Danielle -

"I'm open to compensating her a bit more, but "
Take your money and run - I would not waste my time w/a KD who is responding to you in that manner - You obviously have doubts - and for good reason - Plenty of competition in the biz so take your plans & shop for the cabs you want

How did you lv deposit? If it is by ck or credit card you can put a stop on it - I would 1st show up at the KD office and simply say you have chosen to go elsewhere for cabinets and would like deposit back - which you should get then and there

Good luck

No, you are not off base. She should be happy with the design fee you've already paid her. If she going to be mad, she should direct her ire at the cabinet shop that provided such a crummy door.

Save your money for Plan B - it is Crown Point, right? I've read about them for years, I can't imagine you'd be disappointed. Would be a dream to me ...

Thanks, Maureen and jejvtr... I'm annoyed she was talking about the time she spent on our design/order, now that you mention it. All of this was based on the assumption I would be ordering with her and she would be getting that commission. If the product was substandard, that is the cabinet company's fault, not mine. If the door had come in perfect, we'd still have a deal.. in fact, we'd also have a kitchen for my inlaw's visit.. they come every two years from Germany and it is really important to us that we can be good hosts to them, especially since they are getting older.

Crown Point has some amazing promotions right now. It was very much out of reach for us, but now that they have deeper discounts, we are happy to be able to do it.

In any case, I'm holding the door hostage. Hopefully it won't escalate past me asking for my deposit back, but if it does, I'm clearly in the right here.

OMG, I would run fast from that KD. Something is really wrong there. Fees for the KD are only if you take their design and cabinets. The KD should have a relationship with the cabinet company and tell them about the problem with the sample. Did you ask her if she would put those cabinets in her house judging by the sample door????
Crown Point are terrific cabinets and I would have gone with them, but out of my price range.

I'd go for Crown Point if it were in my price range... Pay the design fee you agreed on, and RUN RUN RUN like others said... don't pay more as you didn't agree on it and it isn't your fault things didn't work out.

Danielle,

If you can afford the Crown Point go with them. No professional KD should say, I've gone above and beyond, that's their job! You didn't ask them to send you 15 doors, etc., etc., and if you had, that would still be their job!

I know Crown Point must be looking for business. I contacted them quite awhile ago and found them to be out of my price range as well, so I'm going locally with a custom cabinet maker, but they did phone me last week.

That tells me that they are looking for business, as are most kitchen companies in this tougher market. They do beautiful work and I'm sure you will be happy, they work closely with their clients from what I've seen and heard and people seem to love them.

If your KD threatens to keep your money I would let them know that you will be contacting your BBB and the local Chamber of Commerce (if they are a member).

Kat

Oh, Danielle I'm so sorry to hear about this! you've paid for the design and that is what the contract covers. If she's got a beef with anyone it should be with the cab manufacturer right now because THEY lost the sale!

Crown Point is beautiful! We actually were going to go with them but found a local custom guy that came very close in price so we went with him. you would love crown point - they are very well made.

best of luck!

While I agree you should go elsewhere for your cabinets, I believe your KD needs to be compensated for design time. The design is only *free* if you buy the cabinets because it's built into the cabinet price in the way of commission. If she spent many hours going over and finalizing the design with you then she should be paid for that time. Does the contract state what the expected design time should (ie. what constitutes above and beyond)? The problem is that she's holding your deposit hostage (has the check been cashed?) so it'll be hard to tell whether she is charging you a fair price. Is it possible to determine how many hours the two of you have worked together so you would have an idea of how much more she should be paid? Unpleasant business like this is no way to begin a stressful remodel, especially with visitors. I hope all goes smoothly with the rest of the project. From what I've read about Crown Point, things can only get better.

cheril 27,
she did do an excellent job. I think what is complicating things is the fact that she is affiliated with a cabinet store and makes commission off of cabinets. So, we'll have to see what she thinks is "reasonable".... we have an idea, so hopefully our ideas will be similar.

And, yes, they cashed the check.. they hadn't placed the order yet, so the money is with them... the order was pending my approval of the doors.

danielle00,

Shoe on the other foot in this climate I assume the loss of your order and commission probably hurts. She's entitled to be disappointed so I would overlook whatever happened today and proceed as you planned with compensating her (at a rate that you are comfortable with). It isn't your fault (or hers) it didn't work out so if she's angry she should direct it at the shop for producing such an inferior sample. Your being fair.

Danielle,
It is never easy when things don't work out, and in this case it can't be fun for you or her for the transaction to be going south. So sorry for your troubles (and hers). I do think you will be in good hands with Crown Point. I found them wonderful to work with. Best of luck...
Karen

ps: I still remember your post about the massive quanitities of alcohol you must stock in prep for inlaws visit (made me laugh the way you described it)... maybe just a little more than you originally planned and they won't notice the dust :)

I'd say the design fee covers the design
the deposit was for the cabinets
If you are not purchasing the cabinets you should have your deposit returned.
Hopefully she charged for her design time already before she handed over the plans. If she didn't that is her problem.

I am a designer and find it odd that the sample came back so badly. Makes no sense but I can understand your apprehension at this point.
Crown Point cabinets are beautiful but you could possibly find a local cabinet maker that could do just as good a job.

Good luck!