Are Burners So Hot That No Dealers Will Budge From MSRP?

[Woods Dweller]

Yeah, D sounds pretty good to me too.

I understand the market. Boy do I understabd the market. See $7600 above! I just don't think anything should sell for 100% msrp.
Part of the problem, at least in my area, is a lack of competition. Only two Extrodinair dealers in a 50 mile radius from me and one can't sell to me because I'm in the other's market.

 

[Opportunist]

I recently purchased a new stove. I visited no less than six stores and talked to two more on the phone. Most of the stores had their prices at MSRP. If the price was lower than MSRP, the store charged more for installation. The three stores with a comparable product all had comparable pricing one way or another. None of the stores offered a "good deal".

I like to get a "good deal". I actually live to get a good deal. I'm not looking to buy something incredibly cheap or above MSRP. I just like to feel good about the purchase. From start to finish, I can't say that I actually feel good about the purchase. I like the stove. I even like the installer. He was a good person that did a good job. I'll leave it at that.

 

[the_dude]

I'd say you did fantastic if you got the chimney and installation for $1,600. I had a rather messy tear out and install, because much of the lower chase needed to be modified and rebuilt. I spent about what you are, and my stove was half the cost of yours. It sounds to me like you are getting a heck of a deal for the money. I just hope you are able to find stone and mortar that matches. I was unable to find stone to match mine, and my house is only 1 year old. Enjoy your fireplace. At 4.3 cu ft firebox, it should throw some serious heat!

 

[Henz]

I wouldnt say that nobody is willing to deal. Each palce is still competing with each other. and right now everyone is doing well, but hey, they wont be next year, you gotta get it when the gettin is good!

 

[jbroich]

Just back from a local dealer: I was told one lie, told that he wouldn't provide a service I was interested in, and generally made to feel he didn't give a $&*% about my business.

I've been lurking here and learning a lot all summer as I gear up to make a commitment to burn wood this year or next. My finalists for my wood-burning insert are the Travis Industries flush-faced variants (Lopi Dec, FPX Elite 33, etc.) and Jotul c 350/450/550. (Aesthetics matter because I have a beautiful 1923 marble fireplace surround and lovely mantel that I want to be true to.)


So, after long studies I made my first trip to a local dealer today. I saw the FPX insert. The price...ouch...was $3800 for the insert (not installed). He told me that Travis made the only flush insert--not true, of course. Told me Jotuls were bad because they were cast iron. Looked at me like I was weird for wanting the liner insulated, but said they "could" do that. Gave me another "I guess you could do that" look for wanting to hard wire the blower. And to top it all off he told me they won't make a lower block-off plate because they're unnecessary. Told me they only had two let and wouldn't get more until December [don't know if that was a lie, but coming from this charming fellow I have my doubts].

All-in-all, he communicated that I could either agree with his ideas, his price, and his timeline or get out of his store.

Well, you know I wouldn't by from him if he was the only game in town. I get it if dealers don't vary much from MSRP, but...

 

[RedRanger]

Original post--it`s kinda like "shake the head time".. Make hay while the sun shines. so it is with business. If I own a store that sells wood stoves, I am gonna make money while the sun shines. Who knows? Next year there could well be a glut of used or only slightly used inserts or stioves flooding the market.

Wood burning to heat your home is an addiction, or a lifestyle, not gonna suit too many of the wannabees..

 

[jbroich]

I, for one, am coming back to woodburning. My dad had me and my brother hauling firewood from the moment we were old enough to do so. One of my first memories. Had a big old soapstone stove in the house. Dad had a giant steel one in the attached garage heating his shop and half the house.

 

[rfalk]

I bought my Lopi Declaration in June....negotiated a 10% discount (the dealer normally offers in fall)...Iavoided a 6% increase by purchasing early....all installed and ready to go (self install...35' chimney!)

 

[jbroich]

I bought my Lopi Declaration in June....negotiated a 10% discount (the dealer normally offers in fall)...Iavoided a 6% increase by purchasing early....all installed and ready to go (self install...35' chimney!)

Sweet. Congratulations on the Declaration. ...And pulling off the install in a 35' chimney!

 

[Valhalla]

Price is market place dependant. Since demand continues to increase for wood stoves and alike, the asking price will follow the same increasing curve. Material and transportation cost for the manufacturer must be always taken into consideration, as they are in the business for the long haul.

Some retail dealers do not see the big picture of a fair price for the customer, so greed takes over. There are many great stove dealers, but some confuse good business with greed. Try asking for their very best price, as every sale to them counts.

Shop wisely, choose carefully, install safely.

 

[Poult]

When I had my stove installed last week I asked them about sales. He said they have been selling from 2-4 stoves a day all summer long, and that installations are scheduled through November right now. More pellet stoves than wood stoves, but everything is flying out of the store.

I was talking to a wood guy a few weeks ago and he said they haven't taken any new orders since mid-July because they're so backed up. And their prices are going up, too.

I don't really blame anyone for full sales price at this point, it's heading right into the beginning of the season.

 

[ashburner]

Most stoves are sold at approx list price - just the way it is. There are exceptions - BUT, these are usually high volume units like freestanders or inserts, because the dealer can buy them in larger quantities and therefore get a better deal and pass it on.

When it comes to bigger and heavier built-in units, you are doing well if there is no added freight.

All in all, stoves are not like cars or big screen TVs. There may be some price flexibility on certain units at certain times, but they are limited production and hand-built...and require delivery, installation, service, etc....all which work against discounting.

Hi Admin,

I agree with all the things you shared, but also have found that things like playing on consumer sentiment and talking up supply and demand are very much active. I'm in the market for an Equinox right now, and here's my experiences so far:

Retail Store A gave me a quote (stove only) and said it was the best they can do. After doing some research I believe this price to be about 9% under MSRP. Delivery (verbal) quoted at 6-8 weeks in this season.

Retail Store B gave me a quote (stove only) as the MSRP and said their is no wiggle room at all, its the way it is. Delievery (verbal) quoted at 3 weeks, though they were also quick to offer me their floor model.

Quote number 3 is an online discounter who gave me a quote (stove only) at 15.5% below the msrp and this price included power lift gate delivery and shipping. (!) Delivery in writing is available to be made in days.

On my way to visit store B yesterday to see the actual stove I happened to call and talk to an acquaintance that lives in that area. He told me his father had just bought a stove at that very same store (same manufacturer, different model) and wheeled and dealed until they gave him a 10% discount last week. This week (so far) they are not in a discount giving mood. I just emailed them a copy of the online quote (I would like to work with them, nice people) asking if they could match it, but if not, online purchase here I come.

Lest the legal beagles chime in, yes, I know I will have to separately send a check for the 6% sales tax to the state of michigan, since the online purchase will not be taxed!

I think they'll budge in the right circumstances, but they are going to squeeze every penny they can, especially in a hot market (no pun intended) by playing on consumer sentiments.

 

[Valhalla]

The dealer's margin is probably in the 30 to 40% range over dealer cost. Possibly less, so the distributor gets their equal share. Anyone know for sure how wholesale pricing works for stoves?

 

[RedRanger]

The dealer's margin is probably in the 30 to 40% range over dealer cost. Possibly less, so the distributor gets their equal share. Anyone know for sure how wholesale pricing works for stoves?

The profit margin has to be up there. Before I bought my Kodiak, I was looking at the PE pacific because the factory is only 10 miles from my home, and the dealer is only a block from the factory. Well,surprise,suprise,the local dealer charges $200 more than Tom Oyen`s shop next door in Washington State. With the cost to ship the product off the island and across the border you would think the cost should be higher after being shipped to the US? Go figure :roll:


And at that time the canuck buck was on par with the US dollar.

 

[JustWood]

Most stoves are sold at approx list price - just the way it is. There are exceptions - BUT, these are usually high volume units like freestanders or inserts, because the dealer can buy them in larger quantities and therefore get a better deal and pass it on.

When it comes to bigger and heavier built-in units, you are doing well if there is no added freight.

All in all, stoves are not like cars or big screen TVs. There may be some price flexibility on certain units at certain times, but they are limited production and hand-built...and require delivery, installation, service, etc....all which work against discounting.

Hi Admin,

I agree with all the things you shared, but also have found that things like playing on consumer sentiment and talking up supply and demand are very much active. I'm in the market for an Equinox right now, and here's my experiences so far:

Retail Store A gave me a quote (stove only) and said it was the best they can do. After doing some research I believe this price to be about 9% under MSRP. Delivery (verbal) quoted at 6-8 weeks in this season.

Retail Store B gave me a quote (stove only) as the MSRP and said their is no wiggle room at all, its the way it is. Delievery (verbal) quoted at 3 weeks, though they were also quick to offer me their floor model.

Quote number 3 is an online discounter who gave me a quote (stove only) at 15.5% below the msrp and this price included power lift gate delivery and shipping. (!) Delivery in writing is available to be made in days.

On my way to visit store B yesterday to see the actual stove I happened to call and talk to an acquaintance that lives in that area. He told me his father had just bought a stove at that very same store (same manufacturer, different model) and wheeled and dealed until they gave him a 10% discount last week. This week (so far) they are not in a discount giving mood. I just emailed them a copy of the online quote (I would like to work with them, nice people) asking if they could match it, but if not, online purchase here I come.

Lest the legal beagles chime in, yes, I know I will have to separately send a check for the 6% sales tax to the state of michigan, since the online purchase will not be taxed!

I think they'll budge in the right circumstances, but they are going to squeeze every penny they can, especially in a hot market (no pun intended) by playing on consumer sentiments.

Price gouging ,greed, playing on consumer sentiments,,,,, come on guys why don't you just admit you're PO'd about being between a rock and a hard place because you failed to prepare or see high home heating prices coming and you have to pay a little more than a guy who bought his early last spring. If stove prices increased 100% in a matter of months then I guess you would have a legit complaint but from what I have gathered from different posts the increases are more in the 15-30% range. Make your best deal where ever you can and be done with it.

Sales ,service and quality is the name of the game in business and when a businessman masters all three he can name a price that is over and beyond what his competitors charge to a certain extent and still grow his business because customers keep coming back for quality and service.The consumer is in control of price gouging and greed .You the consumer have every right to walk away and NOT buy. If you don't like his price ,buy elsewhere. I gaurantee that if oil remains around $100 there will be more increases before the first of the year due to all the "last minute loosers" looking for a stove just before the snow flys.

 

[STOVEGUY11]

When the Equinox first came out, Hearthstone mis-priced the stove. It came out at MSRP at $3,100, then they went up too like $3400 or $3500 before the increase of this season. Now its sitting at $3900 you may be dealing with someone who has had the stove pryor to all these price increases. I can understand if someone did not want to budge if they didnt have the stove cuz their going to have to pay more for it than the guy that got it when it was $3100 mrsp. The prices have gone up because Hearthstone gets the soapstone from brazil, and the cast from Spain, so they are competing against the Euro.

Also to be a dealer you are not suppose to sell the stoves on the internet, or show prices.

 

[ashburner]

Price gouging ,greed, playing on consumer sentiments,,,,, come on guys why don't you just admit you're PO'd about being between a rock and a hard place because you failed to prepare or see high home heating prices coming and you have to pay a little more than a guy who bought his early last spring. If stove prices increased 100% in a matter of months then I guess you would have a legit complaint but from what I have gathered from different posts the increases are more in the 15-30% range. Make your best deal where ever you can and be done with it.

Sales ,service and quality is the name of the game in business and when a businessman masters all three he can name a price that is over and beyond what his competitors charge to a certain extent and still grow his business because customers keep coming back for quality and service.The consumer is in control of price gouging and greed .You the consumer have every right to walk away and NOT buy. If you don't like his price ,buy elsewhere. I gaurantee that if oil remains around $100 there will be more increases before the first of the year due to all the "last minute loosers" looking for a stove just before the snow flys.

Hmmm.... the thread was starting inquiring about whether others have had the same experience with pricing as the thread starter had. I chimed in with some real-world and recent experiences with three different outlets and what their positions were on the prices they were offering for the product. Not really sure where you got the idea I was PO'ed about the situation. I was simply relating that with a bit of homework one can still find various price points for the same thing.

The only thing that made sense in your first paragraph (in my modest opinion) was for one to make the best deal and be done with it. What or when or how I or anyone else plans for anything is really none of your business, pal. That's just lip without any facts. If your statement of a lack of planning on my part were true, then I how do you account for the fact that I've been out of work (Detroit being what it is) for nearly a year, and still have yet to dip into a penny of savings so far to get by? Perhaps due to a lack of planning? We get by on my wife's income alone, have made the requisite changes in lifestyle and spending habits, and are getting along just fine. Sounds like A LOT of planning, no?

The business aspects you mention in paragraph 2 are also okay for a first year business class, though you have no clue about how the automotive markets in Detroit work, clearly, b/c the only thing that sells here is price. Because this is my only experience for the past 20+ years I can't relate to anything else. The name of the game here is Price, price, price. Period and end of story. If you don't get in with price then you aren't in (and I refer to capital equipment sales here). And then the vendors get beat up to deliver service and quality after the order is awarded.

The reason I mention all this is that it's my decided opinion that this type of business attitude and sentiment has found its way into the ranks of many merchants and service providers here in Michigan as well, which accounts for the wild swings even in things like lawn mowing estimates or roofing replacement costs. . Now again I am not PO'ed, just stating the facts, dude. And I am really REALLY not sure at all where you get off calling people who buy now vs. last April "losers" (and yes, you spelled it wrong). Once again it's none of your business.

What I do get PO'ed about is people that stick their noses where it doesnt belong (like when I should spend my money) and then mouth off without having all their facts together. Chill out, pal.

Cheers!

 

[ashburner]

When the Equinox first came out, Hearthstone mis-priced the stove. It came out at MSRP at $3,100, then they went up too like $3400 or $3500 before the increase of this season. Now its sitting at $3900 you may be dealing with someone who has had the stove pryor to all these price increases. I can understand if someone did not want to budge if they didnt have the stove cuz their going to have to pay more for it than the guy that got it when it was $3100 mrsp. The prices have gone up because Hearthstone gets the soapstone from brazil, and the cast from Spain, so they are competing against the Euro.

Also to be a dealer you are not suppose to sell the stoves on the internet, or show prices.

Thanks Stoveguy11, now this makes sense. Could be that the store I emailed with has inventory and is moving that inventory based on earlier costs. While I happened to find them on the web I can't say whether they have a bricks and mortar retail establishment or not. I simply didn't bother to check into it, as it wasn't a concern to me. They may very well have a store in any of the 50 or Canada as far as I know.

I haven't heard back from outlet B which quoted me the MSRP. When I do that will help tell the tale b/c I know for a fact they have no inventory of the product other than the floor model. And they just got that one.

Trust me, I know all too well the woes of the dollar's weakness to the Euro. It's what forced the corporate decision to shut down the business unit I managed and why I'm just another body in the huge line of Michigan's gainfully unemployed these days.

The online dealer I referred to also indicated they ARE an authorized Hearthstone dealer, and like you say, they do not show prices on the web. One has to contact them to get a quote, which is what I did. :coolsmile:


Cheers!

 

[downeast]

Most stoves are sold at approx list price - just the way it is. There are exceptions - BUT, these are usually high volume units like freestanders or inserts, because the dealer can buy them in larger quantities and therefore get a better deal and pass it on.
When it comes to bigger and heavier built-in units, you are doing well if there is no added freight.
All in all, stoves are not like cars or big screen TVs. There may be some price flexibility on certain units at certain times, but they are limited production and hand-built...and require delivery, installation, service, etc....all which work against discounting.

Hi Admin,
I agree with all the things you shared, but also have found that things like playing on consumer sentiment and talking up supply and demand are very much active. I'm in the market for an Equinox right now, and here's my experiences so far:
Retail Store A gave me a quote (stove only) and said it was the best they can do. After doing some research I believe this price to be about 9% under MSRP. Delivery (verbal) quoted at 6-8 weeks in this season.
Retail Store B gave me a quote (stove only) as the MSRP and said their is no wiggle room at all, its the way it is. Delievery (verbal) quoted at 3 weeks, though they were also quick to offer me their floor model.
Quote number 3 is an online discounter who gave me a quote (stove only) at 15.5% below the msrp and this price included power lift gate delivery and shipping. (!) Delivery in writing is available to be made in days.
On my way to visit store B yesterday to see the actual stove I happened to call and talk to an acquaintance that lives in that area. He told me his father had just bought a stove at that very same store (same manufacturer, different model) and wheeled and dealed until they gave him a 10% discount last week. This week (so far) they are not in a discount giving mood. I just emailed them a copy of the online quote (I would like to work with them, nice people) asking if they could match it, but if not, online purchase here I come.
Lest the legal beagles chime in, yes, I know I will have to separately send a check for the 6% sales tax to the state of michigan, since the online purchase will not be taxed!
I think they'll budge in the right circumstances, but they are going to squeeze every penny they can, especially in a hot market (no pun intended) by playing on consumer sentiments.

Price gouging ,greed, playing on consumer sentiments,,,,, come on guys why don't you just admit you're PO'd about being between a rock and a hard place because you failed to prepare or see high home heating prices coming and you have to pay a little more than a guy who bought his early last spring. If stove prices increased 100% in a matter of months then I guess you would have a legit complaint but from what I have gathered from different posts the increases are more in the 15-30% range. Make your best deal where ever you can and be done with it.

Sales ,service and quality is the name of the game in business and when a businessman masters all three he can name a price that is over and beyond what his competitors charge to a certain extent and still grow his business because customers keep coming back for quality and service.The consumer is in control of price gouging and greed .You the consumer have every right to walk away and NOT buy. If you don't like his price ,buy elsewhere. I gaurantee that if oil remains around $100 there will be more increases before the first of the year due to all the "last minute loosers" looking for a stove just before the snow flys.

Mr. Lee of the Wood Lee's has nailed it. And please, don't get a flame started on the self-made woes of Detroit: both greedy corporate and greedy unions missing the mark for decades on Marketing 101. Both Honda and Toyota make better products in this country and Canada ,without union costs, that sell and perform.

The wood stove business is tiny compared to say high tech. Since the market is small ( the enemy is you Pogo ), margins are small. Don't like the price ? : walk somewhere else. Company goes down, tough: they didn't meet the market needs e.g "Vermont Castings" or whatever permutation name they have today. They took a good name, a well designed and well engineered product line and cheapened it with poor QC and manufacture. In this system you can...or choose not to buy anything. Even in most free markets -e.g. E.U. -choices of goods are dramatically limited compared to what we have in North America. Their political systems by and large, control much more market than here and Canada.

Right now there is a predicted demand for alternative "cheap" (sic) heating. It will not last for long since demand is cyclical.

It's called Capitalism--it's a free market that works. Got a better system ?

 

[ashburner]

Mr. Lee of the Wood Lee's has nailed it. And please, don't get a flame started on the self-made woes of Detroit: both greedy corporate and greedy unions missing the mark for decades on Marketing 101. Both Honda and Toyota make better products in this country and Canada ,without union costs, that sell and perform.

The wood stove business is tiny compared to say high tech. Since the market is small ( the enemy is you Pogo ), margins are small. Don't like the price ? : walk somewhere else. Company goes down, tough: they didn't meet the market needs e.g "Vermont Castings" or whatever permutation name they have today. They took a good name, a well designed and well engineered product line and cheapened it with poor QC and manufacture. In this system you can...or choose not to buy anything. Even in most free markets -e.g. E.U. -choices of goods are dramatically limited compared to what we have in North America. Their political systems by and large, control much more market than here and Canada.

Right now there is a predicted demand for alternative "cheap" (sic) heating. It will not last for long since demand is cyclical.

It's called Capitalism--it's a free market that works. Got a better system ?

I think it's the best system going anywhere in the world. You hit the nail on the head, but ONLY with those portions you boldfaced in your post and with the comments about greedy corporate and greedy union issues. Your VC example is also a prime one in the wood stove industry. We also saw the same thing during the period when AMF owned Harley Davidson and quality and sales when into the toilet. My issue with Mr. Woods response to me was to those areas you did not boldface.

The point of my post was that very same greed you mention (in this area, and in my experiences) has also trickled into the general retail and service establishments. I shared some examples of this which I found while looking at wood stoves that just happen to perfectly describe this. There never was a question that one can go whereever and whenever to get their best deal; I even went on to say in my post that if the local establishment could not meet the 15% price reduction that I would make my purchase from the online outlet.

For those efforts of sharing my findings (which is ALL it was about), I was the one that was flamed, accused of poor planning, waiting until the last second and then crying about it, and being a part of the class of "looser"s (sic) that waited until the winter and were now crying about it. (I did no such thing, incidentally...)

Where the gentleman came up with all that from the examples of competitive pricing I posted I have no idea, but I will tell you this, downeast, I don't accept those types of accusations and slams laying down, either online or in real life.

Please redirect your comments to Mr. Woods in this case. Prior to his chiming in there was no contention or flaming going on. MY posts never do, and besides being new here I am very active on Volvoforums.com. (Note that with my car purchase also, I went for the "best deal" and let my wallet do the talking... it cost a bit more, but is far, far ahead of anything produced locally, and while it is truly unfortunate, I have to look out for my family first.) Feel free to read back on my posts there, guaranteed that with hundreds of posts there is not one flamer.

The ironic thing is, I read back on many of Mr. Woods posts on this forum last evening and the man seems to be a genuinely good and helpful person, so where that flame on me came from yesterday is a double mystery. Having said all that, I do stand my ground. His comments yesterday following my post could have been handled in a much more polite and non-inflammatory manner, and more in keeping with his hundreds of previous posts. 'Nuff said.

ashburner

 

[JAmuso]

We just purchased and had installed our regency I2400. We ended up getting the blower for free as well. Overall paid around 4 for everything (including install) - which considering the demand etc....I'm not too unhappy with. Now just need to get inspection done and break this thing in....

 

[downeast]

I am very active on Volvoforums.com. (Note that with my car purchase also, I went for the "best deal" and let my wallet do the talking... it cost a bit more, but is far, far ahead of anything produced locally, and while it is truly unfortunate, I have to look out for my family first.) Feel free to read back on my posts there, guaranteed that with hundreds of posts there is not one flamer.

ashburner[/quote]

Just a quick point: from real world customer experiences, Volvos are not reliable, expensive to repair, have poor fuel consumption, do NOT have the safety of other cars, and are really Ford. Check out Consumer Reports' car ratings based on user experience. The days of Volvo safety have long past. Some examples of cars that are favored by users over the years for safety AND reliability : Toyota ( most made in the US), Honda ( Marysville, Ohio etc..), Subaru......oh yes, Stihl ( Virginia). It's all in black and white.
But Volvos are chic for the suburban crowd. %-P

 

[Tfin]

I am very active on Volvoforums.com. (Note that with my car purchase also, I went for the "best deal" and let my wallet do the talking... it cost a bit more, but is far, far ahead of anything produced locally, and while it is truly unfortunate, I have to look out for my family first.) Feel free to read back on my posts there, guaranteed that with hundreds of posts there is not one flamer.

ashburner

Just a quick point: from real world customer experiences, Volvos are not reliable, expensive to repair, have poor fuel consumption, do NOT have the safety of other cars, and are really Ford. Check out Consumer Reports' car ratings based on user experience. The days of Volvo safety have long past. Some examples of cars that are favored by users over the years for safety AND reliability : Toyota ( most made in the US), Honda ( Marysville, Ohio etc..), Subaru......oh yes, Stihl ( Virginia). It's all in black and white.
But Volvos are chic for the suburban crowd. %-P[/quote]

That's why I drive a (GM) Saab. One of the highest safety ratings and high customer satisfaction........sorry, off topic.......my bad. :-S

 

[JustWood]

Price gouging ,greed, playing on consumer sentiments,,,,, come on guys why don't you just admit you're PO'd about being between a rock and a hard place because you failed to prepare or see high home heating prices coming and you have to pay a little more than a guy who bought his early last spring. If stove prices increased 100% in a matter of months then I guess you would have a legit complaint but from what I have gathered from different posts the increases are more in the 15-30% range. Make your best deal where ever you can and be done with it.

Sales ,service and quality is the name of the game in business and when a businessman masters all three he can name a price that is over and beyond what his competitors charge to a certain extent and still grow his business because customers keep coming back for quality and service.The consumer is in control of price gouging and greed .You the consumer have every right to walk away and NOT buy. If you don't like his price ,buy elsewhere. I gaurantee that if oil remains around $100 there will be more increases before the first of the year due to all the "last minute loosers" looking for a stove just before the snow flys.

Hmmm.... the thread was starting inquiring about whether others have had the same experience with pricing as the thread starter had. I chimed in with some real-world and recent experiences with three different outlets and what their positions were on the prices they were offering for the product. Not really sure where you got the idea I was PO'ed about the situation. I was simply relating that with a bit of homework one can still find various price points for the same thing.

The only thing that made sense in your first paragraph (in my modest opinion) was for one to make the best deal and be done with it. What or when or how I or anyone else plans for anything is really none of your business, pal. That's just lip without any facts. If your statement of a lack of planning on my part were true, then I how do you account for the fact that I've been out of work (Detroit being what it is) for nearly a year, and still have yet to dip into a penny of savings so far to get by? Perhaps due to a lack of planning? We get by on my wife's income alone, have made the requisite changes in lifestyle and spending habits, and are getting along just fine. Sounds like A LOT of planning, no?

The business aspects you mention in paragraph 2 are also okay for a first year business class, though you have no clue about how the automotive markets in Detroit work, clearly, b/c the only thing that sells here is price. Because this is my only experience for the past 20+ years I can't relate to anything else. The name of the game here is Price, price, price. Period and end of story. If you don't get in with price then you aren't in (and I refer to capital equipment sales here). And then the vendors get beat up to deliver service and quality after the order is awarded.

The reason I mention all this is that it's my decided opinion that this type of business attitude and sentiment has found its way into the ranks of many merchants and service providers here in Michigan as well, which accounts for the wild swings even in things like lawn mowing estimates or roofing replacement costs. . Now again I am not PO'ed, just stating the facts, dude. And I am really REALLY not sure at all where you get off calling people who buy now vs. last April "losers" (and yes, you spelled it wrong). Once again it's none of your business.

What I do get PO'ed about is people that stick their noses where it doesnt belong (like when I should spend my money) and then mouth off without having all their facts together. Chill out, pal.

Cheers!

Dear, Ashburn

YOUR signature is ironic and says it all!
My post wasn't aimed directly at you, if it was I would have started it with Ashburn.
If you read some of my other posts you would notice that this is not the 1st time I have brought this up and frankly I'm a little tired of all the dealer bashing going on over stove and pellet availability,price ,and delivery times.IT IS NOT GREED, PRICE GOUGING OR A BUSINESS ATTITUDE it IS economics 101. Pay now or pay more later!
LOOSER has always been spelled with 2 ZEROS in the middle ! Usually around the middle of November on the day the first snow flakes fall my office recieves well over 100 calls(in one day) from people who need a delivery of wood that day. At that time of year I will have a 2-4 week delivery list. I'm sure stove shops experience the same thing. This is who I refer to as a looser not you, unless you keep procrastinating and dickin' around with the dealer about price and wait till the first snow fall. STOVE DEALER : "Sorry Ashburn we are booked till spring!"

Personally I could care less when you purchase your stove or if you even do at all. I know I'll be warm this winter with lots of exrtra cash in my pocket that didn't go to the oil man.

Your Friend,
Pal

P.S. Today is opening day of "Dealer Basher season". No bag limit or size restrictions.

 

[rickw]

Was at the local stove shop about a month ago- very busy. Asked if they were doing double the normal business and was told no - just about 4x. Don't delay.