Back in the end of August I went to the local stove shop to order a chimney connector heat shield for the Defiant, a 6" collar to replace the 8" oval, and 3' of single wall pipe for the 30.
I was told the order would be placed with their weekly orders and would get a call back the next day. After a week of calling them, the parts were finally ordered more than a week later in the first week of September.
"Everything should be in within three weeks"
So, the end of September?
"Yup."
This week I call, since we are now in the first week of October, to find out where my parts are.
"Well, I told you they wouldn't be in until the end of September."
Right. It's October.
"Would you like me to call to find out when your order will be in?"
Seriously?
I get a call back and I am told that they never ordered the heat shield or the 36" pipe and the 6" collar is no longer available.
Okay. After arguing about the existence of the 6" collar, I ask them to price out the double wall 8" oval to 6" round connector and how long it will be until it arrives.
They call back and tell me that connector is no longer available and can not be ordered. Even though I found the connector listed four times on ebay and listed on several other online stores.
In the end, I found a stove shop in upstate New York that had the heat shield and connector in stock. They even had the ability to order the 6" collar for the stove (which I was told didn't exist), but that would have taken another two weeks to arrive and I am now out of time since the temps are dropping on Monday.
This isn't the first time this has happened as the local Hearthstone dealer that I ordered my heat shield from was just as bad.
I don't get it. I am trying to support the local guy. I am just ordering parts. Nothing special. Minimal effort is needed on their end and that can not even be accomplished. This only strengthens my theory that it makes little difference if you buy a new stove and it matters even less if you buy a new stove from the local shop. I have visited many stove shops in the area, from Lopi, Napoleon, VC, Hearthstone, Jotul, etc. None of the shops inspire confidence in buying a stove from any of these dealers.
So, when someone posts about wanting to buy a stove, but are concerned about not having a local shop near by for service, I say; it doesn't matter and should not be a factor in your buying decision.
When you get to the point when you need service, or parts, or warranty support, or answers, good luck getting it from the local guy.
Know your stove, know how it works, and know how to do all the maintenance yourself. You will save yourself time, money, and hassle. Also, just buy your parts online.
I was told the order would be placed with their weekly orders and would get a call back the next day. After a week of calling them, the parts were finally ordered more than a week later in the first week of September.
"Everything should be in within three weeks"
So, the end of September?
"Yup."
This week I call, since we are now in the first week of October, to find out where my parts are.
"Well, I told you they wouldn't be in until the end of September."
Right. It's October.
"Would you like me to call to find out when your order will be in?"
Seriously?
I get a call back and I am told that they never ordered the heat shield or the 36" pipe and the 6" collar is no longer available.
Okay. After arguing about the existence of the 6" collar, I ask them to price out the double wall 8" oval to 6" round connector and how long it will be until it arrives.
They call back and tell me that connector is no longer available and can not be ordered. Even though I found the connector listed four times on ebay and listed on several other online stores.
In the end, I found a stove shop in upstate New York that had the heat shield and connector in stock. They even had the ability to order the 6" collar for the stove (which I was told didn't exist), but that would have taken another two weeks to arrive and I am now out of time since the temps are dropping on Monday.
This isn't the first time this has happened as the local Hearthstone dealer that I ordered my heat shield from was just as bad.
I don't get it. I am trying to support the local guy. I am just ordering parts. Nothing special. Minimal effort is needed on their end and that can not even be accomplished. This only strengthens my theory that it makes little difference if you buy a new stove and it matters even less if you buy a new stove from the local shop. I have visited many stove shops in the area, from Lopi, Napoleon, VC, Hearthstone, Jotul, etc. None of the shops inspire confidence in buying a stove from any of these dealers.
So, when someone posts about wanting to buy a stove, but are concerned about not having a local shop near by for service, I say; it doesn't matter and should not be a factor in your buying decision.
When you get to the point when you need service, or parts, or warranty support, or answers, good luck getting it from the local guy.
Know your stove, know how it works, and know how to do all the maintenance yourself. You will save yourself time, money, and hassle. Also, just buy your parts online.
