SMI Hardwoods www.smi-hardwoods.com

I looked everywhere for a large beech panel I could make a batch of drawer fronts from.

Eventually I found ML Panels and ordered.

Didntvshe long to arrive, well packaged and no issues.

The panel is beautiful and will make a lovely job. Thank you MLP.

I ordered a 1500x600x24 oak table top.

I explained I required a panel for a table top and was assured the edges would not be damaged and the staves would be well matched.

1st panel sent which was damaged.

2nd panel the replacement sent was damaged and staves poorly matched.

3rd panel the 2nd replacement sent was damaged and staves poorly matched again.

SMI agreed to credit in full and collect the panel but this decision was overturned by the owner of SMI Hardwoods who said I had to return the item at my own expense.

So having had the inconvenience of having to wait for delivery of 3 panels that were damaged and not having staves that matched as assured they would at the point of ordering I had to cover the cost of the final return.

SMI Hardwoods said the panels were A grade panels and a good colour match. I can accept a slight variance as this is a natural product and know what to expect when comparing with similar oak panels however the variance in the second two panels was not acceptable.

I would not recommend SMI Hardwoods but if you do decide to use them check the panel carefully on delivery.

Upon opening the cardboard packaging and seeing the panel's face I was immediately impressed. THEN I TURNED THE PANEL AROUND!!!

Although it does not state it anywhere on the web-site these panels are A/B grade where the B face can contain broken or distressed knots and other damage. What a shame. Both the panels I received had such damage.

I spoke with customer services and they stated that this was a perfectly acceptable state for A/B grade panels. Unless you can use the B face of the panel in such a way as to hide the damage, beware!

There are other sites out there that sell A/A grade panels for around the same price (and a little less in some cases) - I know where I will be buying future panels from and it won't be SMI Panels.

We found this company on a search and found the prices to be extremely competitive, I checked some previous reviews first and then spoke to the staff over the phone to check details. The staff were very friendly and helpful, so much nicer than the usual service I am used to with other companies, so good in fact that I felt the need to review this company (which I virtually never do). Worktop (2m solid beech prime x 40mm) was lovely quality and at a great price too. Deliver arrived when expected. We are very happy with the product and the service and wish this company all the best for the future!! Thank you.

Really easy transaction. Speedy delivery. But we ordered a 4 metre length and luckily my husband was in when it was delivered. Though he is 6'2'' and strong, he and the delivery driver really struggled to carry the work surface inside. Apart from that, we would definately recommend your company and will think of you again in the future. Many thanks

From order to delivery of the original worktop in 2007 the service was extremely efficient and the communication was faultless and the delivery was on time within the allotted time slot. Unfortunately, there was a problem with the worktop delivered due to inadequate packaging round the edge where damage had occurred; however, this is where the customer service really kicked in: after ascertaining the issue a perfect replacement was delivered the next day and the original collected at the same time. Without the 'hiccup' on the original delivery I would have given 5 stars for overall rating. This has been written in 2010.

As for spending money on a kitchen it's almost a bottomless pit but I found SMI on the internet and decided to pay them a visit........

Impressed I was, friendly and very helpful in choice of worktops and advice on after care, so the order was placed and within a few days of advising my date for delivery they arrived.

Our kitchen fitter was impressed with the quality of the worktops he now orders for his customers direct from SMI so overall everyone was happy all through a little homework on the internet.

I have since ordered my dinning room tables and chairs which arrived undamaged and on time with no bits missing better than MFI ever was.

A big thank you to all at SMI for a very efficient service and top quality goods.

Great quality solid oak worktop with prompt delivery all at a reasnoble price

Highly recommended

Excelent quality worktop. Dispatched very quickly indeed,the communication after sale & before delivery was spot on. The courier service was great and the packaging was bomb proof.What more could you ask for ? I would challange any company to do better.I recomend this SMI without any doubts.

This review sounds to good to be true but I speak as I find.

I did a lot of research for my kitchen worktops and spoke to alot of companies, I finaly decided to go with SMI and was not disapointed. Great Product, Excellent value, Very Happy with speed of service. Excellent packing. Very safe delivery. Good communication. I would not hesitate to recomend this company.