I placed an order on pellet stove back in late May just before the big rush was well known. The stove was a Lopi and I put down the required deposit. I agreed to have the dealer do the install and a site visit was scheduled. As it was explained, the order would be placed and the stove would arrive within 7 - 10 days.
Understandably the stove market had since exploded.
When I called looking for an update (I never did receive a receipt of my credit card being billed) I could never get the same answer from the company. End of June. End of August back to beginning of July, etc.
When the stove when came and did the site visit it then became even more vague - September - October "that's all I can tell you". When I asked why my stove was not ordered until June 19th nearly three weeks after I put down my deposit, there was no explanation only September - October.
When I asked how soon after the stove arrives will it be installed, I was met with a not so confident two weeks. I began to become concerned when the vendor indicated that he needed to update my order by filling out the "new" form since "they changed the bottom".
I cannot say I was getting a good vibe from this vendor as he sat at my kitchen table.
When my wife came into the room and inquired some of the same things i had previously been inquiring about (not getting any real answer either) he became very distraught and "offer" to return our money. We were not (and still do not) want to cancel the order for the stove.
That did not matter even as I explained we wanted to keep the order just get some assurance of when we might see the stove. First June, soon October, what was next December?
It did not matter he became angry and took our order from scribbled over it "ISSUE CREDIT" put it on our table and left.
The sad part is that he is the owner of the company so even thought I got my money back I lost my place in line. We were spending extra money and starting early to get the stove we want and we really believe in the product and technology.
Needles to say I did not sleep well and search for other vendors, but mostly I was interested in Harman, Quadrafire and Lopi, so I knew the pickings were going to be slim and I was going to be at the end of the line. All I read about in the middle of the night was how Harman was asking vendors not to take any more orders until they get caught up.
I had several vendors reply to my e-mails stating the same thing.
I located a dealer not far form me and they actually answered their phone when I called at 5:45 am in the morning. They had order some Avalon Arbors which I really like (pretty much the cousin to the Lopi Leyden which I had ordered).
I promptly drove down to their shop an hour away and placed my order. I was told it would be in end of September or first week of October. not too far from my position the night before, but at least i was dealer with a dealer who would give me an answer and seemed inclined to care about telling me something.
My faith had been restored in the process, but unfortunately I know have to hold my breath until October. So much for getting started early. All the first dealer did was cause me to lose a month on my order and a nights worth of sleep, not to mention nearly my faith in the industry.
I am hopefully optimistic it my phone will ring and I will receive the news it is hear.
I can't help but feel like this dealer has made all kinds of promises he cannot keep and know is trying to get out of certain orders. I would not be surprised if he resold "my" stove at a higher price.
The saddest part is how he boasted of being very close to the CEO's of the major stove companies. if only they know how he was giving them a bad name. Lucky for them Avalon and Lopi are both by Travis Industries.
Anybody else have a similar experience.
I should have checked with the Better Business Bureau before engaging the first dealer not after. Not surprisingly the BBB has revoked their accreditation.
I wont sink as low this this original dealer and call him out by his name. I have too much respect for the many dealers who seemingly post and offer valuable insight on this forum. he was pretty proud of how he has been in the business for 24 years. I wonder if this is what he has also was done or of the craze is just that - a craze.
A word of caution be careful. This was a pretty well know dealer in my area.
Happy heating.
It will be cold in southern Maine Soon.
Understandably the stove market had since exploded.
When I called looking for an update (I never did receive a receipt of my credit card being billed) I could never get the same answer from the company. End of June. End of August back to beginning of July, etc.
When the stove when came and did the site visit it then became even more vague - September - October "that's all I can tell you". When I asked why my stove was not ordered until June 19th nearly three weeks after I put down my deposit, there was no explanation only September - October.
When I asked how soon after the stove arrives will it be installed, I was met with a not so confident two weeks. I began to become concerned when the vendor indicated that he needed to update my order by filling out the "new" form since "they changed the bottom".
I cannot say I was getting a good vibe from this vendor as he sat at my kitchen table.
When my wife came into the room and inquired some of the same things i had previously been inquiring about (not getting any real answer either) he became very distraught and "offer" to return our money. We were not (and still do not) want to cancel the order for the stove.
That did not matter even as I explained we wanted to keep the order just get some assurance of when we might see the stove. First June, soon October, what was next December?
It did not matter he became angry and took our order from scribbled over it "ISSUE CREDIT" put it on our table and left.
The sad part is that he is the owner of the company so even thought I got my money back I lost my place in line. We were spending extra money and starting early to get the stove we want and we really believe in the product and technology.
Needles to say I did not sleep well and search for other vendors, but mostly I was interested in Harman, Quadrafire and Lopi, so I knew the pickings were going to be slim and I was going to be at the end of the line. All I read about in the middle of the night was how Harman was asking vendors not to take any more orders until they get caught up.
I had several vendors reply to my e-mails stating the same thing.
I located a dealer not far form me and they actually answered their phone when I called at 5:45 am in the morning. They had order some Avalon Arbors which I really like (pretty much the cousin to the Lopi Leyden which I had ordered).
I promptly drove down to their shop an hour away and placed my order. I was told it would be in end of September or first week of October. not too far from my position the night before, but at least i was dealer with a dealer who would give me an answer and seemed inclined to care about telling me something.
My faith had been restored in the process, but unfortunately I know have to hold my breath until October. So much for getting started early. All the first dealer did was cause me to lose a month on my order and a nights worth of sleep, not to mention nearly my faith in the industry.
I am hopefully optimistic it my phone will ring and I will receive the news it is hear.
I can't help but feel like this dealer has made all kinds of promises he cannot keep and know is trying to get out of certain orders. I would not be surprised if he resold "my" stove at a higher price.
The saddest part is how he boasted of being very close to the CEO's of the major stove companies. if only they know how he was giving them a bad name. Lucky for them Avalon and Lopi are both by Travis Industries.
Anybody else have a similar experience.
I should have checked with the Better Business Bureau before engaging the first dealer not after. Not surprisingly the BBB has revoked their accreditation.
I wont sink as low this this original dealer and call him out by his name. I have too much respect for the many dealers who seemingly post and offer valuable insight on this forum. he was pretty proud of how he has been in the business for 24 years. I wonder if this is what he has also was done or of the craze is just that - a craze.
A word of caution be careful. This was a pretty well know dealer in my area.
Happy heating.
It will be cold in southern Maine Soon.
