I'm in the market for a wood insert (my first). After researching it quite a bit I've narrowed down my choices to 2 or 3 models. The problem I'm running into now is that the local distributors for these models don't keep them on display. Looks like if want to actually see them I'm going to have to drive 80 to 100 miles to other towns. But I'm not sure what else to do. I'm very reluctant to order one until I've actually seen it, especially since I'm still deciding between several. Is this typical of how these are purchased? Do manufacturers expect people to buy a $2000 to $3000 stove, sight unseen, based only catalog pictures, if the distributor doesn't keep them on display?
Expected to buy sight unseen?
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SteveKG
Minister of Fire
Your dilemma is not so uncommon. Stoves are high-priced goods, in most cases, and many retailers do not keep examples of every model on hand. Or, that is my experience. We just last week received a stove we bought that came from England. It was a pile of money, but after lots of research, we sprang for it. No chance to see one. Sometimes one has to go on that: what the research showed. I don't have any suggestions other than that. And I am a "hands on" guy, I like to see and touch and fool with something first. I just had to go on instinct.
One thing you can do is to post questions about any make/model in which you become interested here on the forum. You will get others' opinions, of course, but there will often be some really solid info, experiences good and bad, etc. Worth a try. Include the use you have for the stove, the size of the house and its particulars, and anything else you can think of. Also, your level of experience with stove use.
One thing you can do is to post questions about any make/model in which you become interested here on the forum. You will get others' opinions, of course, but there will often be some really solid info, experiences good and bad, etc. Worth a try. Include the use you have for the stove, the size of the house and its particulars, and anything else you can think of. Also, your level of experience with stove use.
Cal-MI
New Member
My local dealer does not keep inserts on display, only keeps stand-alone stoves on the display floor. The inserts look unattractive with their guts exposed, he says.
Thanks for the feedback. I'm sure this is common, and I can see it both ways. I was surprised at how many different makes and models there are of wood stoves/inserts when I first started looking in to this (seems like everyone and their brother makes a wood stove!). So I can see how it would be unrealistic to expect a dealer to have every model they represent on display. But on the other hand, if not on display that forces the customer into either having to buy sight unseen or having to travel long distances where it is on display. I guess there's no easy answer.
The models I'm interested in are the Vermont Castings Merrimack and Montpelier, the Quadra-Fire Voyaguer (new model), and the Jotul 450,550. There are already a number of good threads on these (with maybe the exception of the Voyaguer, since it's new), so I'm not sure I need to start more. In general they all appear to be quality products. However, this unit will be going in a living room (installed in a 38"Wx26"H fireplace) and so ascetics are important as well as a large viewing area (for the "ambiance"). Hence the desire to see these first hand. Is it reasonable to ask a dealer if they can get one in their showroom?
The models I'm interested in are the Vermont Castings Merrimack and Montpelier, the Quadra-Fire Voyaguer (new model), and the Jotul 450,550. There are already a number of good threads on these (with maybe the exception of the Voyaguer, since it's new), so I'm not sure I need to start more. In general they all appear to be quality products. However, this unit will be going in a living room (installed in a 38"Wx26"H fireplace) and so ascetics are important as well as a large viewing area (for the "ambiance"). Hence the desire to see these first hand. Is it reasonable to ask a dealer if they can get one in their showroom?
btuser
Minister of Fire
To expect them to carry all or even a majority would be hard. Its not like a car dealership that only sells one manufacturer.
VCBurner
Minister of Fire
Wow PK, that's too bad! I'd have a hard time buying something I never saw also. That's such a big part of the decision especially for something that's going to stare you in the face all the time. I've seen the Montpelier and the Jotuls and as far as looks the Montpelier takes the cake with the ornate cast iron surrounds. There's a local stove shop with a ton of surrouds on display they are all in fake fireplaces against the exterior walls and the freestanding stoves are in the middle of the showroom floor. The place is pretty impressive. Good luck!
Backwoods Savage
Minister of Fire
One option would be to ask the dealer to find someone who already has one of the stoves you are looking at and perhaps set up a meeting with the people so you can see it and also be able to ask them questions.
As for buying sight unseen, we did that without hardly thinking about it. However, we did some homework and were about ready to pull the plug but then got hooked up with some folks who owned one of these stoves. We set up a meeting and got to ask questions and the people were great as they told us of things that we did not know about the company. After this meeting we decided to make the purchase. We did it in March. We received the stove and did not even uncrate it until September when we installed it. So we bought sight unseen and never saw the stove until 6 months later. I'm not sure I'd do this with all companies but several I would not be afraid to. Woodstock is no doubt the best simply because of their great guarantee. If we weren't happy with our stove we could have shipped it back for a full refund.
As for buying sight unseen, we did that without hardly thinking about it. However, we did some homework and were about ready to pull the plug but then got hooked up with some folks who owned one of these stoves. We set up a meeting and got to ask questions and the people were great as they told us of things that we did not know about the company. After this meeting we decided to make the purchase. We did it in March. We received the stove and did not even uncrate it until September when we installed it. So we bought sight unseen and never saw the stove until 6 months later. I'm not sure I'd do this with all companies but several I would not be afraid to. Woodstock is no doubt the best simply because of their great guarantee. If we weren't happy with our stove we could have shipped it back for a full refund.
Thanks for the feedback VCBurner. I like the looks of the Montpelier also (at least based on catalog pics), and lam eaning towards it or the QF Voyaguer (which looks very similar). There's a shop not too far that I just found out has the Montpelier. So I'm going to try to look at it tomorrow. The Voyaguer is the tough one. The one Quada-Fire dealer in town doesn't have it, and the next closest one is 80 miles (and may not have it either)! I haven't been able to find anyone with the Merrimack either. The same dealer just installed one but doesn't have it on display. I asked if their customer might allow me to come by and take a look, and they are going to check, but I'm not holding my breath (it would be a lot to ask).
Backwoods Savage said:
Backwoods Savage, How did you arrange this? Did the dealer set this up? That sounds like it was ideal, as you were able to get some good feedback on the stove and dealer, as well as being able to see it. Hopefully, my dealer will come thru on setting me up with the Merrimack customer. We'll see!
DanCorcoran
Minister of Fire
You could also decide which one you really like, based on photos and specs. Then drive to see that one, only to disqualify it if you DON'T like it. With a little luck, you might be able to check out your second choice on the same trip. Eighty miles is usually only 1 1/2 hours...have a nice meal, enjoy the scenery.
DanCorcoran said:
Agreed! This is an investment. I don't get out very much so doing this sort of "research" if it meant the wife and I had to go out a few times for dinner in a out of the way town to check out an investment that will keep us warm for more than a decade, yea, i'd spend the gas and time.
pen
My wife and I did buy a Jotul 550 sight unseen. The dealer said it would work after coming to our house. He was right it heats our house completely. Did I have worries ordering it sight unseen: of course but much research said it would be fine, ask on the forum about each stove you are looking at and study the answers. It is not rocket science just good shopping technique.
fredarm
Minister of Fire
pkelecy said:
Until Dennis gets back, I'll just note that Woodstock does not sell through dealers, just direct to the consumer. People install their own or have a sweep do it. The 6-month return policy means if you don't like it you can send it back.
Cal-MI
New Member
We bought a Jotul C450 a year ago after looking at the catalog pictures. I would not recommend anyone installing it themselves, as it weighs 445 pounds (!) and requires special equipment to move it. It has a beautiful and simple cast iron surround. However, I wish I had bought the larger 460 as mine only takers 20 inch long wood. I would have had to chisel a quarter inch notch into the brick of my fireplace to fit the larger stove, but I now believe it would have been worth that effort.
Backwoods Savage
Minister of Fire
I feel for you. My local dealer is supposedly a dealer of the stove I got, but had no info on it, none on the floor, etc. Quoted the same MSRP as everyone else though. I was in a hurry anyway so I bought it from a dealer an hour away who had it in stock, he had two similar stoves on display (freedom insert and Endeavor freestanding) and he just went ahead and loaded it on the truck for us. I pretty much knew what I wanted but it's hard to feel a dealer who doesn't have a single similar stove in the store will be very good on supporting it either.
FyreBug
Minister of Fire
+1 on all the comments here.
However, being a dealer is not an easy task to keep enough models on the floor. Especially in this bad economy sales have dropped quite a bit and the expense of carrying inventory is the difference between survival and closing shop.
You will find most dealers have to carry one line of plate stoves/inserts (typically 2 or more), one cast iron line and another premium line with stone/european look. they also have to carry pellet appliances and Zero Clearance fireplaces. They only have so much showroom space and have to determine what will sell on their floor.
Most dealers will work with you if the particular model you are looking for is not in their inventory. If you like their approach & personality and you trust they will do right by you, you may want to give them the opportunity to work with you.
However, being a dealer is not an easy task to keep enough models on the floor. Especially in this bad economy sales have dropped quite a bit and the expense of carrying inventory is the difference between survival and closing shop.
You will find most dealers have to carry one line of plate stoves/inserts (typically 2 or more), one cast iron line and another premium line with stone/european look. they also have to carry pellet appliances and Zero Clearance fireplaces. They only have so much showroom space and have to determine what will sell on their floor.
Most dealers will work with you if the particular model you are looking for is not in their inventory. If you like their approach & personality and you trust they will do right by you, you may want to give them the opportunity to work with you.
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