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Howdens Reviews

1.8 Rating 222 Reviews
17 %
of reviewers recommend Howdens
1.8
Based on 222 reviews
Shipping & Delivery
Delivery Methods
Courier, Own Driver
Average Delivery Time
Over 7 Days
On-time Delivery
Greater than 41%
Accurate And Undamaged Orders
Greater than 45%
Customer Service
Communication Channels
Telephone, Email, Live Chat
Queries Resolved In
Over A Week
Customer Service
1.5 out of 5

Write Your review

Howdens  1 star review on 28th May 2024
James Breeds
Howdens  1 star review on 14th February 2024
Carl Birkenshaw
Howdens  1 star review on 14th February 2024
Carl Birkenshaw
Howdens  1 star review on 14th February 2024
Carl Birkenshaw
Howdens  1 star review on 14th February 2024
Carl Birkenshaw
Howdens  1 star review on 14th February 2024
Carl Birkenshaw
Howdens  1 star review on 12th November 2022
Phillip Gollins
22
Anonymous
Anonymous  // 01/01/2019
My first contact with Howdens was good, polite and friendly. However when the kitchen arrived a lot of the units were measured up wrong, there were marks and chips on several, which had to be changed. The breakfast bar was not what we asked for, it was only big enough for one plate, it was a joke really! This was replaced eventually. We still have some tiny marks in places, but have decided to live with it, as only we would know they are there. Would never recommend..
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
We had to leave 1 star in order to review! Their lucky to get the 1.. Christ where do you start with this?? The list goes on and on and looks to be covered by everyone else on here. The last straw has definitely been the county court letter and fine we’ve had to pay because they can’t pick the phone up, email or mention to us when in branch (daily) that theres an issue with the account. Not 1 letter was sent, 9 years of using Howdens has officially ended.. account closed! Avoid like the plague!!
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Terrible customer service. I gave clear specification to the designer and asked for two options when he came to visit. He told me that would be no problem. Instead he only sent one option and itvwas all wrong. I emailed and reveived no reply for 4 days. I then called ans asked to be called back and got nowhere. I emailed again with the what I wanted and again he sent me the wrong design and no ohone call. Will not buy from them now.
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Awful company to work for. Very well known for their bullying tactics with staff. Never worked in such a horrible environment. From managers who bully 16 year old apprentices (who then buy them things on the side to keep them quiet) managers who make inappropriate sexual comments to staff ( but it’s swept under the carpet because they are female) having to watch your colleagues suffer every day at work because their lives are being made a misery but there’s nothing they can do about it. People eventually having the courage to speak out and nothing comes of it, a few interviews to make it look like they care but with no real outcome. I worked there for 4 years. With only one year of that being a happy one with my previous manager. Since I have left howdens I have heard no end of stories from other member of staff and how they have suffered from bullying or had to watch it happen to somebody else. Joke of a company who only care about their staff if they are putting money in the till. I really don’t know how they are getting away with it!
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
I had a trade account with Howdens for 10 years, although I've never been a great fan - rude sales team in pretty much any branch you deal with, constantly losing money on lost time due to kitchens only being partly delivered (with out an ounce of remorse) - dealing with the arrogant, bully boys in their legal department is the straw that broke the camels back for me. During the Covid19 lockdown period I was unfortunate enough to receive a County Court Claim for an outstanding balance from Howdens. I didn't dispute the fact that I owed money, but during a time where the whole world seemed to be on hold, I raised the fact that I hadn't received the correct correspondence warning letter 30 days prior to the claim. In my ignorance I rather assumed that as I hadn't heard anything from Howdens, like so many other business' they were closed and would contact me when things were up and running again. On receiving the Court Claim I contacted their legal team and paid my outstanding balance immediately, yet within a week I received another letter claiming £510.00 fees and £138.09 in interest that had accumulated since speaking to one of their team!! A warning to all tradesmen that once your case is with the legal team, all business practice, compassion, and damn right humanity is gone. They are commission hungry robots continually repeating Terms and Conditions of your account. I can't remember the Terms and Conditions stating anything about global pandemics, but you'd think after 10 years, and tens of thousands of pounds in business may give you some leeway under such unusual circumstances. In my opinion Howdens profit heavily from late payments and their aggressive legal team. New trade customers are lured into opening a CREDIT account by free screw boxes or even radios, when most would settle for a cash account. Having traded with other suppliers no other is as notoriously aggressive as Howdens Accounts in recovering an outstanding balance. They prey on small business' and Sole Traders where cash flow is often an issue, £648.09 in fees is a lot of money, and the thought of going to court and further costs is terrifying. Having read other reviews on this site and spoken to other tradesmen in person I don't feel alone in my plight. Other tradesmen say they haven't had anything through from Howdens during the Lockdown period, yet owe money on their account?? Where as most companies around the world right now are acting compassionately towards their clients, in the prospect of a brighter future together. Howdens seem all too keen to bite the hand that feeds them for a quick commission hit. If I was to give advice to a young tradesman thinking of opening a trade account with Howdens, I'd say don't do it. You will lose out in the long run through lost earnings due to parts missing, even if your tempted by the "Two Quote trick", one for the client, another for the tradesman, wink wink nudge nudge! I'd rather be able to look at my myself in the mirror at night, and not deal with another member of the Howdens team ever again! There's better suppliers out there now, Howdens big cheese arrogance is dated and unwarranted. Ignore the "Great Customer Service" reviews on this site, they're merely diluting genuine feedback from ever disgruntled tradesmen in the hope of a free Screw Box! Account closed and a HUGE sigh of relief! PC Carpentry
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
I had a trade account with Howdens for 10 years, although I've never been a great fan - rude sales team in pretty much any branch you deal with, constantly losing money on lost time due to kitchens only being partly delivered (with out an ounce of remorse) - dealing with the arrogant, bully boys in their legal department is the straw that broke the camels back for me. During the Covid19 lockdown period I was unfortunate enough to receive a County Court Claim for an outstanding balance from Howdens. I didn't dispute the fact that I owed money, but during a time where the whole world seemed to be on hold, I raised the fact that I hadn't received the correct correspondence warning letter 30 days prior to the claim. In my ignorance I rather assumed that as I hadn't heard anything from Howdens, like so many other business' they were closed and would contact me when things were up and running again. On receiving the Court Claim I contacted their legal team and paid my outstanding balance immediately, yet within a week I received another letter claiming £510.00 fees and £138.09 in interest that had accumulated since speaking to one of their team!! A warning to all tradesmen that once your case is with the legal team, all business practice, compassion, and damn right humanity is gone. They are commission hungry robots continually repeating Terms and Conditions of your account. I can't remember the Terms and Conditions stating anything about global pandemics, but you'd think after 10 years, and tens of thousands of pounds in business may give you some leeway under such unusual circumstances. In my opinion Howdens profit heavily from late payments and their aggressive legal team. New trade customers are lured into opening a CREDIT account by free screw boxes or even radios, when most would settle for a cash account. Having traded with other suppliers no other is as notoriously aggressive as Howdens Accounts in recovering an outstanding balance. They prey on small business' and Sole Traders where cash flow is often an issue, £648.09 in fees is a lot of money, and the thought of going to court and further costs is terrifying. Having read other reviews on this site and spoken to other tradesmen in person I don't feel alone in my plight. Other tradesmen say they haven't had anything through from Howdens during the Lockdown period, yet owe money on their account?? Where as most companies around the world right now are acting compassionately towards their clients, in the prospect of a brighter future together. Howdens seem all too keen to bite the hand that feeds them for a quick commission hit. If I was to give advice to a young tradesman thinking of opening a trade account with Howdens, I'd say don't do it. You will lose out in the long run through lost earnings due to parts missing, even if your tempted by the "Two Quote trick", one for the client, another for the tradesman, wink wink nudge nudge! I'd rather be able to look at my myself in the mirror at night, and not deal with another member of the Howdens team ever again! There's better suppliers out there now, Howdens big cheese arrogance is dated and unwarranted. Ignore the "Great Customer Service" reviews on this site, they're merely diluting genuine feedback from ever disgruntled tradesmen in the hope of a free Screw Box! Account closed and a HUGE sigh of relief! PC Carpentry
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Trade accounts. We have used Howdens for many Years, In the middle of a world wide pandemic were the world is trying to work together Howden send us a County Court claim for a small amount of money rather than just picking up the phone. Payed the balance owed when they opened local branches but yet they then ring up to ask for court fees that they decided to take me. Simple phone call and all this could been avoided. Well done Howdens ANOTHER customer lost!!!!
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Posted 4 years ago
I am a carpenter of 35years. I have been dealing with howdens for years..never been great .recently your staff are rude and unprofessional. Stockport and Ashton. Got a parking ticket at Stockport because landlord introduced it. Nobody informed me to type in my vehicle reg. Ashton. Hannah needs to grow up and be professional. After all I am a customer bringing in trade. They are clueless and I think howdens will go bust shortly. Lol.
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Posted 4 years ago
I do not recommend opening a trade account with Howdens. Howdens failed to deliver the correct specification as ordered. They did eventually replace the certain items required but I had to pay my builder extra time to fit as a result. However they still chased me for payment and immediately threatened me with a County Court Claim without understanding my explanation that they had failed to send the correct products as ordered which had huge repercussions. As COVID-19 happened Howdens remained obstinate and inconsiderate and still insisted I pay in full threatening a county court judgement against me/my company. I have now paid in full, but it has wiped all my available business funds. I have now requested for my trade account to be closed and do not wish to work with them again and will NOT recommend Howdens further more to my customers.
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
We have used Howdens for 10 Year, In the middle of a world wide pandemic were the world is trying to work together Howden send us a County Court claim for a small amount of money rather than just picking up the phone, they didn't even bother sending a letter or e-mail. We did get a text on Monday and the claim arrived on Thursday with £185.00 worth of charges!! Complete lack of business understanding just happy there is more choice of suppliers now. Well done Howdens ANOTHER customer lost!!!!
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
I disputed an invoice then without further correspondence issued a court claim then only days over and before I had even had a chance to respond they sent an aggressive male to one of the directors houses in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak with a pregnant woman and small woman inside. The worst company we have ever dealt with!!
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Posted 4 years ago
Don’t use howdens misleading sales & terrible customer service
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Posted 5 years ago
Spent £10000 on kitchen was informed that 22mm straight edge worktop would be ok. Lasted 2 months before laminate started to raise. This work top not fit for purpose. Have been given money back for work tops but no compensation for new work top to be fitted including gas hob and also tiling. Please don’t buy straight edge work tops no matter what sales man says.
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Posted 5 years ago
Poor quality. pull it larder packed up after 18 months tried to claim under warranty but was told moving parts were only covered for 12 months not good when you pay 13k for a kitchen.
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Posted 5 years ago
Poor quality laminate flooring.
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Posted 5 years ago
Unfortunately I ended up with a bad builder to fit my kitchen. So I took the builder to court. Howdens done my builder a statement. They didnt know the full situation, although I had warned them I was having problems but they still done him a statement. They should've stayed out of it. Despite this I won in court and got my money back. They back the builder as the account is with the builder.
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
My Howdens oven stopped working after four years. A new element was needed. I phoned to arrange for an engineer to call and replace it. An appointment was made for the following Thursday and I was told to phone on the day for my allocated two hour slot, this I did. He didn’t arrive that day and I was not notified that he would not be coming. No reason or apology was given. Another appointment was made for the next day: same arrangement, phone for two hour slot. This time it was between 12 and 2. Didn’t arrive! I phoned at 3 o’clock to be told he had been delayed but would be with my by five. At four I got a call from Howdens to say that the part for my oven had only just arrived at the depot. I have no idea how the engineer was going to fix my oven without the part!!! Another appointment arrange for the following Tuesday between 8 and twelve. He turned up at 12:30. We made no mention of the precious missed appointments. However, he was the most unpleasant, belligerent, miserable repairman I have ever had the misfortune to meet. He spoke only when asked a direct question and then only in monosyllables - little more than a grunt to be honest. Clearly he hates his job and the people he has to deal with. This company is very user friendly when you are ordering your new kitchen, but I hope you never have to experience their after sales service which has to be the worst ever. NO STARS.
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Posted 5 years ago
awful experience. Items missing or the wrong sizes. Howdens not bothered that we had to pay the fitter more due to their mistakes. Would not recommend to anyone
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Posted 5 years ago
Dreadful service. Good quality, but many items missing or the wrong sizes. Our fitter had to go to Howdens 3 times, so we had to pay him more to cover his time. Management not interested in our extra costs. Would not recommend to anyone.
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
My 87 yr old mother purchased her kitchen this summer & was recommended their own brand cooker hob. She wasn't given any product information & was surprised when she contacted them to explain she was unable to use 4 rings on full power together, that this was normal, due to the limitations of the product. Feeling disappointed that this hadn't been explained to her before her purchase, felt she had no alternative but to put up with it. However this hob has now proved to be faulty. At times she is totally unable to use it because it won't come on. It has been tested by an independent electrician who couldn't get it to work either. She contacted Howdens and their response was we'll get someone out but not sure when it will be. Days later when their electrician was available it was working again. She has done this on several occasions but they say they need to get their own electrician to see the hob not working and they are never available when she phones. It is difficult, when something stops working intermittently to get someone from Howdens there immediately to confirm this problem, so how is she supposed to get it resolved. She has spoken to the shop in Uttoxeter on numerous occasions to ask for a replacement or a refund. They have refused, even after the electrician contacted them to say it wasn't working properly. She is extremely stressed and upset that at times she is unable to cook her dinner. She spent a lot of money at Howdens when she purchased her new kitchen but is very disappointed with the way she is now being treated.
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Howdens is rated 1.8 based on 222 reviews