MFI (MFI)

Member Name: polydeuces

Product:	MFI
Date:	16/06/08 (121 review reads)
Rating:

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Disadvantages: -

I have read a number of reviews regarding MFI and as a recent customer thought I would add mine. We were recently seeking to improve our guest bedroom and as with all DIY projects we sought to make the best possible improvement within a reasonable budget. Overall we are very pleased with the results and firstly it has to be acknowledged that the MFI furniture itself is well manufactured. The fixings used to assemble it have improved enormously in recent years and the finish on the units is very good. The instructions have also got a little clearer than they used to be for the assembly of the main units though not for the optional extras like the corniche.

Many negative comments have been made about the fact that MFI do not stock the furniture that they sell and you have to wait for delivery. When MFI first opened about 20 years ago all products were available within the stores which were like vast warehouses. Displays were not as well presented as they are today but by and large you could choose what you wished to buy and leave with it the same day. There were two problems with this. The customer often found because the products were stored in public areas a lot of damage occurred and many vital pieces were missing when you got home.
MFI found that not only was this a problem but also MFI had to carry huge stocks at all their many sites to try and ensure customers could leave with the goods. As those who know a little of company economics are aware stocks are working capital for a business and financing your working capital and getting an adequate return on the working capital employed in your business are of paramount importance. MFI found it increasingly difficult to make a good return and have on occasions been in financial difficulties.

At one time MFI was even part of ASDA who had paid about £600m for the business. Later ASDA divested themselves of the business which was then privately run before returning to the stock market in the 1990s. So MFI now run themselves with the minimum of stocks by maintaining centrally located stocks which are then distributed to customers.
Many of the carcases are interchangeable between the ranges of furniture and this too keeps costs down. When we bought our bedroom furniture we had delivery 17 days after visiting the store and placing the order. In the meantime we got a new carpet fitted and decorated the room so we did not feel inconvenienced by the delivery time. As a side point we watch all the decorating programmes on the TV but still just removed the old furniture, emulsioned the walls and put the furniture back. No ethnic furnishings and carefully cut MDF for us. All the necessary packs were delivered and inside all the bits were present and correct. Indeed we seemed to have an awful lot of bits left.

One complaint I do have about MFI is how the peripheral bits like corniches and plinths and deluxe side panels do push the cost up. I think MFI are in danger of killing the price driven ethic if they keep squeezing more and more out for these items which do not attract the headline 'discounts' of the units themselves. It was also true that there were no instructions or guidance for the fitting of these items which might have helped. All things considered I thought MFI were OK but you have to watch your budget for the total package.

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