need a good dealer

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dyerkutn

Feeling the Heat
Jul 11, 2011
289
Boston NW suburbs
I have been posting on this forum as I try to decide whether to replace my old Dutchwest. Today I learned that I got a $1000 voucher to replace it with an EPA approved stove. I have been looking around the past few weeks--local dealers carry Hearthstone, Lopi, Jotul, VC and Quadrafire. I have considered mid sized Hearthstone and Jotel. Ray Bonz suggested I consider Pacific Energy but the dealers are a bit further away. This forum has been incredibly helpful but eventually I have to talk to the dealers. I am northwest of Boston and wonder if anyone out there has had good experiences with local dealers? I don't mind traveling an hour away but would go further if I knew the people were reliable and honest. I am pretty close to NH.
 
You might add Enviro and Napoleon to your list if that helps with dealer options. Both have a good line of stoves.
 
I suggest you go visit Woodstock. You won't find a better stove. Great people and great customer service too. They sell direct. You can choose your stove and stone for the stove while you are there, if you wish. There is a significant sale on now, lasting til the 29th.
 
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I suggest you go visit Woodstock. You won't find a better stove. Great people and great customer service too. They sell direct. You can choose your stove and stone for the stove while you are there, if you wish. There is a significant sale on now, lasting til the 29th.
Rideau- I am puzzled by this--I have heard others rave about them but they don't deliver, install or service so what makes the customer service so good. it seems complicated to get the stove here and find a reputable installer--and my space is tight so I am worried that without someone coming and looking at the space it will be hard to know how to fit it. Would appreciate your thoughts on this. Also, even with the sale aren't they kind of pricey?
 
Read up on the conditions to get the $1000 rebate. If it requires a dealer install and certification then that is what you need. Woodstock is a good company but you are the servicer.
 
if I am right he is referring to the Mass program for residents, last time they ran it they only funded with like 100K so money went fast, if they are funding again I bet money goes just as fast, have to replace non-epa stove with new epa stove installed and certified by dealer and the non-epa stove has to be destroyed if I understand correct and there are income guidelines also

I am sure someone knows better, roll the dice as you have to be pre-approved first come first serve, 200 or so low income people will get 2K and 101 lucky people will get 1k


http://www.masscec.com/index.cfm/cdid/14170/pid/11159
 
Maybe try a oil burner installer.
Anyone who can legally pull permits and work with an inspector if required.
I certainly can't recommend the #%$holes on Route 6.
 
Rideau- I am puzzled by this--I have heard others rave about them but they don't deliver, install or service so what makes the customer service so good. it seems complicated to get the stove here and find a reputable installer--and my space is tight so I am worried that without someone coming and looking at the space it will be hard to know how to fit it. Would appreciate your thoughts on this. Also, even with the sale aren't they kind of pricey?
First, Woodstock announced about a month ago that they are participating in the program. They have worked it out with the state of Massachusetts, and posted the details on their website. I have no idea about Mass funding of the program, or current availability of funds. I think there's an early deadline for the program if I remember correctly. Certainly, call Woodstock and ask them. They are very accommodating. Also, they will guide you regarding specifics of your situation and install requirements/option vis a vis their stoves, very willingly take as much time as it takes to answer your questions. Have the details of the parameters you are working with readily available when you call, so they can help you.

I did not find it at all complicated to get either stove I got from Woodstock. Installation of the first one was quite willingly, competently and cheerfully done by the install team from a local stove store, HVAC certified (Canada).
Second stove my local building inspector told me just to hook up myself since I was using the same pipe and chimney. Once the stove was set in place and shields installed, etc, took all of five minutes or so to install it.

Woodstock's service is so remarkable, because Monday - Saturday you get the company directly when you call with any questions, and you get senior knowledgeable people who consider it their job to be courteous and helpful to you. They will discuss with you and attempt to help you with absolutely any question related to your wood burning experience, from firewood questions to install questions, to stove operation questions. They will be as responsive in 7 years as they are today before your purchase. Their goal is to keep your stove working well and you happy. Parts are mailed out the day you call, should you ever need parts. Shipping charges are negligible or non-existent. Part prices are remarkably reasonable. The warranty on each new stove is a six month money back guarantee, no questions asked, if for any reason you wish to return the stove. That warranty is often extended to make certain you have enough time burning with the stove to know it works for you: ie, if you do an April install, they'll extend the warranty to December. If you talked with them, they might even extend it to Feb, to give you six months burning. You'd have to work something like that out at purchase time, but rest assured that if they tell you something they will stand by it whether or not you have it in writing.

But the end of the warranty period really does not signal anything other than end of return for full refund including shipping, They will work to keep your stove in perfect working order as long as you, and anyone who purchases it from you, uses the stove. They are great at assisting people in rebuilding older stoves that have been purchased on the open market, providing expert advice, directions, and low cost parts.

Just a great company all round.

Have never heard of anyone who had a problem installing or getting their Woodstock. I'm sure that if you cannot easily find a good installer in your area, Woodstock will have customers near you with whom they can ckeck and get names for you.

The stoves are very high end in quality and materials, and they are not cheap. But you will not run into further expenses with these stoves, and you will have them for your lifetime. They provide a quality of heat that is very hard to convey, but is soul warming. You will find the family lives around the stove. If your budget does not allow for the stove, then it doesn't. If it does, you cannot make a better choice. They are a beautiful addition to your living space, as well as all their other attributes.

You can certainly heat your home on a much lower budget. An Englander is remarkably reasonable in price and people love them.

I do not believe there is much if any difference in price between the Woodstock stoves and the stoves you were originally referencing in you original post.

Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions about my experience with the company or with my stoves or install. I have both a Fireview and a Progress Hybrid.

Woodstock stoves take 6 inch pipe.

Good luck with your stove search. I hope you enjoy the process and end up with a stove you love.
 
if I am right he is referring to the Mass program for residents, last time they ran it they only funded with like 100K so money went fast, if they are funding again I bet money goes just as fast, have to replace non-epa stove with new epa stove installed and certified by dealer and the non-epa stove has to be destroyed if I understand correct and there are income guidelines also

I am sure someone knows better, roll the dice as you have to be pre-approved first come first serve, 200 or so low income people will get 2K and 101 lucky people will get 1k


http://www.masscec.com/index.cfm/cdid/14170/pid/11159
This is correct. This is round II. Round I is all given out. This round is not low-income. I am not low income--There must be a fair number since I got one myself--It is a bit complicated with paperwork and inspections. It is most complicated for the dealers but the dealers around here are willing to do it and have done quite a few. One downside is they have to destroy the old stove--this makes me hesitate. My DutchWest INdia stove works really well given how old it is--it is solid and heats well--I am kind of attached to it--it has kept me warm--but it requires a lot of tending because it is small-this is why I have been looking for advice. Everyone has been very helpful--Most people seem to think I will get more heat with less work if I get a newer stove.
 
First, Woodstock announced about a month ago that they are participating in the program. They have worked it out with the state of Massachusetts, and posted the details on their website. I have no idea about Mass funding of the program, or current availability of funds. I think there's an early deadline for the program if I remember correctly. Certainly, call Woodstock and ask them. They are very accommodating. Also, they will guide you regarding specifics of your situation and install requirements/option vis a vis their stoves, very willingly take as much time as it takes to answer your questions. Have the details of the parameters you are working with readily available when you call, so they can help you.

I did not find it at all complicated to get either stove I got from Woodstock. Installation of the first one was quite willingly, competently and cheerfully done by the install team from a local stove store, HVAC certified (Canada).
Second stove my local building inspector told me just to hook up myself since I was using the same pipe and chimney. Once the stove was set in place and shields installed, etc, took all of five minutes or so to install it.

Woodstock's service is so remarkable, because Monday - Saturday you get the company directly when you call with any questions, and you get senior knowledgeable people who consider it their job to be courteous and helpful to you. They will discuss with you and attempt to help you with absolutely any question related to your wood burning experience, from firewood questions to install questions, to stove operation questions. They will be as responsive in 7 years as they are today before your purchase. Their goal is to keep your stove working well and you happy. Parts are mailed out the day you call, should you ever need parts. Shipping charges are negligible or non-existent. Part prices are remarkably reasonable. The warranty on each new stove is a six month money back guarantee, no questions asked, if for any reason you wish to return the stove. That warranty is often extended to make certain you have enough time burning with the stove to know it works for you: ie, if you do an April install, they'll extend the warranty to December. If you talked with them, they might even extend it to Feb, to give you six months burning. You'd have to work something like that out at purchase time, but rest assured that if they tell you something they will stand by it whether or not you have it in writing.

But the end of the warranty period really does not signal anything other than end of return for full refund including shipping, They will work to keep your stove in perfect working order as long as you, and anyone who purchases it from you, uses the stove. They are great at assisting people in rebuilding older stoves that have been purchased on the open market, providing expert advice, directions, and low cost parts.

Just a great company all round.

Have never heard of anyone who had a problem installing or getting their Woodstock. I'm sure that if you cannot easily find a good installer in your area, Woodstock will have customers near you with whom they can ckeck and get names for you.

The stoves are very high end in quality and materials, and they are not cheap. But you will not run into further expenses with these stoves, and you will have them for your lifetime. They provide a quality of heat that is very hard to convey, but is soul warming. You will find the family lives around the stove. If your budget does not allow for the stove, then it doesn't. If it does, you cannot make a better choice. They are a beautiful addition to your living space, as well as all their other attributes.

You can certainly heat your home on a much lower budget. An Englander is remarkably reasonable in price and people love them.

I do not believe there is much if any difference in price between the Woodstock stoves and the stoves you were originally referencing in you original post.

Feel free to PM me if you have specific questions about my experience with the company or with my stoves or install. I have both a Fireview and a Progress Hybrid.

Woodstock stoves take 6 inch pipe.

Good luck with your stove search. I hope you enjoy the process and end up with a stove you love.

How do I PM? thanks for the offer.
 
One downside is they have to destroy the old stove--this makes me hesitate. My DutchWest INdia stove works really well given how old it is--it is solid and heats well--I am kind of attached to it--it has kept me warm--but it requires a lot of tending because it is small-this is why I have been looking for advice. Everyone has been very helpful--Most people seem to think I will get more heat with less work if I get a newer stove.

Find a junky old stove to trade in.
 
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. . .it seems complicated to get the stove here and find a reputable installer. . .
Basically, you just pay an indie guy to do the install, instead of paying the shop. Some shops use independent installers, so you might end up with the same installer anyhow. Near a population center like Boston, it shouldn't be that much of a problem finding qualified people willing to take your $ to do this job, especially since they shouldn't be too busy in April. Woodstock might know some good installers, since they're semi-local. Maybe start a thread asking for recommended installers in your area. . .

. . .my space is tight so I am worried that without someone coming and looking at the space it will be hard to know how to fit it. . .
Some folks make a cardboard model of the stove to get a better idea of how it will fit their space. A good installer should be willing to come out and double check your clearances, hearth requirement, flue height, etc. Just download a copy of the stove manual for them.

Also, even with the sale aren't they kind of pricey?
Yeah, they're in the high end of the market, but they're very nice.;)

They have refurbs available, occasionally. . .might not qualify for your Mass voucher though.
 
Basically, you just pay an indie guy to do the install, instead of paying the shop. Some shops use independent installers, so you might end up with the same installer anyhow. Near a population center like Boston, it shouldn't be that much of a problem finding qualified people willing to take your $ to do this job, especially since they shouldn't be too busy in April. Woodstock might know some good installers, since they're semi-local. Maybe start a thread asking for recommended installers in your area. . .

Some folks make a cardboard model of the stove to get a better idea of how it will fit their space. A good installer should be willing to come out and double check your clearances, hearth requirement, flue height, etc. Just download a copy of the stove manual for them.


Yeah, they're in the high end of the market, but they're very nice.;)

They have refurbs available, occasionally. . .might not qualify for your Mass voucher though.
Thanks--this is really helpful--making me feel better about it.
 
Thanks--this is really helpful--making me feel better about it.

As BB likes to say:
BrotherBart said:
What it's all about.:)
If you think this is good, wait til you post up pics, measurements, floorplan, and the hearth.com collective supercomputer goes to work on your install analysis. ;)
 
I have been posting on this forum as I try to decide whether to replace my old Dutchwest. Today I learned that I got a $1000 voucher to replace it with an EPA approved stove. I have been looking around the past few weeks--local dealers carry Hearthstone, Lopi, Jotul, VC and Quadrafire. I have considered mid sized Hearthstone and Jotel. Ray Bonz suggested I consider Pacific Energy but the dealers are a bit further away. This forum has been incredibly helpful but eventually I have to talk to the dealers. I am northwest of Boston and wonder if anyone out there has had good experiences with local dealers? I don't mind traveling an hour away but would go further if I knew the people were reliable and honest. I am pretty close to NH.

Give these folks a look, GREAT PEOPLE http://www.en-r-gysaver.com/
Tom
 
I think there's a nice peace of mind knowing you can burn a new stove for 6 months and then return it or get another model if there is any question on what you have purchased,,,no hassles...Woodstock. Return shipping is covered too.. And , they are built beautifully...
 
Yes--actually--there is a Majestic Dealer near me. I wasn't necessarily looking to replace my current one with a new one but I would consider depending on what happens with other stoves I am looking into. I really haven't seen much info on these--a few not so recent reviews on this site but very mixed. Perhaps they are better now. Right now my new big issue is realizing I need a hearth pad for most stoves--this could be a major problem as my space is quite tight--not too tight for rear and side clearance if the pad were not needed but definitely tight for a large raised area.
 
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