
Two days before delivery I phoned MFI and was informed delivery would be between 8.00 and 12.00. The van arrived promptly at eight and nine million boxes were stacked in the bedroom. Let me say here that I am not a proficient DIY type person. At best I am adequate. But I have a sort of unspoken deal with my wife – she wants something done and I tell her I need special tools. I then get to trail round warehouses and buy something that may or may not be useful but is definitely fun to play with and masculine to the extreme. This time around I thought about needing an angle grinder but even I don’t know what they do so I chose a good ratchet screwdriver and a set of every drill attachment you could think of, and quite a few you would never think of. I was ready.
The instructions are of the look at the picture variety – written communication is of a minimum. Once you work out what is meant they are fairly easy to follow. Day one saw two wardrobe carcasses assembled and screwed to the wall, together with the bedside units. Day two saw the rest of the wardrobes installed. Day three was handles and doors and the first problem. Some of the doors were mirrored and one of the mirrors was cracked. A quick phone call to a freephone number and without being questioned a replacement was booked for delivery next week. Full marks for customer service.
Day four was plinths and cornices. These are tricky and you need a mitre saw to have any chance. They do however add a lot to your finished product.
And so it is done. Without being biased I can bask in a glow of pleasure and say “A good job well done.” If you have someone to help you then you should be able to do the job in a couple of days.
There were a few gripes – supplies of screws and other weird bits and bobs was somewhat haphazard. I was a connector short on my first wardrobe and had to keep dipping into the next bag until the last wardrobe when it all came right. I also have bags of strange plastic things left over which are of no conceivable use in the real world. Apart from that, and the fact that the amount of glue supplied is ludicrously inadequate everything was hunky dory.
Tools you will need are – a good electric or ratchet screwdriver with Posidrive and flat heads hammer rubber mallet (or the handle of your hammer if it is rubber) mitre saw spirit level electric drill and selection of wood and masonry bits large bottle of woodwork glue
Now all I have to do is wallpaper, and fit a new carpet, and……
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
I'd imagine something really had have been wrong if you DIDN'T have "bags of strange plastic things" left over. It's a traditional thing these people do... Really good opinion, hope the wardrobes stay up! Anna
janehammill 23.04.2001 20:06
superb op colin,what is an angle grinder anyway? like you,I did not have positive thoughts about mfi but i may rethink as costs dictate! cheers jane
Advantages: Wide selection, hygine checked, charity aid, low prices, great name clothes and friendly people. As well as the thrill of the chase! Disadvantages: As with all things, there are some good and some bad charity shops. Don't be put off by one bad one, as the majourity are excellent.
Advantages: stores all over the country, always a sale on, not too pushy, payment and delivery Disadvantages: those annoying adverts, having to pay extra for everything
Apr 14th, 2001
very helpful by (100%):
