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maiya_shur

Manufacturer sent wrong color custom cabinets. How can I resell?

6 years ago

we ordered KitchenCraft cabinets. After endless wait, they arrived - all in wrong color. The manufacturer will replace at their expense because they admit the mistake. They will send the cabinets and doors, but the hardware that’s installed will have to be moved to the correct ones.


Our useless designer assures us that she will she will gladly take the wrong cabinets off our hands. Presumably so that she can resell them.


As the party that has been affected by this, I feel that we should be the ones to profit. Question is, short of going to Craigslist, does anyone have other suggestions for where to resell these custom cabinets?

Comments (44)

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Offer the cabinets to the designer for 1/3 of what you paid, or 1/3 off the NEW cabinets and hand them over to her. There's your "profit" . Either way, and they are out of your hair.

    Don't do anything, until the new arrive and are fully inspected and installed

    Maika Futbolka thanked JAN MOYER
  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    For all we know, the op is already philanthropic. ...............: ) She "owns", she was delayed, inconvenienced, she's the decider. Just as if they were cash in a trunk in the garage.

    Maika Futbolka thanked JAN MOYER
  • 6 years ago

    I lean towards donating them as well. I don't know that it's automatically "the right thing", but it certainly is the easier thing: no showing them to multiple buyers, no haggling over price, and you get them out of your house now (whereas selling them could take months). Instead of being paid now, you'll have a big deduction off your taxes.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    These pages are loaded with "what would you do?" type questions. If you really don't know what to do, you'll get answers as varied as the folks who post them . Do whatever makes you feel best. You endured an "endless wait" whatever that was and you're annoyed with the "useless designer" . Do what salves the issues, or be philanthropic or....... : ) They are yours. Yes?

    As I always say to anyone disgruntled " What would make you happy? " Same thing here. Few of us are priests lol

  • 6 years ago

    thanks, but I’m asking a very specific question, not “what would you do?” Perhaps it’s not clear. I’m asking HOW I sell them. craigslist doesn’t seem to be the right venue for 25K worth of cabinets. Would reaching out to KitchenCraft sellers in the area work?

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Are you sure you get to keep the old cabinets? I would not make this assumption. You did not pay for two sets of cabinets.

  • 6 years ago

    You can try Facebook marketplace as well (I have better luck there than with CL) but I would anticipate having to sell them pretty far below the 25K mark. I doubt a local supplier of the brand would buy them off of you (it would probably be a violation of their contract to obtain inventory from anywhere other than the manufacturer). If a contractor or DIYer stumbles upon your listing and is willing to make them work for their space you might get lucky, but it may take some time.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    You are paying ONCE for the cabinets. They ( as I understand it ( are telling you to remove the hardware and re use on the NEW cabinets, no cost to you, that are being shipped. In most cases, they'd ask for them back. You're already even. You paid 25k and got the wrong thing, with additional annoyance. But they FIT your planned kitchen . You will not come close to getting what you "paid"which seems irrelevant, as you've been compensated with the correct cabinets.

    So,,,,,you haven't told us what you'd expect to get for the 25 K you aren't using. We can't tell you if your expectation is reasonable or not.

    In other words.........what would make you HAPPY? What some of us would do is already stated above. Donate, Craigs list. Go local and ask. Let the designer have them with a dollar compensation / not free to her. In no case will you get the 25 k. In NO case. Five k would be a miracle, honestly, unless you've a friend with identical kitchen footprint, and identical taste.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Based on your statement and question, it is the fault of the manufacturer and not your "USELESS" designer's fault. If the "USELESS" designer as you call him/her is willing to get them, let them. Sell them for a lower cost as stated above 1/3. You will have a hard time re-selling them to others and will be stuck storing them unless you have a basement, garage, or know someone interested in them.

    as Kristin stated. I would check to see that the vendor doesn't want them back and will charge you and your "USELESS" designer for them if they are damaged and there goes your "profit."

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    It's worrisome that you describe your designer as "useless." I'm sensing a conflict here--do you think it was her/his fault? And you're asking where to sell custom cabinets so you can profit. First, the cabinets are no longer custom as they were specified for your kitchen (as to color, size, shape, door style, etc.) and no one else's. Second they will already have holes in them from the hardware. So the question is how much do you think you should "profit" from the manufacturer's error? And how much of your own time do you want to spend finding a buyer, with all that entails--meeting them at your home, taking a risk on payment? And then who pays for shipping?

    But to answer your question, you might try advertising in a local paper--some offer free advertising to homeowners. Or ask your GC if he knows anyone who needs them.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    No reputable kitchen outfit is going to buy cabinets they cannot warranty to their customers.


    If the cabinets are actually yours, and I'm not sure we have determined that, the cabinets are only sellable on the used market like Craigslist or Facebook.


    This was the highest amount I found on our local Craigslist. Most were about $500


    Maika Futbolka thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • 6 years ago

    I would get this in writing before you sell anything...they might take you to court if you sell cabinets that are not actually yours. The new ones are, but these in the wrong color...don't jump on this too quickly.

    Maika Futbolka thanked lucky998877
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Once you have established the cabinets are legally yours to sell, you could try Renovation Angel. The site has ”luxury kitchens” from showrooms and homes on consignment.

    Maika Futbolka thanked elunia
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    IMO the cabinets are going back to the maker you do not get to keep them they are being replaced . Do not be greedy and if they want them back donate them and be the better person

  • 6 years ago

    Selling is usually painfull, donation is a good alternative as you can get a tax break.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Did anyone actually read her post? I don't think so.

    As yet another " useless" designer, I could ask the OP to show us exactly what she signed off on as to the Kraftmade order. We don't know if the mistake was made BY the designer, or by Kraftmade, for that matter.

    As a wise investing friend always said:

    "Both bulls and bears make money. Pigs end in a slaughterhouse ."

    The op is being "gifted " the error, simply because a truck and shipping are not worth KM time and money. Your designer wants "free" because she has to cart away and store. You are out time . You've had aggravation. You're gonna live. :)

    All remodel and build has some and there is a lot that could have been worse.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Craigslist. I wouldn’t expect to get more than maybe $1500. You’re certainly not going to make a bunch of money off of them, especially as they are incomplete. (No hardware.)

    Maika Futbolka thanked Hillside House
  • 6 years ago

    As a previous buyer of reclaimed cabinets, I would expect to pay 10 to 15 percent of original cost. The buyer has to be very careful as damage is inevitable in removal and transport and painted cabinets are difficult to touch up or modify. I usually end up modifying one or two cabinets in some way to make them fit into my space and sets with smaller cabinets are more versatile. Craigslist is an option but be prepared to put in lots of time and effort before you get the cash in your hand. I would contact a local demolition sales company and see if they are interested as many have a list of regular buyers. Best value in a case like this may be laundry room, basement, garage or mudroom storage.

    From my perspective, the person who has to pay the expense of fixing the error gets to determine who gets the product. I would expect the manufacturer would discuss the issue with the supplier and they would collect the originals when delivering the replacements.

    With the new tax rules, the economics of donations has changed with fewer people getting any financial benefit from donations. As a ReStore volunteer, we would occasionally get products donated in such circumstances. I remember one high end authentic reproduction light fixture that had a small issue. A ReStore buyer was thrilled to accept the flaw in return for getting an $800 light fixture for $200. We also were often donated products used at trade shows where return hassles and expense of return shipping was more than the value of the product.

    Maika Futbolka thanked Lyndee Lee
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I would say that Craigslist or similar sites are your best bet. Unless you know a local builder/contractor etc. that may have use for them..but as others mentioned I would not expect to make a huge profit. If you donate them you can get a tax credit (at least in Massachusetts you can) But yes, be sure they are yours to do with as you please before you do anything.

    Maika Futbolka thanked Barnes Custom Builders
  • 6 years ago

    If KitchenCraft does business the way KraftMaid does, they dont want the cabinets back. As it was explained to me by a Kraftmaid rep. - Kraftmaid does not sell the product directly to the consumer. Kraftmaid sells to a dealer and the dealer sells to the consumer. They use the example of buying a new car. You don't buy the car from GM, you buy from a dealership. KitchenCraft made a mistake in the order and is rectifying it with the dealer. If the designer is offering to take them, then the KitchenCraft dealer doesn't want the cabinets back either. Ask her for a sum to cover your inconvenience. Or sell online - Craigslist, neighborhood org., etc. If you're lucky you'll find someone who has a kitchen layout like yours, owns rental property, a cabin up north, etc. who will want them for a very low price. Is it worth your time to store them and wait for that sale? Or donate to Restore and move on.

    Maika Futbolka thanked hazelcraddock
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I know MasterBrand, and frameless Kitchen Craft both. You don’t understand what the dealer is doing for you. They will not be sending all new cabinets. Not for frameless Construction. Never, for frameless construction. There wouldn’t ever be any need to. That’s part of the beauty of frameless. The boxes are universal. They stay, no matter what.

    They will be ordering doors, drawer fronts, and end cover cover panels in order to make you whole, and not to enrich you. Just the parts that show. That’s is the only thing that requires replacing in frameless. The boxes are fine, don’t need replacing, and will stay. The cabinet hardware, such as the hinges and drawer glides, from the old boxes, which will stay in place, will be used on the new pieces. They aren’t talking knobs and pulls here.

    When it is over, the only thing that you will have left over are the old doors and drawer fronts. Worth almost nothing. And not even to be given away in most markets. You might get a 1K tax deduction for donating them. But they’ll 99% sure end up in someone’s dumpster. You aren’t getting cake and eating it too. They are responsible to give you what you ordered. No more than that.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    ^ This.

    Maika,,,,you need to confirm that only the doors/ drawer fronts are getting replaced before you worry about selling these things (which is just ridiculous because where are you going to store them? you have to take pictures of them, post the ad, get harangued by scammers, etc. and you may only get $1000 for the entire lot, if they are complete)

    but if you're only getting replacements but keeping all of the boxes, then this is really moot. donate all of the 'spare parts' and move on.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    "The manufacturer will replace at their expense because they admit the mistake. They will send the cabinets and doors, but the hardware that’s installed will have to be moved to the correct ones."

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    She doesn’t know cabinets, and is misunderstanding what they are ordering. They aren’t sending new cabinets . I guarantee it. Because that isn’t what MB does, and it isn’t needed in order to change the color. It isn’t what any manufacturer does. Or dealer. If she sells those cabinets, she’ll really be SOL and need to buy new cabinets to go with the parts that they are ordering. Given the post wanting to rub their noses in it and beat them with a newspaper while doing it, if that happens, she can kiss any further cooperation goodbye. No one does this on purpose. Chill needs to happen. She is getting made whole. Which is what the contract requires.

    They always replace whatever the least dollar or effort amount that they can replace with. As does any manufacturer. They will send a new drawer front for a damaged in shipping drawer. Not a whole new cabinet. Not a door and a drawer front. They will send new drawer glides for a trash can that is stiff pulling out, not an all new trash can pull out accessory assembly with trash can.

    Also, I doubt seriously if KC made the mistake. Wrong colors are 99% on the designer. Electronic interfaces for ordering thst use 2020 files have all but eliminated manufacturer ordering errors. It always comes down to the designer as the weak link for that. And it’s the dealer eating the door and drawer replacement. Because it’s up to them to double check the confirmation that you receive for all of the correct details as well. Been there, done that, got the T shirt, and kept my job only by working for virtually free for 6 months, and smartening up and getting rid of the greenhorn status. Way back in the day, there weren’t the cool electronic ordering interfaces. Everything was on the KD at the dealer.

    Maika Futbolka thanked User
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Get confirmation in writing from the manufacturer; exactly what will be replaced and do they want the return of "whatever". If it's a return, are they going to pay to have the items boxed and shipped (no expense to you)? After you have all that info call your accountant and find out if donating the old cabs is a good idea tax-wise. Now you can make an informed decision re: donate or sell to the designer.

    Maika Futbolka thanked chiflipper
  • 6 years ago

    Thanks everyone, especially live_wire_oak, as condescending as you were. I now understand better what is going on and how this is getting rectified, which should have been explained by the designer. Living with a fully gutted kitchen for another several

    months due to a mistake that we didn’t make is hardly being “made whole”...

  • 6 years ago

    Late to this party but just responding to the initial post "custom" cabinets insinuates they are built for a very specific space. The 'value' is lost on anyone trying to make them fit a different space. Seems at best someone might take them for garage storage, only wants small runs for a cabin redo...they will never be to the next buyer what they were intended to be for you. Lyndee Lee said it best about dealing with second hand cabinets.

  • 6 years ago

    I would post them on Facebook to local mothers group. In my town I see this fairly often with incorrect or ill-considered design choices, from quartzite counters to custom cabinets. Make sure you list dimensions and what you paid (copy of invoice is good, with address blacked out) and offer a really hefty discount.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    May I ask then, WHY The designer offered to "take them off her hands" ? A bunch of end panels and door fronts is worth............................what exactly?

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Taking them off of her hands is providing a service handling the disposal. They aren’t “worth” anything but a business loss write off. Most residences don’t have dumpsters. Which is what you’ll need to dispose of that amount of wood covered MDF. Leaving the trash on the curb wouldn’t be the service option. They do call that out as an added value service though. Just as delivery is an added value service rather than picking up at the truck terminal.

  • 6 years ago

    "Living with a fully gutted kitchen for another several

    months due to a mistake that we didn’t make is hardly being “made whole”..."

    Uh, sorry, but yes. You will get there and it will be "made whole". The inconveniences when renovating are unfortunately par for the course. Reminding ourselves they're first world problems sometimes helps with perspective. Good luck with everything. Hope you'll share pics when everything's done.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    I- 800- got junk. Tata..move on. Designer pays. probably 150 - 200 bucks

  • 6 years ago

    Debris removal of the old doors and packaging of the new is handled by the installers. At the time that they remove the old doors and drawer fronts from the cabinets and install the new. That labor is all covered by the shop, as are the replacement pieces. No need to add anything on top of it.

  • 6 years ago

    Can you have them installed in your basement as a second kitchen? Otherwise, donate to H for H, and ask for a tax receipt. If the designer wants them that badly, she can buy them there - a win for everyone!


  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    There is a lot of misunderstanding about how frameless cabinets have their colors “changed”. To simplify, this is just like an IKEA installation, if you’ve done ikea. There’s no reason to uninstall the boxes when all you need to do is change the doors.

    The kitchen remains installed and usable until that happens. Progress on the job can continue and everything else can get done. Just a few adjustments need to happen to any tall panels next to a counter. This happens frequently when there is shipping damage and replacement parts must be sent in. You don’t stop the job. The replacements are installed when they come in, at the end.

    When this is addressed, there will be no “leftover” cabinets to sell, donate, or install anywhere else. The cabinet boxes will remain in place. The new color cover panels and doors are the only thing changed out.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    the labor cost will exceed what you can recover.... ugh.

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    We call this the "sleeves from my vest" version of free/oopsie/our mistake............UGH.

  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    I haven't read all the responses, but I can tell you I sold my old (3 years old) kitchen cabinets on Facebook marketplace. I also listed on Craigslist but did not receive any interest through that channel.


    ETA: I see they are worth 25k. I'm sure you are aware you will receive a fraction of that.

    Maika Futbolka thanked megs1030
  • 6 years ago

    And if l_w_o is correct about only a portion of the cabinets being remade and delivered to you, I honestly would just donate. You'd be better off with the tax write-off than you would trying to sell doors / drawer fronts. I'm not sure what that is worth to anyone?

  • 6 years ago

    OP is the only person who can confirm EXACTLY what components of the "cabinets" are being sent and what is being replaced.


    Before doing anything with the cabinets, OP needs to legally protect herself by determining EXACTLY what is being shipped out by the manufacturer so she knows exactly what she can get rid of. She needs to get some kind of written confirmation by email or otherwise that she is free to dispose of what was delivered and most critically confirm exactly what is being delivered as replacement.


    As an aside, I am confused regarding how frameless cabinets in the wrong color would not have to be completely replaced. I have frameless cabinets that are quarter sawn oak and when the doors are open, the frames are visible. If the frames don't match the doors (e.g. the wrong color boxes remain), it would look odd. I am not aware of frameless cabinets being a universal one fits all color.


    As others have posted, selling "used" cabinets is probably not worth the hassle as there is an extremely limited market for used cabinets.


    While I am not trying to force philanthropy on you, donating might make more sense depending on how you file. If you donate, you can deduct a sizable amount which could well be worth more than the $1000 or so you would get in a sale. People recommend craigslist as some kind of foolproof option but in my experience, it's not worth the hassle as people are looking for bargains and there are a LOT of scammers. I tried selling a relatively expensive item and got multiple scammers and not a single offer.


    I just finished a gut remodel which had multiple glitches including incorrectly sized items which held up progress - it's just part of the process.

  • 6 years ago

    Op, can you make do with the current/wrong cabinets until the replacements arrive? Plywood can be used as a temporary countertop. That way you can have a semi-functioning kitchen in the meantime.

    Maika Futbolka thanked shead
  • PRO
    6 years ago

    PROS: Just so I understand....some frameless brands have "universal boxes"? I've sold several frameless brands over the years and all of them have color matched edgebanding on the boxes. I like the idea of universal box as a standard for sure. Never knew that existed except for Ikea.


    I also agree with the above poster, whoever is 'eating' this mistake should decide what to do with the remaining parts (or whole cabinets...whichever it may be).


    Food for thought, if you waited 2 months for a custom ordered new car and the color came in wrong, would you expect the dealer to let you keep both cars? I understand there is some inconvenience....but KDs are human...errors can happen. If the dealer is eating it....that is a major loss for them...likely they are in the hole...big time. Margins in this business aren't great...which is why we have to be SO careful as designers not to let mistakes slip through the cracks. Double check your acknowledgments...and have a co-worker triple check it for you.


    If they do give you the wrong color fronts, to do with what you please, then try selling them on CL or marketplace. You'd be lucky to sell for $10-$20 a door front. If the dealer wants them, let her have them....she can possibly turn it in to a showroom display...or order boxes and sell them to a builder. If they are full cabinets you are getting back....then give them back and ask for a few internal goodies for your aggravation (Hafele fineline silverware dividers are nice).

    Maika Futbolka thanked The Kitchen Place
  • 6 years ago

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