Our nightmare began when we decided to buy a Magnet kitchen (from Villiers Road Kingston branch) basically because we were enticed by a special offer and because the showroom was closest to us. The showroom was very well laid out and the units looked good, enabling us to fully envisage the kitchen we wanted. The salesman was ultra attentive, but to the point of being "over-the-top" and making me feel uncomfortable. However we went ahead as my mother liked the kitchen units and we needed to fit one quickly, because we had torn out the other health hazard in the house we were renovating!
The single positive aspect was the fact that we were able to haggle for a discount, although the kitchen was still quite expensive as the money to quality ratio was bad. Having chosen a kitchen, this is where the problems started. The same salesman came to measure up and design the kitchen. He brought a catalogue without any prices, only pictures. Therefore we were put in a situation where we were made to feel uncomfortable asking how much appliances and units cost. I'm really sorry to say his attitude brought out my suspicious side, so I presume this secretive pricing was so that the price could be changed, according to how much he felt we could afford. He was quite arrogant and did not fully listen to us, so I felt he did not fully meet our requirements. He had one idea in mind and would not really consider what we were saying.
My mother wanted more storage, but the man was extremely pushy and made us feel our ideas would not work at all. I had my doubts and was extremely irritated by him and told my mother whilst he was there (we were talking in Cantonese), but she simply said "yes I know, but where else can we buy from?" Once measured up, we had to wait seven weeks for delivery and installation, which was not mentioned at the time of purchasing.
The installation was a complete cowboy job. It was badly fitted so that each the tumble dryer is used, the entire wall of ten units become damp and the kitchen has severe condensation. The expensive stainless steel gas hob was faulty, with two rings not working. We went back to the store to seek redress and the once attentive salesman, ignored us for over ten minutes preferring to sit at his desk looking the other way. Once he did bother with us, he was quite aggressive, abrupt and arrogant. The cooker was repaired two weeks later, but after three months use, it did not ignite properly. It just seemed to be an ongoing nightmare.
No one should buy from Magnet unless there truly are no other kitchen stores around. At the time we felt there were no other kitchen stores to buy from, as independent stores are substantially more expensive. Following this, a friend mentioned IKEA had good value kitchens which you could design yourself or have some help from their consultants. We had not considered IKEA before, as we did not feel confident enough to fit it ourselves, but after our bad experience I would suggest other people give IKEA go. I would never give Magnet another penny, as their idea of customer service is the absolute worst of any company I have ever dealt with. I urge you to avoid Magnet at all costs.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: The kitchen units themselves Disadvantages: They don't seem capable of fitting kitchens and break promises on when fitting will be completed
sarab 06.12.2000 ·
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Review of Magnet Kitchens
Advantages: Quick turnaround of appointments, knowlegeable salesman, great service, value for money Disadvantages: would prefer 3d views/plans during first consultation
MelinaC 22.04.2009 (22.04.2009)
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