Review Detail

Kitchen Cabinets
Don't buy Kemper!
(Updated: February 18, 2016)
Overall rating 
 
3.0
Finish 
 
2.0
Durability 
 
2.0
Warranty 
 
2.0
Custom Options 
 
6.0
Price / Value 
 
4.0
Quality 
 
2.0
I am so deeply regretful that we purchased Kemper cabinetry when we redid our kitchen 2 yrs ago! Bought from what is deemed to be a reliable dealer within our area, and there was even a 10% discount at the time. Felt that we were making an investment since they were exactly inexpensive (in par with price for discounted Kraftmaid at a solely-Kraftmaid dealer). Cabinets started giving me regrets within four months of installation. The white finished cabinets (on both sides of fridge, the long expanse where stove/sink/dishwasher sit, and the cabinets above) started to stain! An incredibly difficult to remove stain (that if I did not know better, I would say was from red ink which I do not use). So I called the dealer, who came out and ordered a replacement front for the garbage/recycling pull out. Also noted that there were faint bluish streaks on other door fronts. And to add insult to injury, just about 3 months after that, a yellowish stain became apparent wherever the little rubber "bump" dots had been attached to each door/drawer. Yes, a round yellow discoloration that evidently was being caused by the dots that the company had supplied for installation! To make a long story short, a rather insulting company rep came to the house to "..check out the situation that was being described..." He reminded me of inspector Gadget from the children's cartoon of that name, b/c he proceeded to examine really close-up each of the areas that I pointed out. And he stated very pointedly that the problem was being caused by heat from the stove, dishwasher, and refrigerator --- really??!--they are in a kitchen, MADE for a kitchen!! But I kept my cool, and pointed out that not ALL of the dots had corresponding stains on the areas of contact...."Well, the heat is what is causing the problem," he insisted....even in areas at a distance from the stove, fridge, and dishwasher!
He finally stated that he was going to send a cabinet repairman, who would make each area of concern disappear. He pointedly stated that I needed to make sure that ALL were done because the company paid $1000 to have this specialist come to a customer's residence.
So I used post it strips on each of the problem areas, and the specialist proceeded to use his special tools which included sanding and then applying via spray gun a mist of paint to match my white cabinets. I was upset because I had not been informed that this was going to involve such chemicals, and our two young grandsons were in my care that day (and they both have asthma). I had to open windows and have the boys go upstairs and close the door. The specialist appeared alarmed that I was so upset. He went out of his way to make sure that he had "repaired" each of the areas to my satisfaction. I have to say that he did an incredible job, with the cabinets looking like new again.
But then 5 months ago (today being 9-25-13), as I was wiping off the countertop and fronts of the doors below the sink, I opened the right side door and noticed what looked like a "flake". Imagine my distaste when I wiped it and the flake was a small piece of the finish! Yes, there was now a bare spot where paint finish had been...and I was really angry. To calm myself down, I took the small bar of a putty substance that had come with the cabinets, and molded a thin layer where the finish had flaked off....and figured that I should just move on --- yes, we had made a very poor choice for our kitchen cabinets, but I just could not allow myself to get so worked up.
Except that today I had the guy who had sold us the cabinets come to our house . I told him that we were considering cabinets for the laundry/panty, and a vanity base for the powder room. Well.....I showed him the messed up spot that I had covered with the putty...and asked what was up with a cabinet finish be so sensitive to WATER, when it is being sold as KITCHEN cabinetry --- of course there would be water in the area, and the finish should not be so susceptible to liquid. READY FOR THIS? -- I was told "....it happens..." OMG, I had to take a deep breath and replied "That is just not a good response...."
Needless to say, we are not going to use Kemper elsewhere in our house. And I DO NOT recommend this company at all, especially if all a sales rep/designer can say is that "....it happens...." I expected a replacement, at least, for the thousands of dollars that we paid and for the handsome commission that this guy had received from our purchase.

I am going to contact Kemper, and we'll see where that leads, if at all.
I wish we had done an Ikea kitchen instead!
Save yourself the money, the aggravation, and the frustration --- don't buy Kemper cabinetry...
I
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November 21, 2013
I also bought cabinets from Kemper I thought I was buying Quality cabinets after 12 years they separated from the wall i called the company it took them two days to tell me its not under warranty I will never purchase a kemper product again they do not stand behind there produce I dont know how a cabinet separates from the wall by just being on the wall I also have kids and am worried the cabinet will fall and hurt someone but that dose not seem to move them . DONT BUY YOURE ONLY ASKING FOR PROBLEMS
JC
Jaclyn Cohen
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KitchenCabinetsReviews.com is the best source online for kitchen cabinets reviews. We offer the consumer the ability to leave honest reviews. We have most major brands listed including Kraftmaid, Omega, Cardell, Mid Continent Cabinetry, Thomasville, Merrilat, Welborn, Marsh and many more. One thing is for certain, all of the brands listed on the site manufacture quality kitchen cabinets.

Are you interested in learning about cabinets? We have a learning center that describes different variations of wood that you can buy kitchen cabinets in. We also have a section on how to care for your kitchen cabinets.

We hope that you find the reviews helpful and that your kitchen project works out well.