Where to buy RTA cabinets online?

9 years ago

Hi all-
First poster here. We are starting a kitchen remodel soon and have a very limited budget. I've checked out some local places (ikea, and a local cabinet place as well) but am not thrilled at the options available, although in our price range. Looks like the following places have similar prices on what we need in a style that I like (simple all-wood white shaker style):

cabinetgiant.com

shoprtacabinets.com

thertastore.com

Anyone have experiences with these places? Have any other places to recommend?

Featured Answer

laughablemoments

9 years ago

My husband is a contractor and has done a couple of kitchens for his clients who have bought cabinets online from Lily Ann. Yes, they are Chinese cabinets. However, he was extremely impressed with the quality of the cabinets. (When it comes to cabinetry and woodworking, DH does not impress easily!) The cabinets have thick plywood sides, nice drawer runners, etc. You can order sample doors from them to see what you think of the quality for yourself. He was also pleased with their prices.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lily Ann Cabinets

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Comments (28)

User
9 years ago
Chinese crap. Look at American made like Scherrs or Barker.
PRO
Joseph Corlett, LLC
9 years ago
If your budget demands, I have a friend who's just borrowed four million dollars and returned from China to negotiate supplies for "Chinese crap" ready-to-assemble cabinets. He will have one of the largest warehouses in the country, accessible online, in October or so.
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AVOID THEM AT ALL COSTS!!! Our nightmare is described here. We placed a nearly $4,000 order with Cabinets To Go on 6/13/12. The standardized Cabinets To Go receipt and paperwork we received stated that we should expect 1-2 weeks for shipping. Carrie, the representative in the Raleigh, NC office that we worked with and ordered from, told us we should expect 10 days for shipping. The 1-2 week timeframe on the CTG correspondence would have placed our delivery somewhere between 6/20/12 and 6/27/12, and the 10-day estimate from Carrie would place our delivery date on 6/22/12. However, we have received no cabinets by 6/29/12. As soon as CTG received our payment (which was made in-full and immediately upon ordering on 6/13/12), all communication with us stopped. We were extremely satisfied with CTG's customer care during the designing and ordering process, and Carrie exchanged 35 emails and 5 phone calls with me over the 5 days that we spent considering our options and making our decisions. However, as soon as CTG got our money, customer care went out the window. On 6/29/12 we were still waiting for delivery of our nearly $4,000 order, which was paid for in-full and upfront. Furthermore, we received no communication from CTG in regard to tracking our $4,000 shipment, updates on delivery, or even scheduling a delivery until I started asking questions on 6/21/12 about where our cabinets were. We understand that CTG may not be able to pinpoint an exact delivery date immediately upon ordering. However, we never even got the opportunity to request an estimated delivery date during any conversation with CTG, because these delivery estimates were bestowed upon us and this topic of conversation was completely initiated by CTG! If you are going to give an estimate, it needs to be an accurate estimate. If something goes wrong during the processing and shipping of an order, the customer needs to be told, so as to adjust their expectation for delivery. We were never told that the delivery estimates provided by CTG needed to be adjusted due to processing or shipping problems, so we expected the estimates to hold true. When we had received no cabinets by 6/21/12, I contacted Carrie in Raleigh to inquire about the status of our order because we had not received any correspondence from CTG during the 8 days that had passed since paying for our cabinets. Carrie responded via email on 6/22/12 and told us the cabinets were in transit, but one item was on backorder. So, our cabinets been shipped and no one had told us, and part of our shipment was on backorder but we were not informed about this. So we waited for 5 more days, but when we still had received no cabinets on 6/27/12, I began calling and emailing the CTG headquarters and their customer care representatives. At this point, it was 9 days after our items had shipped and 14 days after we had ordered, and we still had no cabinets. Chris, the corporate customer care representative I spoke with, informed me he was very concerned about the lack of customer care we were receiving and would forward my concerns on to the Raleigh office, something I had already done on my own. Later that same day (6/27/12) Carrie forwarded me an email that she had received on 6/18/12 containing details about tracking our order. (It took 9 days to get our shipping information forwarded to us from CTG, and we had to request this information from them!) We were directed to contact CGL (the carrier that CTG uses for delivery) directly about our order. CGL must have been informed that I was on a mission to track down the cabinets, because a few minutes after I got the email from Carrie, Katarina from CGL called and left a voicemail requesting that I contact her to schedule delivery of our cabinets. I called, but was told the scheduling team would not be back until 9:00am the next morning. So I called them back at 9:00 on 6/28/12 and asked to schedule our delivery. Katarina told me she could not yet schedule delivery, as our cabinets had not reached the distribution terminal yet and she could not tell me what day we could expect to get our cabinets. I called CGL three more times over the course of 6/28/12 and spoke to three different CGL representatives, all of whom gave me different answers about when we could expect delivery and whether or not they could even schedule delivery yet. My fourth call to CGL on 6/28/12 ended with the representative telling me that the cabinets would arrive in the distribution terminal in Fayetteville, NC during the night on 6/28/12, and she said she thought we could get delivery on 6/29/12. Exasperated by the back-and-forth of the last two days, I emailed the CTG headquarters a second time and updated them on the mess that we were dealing with. I also called the number Chris had left for me and left a voicemail for him with the same update. I called CGL at 9:00am on 6/29/12 to check on the arrival of our cabinets at the distribution terminal in Fayetteville, NC. However, I was told that someone at CGL had made an error since my last phone conversation with them the evening before, that our cabinets were put on the wrong truck, and they were currently at the distribution terminal in Atlanta, GA. I insisted that we get our cabinets before the weekend, but CGL said they had no trucks available to bring us our cabinets. I requested that CGL rent a U-haul and drive our cabinets to us, since this was their error and we were way past the delivery timeframes indicated by CTG. They indicated they would not consider this option. I immediately called the Raleigh CTG office and asked someone there to deal with CGL. I was told by the man that I spoke with (Bob) that he would look into it, but I never got a call back. I called him again later that morning, and he said he had no information for me. I asked him to keep me informed, but I never got another call from anyone in the Raleigh CTG store. I called the CTG corporate offices again and spoke with Chris. He indicated that he was sorry for the inconvenience, but offered nothing in terms of restitution for the incredible hassle that our order had become, and did not even offer to contact CGL on my behalf. Katarina at CGL called me several times over the course of the day on 6/29/12 and appeared very apologetic and concerned that the delivery of our cabinets had spiraled into a big mess. She indicated that she had called another shipping company in Charlotte, NC and that they could deliver our cabinets between the hours of 1pm and 3pm on 7/2/12. I indicated that this delivery time was not preferable, as we wanted our cabinets before then, but that it could work if need be. The director/manager at the Boston CGL location was also on the line and asked me to call CGL's contact in Charlotte, NC to confirm this delivery, and then call CGL back to let them know what was said. I did as he requested, but this could have been handled by someone at CGL rather than by me, their customer. We were then looking at a delivery time of 19 days at the very very best, but IF AND ONLY IF our cabinets actually got delivered on 7/2/12. As you can imagine, we were extremely displeased with the absolute mess that our order turned into. As CTG's customer, I shouldn't have even been expected to deal with their distributor, CGL. I am the customer, I just paid them $4,000, yet they put the burden of tracking down my cabinets on me. I am appalled that the Raleigh CTG office washed their hands of this mess, since they are the originators of the order and the people who are ultimately responsible for ensuring that we continue to get quality service DURING OUR ENTIRE Cabinets To Go experience. I am appalled that CTG headquarters has offered nothing in terms of compensation for time lost or for hassle, and am even more appalled that Chris said, "I'm not sure how we can compensate you for this," during my phone conversation with him on 6/29/12. I can think of several ways: 1.) Paying for and arranging for special delivery of our cabinets so we get them on 6/30/12. The drive from Atlanta, GA to Wilmington, NC is only 7 hours long. 2.) Offering our money back for what we paid in shipping and delivery costs. 3.) Offering a discounted price on our order, since we have been waiting for $4,000 worth of cabinets that have yet to show up. This order and shipment of cabinets was only half of what we had designed for us by Carrie and only half of what we planned to buy from CTG in Raleigh. We told Carrie up-front that we would have to split our purchase in two to make it fit our budget, and she indicated she would save her designs for us when we were ready to order the remaining cabinets. We had planned to order the other half of our kitchen cabinets from CTG around mid-July (more than $3,000 in additional cabinets on top of the $4,000 we just spent), but at this point, you can safely assume we will NOT be ordering from CTG ever again. While CTG offers a 100% satisfaction guarantee policy on all purchases, they in no way guarantee their service OR the customer's experience. On June 30, 2012 Mark McIntire from the Cabinets To Go corporate headquarters called me (someone had forwarded him one of my emails - I'm not even sure what his position is in the company) and asked me why I was "causing such a debacle." I told him we were frustrated with the poor communication between all parties involved in our order and just wanted some acknowledgement that things had gone wrong. We wanted an apology for being left in the dark, and wanted an answer about when we would get our cabinets. He said that I was "being ridiculous" and that he didn't "want to deal with this" so he cancelled my entire order. Then he hung up on me. And that was the end of that!
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Update, I used online cabinets direct after a couple of months of talking to the owner Shane Doyle about my design and my concerns about ordering online. Everything went great! They did mess up on one cabinet, sent me wrong door style but once I sent them a picture they send me new doors right away. I would say to anyone ordering from them, be through with what you order and with checking your order once you receive it and follow their rules/directions on how to rectify any issue...if you do that then you are in good hands. The owner Shane was very fair and honest. The cabinets are beautiful and being installed now. Great quality and price! The shipping company will not deliver inside without charging you a ton so be prepared to either pay for inside delivery or move the cabinet boxes inside yourself.
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It is against the rules, you are right. If people are interested in learning about RTA, they can also visit the kitchen forum where many members have used them for DIY installs as well.
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caseykees
9 years ago
I have ordered new doors from Barker, but not cabinets. They are great though! I am planning on adding 5 ft of base cabinets and some wall cabinets on one wall sometime soon, and I think that is where I am going to get them from.
rebunky
9 years ago
BGW (before gardenweb) I too researched the same RTA cabinet companies you mentioned for my budget kitchen remodel. The pictures and prices looked great, but something inside kept warning me...hmm sounds to good to be true.

I decided to order a sample painted white door from cabinetgiant. It arrived ok and looked fairly decent. I was not digging the glaze, but all they offered was a glazed painted white. I was not sold, so I put the sample aside to keep searching.

Well about a month or so later, I pulled out my door sample. Let me tell you my reaction, "OMG! THIS IS TOTAL CRAP!" The paint was cracking in the mitered corners bad and almost peeling. (Now learned mitered cabinets are not good for paint! Do you think they care?) Yes, painted cabinets will make hairline cracks in the joints which I have no problem with, but this was major ugly and can only image just how ugly with time and regular use!

Then, I found this awesome site. Thank you so much everyone here on GW!!! You are so kind and generous to take time out of your own lives to give such great advice. Anyways, I read every single thread on RTA cabs. hollysprings said it like it is. My advice is to Google RTA and gardenweb and read everything. Be the thankful you found this site!
dcward89
9 years ago
check out Barker cabinets. We used them for our new kitchen and we love our cabinets. For us they were the perfect match of really solid, high quality cabinetry, made in America and right within budget.
aries61
9 years ago
Check out Conestoga too.They do framed cabinets and you can get inset if you like them. Scherrs and Barker only do frameless.
joygreenwald
9 years ago
Another shout out for Barkers here, but a preliminary one. We still don't have a kitchen, but it's not their fault. We have a hole where we used to have a kitchen, and I just stare at my assembled cabinets, pet them, and dream about the day they will be on my walls instead of in my living room, dining room, and garage. They assembled easily and look great. I also appreciated that I could afford all the customizations and natural cherry. Can't remember why I moved away from Scherrs and Conestoga. Might have been easier website or price for what I wanted. But many sing their praises.
amandafeldsher
9 years ago
Can someone explain what a "frameless" cabinet is? I assume that's the front of the cabinet - the part that the door attaches to (since that's what I've seen in all of the diagrams). But I'm doubting my guess...because I don't see the point of selling a cabinet without a frame? Is this for customers who want to keep their old door/frames?

Anyway, I'm looking to replace all of my kitchen cabinets. A quote of 10K for cabinets only (another 8K for installation) gave me serious sticker shock! So I'm definitely interested in RTA. I came across this article:
http://cabinetsleuth.com/rta-cabinets/

and it recommends a few RTA vendors. After reading the horror stories here, I'm very hesitant to buy from any of them. I suppose I can research them a little more (better business bureau, yelp, etc). But still...

I'm also considering Costco's vendors (although these are not RTA). I've never had a problem returning anything to Costco (love them!).

I already sent my plans to Scherr's (but didn't realize at the time that they don't provide the frames). I will look into Barkers too.
sushipup1
9 years ago
Frameless cabinet doors attach to the sides of the cabinets, so they are always full-overlay.
Liz
9 years ago
Frameless (and full overlay) means that you won't see any of the cabinet box when the door is closed. The cabinet is complete - box and door and all. Its just a style.

However, barker, scherr, and Conestoga all do sell just doors, for folks who want to keep their existing cabinet boxes.
crl_
9 years ago
Google gets you lots of explanations of what a frameless cabinet is. Here's a link to one.

Here is a link that might be useful: Framed vs frameless cabinets
chiefneil
9 years ago
I did the desk and built-ins in my den with Scherrs. They're great quality and easy to work with, but can get pricey. You can save some money by staining and installing them yourself if you're up for it.
amandafeldsher
9 years ago
Thanks to everyone for responding! I'm still researching this (can't believe how much there is to learn).

So now referring back to this article:
http://cabinetsleuth.com/rta-cabinets/
I googled "RTA Cabinets Unlimited" and I *think* this is their website:
http://www.cshardware.com/

Their website touts their "featherlodge sureconnect assembly system" but you can't seem to find any information on it anywhere. So I emailed them and asked what it is. They sent me a pic (attached here) and gave me the following explanation (tell me what you think):

"The assembly system from Feather Lodge is a quick connect metal clip system. Basically an Ã¢ÂÂLÃ¢ÂÂ shaped metal clip that will screw to the joining panels to secure them together while the glue dries.
There are two kinds of metal brackets as shown in the pictures below. It will be one of these systems."

I have to say, looking at the pic, it does not strike me as "good quality". Regardless, I have another question (and forgive me because I'm sure this one is a little out there): Would it be really unwise to purchase cabinets of good quality with thermofoil doors - with the intention of replacing the doors (real wood) later? The cabinet description on this site seems to indicate the quality of the cabinet is good (but the white Shaker style only comes with a thermofoil door). If I'm not mistaken on price, a new finished door would be less than $100. But the front drawer panel...I'm thinking you can't replace those (seems it would be very hard, if not completely ignorant, to disassemble a dovetail joint).

Thanks for all of the helpful advice. Hopefully I'm contributing something here another novice can use!
amandafeldsher
9 years ago
Just another follow up. I got a ballpark quote from Scherr's for 13K for RTA cabinets. They said I could bring that down to 11K if I go with melamine for my cabinet boxes. Isn't melamine pretty much the same as particleboard? 11K for RTA particle board cabinets is not a competitive quote at all (quote from TWO local cabinet installers using plywood boxes and real wood doors was 10K preassembled!). This includes soft close drawers/doors, dovetail drawers).

Also got a quote from www.thecabinetjoint.com for $8500 (RTA). This seems steep for RTA but I might not beat the quality (Conestoga wood doors, all plywood construction, dovetail construction on drawers AND cabinets, Blum hardware with lifetime warranty).
threepinktrees
9 years ago
Amanda,
I was in your shoes not long ago, and our demo starts tomorrow! Such an exciting process!

I got multiple quotes from a local guy and some conestoga dealers. I then decided to go frameless. I ended up working with a KD who works via online planning and he was able to beat all the other quotes. I got exactly what I'd been hoping for all along-- all wood, good quality, US made cabinets with dovetailed drawers and soft close hinges, already assembled -- and they are absolutely gorgeous (although they're just sitting and waiting to be put up at the moment :) ). Anyway, if you're interested I can get you his contact info and you could send him your plan for a quote. I also appreciated it because he caught some issues the other dealers had missed with my plan and saved me a boatload of trouble!
threepinktrees
9 years ago
Hey, someone named Louise emailed me to find out the name of my kitchen designer, but her email settings won't allow me to email her back. I don't know her user name. If it's you, I'm happy to help you out with the info, just email me back with your email address.
karenc05
8 years ago
Hello! I have been doing online research on RTA cabinets and came across this post. I am interested in the contact info for the KD that threepinktrees referred to above. Can you e-mail that to me? Thanks!
michoumonster
8 years ago
we did barker's like many other posters here. very happy with the quality.
lolli
8 years ago
threepinktrees - is there a way to email you through the new Houzz interface for Gardenweb? I can't seem to figure it out but would love the contact info for you KD
Dana
8 years ago
threepinktrees i'd like the contact of this person as well. Thank you!
homechef59
7 years ago
I used Scherr's. It's been two years. I'm still delighted. I want to do another kitchen. That's kind of sick, I know.

I did want to comment about the assembly process. Each manufacturer uses a different assembly technique. While I can only speak to the Scherr's process, I have to say it is one stout cabinet. They don't use clips as illustrated above. I think they are much more solid that some of the standard custom cabinets I have used in the past.

The bottom line is each company stands on their own merits. I like Scherr's because of the quality of the product, they are manufactured in North Dakota and the outstanding customer service. If you have a problem, you get a real person to help solve it. I have read numerous posts that indicated Barker's produces a good product. Their customer service is involves a lot of email. I like the telephone method myself. Conestoga is another domestic manufacturer of RTA frameless cabinets. With these companies, you can be assured the materials meet acceptable health standards, too.
Jon
7 years ago
@edkm123 care to share where you get those cabinets? sounds like I owe you a finders fee if you share...
Laura Jazz
5 years ago
“Very limited budget“ and “kitchen remodel” is an oxymoron.
Amy Kong
3 years ago
Hi All, This thread has be useful to read, and wondering what has changed since many of the comments 5 years ago.

The Spruce has a list of RTA from Jan 2020 - https://www.thespruce.com/rta-kitchen-cabinet-company-directory-1822063. Does anything have experience with any of these?

I also stumbled onto Walcraft (JSI Cabinetry) https://walcraftcabinetry.com/cabinet-assembly/. Looking at their assembly video, it looks pretty well made, the metal brackets are not the only supports (with additional diagonal wood brackets). Appreciate any insight you might have. Thanks in advance!
jbonnici
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
@threepinktrees i'd like the info also :)
User
2 years ago
@threepinktrees hi, I would his well 🙂
Stacy Donald
3 months ago
@threepinktrees I'd love your contractor's info too!

Where to buy RTA cabinets online?

laughablemoments

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