Painted? Where are you? What sort of drawer fronts are painted?

Of course it's not acceptable. Who would buy something if it was sold on the basis that 'it will bow and be gappy'.

Thanks macyjean, yep, painted is what he said. it sounded weird and it sure doesn’t match with what I saw in the show room - no gaps in drawers there. you’ve reassured me that the kitchen company is definitely trying to take us for a ride. We’re on the sunshine coast, but the stormclouds are certainly building over this kitchen!

I just thought, if it's solid timber it would be painted. I didn't think many people have solid timber kitchens any more? When we were shopping for a new front door we were warned about certain circumstances that could encourage warping, but 1) a front door is exposed to greater temperature variations, and 2) the tradesman knew about the potential for that and was able to discuss with us in advance what should be avoided. Being told retrospectively 'oh yeah, your new kitchen looks old and dilapidated because' sounds like an excuse, not expertise.

Just to put it out there, one of the most popular finishes in kitchens today is 2 pak polyurethane doors which are "Painted" in a similar fashion to the way a car is. Also the kitchen manufacturer can fix the front to the bottom of the drawer essentially sealing that gap.