I DO APPRECIATE ALL THE COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS. GOOD & BAD. HA HA. I DIDN'T INTEND TO BAD MOUTH THE BRECKWELLS. MANY OF YOU HAVE THE BIG E AND LIKE IT. THAT SEEMS TO BE THE MOST POPULAR BRECKWELL FOR HEAT. WHEN THE HARMAN STOVES WERE SOLD OUT, WE TOLD EVERY CUSTOMER THE SITUATION AND LET THEM KNOW THAT THE BRECKWELLS WERE A WELL KNOWN BRAND AND THAT THEY ARE ALSO MUCH CHEAPER IN PRICE AND THAT THEY ONLY HAVE A ONE YEAR WARRANTY. WE TRIED TO BE HONEST AND UP FRONT WITH EVERYONE. I ALSO READ ALL THE COMMENTS AND I CURRENTLY HEAT WITH A HARMAN XXV AND AN ACCENTRA INSERT. ANOTHER FACTOR AS TO WHY OUR CUSTOMERS WANT HARMANS IS THAT THE FACTORY IS IN PA AND 1 HOUR FROM OUR OFFICE. THE HARMAN NAME IS VERY WELL KNOWN IN PA. IN THE LAST 24 HOURS WE HAVE HAD TWO MORE CUSTOMERS WANT A HARMAN THAT BOUGHT BRECKWELLS LAST FALL. WERE STILL IN A BIND AND WE MAY LOSE A FEW CUSTOMERS OVER THIS. WE ARE TELLING THEM TO SELL THE USED STOVES THEMSELF. THANKS FOR ALL THE SUGGESTIONS. I WILL UPDATE AGAIN SOON
UPDATE ON PEOPLE DON'T LIKE BRECKWELL COMMENTS
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Sorry, on a scale of 1 to 10 at typing . I'm a 0. The caps lock seems to be quicker for me. I'll try harder.
Much better!! Now if I could only get my p23i to produce more heat. Or maybe it's my six year old home that's not sealed the greatest as I feel cold drafts here and there. I'm reluctant to blame it on the Breckwell as I have nothing to compare it to. I will say, the unit is super easy to clean, seems very simple in its construction and should be easy to repair if ever needed.
last year we sold close to 20 P22 stoves. We sell it to heat up to 800 square feet. We as a company are very conservative when it comes to the Squre ft of heating listed on the stove brochures. We have had very few complaints about the P22's
You know, I read the original post and am not sure what to think about your situation or your customers. I can say this as someone who bought a Breckwell many years ago and am still very pleased, I knew when I bought there were "better" stoves, they should be given the difference in pricing. The breckwell fit my budget @ the time and to be honest, given today's prices, they still do.
It appears to me that some of the disgruntled have buyer's remorse.
There are many Satisfied Breckwell and Harman owners on this site. There are probably more Harman owners out there @ the moment, but I still see complaints, premature parts breakdowns etc. with the Harmans and other perceived "better" stoves.
I can't deny what a respected forum member who has evidently sold and serviced Breckwells has had to say, but I know that I have had great service from my unit and as I have stated in other threads, I have yet to replace any part except for gaskets. Maybe I'm the very rare exception, I don't know, but I can tell you that I have always heeded the "warning"(original thread) that was spoke of. Maybe in hindsight, Breckwell is just being honest with it's customers about not firing the stove on high for prolonged periods. We know that many(mself included) hope to heat our entire homes with these stoves when in reality they are space heaters and not designed for such. Possibly some of what I deem are very premature parts failures on other brands as well as Breckwells is due to just cranking these babies on their highest settings for extended periods in hopes of entirely heating the structure. These are just thoughts and may or may not hold any water.
As for possibly dropping the Breckwell line from your offerings, Why? Because some like the Harmans much better? Are you seeing major problems(breakdowns, defective parts etc) with the Breckwells and are having to spend considerable service and or warranty time with them? Again, if the customer decided that he/she likes brand x more AFTER they purchase and or are being unrealistic in their expectaitons, is this enough for you to possibly ignore a segment of the consumer market who doesn't want to spend Harman type of dollars?
You know, a btu is a btu, but extracting the heat from the stove can be more efficient from one brand to another. In closing, I hope some of your disgruntled breckwell customers also don't expect a Toyota Camry to perform and ride like the more expensive Lexus. If this is the case, you have problem customers, not a particular stove brand.
It appears to me that some of the disgruntled have buyer's remorse.
There are many Satisfied Breckwell and Harman owners on this site. There are probably more Harman owners out there @ the moment, but I still see complaints, premature parts breakdowns etc. with the Harmans and other perceived "better" stoves.
I can't deny what a respected forum member who has evidently sold and serviced Breckwells has had to say, but I know that I have had great service from my unit and as I have stated in other threads, I have yet to replace any part except for gaskets. Maybe I'm the very rare exception, I don't know, but I can tell you that I have always heeded the "warning"(original thread) that was spoke of. Maybe in hindsight, Breckwell is just being honest with it's customers about not firing the stove on high for prolonged periods. We know that many(mself included) hope to heat our entire homes with these stoves when in reality they are space heaters and not designed for such. Possibly some of what I deem are very premature parts failures on other brands as well as Breckwells is due to just cranking these babies on their highest settings for extended periods in hopes of entirely heating the structure. These are just thoughts and may or may not hold any water.
As for possibly dropping the Breckwell line from your offerings, Why? Because some like the Harmans much better? Are you seeing major problems(breakdowns, defective parts etc) with the Breckwells and are having to spend considerable service and or warranty time with them? Again, if the customer decided that he/she likes brand x more AFTER they purchase and or are being unrealistic in their expectaitons, is this enough for you to possibly ignore a segment of the consumer market who doesn't want to spend Harman type of dollars?
You know, a btu is a btu, but extracting the heat from the stove can be more efficient from one brand to another. In closing, I hope some of your disgruntled breckwell customers also don't expect a Toyota Camry to perform and ride like the more expensive Lexus. If this is the case, you have problem customers, not a particular stove brand.
Very well stated. Now we should let it go!! I happen to be a very happy Breckwell customer. It suits my needs very well.
We're happy with our little P-22. Just put a new combustion fan in our 3rd year. Last year a new auger motor. We bought it used and don't know how old it actually is. Just like a used car it needs constant care.
i think i will run my big e one more season.thats if i can get pellets for under 20 bucks a bag. :down:
2 good sized threads devoted to the Breckwells about the OP`s customers wanting to return their stove but no particular problems noted.
Aside from the output rating being exaggerated and a fan motor needing replacing , any one doing research on a Big E would be hell bent trying to find any glaring weaknesses or outstanding problems with this stove from this thread.
Aside from the output rating being exaggerated and a fan motor needing replacing , any one doing research on a Big E would be hell bent trying to find any glaring weaknesses or outstanding problems with this stove from this thread.
Yes, I am guilty about complaining about the Big E but, It was never the performance of the stove I complained about, it's the replacement parts (or lack of) and the price Breckwell charges, and for those who don't have the knowledge to fix their stove themselves you'll have to add the service charge. Not sure what a repairman gets per hour but just replacing the convection blower motor I am guessing would cost someone 300.00 give or take 25.00 based on 1 hour. Thats just a little steep IMHO. I did find what I needed today for 80.00 (convection blower motor), you can do the math to figure out the huge markup! Unfortunately the dealer I bought the stove from don't care, never has parts on hand. Seems like once they sell you the stove your on your own. These types of businessmen are what give Breckwell a bad name. Although I am happy with the stoves performance I will never buy another Breckwell product due to the lack of/hard to find replacement parts, over priced parts and a dealer who could care less. It is just not worth the hassle! However I would reconsider if a new dealer was to open up shop within reasonable driving distance. It would take me on average 45 minutes to an hour one way to go to this dealer and everytime for nothing. Yeah should call first but you'd think a gasket is something they should have on hand. And then the response, check back in a couple of weeks? what the heck is that? the proper thing would have been to take my name, place an order and call me when it was in! I am glad to see there are dealers out there who do care!
Tony K said:
Tony,
I dread the day that I have to go to the local Harman dealer for any (unique to Harman) parts or service too so don`t feel alone. Parts and labor don`t come cheap these days but you can save money by asking advice here on this site if your`e at all handy and resourceful.
Gio, thats just it I am trying to do this myself but until yesterday was having difficulties getting the replacement part without going through Breckwell. If they wanted to sell me a 50.00 motor for 75.00 or 80.00 I probably would pay it but 198.00 is just so out of reach. The control board, electric motor repair (blower motor cannot be repaired) I would leave to the experts but changing out a known bad motor isn't that difficult where I feel most or all stove owners could do themselves. From experience these motors give you a heads up warning they are ready to go, just by the sound. Thanks
johnnywarm said:
Evidently it varies with different brands. A sleeve bearing replacement blower motor for a Harman is usually available for around $45-$50. Stoves with ball bearing motors could be considerably more.
Normally an inexpensive sleeve motor repair is not worth the time and labor involved.It usually would involve new sleve bearings and shaft replacement. labor alone would exceed the cost of a new motor.
I have a question about motor rebuilds.
2 years ago the blower motor on my oil-burner stopped working.
The replacement was about $100.00 (?).
I took it a electric motor rebuild store in town.
This store rebuilds alt,generators etc.
In 2 days they fixed it for $25.00+tax.
Most comm. rebuild places can repair most problems and if they can't
usually tell where to a replacement that does not cost and arm and leg
Just my 2¢
2 years ago the blower motor on my oil-burner stopped working.
The replacement was about $100.00 (?).
I took it a electric motor rebuild store in town.
This store rebuilds alt,generators etc.
In 2 days they fixed it for $25.00+tax.
Most comm. rebuild places can repair most problems and if they can't
usually tell where to a replacement that does not cost and arm and leg
Just my 2¢
The blower motor for Breckwells anyways can't be rebuilt or rewound as they say. My intent was to buy another motor and have the original rebuilt so I'd have a spare but.....
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