Used Englander 30-NC --- is this a good deal?

[Bob]

Hi All,
I've been lurking on the forums now for probably 6-8 weeks and I'm very grateful for the all the knowledge I've obtained so far. This is the first time we're trying to heat with wood this winter in Maine. Otherwise it's oil for us. I bought an Englander NC 13 used from craiglist. Great little stove but I need more. I don't have the money to buy new.

There is a used NC-30 about an hour and fifteen minute drive from me. It was made in 2007 but the stove has not been used in the last 2 years and is sitting in the guys garage. He wants $400 for it I'm hoping I can get him down to $300 as it needs at least one ceramic fiber board (maybe two) and a new gasket.I've posted some pics. I don't care about the cosmetics as it's a basement stove. I welcome any input from the more experienced and knowledgeable forum members. Thanks so much.

Bob from Maine

 

[begreen]

It's been overfired and abused to be in that shape already. Are the tubes sagging or cracked? Looks like it needs new baffles, gaskets and fire brick at a minimum. Personally I'd pass, but that's just me.

 

[BrowningBAR]

Does it have the bricks?

Check for warps in the door, burn tubes, and exterior framework. It doesn't look too bad. Try for $300, especially if you need bricks.

 

[BrowningBAR]

It's been overfired and abused to be in that shape already. Are the tubes sagging or cracked? Looks like it needs new baffles, gaskets and fire brick at a minimum. Personally I'd pass.

I don't see where it has been overfired.

 

[Swedishchef]

It seems a bit pricey for me. Consider the fact you can get them for $1000 at clearance prices (around here anyway)....
Andrew

 

[BrowningBAR]

It seems a bit pricey for me. Consider the fact you can get them for $1000 at clearance prices (around here anyway)....
Andrew

If he can get it for $300, and nothing is warped on it, that is a pretty significant difference from $1,000.

 

[Swedishchef]

Agreed.

However since I have no time to paint/change gaskets, etc.....it just seems that it was a big neglected for only 6-7 years old (cosmetically)...so I would think it may have been overfired but could be wrong.

 

[BrotherBart]

I don't see where it has been overfired.

That paint didn't peel on the top in front of the step from any stewpot. That stove has had the crap fired out of it without one or more of the baffle boards in it. I bet it glowed real pretty.

 

[BrowningBAR]

That paint didn't peel on the top in front of the step from any stewpot. That stove has had the crap fired out of it without one or more of the baffle boards in it. I bet it glowed real pretty.

I looked at that and thought rust/moisture/chitty storage.

But, I can't argue that it could be from overfire.

 

[dmmoss51]

The owner probably posted on here about how he couldn't get a decent fire to stay going... convinced it wasn't his wood he burned it with the door open most of the time, got tired of it and took it out to the garage.

I'd say be very careful to make sure you are really getting a deal... Tough time to be shopping for stove though.

 

[Bob]

Wow....such speedy replies. Thanks guys. Yeah, I thought this stove looked pretty beat up. I didn't even realize the bricks weren't in it from the pics. Thought they were just really dirty but looking more closely they obviously aren't there. How do I tell if the stove is warped?

 

[fossil]

I wouldn't bother to check it for warping. I'd pass on it and keep looking. Rick

 

[Jersey_Marine]

I wouldnt bother with that. Just got my NC-30 from Home Depot and love it. Heats my whole house and a beautiful door to see the flame. No issues whatsoever. Id pass on that and go grab one at Home Depot. Check out my avatar to see that baby burn beautiful

 

[BrotherBart]

Check out my avatar to see that baby burn beautiful

Or....

 

[stoveguy2esw]

the stove has been over fired, the white in the paint is the indicator (trust me I know what to look for) definitely aren't any bricks in it, honestly though the top if its not bowed can take that as long as its not repeated a bunch of times. I agree it looks like it was burnt with the baffles misplaced or at least partially missing. still by the time you get the stuff that's missing (freight on bricks sucks) you wont be too far from what you might be able to get a new one for.

check out andy over at (broken link removed to http://www.amfmenergy.com) he has some factory seconds in stock I dunno what he is asking for them but its a new unit with some sort of cosmetic blemish on it comes with factory warranty and he'll ship to a freight terminal near to you.

edit, he's asking $850 with free shipping to nearest LTL terminal for the blemished 30's

 

[begreen]

Thanks Mike. Sold - $849 and that is before the $300 energy credit. Get a new one and don't worry about inheriting someone else's negligent headache.

 

[fossil]

he's asking $850 with free shipping to nearest LTL terminal for the blemished 30's

Hell of a deal. I'd be all over it like stink on poop.

 

[Jersey_Marine]

the stove has been over fired, the white in the paint is the indicator (trust me I know what to look for) definitely aren't any bricks in it, honestly though the top if its not bowed can take that as long as its not repeated a bunch of times. I agree it looks like it was burnt with the baffles misplaced or at least partially missing. still by the time you get the stuff that's missing (freight on bricks sucks) you wont be too far from what you might be able to get a new one for.

check out andy over at (broken link removed to http://www.amfmenergy.com) he has some factory seconds in stock I dunno what he is asking for them but its a new unit with some sort of cosmetic blemish on it comes with factory warranty and he'll ship to a freight terminal near to you.

edit, he's asking $850 with free shipping to nearest LTL terminal for the blemished 30's

I paid 850 at my local Home Depot for a brand new unblemished NC-30 and walked out the store with it. They put it in my pick-up with a forklift and I drove it home. When i got home i took all the bricks out of it while it was in the truck along with the ash drawer and my neighbor and I carried it from my driveway, around my house, through the sliding rear doors into the house and placed it onto the Hearth. I dont think 850 is a good deal for a blemished NC-30 that requires aggravation of planning and driving to the nearest shipping terminal to pick it up. 500 bucks may be worth it but not 850.

 

[stoveguy2esw]

well, if you can catch one in the store for that price then its still a good deal MSRP on the unit is 1300, normal retail in stores is about 1100 or so. either way it still a bargain at 850

 

[begreen]

For $75 buck more he will have it shipped with a liftgate truck to your door.

 

[Jersey_Marine]

well, if you can catch one in the store for that price then its still a good deal MSRP on the unit is 1300, normal retail in stores is about 1100 or so. either way it still a bargain at 850

Home Depot's website has it listed for $899 as of now. Id rather pay $899 and walk out of the store with a brand new, unblemised stove bought from a reputable superstore than get a blemished stove purchased from a smaller company and have to worry about shipping. Thats just my opinion that doesnt really matter anyway.

 

[Bob]

In Maine I would pay 5.5 % sales tax so that makes the stove $950. I'm waiting to hear if the used stove has firebrick. Just curious if the guy will make me a counter offer once I tell him I'm probably not interested due to the condition of the stove. I'm now on the lookout for HD coupons though I realize unless it's a store wide coupon they'll be no deals on stoves this time of year. I just did some research on the energy tax credit which is only good for the next few weeks. From what I read it seems it's $300 bucks in my pocket either as money taken off my tax liability if I owe or $300 added to my refund if I'm due one. Any Accountants out there to chime in on this? If that's indeed true that makes a new stove $650 if I pick it up at HD. If I can get $350 for the my NC 13 on craigslist, then I'm only shelling out another $300 for the NC 30. Now to convince the wife.

 

[Bob]

Just called HD. They have a promotion running thru Wed. if I sign for an HD credit card I get 10% off. That saves me another 90 bucks! The pressure is on now.

 

[stoveguy2esw]

late season deals are starting, the big box needs to move stock to make room for spring stuff (believe it or not this is how they do it)

 

[Bob]

Well, I managed to convince the wife. Going to HD today to pay for my brand spankin new 30 NC for $853.50. I Plan to pick it up this weekend. I've read the curing threads. First few burns will be in the driveway. Thanks for all the advice guys. Really looking forward to this heater. I'll post pics if anyone is interested. Cheers!