We had given much thought to buying things ourselves, either in the UK or in Spain. We have decided to go with MRI because of various points:
1. the choice of furniture does not really matter because we intend to rent (if poss) so it doesn't matter that it might not be to our personal taste, it's functional and will last until we can retire over there and get our own.
2. MRI will be available to oversee the installation of the furniture
3. Should there be any problems with the furniture they are on hand to sort things out (also being able to communicate in Spanish will help enormously)
4. They are able to have a representative available to oversee the changing of the locks after completion (a real must have)
These listed items, among others, would cost us dearly in terms of time, money, and inconvenience and as such they are worth the extra it costs to go with them.
To have an agent, fluent in the local language, to liaise with us and the locals is something we are willing to pay for. Our Spanish is getting better but not quite fluent yet.
Not for everybody I agree, some have the luxury of having the time to spare to oversee things themselves.