Buying a pellet appliance like buying a car? ;) What's with MSRP?

mfglickman · Jan 23, 2012

Hi all,

It's me again. Lots of questions.

I looked at Heatilators this AM (new) and they left me feeling a little cold, no pun intended, next to the Harmans on the floor. They seemed to be a lot more work to clean, and while I could picture one in our family room, DH wants to get one first for our library which is a room with a lot more historic/architectural detail so I'd like something a little more attractive.

I know what the MSRP is for the Heatilator and for Quads because the dealers that I've met have told me, and the Harmans because it's posted. Do people pay the MSRP, or is it possible to shop around, say, a Harman or a Quad at different dealers in the same region and get a different price? By different I mean significantly so...and I'm not going out of area, but there are 4-5 dealers within 30-60 minutes of me and I want to know if I need to visit them all and try to talk a price down or if it is what it is. Make sense?

Also there's a local dealer who sells Enviro - I like the look of the Empress but does anyone have a sense of the retail on those?

I've found an installer who seems great, and he says he can guide me to buying the right flue kits etc. for less than the dealer costs (he's probably here on this board for all I know lol). But I need to find the stove.

Thanks again!

Mary

John97 · Jan 23, 2012

In all of my shopping efforts visiting multiple dealers, I found minimal differences in the base cost of the stove. The biggest differences were in the costs for installation and options.

tigerjeb · Jan 23, 2012

Not sure what Heatilator you were checking out, but prices definitely vary on at least the Heatilator Eco Choice CAB 50 model. I paid $1000 (retail $1100) in Michigan as of last weekend, but I have seen them advertised (and mentioned here) for $1600-$1700. The CAB 50 is an easy cleaner. 25 minutes for the weekly, 45-60 mins for the whole shot, and that is with a corner install with the minimum clearances. For the stove, pipe/hardware, and pellets, I will come out ahead after my first heating season compared to the fuel oil that we ran last year.

mfglickman · Jan 23, 2012

tigerjeb said:
Not sure what Heatilator you were checking out, but prices definitely vary on at least the Heatilator Eco Choice CAB 50 model. I paid $1000 (retail $1100) in Michigan as of last weekend, but I have seen them advertised (and mentioned here) for $1600-$1700. The CAB 50 is an easy cleaner. 25 minutes for the weekly, 45-60 mins for the whole shot, and that is with a corner install with the minimum clearances. For the stove, pipe/hardware, and pellets, I will come out ahead after my first heating season compared to the fuel oil that we ran last year.

I could not see the CAB50 at either dealer. They had the other two, that look alike but one is bigger than the other. Prices at both shops were about 1400 for the smaller and 1800 for the larger of the two. If either of them were 1000 I think I'd be sold...but as is, with the $300 incentives from Quad and Harman bringing some of their stoves down to around 2000-2300 the Heatilator is not that tempting.

So there's no point in trying to negotiate on base price? Will dealers throw in options? Pellets or a thermostat or other?

nailed_nailer · Jan 23, 2012

Call around to different dealers.

I saved about 25% off MSRP
I shopped around. Ended up out of state.
I picked up the stove myself
I installed myself
I purchased Venting online for substantial savings.
I service myself.

All dealer was for me was a loading dock to pick up at.
I'm sure I could have gotten it even cheaper with more looking.

Also, now is not the cheapest time to buy.
Spring is when the retailers usually discount to make room for Summer.

---Nailer---

tigerjeb · Jan 23, 2012

mfglickman said:
tigerjeb said:

Not sure what Heatilator you were checking out, but prices definitely vary on at least the Heatilator Eco Choice CAB 50 model. I paid $1000 (retail $1100) in Michigan as of last weekend, but I have seen them advertised (and mentioned here) for $1600-$1700. The CAB 50 is an easy cleaner. 25 minutes for the weekly, 45-60 mins for the whole shot, and that is with a corner install with the minimum clearances. For the stove, pipe/hardware, and pellets, I will come out ahead after my first heating season compared to the fuel oil that we ran last year.

Click to expand...

I could not see the CAB50 at either dealer. They had the other two, that look alike but one is bigger than the other. Prices at both shops were about 1400 for the smaller and 1800 for the larger of the two. If either of them were 1000 I think I'd be sold...but as is, with the $300 incentives from Quad and Harman bringing some of their stoves down to around 2000-2300 the Heatilator is not that tempting.

So there's no point in trying to negotiate on base price? Will dealers throw in options? Pellets or a thermostat or other?

Again, the only experience I have is with the Heatilator. The thermostat came with the unit. In the mid-Michigan area, they do go on sale at the end of the heating season quite often, but that may only hold true for around here. Wish I could be more helpful, but I am guessing deals and pricing breaks are more of a regional thing.

Lousyweather · Jan 23, 2012

Harman, Heatilator, and Quad are all subsidiaries of HHT, Inc. A dealer can sell at whatever they feel the market will bear, as long as that price does not go below 10% off of MSRP. Anything less than that, and they feel it "cheapens the brand" and the dealer can get in "difficulties" with HHT for doing so......we had this pointed out by HHT recently.......and were reminded that HHT can discontinue the relationship if this is disregarded (we are in the arguably most competitive market for Harman).
The dealer can "sweeten" the deal with throwing in other non-HHT items, such as trim, or pellets, or free pipe, installation, whatever......they cant regulate that, but do seem to want to stick to their guns on the not less than 10% off MSRP issue.

HHT also pushes dealing with a local dealer as well, for warrantee work, etc. Basically, if a unit is bought from a distance, that dealer is supposed to be ready and willing to service any warrantee issues said stove might have. If there is a local dealer, and he didnt sell the stove, HE DOES NOT HAVE TO PROVIDE WARRANTEE SERVICE FOR THE STOVE. So, stoves from a distance might find themselves in a pickle if you need warrantee work. A local dealer may do it, but they dont have to.

joe_pinehill · Jan 23, 2012

When we bought 4 years ago I found shopping around didnt save much on the stove price, but I was able to negotiate the installation price.

krooser · Jan 23, 2012

Find a competent dealer first... then chose a stove.

Pellet stoves are NOT warranted like an automobile... only the SELLING DEALER will service your stove under warranty. Buy from a clueless dealer and you are stuck with poor service until the warranty period ends.

NEVER buy a stove based on looks... you may think your getting Heidi Klum but you may wind up with Rosie O'Donnell. buy based on solid reviews from trusted resources... forget Consumer Reports as they as clueless, too.

No need to buy a high dollar stove like a Harman when as less expensive model will do the same thing (sorry I didn't drink the kool-aid).

Good luck...

1Dtml · Jan 23, 2012

Another important thing to know is if you spend two or more weeks on this forum you will know more than most of the people that sell stoves.
Make it your business to look up the technical manuals on the stoves you are looking at, and make sure that the dealer installs it in the best/near the best configuration for your specific location. Some will hit the "easy button" on the install, or what's cheapest to get the sale, and you should be interested in what's the best install.

1D

silverfox103 · Jan 23, 2012

1Dtml said:
Another important thing to know is if you spend two or more weeks on this forum you will know more than most of the people that sell stoves.
1D

That is a very good point and it is true!

Tom C.

smoke show · Jan 23, 2012

krooser said:
Find a competent dealer first... then chose a stove.

Pellet stoves are NOT warranted like an automobile... only the SELLING DEALER will service your stove under warranty. Buy from a clueless dealer and you are stuck with poor service until the warranty period ends.

NEVER buy a stove based on looks... you may think your getting Heidi Klum but you may wind up with Rosie O'Donnell. buy based on solid reviews from trusted resources... forget Consumer Reports as they as clueless, too.

No need to buy a high dollar stove like a Harman when as less expensive model will do the same thing (sorry I didn't drink the kool-aid).

Good luck...

Agreed.

1Dtml said:
Another important thing to know is if you spend two or more weeks on this forum you will know more than most of the people that sell stoves.
Make it your business to look up the technical manuals on the stoves you are looking at, and make sure that the dealer installs it in the best/near the best configuration for your specific location. Some will hit the "easy button" on the install, or what's cheapest to get the sale, and you should be interested in what's the best install.

1D

Agreed.

rwthomas1 · Jan 24, 2012

The more expensive brands usually are more reliable, more aesthetically pleasing, etc. If the dealer has a clue, since there is a warranty, and they will be working on the stove if there are any issues, you might as well try to choose a good dealer. My dealer went MSRP less 10% and threw in some extras. They are local, have a good rep, and great service department should I ever need it. You will not get that will a box store stove. Likely you will be servicing it yourself, and cheaper stoves appear to need more frequent attention. I wanted as few problems as I could get, I didn't need another machine to fiddle with, yes it was expensive but I hope that that pays back in less headaches. I had it, so I spent it, but I understand those that don't and have to make tougher choices. As always, yo pays yo money and takes yo chances..... RT

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Buying a pellet appliance like buying a car? ;) What's with MSRP?

mfglickman

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John97

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tigerjeb

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mfglickman

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