Pacific Energy Vista Wood Insert Price

[Phillies123]

Brand new to the Forum and the process, so please forgive the simple question. I'm in the market for a Pacific Energy Vista wood insert. I had a local retailer quote me a price of $2,495. It's $1,890 for the insert body, $480 for a black door and $125 for the surround. I called a place about 50 miles from me who gave me a quote of $1,950 for the whole thing. Now I know that prices can differ, but $545 or 28% is a huge difference! Has anyone recently bought one of these or got a quote that they can share?

Many thanks.

 

[webbie]

I can't help - but can suggest, if not already done, that you get a quote in writing by email or fax from the second dude......

The reasoning is this. Some dealers sell relatively few of a product and therefore just quickly look at a price sheet...not knowing they need to add those things like the door and surround. At least if you have a model number and exact quote of what is included, you are dealing with a bona-fide number!

It is possible that prices might differ that much....for various reasons.

Hey, BTW, I'm a philly boy....Overbook Park. Lower Merion and all that stuff (not any more, but was). In fact, I lived a few houses away from The Bull in Medford NJ for a number of years.

 

[Bocefus78]

I paid $3100ish installed after tax with 25' of SS liner. I got the small surround and the black door. I did not shop around so I may have overpaid. The install was roughly 400 and the liner I cant remember. HTH. BTW, for a little insert, that thing pumps out some heat if your wood is dry. Those prices were paid last winter by the way.

 

[webbie]

A liner job like that is usually a grand or more...sometimes more with insulation, so your deal still looks good overall.

 

[Phillies123]

I really appreciate these responses and hope I can get a few more on this. They also quoted me an install price of $1500 that includes a 35' liner for a total of $4,045.

All things being equal, I'd like to have the installation done by the same place from where I bought the insert.

Here's a related question - Is it common to bargain over pricing (as it is with car sales)? I'm not interested in nickel and diming these guys (I'm a small business owner myself), but these price differences seem really high. I did confirm with the other store that the $1,950 included the insert, door and surround.

Many thanks again for the help. Great to hear from a Philly ex-pat as well.

 

[stoveguy13]

we sell that unit for about 1750 with black door and standard surround

 

[webbie]

I really appreciate these responses and hope I can get a few more on this. They also quoted me an install price of $1500 that includes a 35' liner for a total of $4,045.

All things being equal, I'd like to have the installation done by the same place from where I bought the insert.

Here's a related question - Is it common to bargain over pricing (as it is with car sales)? I'm not interested in nickel and diming these guys (I'm a small business owner myself), but these price differences seem really high. I did confirm with the other store that the $1,950 included the insert, door and surround.

Many thanks again for the help. Great to hear from a Philly ex-pat as well.

Most mom and pop stores won't look kindly at too much bargaining. They have been in biz a long time in most cases, and set their prices based on their particular way of doing business.

A 35 foot liner can be quite a job - that probably means a tall house - maybe an older house - maybe a steep roof, etc.
The install job does not sound over priced at first glance.

Stoveguy mentioned a price which I think confirms that the far away quote is probably accurate...that is, stoveguys shop is very high volume and they tend to be about the bottom end of price. So it seems to run in a range from 1750 to 2500.

I know...it's a dilema. I personally don't mind spending a little more....as you say, for a local guy and install. Then again, $500 is more than a little.

I think you could breach the subject with the local guy if you are coy about it - that is, instead of telling them that you shopped all around, say that some folks who reviewed the model here and elsewhere mentioned prices of around $2K for the same package. You'll find out right away if they are flexible. No one - or at least not many - can afford to give away money these days!

 

[Bocefus78]

I agree with the above. Don't nickel and dime them too much. I took the first quote. He in return gave me the contract to plow his parking lot. Be fair....your a business owner, you know how it feels to be beat down over a buck. The installers showed up, 20 degrees out, roof covered in snow and ice, etc. They deserved every penny. Heck, I even put down ice melt on the roof for them and fed them lunch.

 

[fredarm]

Mine was about $2,000 with the gold door and small surround in 2008.