Is this cabinet selection guide helpful?

15 years ago

I've been in the cabinet business for over 30 years and I can tell you that today's cabinets provide far more "value" than they did even a few years ago.

But it seems many cabinet manufacturers have made it their mission to make it difficult for homeowners to choose a brand. Often, a brand will offer multiple price points, each with their own set of "what you get or don't get" and many others offer their cabinets with one brand name at dealerships and another brand name in a home center. Don't even get me started on identifying whether or not a brand considers themselves custom, semi-custom, or stock. All of this confuses homeowners when they are shopping and makes it nearly impossible to keep all the decision points straight.

I have access to a "cabinet brand selection guide" that was put together by Showplace so their name is on it, but its intent is to provide "general" information for homeowners to consider which may lead them in the direction of Showplace cabinets, or it may lead them in the direction of a different brand. I think they are just very confident in their own product so they aren't worried about losing business by helping homeowners make good choices.

Here is a link to the guide, it will be interesting to see whether other GWer's find this to be helpful, or if they view it as being self-serving.

Happy shopping!

Here is a link that might be useful: Evaluating Cabinet Brands - A Self-Help Guide

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

cabinfo
15 years ago
I think it needs to be spelled out a little better, which of course will make it longer. Some people doing their first kitchen don't know what upcharge means. In fact, the forum is calling upcharge a spelling error as I type it...
Lots of times when I get a first phone call from a potential customer, we'll get talking and I keep having to stop, back up, give a definition, repeat, because I forget that the folks on the other end of the line don't deal with cabinets every day. I worry about people who get hold of a showroom that gloss over the education part and just SELL SELL SELL cabinets.
I run my blog to help folks with things like this. I know from the questions I get asked there and at my day job that some people have no clue whatsoever what they're in for when shopping for cabinets. Catalyzed Varnish? Six way hinges? Flush inset? Meh?
If someone (but not a scheister) were sitting down with a customer and this pdf you linked to, it might work. But I think that Joe Schmoe getting this handed to him wouldn't help him a whole lot. My $.02...

I will say, to Showplace's credit, that at least they've identified the fact that there's an issue with uneducated customers, and tried to help.

I'm sorry for the lengthy reply. I just had someone on the phone today that was about to take it on the chin from another dealer and it burns my arse (I'm still very bent out of shape about it several hours later) when I see this happening.
caryscott
15 years ago
Not perfect but I like the guide linked below because it provides a lot of information fairly objectively. I am sure not all consumers would want\need\like as much information but I bet quite a few would see the advantages of being offered more basic comparative info that would allow them to feel like they had some grasp of the right things to ask when shopping for cabinetry.

The attached guide from Showplace does not really offer enough info to be of a lot of assistance in my opinion. I like the the comparative check list but it could be a bit more developed. We don't have Showplace here in Canada but the "all wood" construction section right at the top immediately gets my BS detector going and underlines that this is a sales tool (which it is) and not a guide to help me make the best choice for my budget and needs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Keidel cabinetry guide
Related Professionals
Fort Smith Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Wilmington Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Indianapolis Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Peoria Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Muskegon Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Seattle Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Emporia Kitchen Remodelers · Columbia Kitchen Remodelers · Petersburg Kitchen Remodelers · Worcester Kitchen Remodelers · Kennewick Kitchen Remodelers · Corpus Christi Custom Countertops · Newport News Custom Countertops · Muskegon Custom Countertops · Fresno Custom Countertops
PRO
Showplace Cabinetry
Original Author
15 years ago
Great comments, I love the concept of the "BS detector" and agree it is a legitimate reaction.

The Keidel cabinetry guide is terrific and much more comprehensive, definately worth sharing for someone who would be willing to spend lots of time learning.

The Showplace guide was intended to be a short "Cliff Notes" type that could be carried along, meant to allow easy and visual comparison of more than one brand, but maybe needs tweaking.

If I make Showplace aware of this conversation, how would you improve it? Keeping in mind that it should be a guide for consumers and not a sales tool for Showplace.

cabinfo already provided some good clues on it being too technical, but I wonder if it is a bad thing if it gives the consumer terminology to ask about?

I'm not sure, just asking.