Does it work out to buy stoves direct from the factory. Has anyone had good or bad experiences? How many companies only sell their stoves factory direct.
What do you think of companies that only sell Wood Stoves Factory direct like Woodstock Soapstone
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bigredwood said:
I have not yet bought anything, but I am also a customer who is looking.
On factory direct, I would be worried about how far I was from the factory location. The one big thing local dealers have to sell IS local service and knowledge and backup to help make things go right. Remember, you are going to need chimney too. Do the factory direct outfits also sell the chimney?
Now, if you are not near any dealers for any brand stoves that fit your situation, then factory direct may be as good an option as going to a distant dealer.
Just my opinion---like I say, I have not bought anything yet.
BTB
Woodstock stove owners are like Saturn car owners. Fiercely loyal and I have never heard one bad word about the stoves, the company or the service.
Backwoods Savage
Minister of Fire
BrotherBart, perhaps your memory is almost as short as mine, but I doubt it. Not too long ago I was bad-mouthing Woodstock just a bit. Nothing really harsh but some took it that way. Let me add that even though I had my mind made up to not deal with them, because of what the company did to get my business I did end up buying a Fireview which we will be installing hopefully yet this month or next.
I had some of the same concerns as BTB, however, all those concerns went out the door. Right now I have to say this company is nothing short of top notch and they do believe in taking care of their customers. Also, being direct and knowing they are at some disadvantage (comparing locally), they bend over backwards to get you the right items at the right price. Shipping is no problem either.
Conclusion: I have no problem dealing direct with this company and they certainly have done me right.
I had some of the same concerns as BTB, however, all those concerns went out the door. Right now I have to say this company is nothing short of top notch and they do believe in taking care of their customers. Also, being direct and knowing they are at some disadvantage (comparing locally), they bend over backwards to get you the right items at the right price. Shipping is no problem either.
Conclusion: I have no problem dealing direct with this company and they certainly have done me right.
webbie
Seasoned Moderator
Woodstock probably has some of the highest customer satisfaction in the industry. However, if you are the type of customer that wants to place an order, write a check and have your stove be completely installed, you might want to deal local. In other words, buying direct does require a person to be a bit of a General Contractor in order to get their unit delivered and installed. You have to arrange receiving the stove, moving it, installing, etc.
But if those things are within your grasp- and if you like those particular products, you can't go wrong.
But if those things are within your grasp- and if you like those particular products, you can't go wrong.
Backwoods Savage said:
Remember it well Dennis. I just don't place tangling with somebody on the phone before the sale in the same pew with all of the happy people that already own the stoves. If I had only gone with what the idiots at the sales number at England's Stove Works said to me when I called there would have never been one of their stoves within 878 feet of my house. The distance to the property line. Fortunately, even though Mike wasn't on the forum yet, I went with my gut based on the experiences of the people I have known over the last twenty years that owned their stoves. Of course I still got a busted stove but customer service, not sales, took care of it. That is what counts. Just like it sounds like Woodstock would if needed. There is something to be said for not having to deal with a dealer in the middle that is only seeing erosion of the original profit when the manufacturer makes him eat warranty work. Of course that means you are going to do most of that work like I did.
Glad ya got it worked out. I think you are really gonna like that stove.
littlesmokey
Minister of Fire
bigredwood said:
Inspite of the fact no one has welcomed you, WELCOME.
Next who and or what are you trying to compare? There or only a couple of companies that sell direct, but there are more that sell through retailers that are box stores and do not support the stove, or local retailers such as home and garden stores or the friendly hardware store. (Sorry, the comma god overwhelmed me).
If a stove were a perfect machine, it would be great and the source would be only a level of added profit, but that's not true. I think what I would ask is, what kind of support am I going to get for my stove. That support comes in two ways, dealer and manufacturer. It's my opinion some manufacturers make stoves they ship to distributors and the only thing they want to hear back is orders for parts. There are others that will take the call from a customer and get them an answer, the solution, the part or some resolution. IN this industry there are no call centers in Banglelore. Most companies have at least one layer distance from the retailer. It's one thing to have a service staff, but a sales force, PITA.
Some makers force their dealers to resolve all issues, problem is many don't want to compensate the dealer. Others take a passive roll and only let the customer contact the dealer. Some use the dealer as the first line of defense. They usually have complaint lines, and frequently they are complaints about the way the dealer handled the matter........
So, here I am with no answers, but more questions. The issue is real, but only as it relates to insuring your purchase works and works right.
OH, BTW, That dealer, well, there are good ones and bad ones and ones like your ex-uncle Fred. Manufacturers rarely can control what the dealer does.
So, I have ranted on awhile, care to narrow your question, or do you want a definitive answer?
I can end the thread here, I am a direct buyer, mostly because the closest stove store is over a hundred and fifty miles away, and they are not a parts stocking dealer. I buy local and direct. The manufacturer is totally responsible and willing to take my calls, prefers a face to face over coffee, but will take care of all my needs. Don't even have to call, I can walk to his factory. I think he would be upset if I wasn't satisfied, but it's a great stove. Sorry, custom built, after great research, not tested, but the neighbors can't tell I'm home from smoke in the chimney. More often when it's ten degrees and they drive by, no smoke in the house and nothing from the shop, they swing in. Line is, "Just checking to see if you're OK? Your heat working?" We kind of take care of each other.
Broad brush stroke, or can you narrow it down?
Woodstock is a top notch manufacturer probably the best. Their quality level reduces quality control issues. Customer support is also excellent
now if you are the customer that needs hand holding, buying direct may not be for you. If you are not up to the installation task then you need to research
and hire the best installer possibly a chimney sweep. As with any stove detail to venting instalations are as if not more important that the manufacture or model stove
this is not designer and name reconition market. the Venting is the key. Most issues aired out here are not manufactures quality, but poor venting drafting situations or user errors.
like using less than properly seasoned wood..
The question concerning woodstock gets a bit more complicated because they use catylitic combustors. Personally both my stove have Cats and not by accidentt.
Run properly they do extend burn times and burn real clean. It requires a bit more attention to bring the stove up to opperational temps engage the cat like set and forget. Really it becomes easier to opperate But there is a non cat crowd that have very good stoves and that works for them. There are no winners or loosers here in modern stove oppertaions each require
user imput and a learning curb the cat vs non cat debate will occure again I have owned them both and been happy. Most the ccast doubts at cat stoves never owned on and are not qualified to comment but Woodstocks are cat stoves and that fact should be mentioned
now if you are the customer that needs hand holding, buying direct may not be for you. If you are not up to the installation task then you need to research
and hire the best installer possibly a chimney sweep. As with any stove detail to venting instalations are as if not more important that the manufacture or model stove
this is not designer and name reconition market. the Venting is the key. Most issues aired out here are not manufactures quality, but poor venting drafting situations or user errors.
like using less than properly seasoned wood..
The question concerning woodstock gets a bit more complicated because they use catylitic combustors. Personally both my stove have Cats and not by accidentt.
Run properly they do extend burn times and burn real clean. It requires a bit more attention to bring the stove up to opperational temps engage the cat like set and forget. Really it becomes easier to opperate But there is a non cat crowd that have very good stoves and that works for them. There are no winners or loosers here in modern stove oppertaions each require
user imput and a learning curb the cat vs non cat debate will occure again I have owned them both and been happy. Most the ccast doubts at cat stoves never owned on and are not qualified to comment but Woodstocks are cat stoves and that fact should be mentioned
Hi,
I have not had any problems buying direct from the manufacturer. I got a Fireview from Woodstock Soapstone in 2006, was shipped over 1000 miles down to Alpharetta, Ga. with no problems. Was building a new home, so had it delivered to the building supply I was using. My builder used a local hearth dealerto do chimney install. Service was friendly and helpful from Woodstock both before and after sale. I was concerned about dealing with someone so far from home, but my decision was almost solely based from reviews on this site, the reviews posted here about Woodstock have all been true and on point in my experience.
SG
I have not had any problems buying direct from the manufacturer. I got a Fireview from Woodstock Soapstone in 2006, was shipped over 1000 miles down to Alpharetta, Ga. with no problems. Was building a new home, so had it delivered to the building supply I was using. My builder used a local hearth dealerto do chimney install. Service was friendly and helpful from Woodstock both before and after sale. I was concerned about dealing with someone so far from home, but my decision was almost solely based from reviews on this site, the reviews posted here about Woodstock have all been true and on point in my experience.
SG
Gooserider
Mod Emeritus
Woodstock has a great rep, I would have no problem reccomending them, subject to the already mentioned caveat that you need to be able to deal with managing the install yourself, or arranging for it...
The only remote sales deal I'd be seriously worried about is one where you are purchasing outside the standard dealer channel - If a manufacturer normally sells through the local dealer, and you go on E-Pay and get get a "bargain" from some yahoo out in East Backandbeyond, you may have problems if you need any warranty support - the local dealer isn't going to want to help you since he didn't make anything on the initial sale, and the mfgr is going to tell you to go to your dealer...
However if you are dealing with a company that normally sells direct, no problem. Ditto for a company that sells mostly through "big box" stores like Englander, as you will still be dealing with their normal support mechanism.
Gooserider
The only remote sales deal I'd be seriously worried about is one where you are purchasing outside the standard dealer channel - If a manufacturer normally sells through the local dealer, and you go on E-Pay and get get a "bargain" from some yahoo out in East Backandbeyond, you may have problems if you need any warranty support - the local dealer isn't going to want to help you since he didn't make anything on the initial sale, and the mfgr is going to tell you to go to your dealer...
However if you are dealing with a company that normally sells direct, no problem. Ditto for a company that sells mostly through "big box" stores like Englander, as you will still be dealing with their normal support mechanism.
Gooserider
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