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Unsure if buying a display kitchen is a good idea? Need some inside information before you buy? Look no further! Today we'll answer the 5 most commonly asked questions about ex-display kitchens, helping you make sure your ex-display purchase is a bargain and not a disaster in disguise:
Let's start with the basics: an "ex-display" kitchen is simply a kitchen that the dealership initially installed in a showroom to flaunt their products to the public. A year or two will pass before the kitchen units are sold, typically to make space for something more current.
"Ex-display": originally for display, and now for sale.
As a prospective buyer, the million-dollar question here is: why buy a kitchen that has been used for display?
Yes and no. Whilst the doors, drawers and hinges on display kitchens will pick up a good amount of wear and tear in the showroom; display kitchens aren't usually functional. If a fitted kitchen is simply for display, it means the dealership will have never used it to cook.
As a result, the sinks, taps, soft-close systems and worktops are generally in good condition, and if your display kitchen comes with appliances included, you can usually be assured that these will be as good as on the day they were installed.
It’s still wise to get in touch with any seller at the outset to clarify the overall condition (or even better - go and view the kitchen in person) whilst bearing in mind that even well looked after, "un-cooked in" displays will show signs of wear and tear.
Price is one of the main attractions when buying an ex-display kitchen, so this question is essential. The answer is: it depends!
If the display is still current (not a discontinued door or colour), in good condition, and not too old, the dealership has a solid argument to list it for more or less the normal RRP. After all, why shouldn't they? It's (almost) as good as it was on the day the manufacturer made it!
Additionally, dealerships often get extra discounts on their display kitchens, meaning sticking to the RRP will present them with an irresistible opportunity to make some extra cash when it's time to sell.
On the other hand, it's also possible for the dealership to want rid of their display kitchen as quickly as possible, which means lowering the price to encourage a speedy sale.
It can be tricky to figure whether you're receiving a special deal on your display kitchen. What you need here is a second opinion, and there’s a simple way to secure that: send the item list to a competing dealership and ask that business to quote you the same kitchen at their typical RRP, then compare the prices. Hey, presto!
On the subject of price, it's also worth mentioning that a display kitchen will rarely be a perfect match for your home: you'll almost certainly need extra units, panels or even new worktops to make it fit your space correctly. Any additional parts will equate to further costs.
Here's some handy designer’s advice: If you're thinking of rearranging a display kitchen into a new layout or shape, tread carefully! As the unit sizes and hinge orientation weren't designed for your space, you'll probably end up with a kitchen that looks forced or unbalanced. An unbalanced kitchen won't function as well as one that was designed specifically for your home.
Before deciding that an ex-display kitchen is the right choice for you, check out our kitchen price examples for an indication of what a brand-new German kitchen from GKS could cost – made to your specifications and supplied with our full 5 year warranty and free UK delivery.
Now we're getting into the real nitty-gritty. When buying an ex-display kitchen, the difference between making a clever purchase and a regrettable one lies in how well you manage the associated risks.
The important thing here is to be savvy. After all, this kitchen has been selected for resale for a reason.
While it's normal to resell display kitchens, there are several reasons kitchen dealerships do it.
The most common ones are:
While some of these reasons present more of a risk than others for a would-be buyer, it’s still important to protect yourself and your purchase.
A new kitchen is an investment, and not an inexpensive one either. It should improve your daily life and add value to your home, which means this isn't a purchase you want to live to regret (or worse - discover you need to replace the whole kitchen again in a year or two if it starts dropping to bits).
So how do you dodge these pitfalls?
It's simple - by asking! Quizzing your seller is perfectly normal, and the only way you're going to find out exactly what's what with your display kitchen.
Here are a few standard questions to fire over to the seller of your ex-display to paint a clearer picture of exactly what you're buying. A simple phone call is all that's needed here - if you're happy with the answers, you can always make a visit to view the goods in person later on.
NB: With a standard kitchen purchase, these questions shouldn't be necessary, but when purchasing an ex-display kitchen, they're nothing short of vital:
Why are you selling this display kitchen?
It might sound obvious, but this is an excellent question as it puts the seller on the spot. If you get a sidestep or non-answer here, run a mile - it probably means the display has hidden issues or is dropping to bits already.
How old is this kitchen?
It's good to know a kitchen's age in general, but it also helps you tell if somebody is fibbing to you about warranties or if it's listed condition is likely to be accurate.
Will this ex display kitchen fit my room?
Kitchen dealerships use CAD design software. Send them your room dimensions and ask them to plan it into your space for you before you buy. The dealership should offer this FOC. If they insist on charging for this service, ask for the design cost to be removed from the final sale price.
If the kitchen doesn't fit my room, can I still buy the parts I need to make it fit?
Remedials will almost certainly be required when moving a kitchen from one space to another. Please make sure they're available, and clarify all the additional costs for these at the outset to avoid nasty surprises later (the CAD process mentioned above will outline what extras you need).
Does the kitchen come with a warranty or guarantee?
Most manufacturers offer a 3 or 5-year guarantee with their products, which means (unless it is ancient) the display kitchen should come with some security. Ask for written confirmation of this for your protection, should it ever be needed in future.
Have the appliances/sink and taps been used before?
Wear and tear on sink and tap valve seals is something to consider, as is the condition of any supplied appliances. There's also a hygiene question to answer if the display was functional during its time in the showroom.
What is the make & model numbers of the appliances/sinks & taps?
Appliances are a pivotal part of a working kitchen, and this is a great way to do some sleuthing online about the quality of the appliance models you're about to buy. Look for user reviews for unbiased opinions, and online listings to check if the appliances have the features you want.
What warranty do the appliances/sinks & taps come with?
Appliance warranty is usually not bundled in with the guarantee on the kitchen furniture, and appliances can come with separate warranty periods for both parts and labour. Asking this question will tell you exactly where you stand should something break. If you have any doubts, it may also be worth asking if the dealership can supply the display without appliances.
If you get satisfactory answers to all the above, congratulations - you can breathe a sigh of relief!
The most important question by far is that of remedials and warranty - you won't get far without restorative items. If the guarantee has expired, then any replacement bits you might need in the future (assuming they're still available) will be chargeable, regardless of the cause of damage.
Without a warranty, you're in the lap of the gods from the second you purchase your ex-display kitchen.
If you can, now is an excellent time to go and view the display whilst it's still in situ to assess the quality and sound out any damages etc. Still, if this isn't possible (e.g. if you're purchasing the ex-display kitchen through a 3rd party company/website), then the responsibility will fall to the seller to accurately detail the condition of the kitchen. You're entirely reliant on the fact their description is comprehensive, accurate and fair.
Wherever possible, always go and inspect the goods yourself before buying.
It's not all about dodging pitfalls: ex-display kitchens come with their own unique set of benefits too!
With so many quality kitchen brands available in today's marketplace, finding an ex-display model from a renowned manufacturer that fits your home and tastes to a tee can be a terrific way to snag a high-quality bargain.
Display kitchens are usually designed to have a particular WOW factor, too (they have to be eye-catching, after all) and therefore commonly feature some of the more remarkable "design-led" items that might be left out of a standard kitchen design. Grabbing one as an ex-display can be a cheap way to install a kitchen that has been "pre-designed" with style in mind.
Purchasing an ex-display kitchen is also more environmentally friendly than buying a kitchen from scratch too. By purchasing a complete kitchen that has already been fitted, you're effectively extending the potential life of the kitchen. You’re preventing the units from turning into meaningless waste in a landfill, and less carbon will need to be produced by manufacturing and transport industries.
Finally, you'll also have the benefit of being able to go and view your actual kitchen before you buy it. You'll have the real-life opportunity to stand in your new kitchen, move around in it, ensure there's adequate storage, and, of course, test all the mechanisms first-hand.
As outlined above, ex-display kitchens are not without their risks, however if you're able to confirm that your kitchen cabinets are in good condition, get a CAD plan drawn up to pin down the cost of any remedials and secure a warranty policy to protect your new installation then there can be potential to grab a good bargain with an ex-display kitchen.
If you can't get all three of these areas taken care of, think long and hard before buying. A display may be cheaper than buying the same kitchen brand new, but as Benjamin Franklin said:
"The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."
If you're in the market for high quality, cost-effective kitchens, why not take a look at our collection of made to order German kitchens? German Kitchen Specialist can produce any kitchen to your exact requirements, and they'll come complete with a 5-year manufacturer's warranty.
Your new kitchen will be fully designed specifically for you, and delivered to your door free of charge.Got a kitchen plan already? Upload your design for a free, fast and no-obligation quote on a brand new, made to order German kitchen by Nobilia: Europe's largest kitchen manufacturer.
