Newbie question - Is the Regency i2400 worth $600 more than the Pacific Energy medium Pacific?

[hfjeff]

First off I have to say What a great forum! I stumbled upon it by accident the other day when researching inserts, and was pleasantly surprised to find so much information about burning wood. I have been a memeber of other forums(Jeep, F150) for years, but never thought to check for a Hearth forum. It is a pretty focussed subject and is great to have so much experience and knowledge available.

Now on to the real reason I am posting. I know opinion questions are like asking what is your favorite candy bar, but when I plan to buy something I usually research it until I could practically be an engineer for each manufacturer. I've narrowed my insert selection down to the Regency i2400 or the Pacific Energy meduim Pacific model. The best I can do in this area is $2600 for the Regency and $2000 for the Pacific. Is the Regency worth the extra $600?

It seems the prices this year are substaintially higher than last year on most models. I did massive research last year and it got too late in the year to buy so I thought I would wait until this year. But now I think I should have taken last years deals when I had the chance. I have all my quotes from last year and the only quote that is still the same is the Pacific Energy. I know Regency has an early bird $250 rebate and Pacific has a $150 rebate through the end of this month. But am I looking too early? is there a trend to go up or down as fall approaches?

Thanks.

 

[begreen]

Welcome Jeff. You are shopping at the right time. After Sept. 1st prices usually start to climb, though there can be specials still found at county fairs, etc. Where are you located? Do you have multiple stove shops in your area? Both stoves are good. I think the PE offers better value. The Regency is a very well made unit as well, but IMHO, not $600 better.

There are several happy PE owners here. The build quality is good and they hold a long fire. For more detailed info on the stove checkout (broken link removed).

 

[Bluelaker]

Hey Jeff - if I may ask, is that price $2600 installed? It not, it seems a little high. I bought in June, and although I went with a Hampton insert (Regency's i2400 sister model), I was quoted around $1900 for the Regency and $2800 total with installation and full liner. I'm in CT. Rob

 

[burntime]

Wow, my hampton was 2975 with full liner and the other shops nearby were at 4600 for the same unit

 

[Bluelaker]

Sorry if I wasn't clear - $2800 for the Regency 2400.

 

[hfjeff]

Sorry didn't give enough info. I am located in Central WI. Both unit prices are for the insert with Gold door, Gold trim ring, and blower(I can't believe this is an option on the Regency). This price DOES NOT include the liner or installation. I called 6 different Regency dealers and got the i2400 down to $2516-$250 rebate=$2,266. The equally equipped Pacific is $2185-$150 rebate=$2035. This is the best I can do in this area but I still feel the prices are high, compared to what some others have paid in different parts of the country. I would mail order one but with the cost of shipping it usually brings the price right back up to a local dealer. I don't want to buy too early and miss a sale later in the season but also don't want to watch the rebates go by and miss out either.

It basically comes down to features and looks. I like the Regency a bit better and now got the difference down to about $250, but is it even worth that? The one thing I do like about the Pacific over the Regency is the removable baffle for cleaning purposes.

 

[kwburn]

i too have been a member of other forums for other topics (including F150!) and this one is the friendliest and most helpful of them all. take advantage of the search (and advanced search) to help find previous threads on the stoves you are considering and don't think twice to private message members that currently use what you are thinking of buying. just check their profile first and see the last time they logged on and they are still active. don't forget about the stove ratings as well, another great resource.

people on here love their pacific energy's. quite a few people using the Summit.

 

[jqgs214]

I own the pacific and the unit is well cunstructed. The removable baffle is a very nice feature. As for burning the unit, I have no experience yet as it was just installed but I have had the stove apart already just to play with it. I got the all black radiant door, black trim.

 

[hfjeff]

With some haggling and dozens of phone calls got the Regency 2400 insert to within $50 of the PE. They both seemed like excellent units and it was a difficult decision. Thanks for all the advice. It should be here in a week. At least this year I didn't wait until it was below zero to start shopping.

 

[Bluelaker]

Congrats on the purchase - best of luck to you.

 

[begreen]

Take some pictures and post them Jeff. Let us know how the stove works out for you in the dead of winter too.