When to buy a pellet stove

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fuelstart

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Mar 31, 2008
13
Dudley, MA
www.fuelstart.com
Since we are heading into the summer now when is the best time to get a pellet stove for the best deals? Just went yesterday to look at the mt vernon ae and the sales guy said the prices were good until next week. I'm assuming that means they are going down next week since we are heading out of the cold season. Does anyone have experience with when prices are best?
 
I wouldn't assume the price will go down. People tend to install stoves during the warm months. That's when they have money to spare, since they are not spending money on their heating bill.
 
I would say the best time to buy a stove is right before spring things arrive a the box stores (Lowes, Home Depot, etc.). This is when they want to get floor space for spring items. Stoves that are left at these places go for pretty good deals. These are less fancy brands though. I tried to catch a deal for an extra Englander stove, but missed the sale. I don't know if this is also true at stove shops, however.
I imagine that everyone will be jumping on the bandwagon for stoves and pellets this year as gas and oil prices go crazy. I don't see the prices going down now.
These are just my .02 cent opinions.

nawie
 
Just went to a stove shop today looking at Harman p68 and the owner stated she's never been busier this time of year. I personally know 5 people looking to buy pellet stoves and two that just did purchase pellet stoves. My father is friends with a dealer in another state and he's so busy he doesn't have time to contact everyone that is seeking information on pellet stoves. Guess what I'm trying to say is in my neck of the woods anyway (Adirondack region of NY) the only way to get a discount is to get a floor model that's been burned however my dealer doesn't have any of those left.
 
In mid-April, my stove shop dealer told me that his prices on the Harmans were getting ready to go up about $400 starting May 1st. Didn't ask about his other brands he carries or the reasoning behind it. I agree with the others that say the best time to buy is when winter is turning into spring.
 
I've decided to wait until fall so I don't blow six months of warranty during non use. Told my dealer the other day I would buy it right now if he could hold off installation till fall and he said he could only put it off for a month.
 
About a month ago I asked a Quadrafire dealer (I am now moving toward buying a wood insert) told me not to look for any sales this summer, including any factory sales. After looking around at other brands, and seeing no sales I went to another Quadrafire dealer and as he had two inserts that we like in his stock he offered 10% off without much encouragement...saying that discount applies only to what he has in stock, not an any new order.

With oil going up and up (same for natural gas and propane) I'd expect to see a rush on wood/pellet/corn/coal heating devices and I'd be reluctant to put off buying until the fall. I believe we'll see big price increases in the coming months.
 
I don't think that will be a problem around here as the pellet stove craze is not like it is in the east/northeast. In fact my dealer is selling 1.2 ton pallets for $209 down from $211 last year.
 
Best time to buy from dealers here in Northern Michigan is March. If you intend to go with the stoves from the big box stores you will have to be ready to buy before the end of February. Even in our area they do seasonal clearance EARLY.
 
TiredOfEnergyPrices said:
Since we are heading into the summer now when is the best time to get a pellet stove for the best deals? Just went yesterday to look at the mt vernon ae and the sales guy said the prices were good until next week. I'm assuming that means they are going down next week since we are heading out of the cold season. Does anyone have experience with when prices are best?

The best time to buy is when you are ready. The worst time is peak season (Oct-Jan). If you want to wait a bit because you need more information, don't be pressured. I bought our pellet stove late in August. It was 11 am and 85 degrees already. The stove/spa shop was dead, you could have heard a pin drop. No one was buying hot tubs, too late in the season and it was too hot for anyone to be thinking about winter - except me. We got the insert at about $200 over cost. Two months later people were reporting buying the same insert (Quad 1200i) for $500 more.
 
BeGreen said:
TiredOfEnergyPrices said:
Since we are heading into the summer now when is the best time to get a pellet stove for the best deals? Just went yesterday to look at the mt vernon ae and the sales guy said the prices were good until next week. I'm assuming that means they are going down next week since we are heading out of the cold season. Does anyone have experience with when prices are best?

The best time to buy is when you are ready. The worst time is peak season (Oct-Jan). If you want to wait a bit because you need more information, don't be pressured. I bought our pellet stove late in August. It was 11 am and 85 degrees already. The stove/spa shop was dead, you could have heard a pin drop. No one was buying hot tubs, too late in the season and it was too hot for anyone to be thinking about winter - except me. We got the insert at about $200 over cost. Two months later people were reporting buying the same insert (Quad 1200i) for $500 more.
I bought my 1200i mid-march. One place wanted to completely rob me of all I had. I went home and called a dealer about an hour from here. He quoted me a package deal that had the stove, door, surround...all the accessories that are "extra" and needed for 1995.00. I installed it myself.
 
Got a great deal in early March from home depot: 35% off of the stove and 25% off of the vent kit. Installed it myself for under $1,500 for the stove, vent, hearthpad(homemade), delivery & tax.
 
Love the DIY savings, but getting up on my second story steep roof is out of the question, and working of my the tip/top of my 32 foot extension ladder with a large liner doesn't seem to be an option either...so that adds about $1K to the cost for installation.
 
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