I had to laugh when I saw this thread
Yes, he should
Probably very few really realize the full story about how I ended up buying a Woodstock stove. To make a long story short, we sort of wanted the Fireview but also were looking at a few other brands. Then there evidently was a misunderstanding as I was quoted one price by one and another (by a different person) the second time I called. Perhaps I misunderstood the man or perhaps he just spoke wrong. However, through my business dealings in the past, when someone told me one thing and then switched, I simply wrote them off and forgot about them. I usually do not care to deal with anyone like that. So it was with Woodstock.
Evidently the folks at Woodstock talked about this situation and one day I received a telephone call from them. I was not interested but did not hang up the phone. I was asked if I would go look at a Woodstock stove in the home of someone near us. Well, maybe as I had never seen a Woodstock stove other than in pictures. Still I wasn't really too warm to them. But in the end we did go to a couple's home and talked to them about the stove and about the company in particular.
As it turned out, the name Woodstock gave me and his address was someone I had known many years ago and had some business dealings with both him and some of his relatives. Very good people and very well known in the area. So Woodstock then called to clear with them on the date specified. It was agreed.
I was sad that the folks did not have the stove kicking out heat; it was almost out. But we got to talking and although I won't post any specifics, I will say that what I was told about Woodstock by that man sold me right then....almost. My wife and I talked about this on our way home and then thought about it a little more.
The Spring Sale was on (a big sale then too) but was ending soon. Lots of dollars off. As you know, we ended up buying the stove.
Was everything perfect? Absolutely not, but close. I had told Woodstock that the stove would not be installed until late that summer, so after we received the stove, it just sat in our carport in the crate until early September.
As I unloaded the stove into the carport I noticed one past of the carboard had been rubbed and I could see something, it looked like perhaps the stove door and paint rubbed off but not scratched. I casually mentioned this but did not ask for anything. I received a can of spray paint.
In September when we got the stove out of the crate to put onto the hearth I noticed the firebrick was not the best so I called. I received new firebrick. I had several questions and still do from time to time and Woodstock has been very helpful.
Other than that first experience we couldn't be happier with Woodstock and the Fireview. We had to do a little learning because this stove is a bit different than any stove we've had in the past. However, the learning curve was pretty short. I got advice and help from Woodstock and from people like Todd on this forum.
We have had the stove 2 full seasons and now going into our third. As I have stated in the past, we have saved a bunch of work and a lot of dollars with this stove because we cut our fuel needs in half! Nobody else has reported this much in savings but it has been so with us and not only have we cut our fuel in half, but we also are much warmer in the house.
I understand what a tough cookie these folks are trying to bite by selling only direct. I'm sure they lose a lot of sales simply because there are no Woodstock stoves in sales rooms across the States. However, that might also work to their advantage because most folks will do a little more homework before buying direct. Also, word of mouth is a good advertiser.
End result is that I am very pleased with Woodstock and the Fireview and therefore I feel that it is correct to tell others about it and try to help them with their decision and perhaps after they install the stove.
Now about those royalties...
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). Hey if this simple concept would work for the dairy industry, perhaps we could have Micro$oft try it.
