Canceled Order, and I am happy about it

[sinnian]

I canceled my order for the Harman PB 105!

Harmon did 3 million worth of orders last weekend, which caught them with their pants down.

As a result, they have no idea of what will be available and when. During the weekend they initially told the retailers to give end of June quote dates. Now dealers are being told that Harman does not really know. My PB 105 could come in next week, next November, or next January.

Needless to say I canceled the order. I was having second thoughts anyway, but was not sure if it was just buyers remorse. Harman dealers sell pellet stoves, not boilers. Plus there are many other reasons which I won't get into here.

Anyway, I am heavily leaning towards the Traeger PB150. They have been at it longer, and people who sell them.... SELL them (boilers). What kept me initially away from them was the hopper size (1 bag less), and no auto ignition = so burning while idle. I have decided I can live with that. I talked with our local Traeger guy here (you know who Rich) for 30 minutes on the phone. I mean this guy has been out straight and he took that much time to talk to me. I liked that.

SO, back to the drawing board so to speak.

~ Jeff

 

[AndrewChurchill]

I picked up my PB105 yesterday. I had to get the floor model since the dealer wasn't sure when he could get a new one. I put a deposit on it in early May and when I went to pick it up yesterday the dealer told me he could have sold it ten times over.

He went on to say that four other people have placed orders for the PB105 but Harman is telling him he won't be receiving them until December.

I am so glad I talked to him early and put a deposit down!

 

[webbie]

I always caution against impulse purchases and lining up for stuff that is in too high of a demand. As I said before, I was thinking of investing 20K or more in PV, until the company told me that they didn't get back to me because "they were too busy meeting demand".

Remember, this is the EXACT same situation that drove Harman into financial ruin less than a year ago! Not saying they are going there again, but the smartest thing for them and customers to do it RELAX and they should pay attention to QC and make the amount of stoves they can.....and no more. Customers should understand that they can buy now, during the season, next spring or whenever and there is really no "boat" to miss!

 

[Willman]

but the smartest thing for them and customers to do it RELAX

Good advice but not being heeded what with all the news coverage on oil prices. Fear and panic can go a long way to ringing the registers. Different than the 70's though. The oil is there just going up all the time. A grand $$ to fill a tank is what is driving these sales. Who knows whats gonna happen. An interesting time thats for sure. People are looking to pellets due to convenience and are seasoned and ready to burn, and full measure. Short feature on MPBN today about pellets and biomass. (broken link removed)

Will

 

[MrEd]

I place, and canceled, an order for a Tarm with storage tanks about 4 years ago....just didn't want to risk that oil was going to stay at those high prices ($2.20/gallon), and if it didn't my payback was going to be too long......Well I lost that bet big time.

Didn't make the same mistake this year anyway, since my Solo 60 is already here this time around. This time my payback is going to be about 18 months at $4.50 a gallon.

PS: I realize the original poster's situation is not the same, just thought my entree into predicting what the future holds was pretty humbling.....

 

[sinnian]

OH I am not done MrEd, just not looking at the PB 105 anymore :roll:

 

[alaz]

If you do not mind me asking, outside of changes in delivery dates, what made you choose to opt out of PB 105. Just curious, b/c that is the direction I am headed in...

 

[sinnian]

If you do not mind me asking, outside of changes in delivery dates, what made you choose to opt out of PB 105. Just curious, b/c that is the direction I am headed in...

People who sell the PB105 sell pellet stoves, not boilers. They would be useless for install information other then the flue. Would they be able to service the boiler, not just the auguer, etc. I was originally going with that due to the auto igniter, but that does not seem to work they way they would like (found out Traeger experimented with one a couple of years ago, with the same results).

The Traeger is a little more money, but has been around longer and thus proven. The Harman has been around for a couple of years, without any huge problems, but what will they be like 5 years from now?

Anyway, the big thing for me was buying something from someone who that was what they did for a living.

PLUS, I want to make sure I have it in place, tested and ready to go BEFORE the heating season. I have heard Harman will have difficulty doing that because they are having trouble finding ASME Certified (?) welders to make them.

 

[alaz]

I appreciate the info. All good things to take into consideration and help me in my decision making. Unfortunatley, I have few local options.