Advice on buying kitchen.... where from and what to look for

[redlagoon]

I'm in the market for a new kitchen. I've been around the usual places, MFI, B&Q, Wickes etc and the estimates have been coming in at around £3-£5k.

I'm wondering if i can score a better deal on the internet somewhere. There's plenty of places around, ebay is awash with online kitchen dealers.

One in particular on ebay seems reasonable and offers solid wood units for what appears to be the same price as the MDF varieties on the high street. Has anyone dealt with M & S Kitchens before? (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/M-S-Kitchens-Limited)

Otherwise, what specifics should i be asking about? I've added the soft closing runners and hinges to my list. Is 18mm thickness a standard size?

Appreciate any advice.

 

[NickStone]

Redlagoon, I've never heard of M & S kitchens. Are they hoping that someone might think they're something to do with Marks and Spencer? Personally, I'd never buy a kitchen without seeing and touching the units (I recently touched a bit of beading in a kitchen display and it fell off. You can't see that kind of poor quality in a picture.)

Which magazine did a survey of satisfaction among kitchen buyers a while back and Wickes came out with a really good score for quality. Their units are apparently made of thicker board than some manufacturers. Ikea is often cited (by Sarah Beany, to name one) as being excellent value, although a plumber told me their sinks are a pain to install.