Is my stove shop trying to rip me off on a class A chimney for a wood stove?

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emt1581

Minister of Fire
Hearth Supporter
Jul 6, 2010
523
PA
I was told by my stove shop that all the parts for the chimney that I need (stainless steel double wall/insulated, rain cap, wall mounts, support, thimble, etc.) would be around $2000 and right now until new years they are giving 25% off which brings it to $1500.

They also told me that a 4' length of double wall/insulated stainless chimney pipe is around $168 (AFTER the discount). Now at Lowes, they have what appears to be the exact same pipe for $68 for 3' lengths. Just on that part alone it seems like the stove shop is trying to hose me big time!!

But maybe I'm missing something here. Maybe the Supervent kit and chimney pipe I'm looking at with Lowes isn't what I need.

When I told the guy I was looking at 3' length for $68 he said "no way is that double walled/insulated stainless chimney pipe...I can't even get it that cheap"...

Please share your thoughts. Thanks!

-Emt1581
 
Your stove shop's pricing is in line. A 4ft length of Metalbest runs about $150 at the online discount shops.

(broken link removed to http://www.northlineexpress.com/item/5SE-6UT-48/6-x-48-MetalBest-Ultra-Temp-Stainless-Chimney-Pipe-6UT-48)
 
BeGreen said:
Your stove shop's pricing is in line. A 4ft length of Metalbest runs about $150 at the online discount shops.

(broken link removed to http://www.northlineexpress.com/item/5SE-6UT-48/6-x-48-MetalBest-Ultra-Temp-Stainless-Chimney-Pipe-6UT-48)

Then what am I looking at on lowes website?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_37620-85178...pl=1&currentURL;=/pl__0__s?Ntt=chimney&page=1

That says double walled...no mention of insulation though...are some double walled chimney pipes not insulated? Does insullation make much of a difference with a class A external?

Thanks!

-Emt1581
 
emt1581 said:
BeGreen said:
Your stove shop's pricing is in line. A 4ft length of Metalbest runs about $150 at the online discount shops.

(broken link removed to http://www.northlineexpress.com/item/5SE-6UT-48/6-x-48-MetalBest-Ultra-Temp-Stainless-Chimney-Pipe-6UT-48)

Then what am I looking at on lowes website?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_37620-85178...pl=1&currentURL;=/pl__0__s?Ntt=chimney&page=1

That says double walled...no mention of insulation though...are some double walled chimney pipes not insulated? Does insullation make much of a difference with a class A external?

Thanks!

-Emt1581

that is class a 2100* pipe
lowes has killer buying power
 
Wood Heat Stoves said:
emt1581 said:
BeGreen said:
Your stove shop's pricing is in line. A 4ft length of Metalbest runs about $150 at the online discount shops.

(broken link removed to http://www.northlineexpress.com/item/5SE-6UT-48/6-x-48-MetalBest-Ultra-Temp-Stainless-Chimney-Pipe-6UT-48)

Then what am I looking at on lowes website?

http://www.lowes.com/pd_37620-85178...pl=1&currentURL;=/pl__0__s?Ntt=chimney&page=1

That says double walled...no mention of insulation though...are some double walled chimney pipes not insulated? Does insullation make much of a difference with a class A external?

Thanks!

-Emt1581

that is class a 2100* pipe
lowes has killer buying power


Right..2100 degree pipe...that's what the guy mentioned. So really, the $68 3' sections of pipe and the Supervent wall support kit should be EXACTLY what I need and should be around $500 or so...compared to the $2000 these guys are quoting me....no?

Again, if I'm missing something PLEASE let me know!

Thanks! :)

-Emt1581
 
The Selkirk Supervent is rated to the standard of UL 103-HT. It is double walled, insulated Class A chimney. The dealer will charge more than a big box store, which is to buy for self install.
 
I'm not sure how you're surprised your small local stove shop can't touch the pricing offered by a giant such as Lowes. I'd think Lowes as a company buys more in a week than the stove shop does in a year!

When dealing with a stove shop I don't always think of just the money aspect, you also have to look at the service they will be providing after the sale.
 
dougand3 said:
The Selkirk Supervent is rated to the standard of UL 103-HT. It is double walled, insulated Class A chimney. The dealer will charge more than a big box store, which is to buy for self install.

The price they are giving me is NOT for installation. Installation is $800 for my stove/thimble/chimney.

-Emt1581
 
Interesting to note that at our Seattle Lowes the price is $90.44 for a 3' length. At 30/ft a 4ft length would be about $120.

Is the dealer selling Supervent or a better brand?
 
BeGreen said:
Interesting to note that at our Seattle Lowes the price is $90.44 for a 3' length. At 30/ft a 4ft length would be about $120.

Maybe farther to ship from the manufacturer??

In any case it looks like the stove shop is maybe around $75 on the deal per piece...

-Emt1581
 
rdust said:
I'm not sure how you're surprised your small local stove shop can't touch the pricing offered by a giant such as Lowes. I'd think Lowes as a company buys more in a week than the stove shop does in a year!

When dealing with a stove shop I don't always think of just the money aspect, you also have to look at the service they will be providing after the sale.

Other than some gasket rope, they better not have to provide ANY service for quite some time. At least that's how I see it.

But I see what you're saying...support the little guy. I'm already buying the stove from them when I could buy a cheaper one from big box.

-Emt1581
 
emt1581 said:
Other than some gasket rope, they better not have to provide ANY service for quite some time. At least that's how I see it.

But I see what you're saying...support the little guy. I'm already buying the stove from them when I could buy a cheaper one from big box.

-Emt1581

I'm not saying support the little guy, just that I understand why they're priced higher then a big box store. This is the reason I did everything myself.

Sure you could have bought a cheaper stove from the big box but you couldn't have bought your stove! ;-)
 
emt1581 said:
BeGreen said:
Interesting to note that at our Seattle Lowes the price is $90.44 for a 3' length. At 30/ft a 4ft length would be about $120.

Maybe farther to ship from the manufacturer??

In any case it looks like the stove shop is maybe around $75 on the deal per piece...

-Emt1581

Is the stove shop also selling you Supervent or is it another brand of pipe?
 
BeGreen said:
emt1581 said:
BeGreen said:
Interesting to note that at our Seattle Lowes the price is $90.44 for a 3' length. At 30/ft a 4ft length would be about $120.

Maybe farther to ship from the manufacturer??

In any case it looks like the stove shop is maybe around $75 on the deal per piece...

-Emt1581

Is the stove shop also selling you Supervent or is it another brand of pipe?

Duravent I believe. Same parent company, same specs, but different finish/shiny-ness as I understand it.

-Emt1581
 
rdust said:
emt1581 said:
Other than some gasket rope, they better not have to provide ANY service for quite some time. At least that's how I see it.

But I see what you're saying...support the little guy. I'm already buying the stove from them when I could buy a cheaper one from big box.

-Emt1581

I'm not saying support the little guy, just that I understand why they're priced higher then a big box store. This is the reason I did everything myself.

Sure you could have bought a cheaper stove from the big box but you couldn't have bought your stove! ;-)

This is true. Choices had spoiled me (read: my wife). If it were up to me I'd get the most efficient/quality at the cheapest price. But when looks matter...things are never cheap.

-Emt1581
 
emt1581 said:
BeGreen said:
emt1581 said:
BeGreen said:
Interesting to note that at our Seattle Lowes the price is $90.44 for a 3' length. At 30/ft a 4ft length would be about $120.

Maybe farther to ship from the manufacturer??

In any case it looks like the stove shop is maybe around $75 on the deal per piece...

-Emt1581

Is the stove shop also selling you Supervent or is it another brand of pipe?

Duravent I believe. Same parent company, same specs, but different finish/shiny-ness as I understand it.

-Emt1581

NOT same company, and not same chimney.

For instance, the Simpson Duravent has a .020 430 stainless inner wall, the Selkirk Supervent is only .016 unknown alloy stainless.
 
emt1581 said:
BeGreen said:
emt1581 said:
BeGreen said:
Interesting to note that at our Seattle Lowes the price is $90.44 for a 3' length. At 30/ft a 4ft length would be about $120.

Maybe farther to ship from the manufacturer??

In any case it looks like the stove shop is maybe around $75 on the deal per piece...

-Emt1581

Is the stove shop also selling you Supervent or is it another brand of pipe?

Duravent I believe. Same parent company, same specs, but different finish/shiny-ness as I understand it.

-Emt1581

Different parent company (Simpson) and different pipe. Compare apples to apples and the dealer's price is reasonable. Personally I like DuraVent better.
(broken link removed to http://www.northlineexpress.com/item/5SP-9407/6-x-48-Simpson-DuraTech-Stainless-Steel-Chimney-Pipe-9407)
 
BeGreen said:
emt1581 said:
BeGreen said:
emt1581 said:
BeGreen said:
Interesting to note that at our Seattle Lowes the price is $90.44 for a 3' length. At 30/ft a 4ft length would be about $120.

Maybe farther to ship from the manufacturer??

In any case it looks like the stove shop is maybe around $75 on the deal per piece...

-Emt1581

Is the stove shop also selling you Supervent or is it another brand of pipe?

Duravent I believe. Same parent company, same specs, but different finish/shiny-ness as I understand it.

-Emt1581

Different parent company (Simpson) and different pipe. Compare apples to apples and the dealer's price is reasonable. Personally I like DuraVent better.
(broken link removed to http://www.northlineexpress.com/item/5SP-9407/6-x-48-Simpson-DuraTech-Stainless-Steel-Chimney-Pipe-9407)


Oh my mistake. I could have sworn I saw Duravent on Sellkirk's site. But again, spec-wise...identical no? Just different finish.

Or is there a big difference I'm not seeing?

Thanks!

-Emt1581
 
Different construction, better accessories list, cleaner nicer looking installation on the interior support box. Supervent is Selkirk's low end line, but it should still be a good pipe and is tested to the same standard.
 
[mistaken information deleted, sorry]
 
emt1581 said:
Oh my mistake. I could have sworn I saw Duravent on Sellkirk's site. But again, spec-wise...identical no? Just different finish.

Or is there a big difference I'm not seeing?

Thanks!

-Emt1581

I don't know if it's a big difference.. but 25% thicker steel, among other things seems like a lot to me...

Simpson Duravent has a .020 430 stainless inner wall, the Selkirk Supervent is only .016 unknown alloy stainless.
 
Your gonna buy it once for 20 years and your family is sleeping just feet away. Me personally, I would go for the better stuff... It seems that this is better.
 
RenovationGeorge said:
BeGreen said:
Different construction, better accessories list, cleaner nicer looking installation on the interior support box. Supervent is Selkirk's low end line, but it should still be a good pipe and is tested to the same standard.

Different material--stainless steel instead of galvanized. More than just a finish.

Ah, I didn't know that Lowes was selling the galvanized. They are too far away from me and only say stainless on their website.
 
It saws STAINLESS right on Lowes' site....are they wrong?

-Emt1581
 
BeGreen said:
Ah, I didn't know that Lowes was selling the galvanized. They are too far away from me and only say stainless on their website.

I was wrong and you're correct--it is Stainless Sorry for the distraction!

I've been comparing the brands, and like the Simpson--no locking bands, etc.
 
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