Negotiating?

[brenrn]

Hi all...we are in the process of buying a pellet insert. We researched quite a bit and are pretty sure we want the M55. My question is how negotiable are dealers? I get the feeling this is kind of like buying a new car , which I happen to despise. We had come very close to putting this stove in about a year ago but didn't like the responsiveness of the dealer/salesperson so we just put it on the back burner. They weren't sure the M55 would fit in our current fireplace but weren't willing to come out and look nor did they give us any options on how to make it fit with a little work. In any case I just contacted a new dealer and they came right out to measure and look at everything.

I thought the tech was great and have had great communication with them. However, I think the price is SUPER high and am wondering how much room there is to really negotiate with a dealer. He gave us a price of $5818.60....includes stove, liner, custom damper stop, labor and sales tax. I can't find my old paperwork from the first dealer but I remember their price being around $4800. We are located in Southeastern, MA...any input would be greatly appreciated!

 

[kinsmanstoves]

I am not a fan of the Enviro brand but walking into the store with cash in hand will help you more than you know. Usually the dealer has to be with in a certain percentage of the suggested retail price but venting, install, and accessories have "wiggle room".

Eric

 

[briansol]

5800 seems pretty pricey to me.

over the price of the stove, i think 700 is fair game for installation and the liner. A few bucks more for longer runs or specialty pipe.

 

[kinsmanstoves]

install about $500 and liner kit about $550. I do not know the tax rate in your area but watch what a cash price will do for you. Cash is cash and not a check.

 

[brenrn]

Thank you for the replies so far....this seems to be in keeping with what I was thinking. The retail on the stove is $4119 so I was figuring around $5000 for everything. Now, will most dealers negotiate?

 

[kinsmanstoves]

Thank you for the replies so far....this seems to be in keeping with what I was thinking. The retail on the stove is $4119 so I was figuring around $5000 for everything. Now, will most dealers negotiate?

I am not a fan of the Enviro brand but walking into the store with cash in hand will help you more than you know. Usually the dealer has to be with in a certain percentage of the suggested retail price but venting, install, and accessories have "wiggle room".

CASH

Eric

 

[briansol]

I think you'll find a big shop with employees wont, where as a small mom&pop with out 'real' employees will.

 

[Bioburner]

I just bought another stove Saturday. My first offer was rejected. Got a call back a week later that they would take my $$$. Saleman said the season was pretty much done till next fall. Waiting for another 6 to 7 months before getting a stove sale and install is not a very good business move. The snowblowers are on clearance, so should be heating appliances if they have the inventory in stock.

 

[wwert]

What a surprise, the Harman dealer doesn't care for Enviro stoves. A real impartial comment Eric.

 

[jtakeman]

What a surprise, the Harman dealer doesn't care for Enviro stoves. A real impartial comment Eric.

Its his competition. Coarse he isn't gonna like em. Prolly never set eyes on one(M55) either. Dealers, go figure?

 

[jtakeman]

Thank you for the replies so far....this seems to be in keeping with what I was thinking. The retail on the stove is $4119 so I was figuring around $5000 for everything. Now, will most dealers negotiate?

If you have a Regency dealer you can check their prices. They have the same stove ( http://www.regency-fire.com/Products/Pellet/Pellet-Stoves---Inserts/GCI60.aspx )

M55 and CGI60 are both sherwood industry units.

Seasons starting to come to an end. I'd wait a few months when they are slow. Money talks louder when the place is a ghost town. Don't put all the cash in their hands. Bring and wave in front of them. But say on second though. Half now and half when its installed. Once dealers get all the cash they tend to drag their feet. Keeps em honest!

 

[CJ_starr]

will most dealers negotiate?[/quote]

For those who wish to "haggle / negotiate", we would be happy to raise the price to give you a bargain.

 

[Bioburner]

Let your fingers do the walking. The internet is a powerful tool to check your options and prices.

 

[PoolGuyinCT]

Best not to break his stones over the price, you will want to be on his "this guy was great to deal with" when you need service during a cold snap and your wife's family is town...

When somebody tries to hammer my pricing, I always counter with accessory or service added deals... Everybody is happy

 

[Mike D]

First off, everything in life is negotiable if you have the cojones to ask. What's the worst, he says no to your offer? Now this all depends on a couple of factors:

1. Do you have cash for the deal? Cash is king and saves the dealer about 3% on a credit card sale.
2. As I have learned first hand and on this site, service and responsiveness from the dealer is worth some extra $$. Not sure it's worth a g-note.
3. Are there other dealers in your area who will provide same service etc for a lower price? My guess is if your that the dealer with the higher price but better service knows the other guy sucks. That means you are going to pay for his service AFTER the sale when you have clinkers, need advice on clean out etc.
4. Have you figured out what the payback period is on the $5800 stove? It may make this discussion a moot point if it only takes you 6 months extra to pay for the higher priced stove + service.

All else fails, check out all the stove ratings here and find another dealer. $5800 does seem steep, but I'm. Of familiar with the model you are looking at.

Best of luck!

 

[fmsm]

If you're willing to take a Harman, the dealer on Cape Cod was very aggressive with me. I would say he's ok for service but he did sub out my install to smwilliamson which turned into a good thing. I purchased my Whitfield back in the 90's from the dealer in Wayland and was very disappointed in them!

 

[iceguy4]

my first stop quoted me straight list price $7100...minus $100 for a company (harman) web discount,, I said "what if I find it cheaper"...he said he would match that price. I told him that was kinda cheesey... I purchased it at my dealer for $6500...Like someone else said "mom & pops" seem to be more flexable.

 

[Brokenwing]

I am with Eric, knowing what I know now, I would never set foot near regency, or enviro, I know there the same company. there is a reason here in MD that 90 percent of the dealers carry quadrafire, and harman pellet stoves. There support is god awful, and the m55 or gc60 needs some working back at the drawing board when it comes to the exhaust setup.

 

[jtakeman]

I am with Eric, knowing what I know now, I would never set foot near regency, or enviro, I know there the same company. there is a reason here in MD that 90 percent of the dealers carry quadrafire, and harman pellet stoves. There support is god awful, and the m55 or gc60 needs some working back at the drawing board when it comes to the exhaust setup.

I'm glad you didn't buy an early MT. Vernon. Them boys went thru fits with em. Guess that makes all Quads crap hey?

 

[Brokenwing]

Hi all...we are in the process of buying a pellet insert. We researched quite a bit and are pretty sure we want the M55. My question is how negotiable are dealers? I get the feeling this is kind of like buying a new car , which I happen to despise. We had come very close to putting this stove in about a year ago but didn't like the responsiveness of the dealer/salesperson so we just put it on the back burner. They weren't sure the M55 would fit in our current fireplace but weren't willing to come out and look nor did they give us any options on how to make it fit with a little work. In any case I just contacted a new dealer and they came right out to measure and look at everything.

I thought the tech was great and have had great communication with them. However, I think the price is SUPER high and am wondering how much room there is to really negotiate with a dealer. He gave us a price of $5818.60....includes stove, liner, custom damper stop, labor and sales tax. I can't find my old paperwork from the first dealer but I remember their price being around $4800. We are located in Southeastern, MA...any input would be greatly appreciated!

I know this is the stove you have your heart set on, I wish you were closer check out this craigslist deal on a brand new m55!
(broken link removed to http://frederick.craigslist.org/hsh/3566016136.html)

 

[Lousyweather]

yea....we dont haggle...ever. Sorry.

 

[Lousyweather]

What a surprise, the Harman dealer doesn't care for Enviro stoves. A real impartial comment Eric.

I dont know enough about them myself, so, I reserve comment. Just dont call me for free advice on how to fix it

 

[Lousyweather]

I guess I have found, in my way too many years of retail work, that it usually doesnt pay (well, ok, almost NEVER pays) to denigrate the competition or the competition's product. All you can do is try and inform the potential customer as to the benefits of the units you sell, if there are any. Sometimes, the competition has such a good product, well, you KNOW its good, but for whatever reason you dont sell it....so, why lie? I dont have any problem with Eric lauding the merits of the units he sells, because, well, he believes in them....if he didnt, then he wouldnt be a very good salesperson (or a GREAT one! ).....

As for negotiating, and allowing lower prices for those folks who pay by cash or check....anyone ever read the agreement you sign when you agree to take credit cards? I once did- wow. If you read it, you'd never agree to take the cards! One to two year chargebacks after the sale, regardless of what the vendor thinks/says. Also, were you aware that its a violation (of the Agreement) if the retailer charges extra because the credit card companies charge the vendor a percentage?

Its been said alot here before.....you arent just buying the stove, but youre buying the expertise of the dealer as well. That has value, although I do submit, that dealer value is a nebulous figure I cant put a value on, and nearly no customer does, until they need help. The customer has absolutely NO idea what it takes to keep my business afloat....none, zero, zip, nada. We have to make a certain figure to pay our folks, keep the lights on, keep and house inventory, fuel in our trucks, etc. Every outfit is different as well. If we dont make a reasonable sum of money, we arent there in the future (see many posts here as to "my dealer went outta bidness?). Its along slippery slope, to be honest. But, I do have a reasonable idea what it takes to stay in business, and what we have to make on a stove/install to do that. Thats our profit. Why work if we cant make money?

 

[jtakeman]

It is not just the quality, It is the customer service, and you have seen my threads and what I have been put through, so how could I suggest the product to the op? Do you think them boys that went through you know what and back would buy another one, some will, but I bet others would run! I have talked to different owners here, as well as stove techs, and they seem to agree that there are flaws, so I would not wish the trouble on someone else. That is my 2 cents worth.

Harman/Quad or any HHT stove will have the same. The customer service is in the hands of the dealer. So I'd choose the next dealer with care! Pretty sure HHT won't even give you the time of day. Don't think they won't have issues? Check the forum there are many threads here. Nothing a competent dealer/tech couldn't fix. But some are in the same boat as you are. Just ask Mommy of 4 about here heatilator. The quad in sheeps clothing.

Your problem should have been handled by your dealer. A competent dealer/tech can over come the exhaust blues. Heck we have members here that have wrestled the issue into submission with some TLC. And it doesn't warrant ditching the whole Sherwood line up. Many of there stoves have happy owners. Very few complaints are heard from them.

I sure hope the next stove is fine, Or we'll be hearing from you again if the next dealer doesn't have their act together. My 2 cents!

 

[PoolGuyinCT]

And all installs are not equal, justdigbaround for some bullship pro install threads..