Regency Warranty?

[bholler]

Regency’s owner’s manual maintenance procedures do NOT mention inspecting the welds. But now Regency and their supporters think material defects that weren’t adequately addressed by quality control and clearly defined procedures in the owner’s manuals are the responsibility and financial burden of their customers?

Inspection of the interior of the firebox should be normal practice for anyone servicing a woodstove.

Regency is honoring their warranty as written. I think the labor cost is absurd without question. And if your dealer won't work with you on that call regency to see if they can pressure them.

 

[creek chub]

Inspection of the interior of the firebox should be normal practice for anyone servicing a woodstove.

Regency is honoring their warranty as written. I think the labor cost is absurd without question. And if your dealer won't work with you on that call regency to see if they can pressure them.

I gladly pay good money each year to have my regency insert inspected by sweeps like you and place high value on their competence given the potential fire hazards associated with wood burning appliances where my daughters and wife sleep each night.

Regency dropped the ball by not clearly and explicitly stating to inspect the welds in the owner’s manual. They went to great lengths to define other annual maintenance and inspection procedures, which I followed to a T. Had they put inspect the welds on a daily, weekly, monthly or semi annual basis or at least mentioned a frequency and I failed to so, I wouldn’t be having this conversation because I clearly would be guilty of not following the procedures. While inspecting the firebox might seem like common sense to you given your occupation, the average homeowner simply lacks your expertise to assume that that’s the right thing to do.

This is either an oversight by regency or it’s a calculated deliberate decision in regards to the reported known issues with the welds.

I respectfully disagree that they are honoring the warranty. A company can’t, or shouldn’t place restrictions on warranties and not define proactive inspection / maintenance procedures for consumers to adhere to.

The ball is in regency’s court now. Hopefully, they do the right thing.

 

[bholler]

I gladly pay good money each year to have my regency insert inspected by sweeps like you and place high value on their competence given the potential fire hazards associated with wood burning appliances where my daughters and wife sleep each night.

Regency dropped the ball by not clearly and explicitly stating to inspect the welds in the owner’s manual. They went to great lengths to define other annual maintenance and inspection procedures, which I followed to a T. Had they put inspect the welds on a daily, weekly, monthly or semi annual basis or at least mentioned a frequency and I failed to so, I wouldn’t be having this conversation because I clearly would be guilty of not following the procedures. While inspecting the firebox might seem like common sense to you given your occupation, the average homeowner simply lacks your expertise to assume that that’s the right thing to do.

This is either an oversight by regency or it’s a calculated deliberate decision in regards to the reported known issues with the welds.

I respectfully disagree that they are honoring the warranty. A company can’t, or shouldn’t place restrictions on warranties and not define proactive inspection / maintenance procedures for consumers to adhere to.

The ball is in regency’s court now. Hopefully, they do the right thing.

The issue with the welds (which btw spans across just about all brands of tube stoves of that generation) wasn't known when that warranty was written. So there is no way it could be a deliberate omission based on the at that point unknown issue.

They already did the right thing and honored their warranty.

 

[creek chub]

The issue with the welds (which btw spans across just about all brands of tube stoves of that generation) wasn't known when that warranty was written. So there is no way it could be a deliberate omission based on the at that point unknown issue.

They already did the right thing and honored their warranty.

I, and probably hundreds of other homeowners properly registered their inserts with Regency. Regency had my contact information but failed to contact me once the manufacturer defect issue with the welds was identified. However, they chose not to contact me so that I could have adequately visually inspected the welds to their defined frequency. Regency could have easily emailed a revised owner manual or a simply written statement to monitor the welds, especially nearing the point where they wouldn’t cover the labor costs. Or they could have contacted the dealer to send out notifications. Either way, neither Regency or the dealer contacted me about this issue.

Again, regency knew they had a known manufacturing problem but failed to communicate this issue to their customers. Automakers recall vehicles all the time once manufacturer defects are discovered because they know it’s a train wreck to cover these things up financially and from a LR standpoint. I have personally been contact by my vehicle manufacturer to take two vehicles back to the dealer to get a part replaced, at NO COST to me though, unlike Regency’s policy.

I still respectfully disagree that they have done the right thing, at least to this point but maybe they will.

For what it’s worth, I posed a generic question about this topic without naming regency on a legal forum. I got multiple responses, that should there be property damage or personal injury due to a known factory defect, like regency has, with no specified maintenance/inspection procedures on the welds and no proactive communication from either regency and the dealers, it would likely results in lawsuits that aren’t too defensible by regency and pose a huge financial liability. That’s not my area of expertise but glad it’s not my problem to defend.

 

[bholler]

To be clear this isn't that common of an issue really. And it isn't a safety issue either. If left alone eventually it will effect performance. But I have only had this happen to 2 stoves that I am aware of. It was much more common on quad and lopi stoves.

 

[Supersurvey]

Do you have any other Regency dealers nearby who you could get an install price from?

 

[creek chub]

Do you have any other Regency dealers nearby who you could get an install price from?

Do you have any other Regency dealers nearby who you could get an install price from

Yes, and I have a call into them for a quote

 

[creek chub]

To be clear this isn't that common of an issue really. And it isn't a safety issue either. If left alone eventually it will effect performance. But I have only had this happen to 2 stoves that I am aware of. It was much more common on quad and lopi stoves.

That’s odd, I used the search function on this forum with the words “regency cracked welds” I quit counting the results after 12. So counting the two cracked Regency units you’ve seen, the 12+ posts on this forum and the multiple reviews about cracked welds on Regency’s own website, it sure seems to be pretty common manufacturer defect here lately for some reason.

I’m glad I don’t earn my living making, selling or installing regency products right now.

 

[stoveliker]

Yes, but there is selection bias: would you have Posted here if all had been hunky dory? People come here when things are going wrong.

 

[d.sebens]

You also keep referencing auto makers. That’s the one area that provides great warranty. You buy electronics with 90 day warranties, atvs are one year warranties. I think boats are similar. Houses come with no warranty unless you buy one. I understand the frustration but it has been stated the dealer is overcharging on their services. I’m sure this wouldn’t sting as bad if a dealer said it would be $250 to install it since labor isn’t covered any more. It has been stated that your problem lies with the dealer.

Also if you don’t understand what to inspect on your stove that’sokay. That’s why you call experienced service men to clean and inspect. If you have had them always clean and inspect you could try to make a point that they should of caught it.

Regency seems to have great reputation and they are holding up their stated terms. Nothing not nothing less. They aren’t screwing you. It’s right in your owners manual.

 

[creek chub]

Yes, but there is selection bias: would you have Posted here if all had been hunky dory? People come here when things are going wrong.

Wrong term but I think I get what you are trying to say. I refer from posting on any forums in general other than to ask for help and suggestions. But to answer your question, I have personally recommended regency products prior to my recent issue with Regency. In fact my brother bought the exact same insert. He’s now gonna be inspecting his welds even though the owners manual doesn’t say to do that so he doesn’t end up getting screwed by regency and the dealer like I did, hopefully

 

[creek chub]

You also keep referencing auto makers. That’s the one area that provides great warranty. You buy electronics with 90 day warranties, atvs are one year warranties. I think boats are similar. Houses come with no warranty unless you buy one. I understand the frustration but it has been stated the dealer is overcharging on their services. I’m sure this wouldn’t sting as bad if a dealer said it would be $250 to install it since labor isn’t covered any more. It has been stated that your problem lies with the dealer.

Also if you don’t understand what to inspect on your stove that’sokay. That’s why you call experienced service men to clean and inspect. If you have had them always clean and inspect you could try to make a point that they should of caught it.

Regency seems to have great reputation and they are holding up their stated terms. Nothing not nothing less. They aren’t screwing you. It’s right in your owners manual.

Tell me what page it says to inspect the welds in the owner’s manual. But to your point, it’s more about the principle than the money.

 

[bholler]

That’s odd, I used the search function on this forum with the words “regency cracked welds” I quit counting the results after 12. So counting the two cracked Regency units you’ve seen, the 12+ posts on this forum and the multiple reviews about cracked welds on Regency’s own website, it sure seems to be pretty common manufacturer defect here lately for some reason.

I’m glad I don’t earn my living making, selling or installing regency products right now.

You are reading way more into this than is there.

And no I don't make My living selling or installing regency products. That is a very small part of my business

 

[d.sebens]

Tell me what page it says to inspect the welds in the owner’s manual. But to your point, it’s more about the principle than the money.

Your principal is stated right in your owners manual in the warranty coverage. It’s not required for them to goodwill you extra coverage. Bholler even mentioned to contact regency to tell them about the install cost being so high. It’s not their fault. They also don’t tell you to preventative check every screw in there. Inspection is implied that you will inspect the general construction of the component.

What about asking for advice on fixing the stove. Made someone familiar knows how you could fix the stove you have which could solve the problem.

 

[bholler]

I have a regency insert. Great heat output but there are known quality issues. Mine is out of service now and I’m going through the warranty replacement process with no known replacement date and I have to pay for the installation of a known regency quality issue since the firebox welds broke slightly over the warranty date that included labor. Good luck if you choose Regency

Why is it out of service? The small cracks you have in the manifold are not a safety issue and never will be. And at this point will not effect performance at all. Keep burning untill you get the free replacement under warranty.

 

[creek chub]

My chimney sweep said not to burn the unit. There are multiple cracks in the firebox’s welds. Out of an abundance of caution, I’ll take the advice his advice. He’s not loyal to any manufacturer, just his customers.

 

[bholler]

My chimney sweep said not to burn the unit. There are multiple cracks in the firebox’s welds. Out of an abundance of caution, I’ll take the advice his advice. He’s not loyal to any manufacturer, just his customers.

Are there cracks in the firebox welds or in the welds of the air manifold that you showed before?

Those are 2 very different things. One is a safety issue one absolutely is not.

 

[creek chub]

Are there cracks in the firebox welds or in the welds of the air manifold that you showed before?

Those are 2 very different things. One is a safety issue one absolutely is not.

The cracks are in the firebox welds.

 

[bholler]

The cracks are in the firebox welds.

Ok that is a completely different story what you showed pictures of was the secondary air manifold. Which I have seen before and while it should be replaced poses no safety risk. Cracks in the actual firebox welds is very uncommon and absolutely is a safety risk.

 

[bholler]

Actually I am sorry I looked back through and I didn't see any pictures you posted. I must have been confusing you with a different poster.

 

[creek chub]

Actually I am sorry I looked back through and I didn't see any pictures you posted. I must have been confusing you with a different poster.

I appreciate it. I was gonna tell you I didn’t post pictures but I’m honestly done with this whole fiasco since it appears I’m stuck between regency and my dealer for a solution.

 

[bholler]

So where are the cracks?

 

[creek chub]

So where are the cracks?

I’m the firebox

 

[bholler]

I’m the firebox

Ok are the cracks in the secondary air manifold inside the firebox? Or actual cracked firebox welds? If they are the welds in the manifold that is not a safety issue at all.

 

[creek chub]

Ok are the cracks in the secondary air manifold inside the firebox? Or actual cracked firebox welds? If they are the welds in the manifold that is not a safety issue at all.

Multiple cracked firebox welds