Hearthlist Digest #251 - Wednesday, January 6, 1999 Blowers for Superior Heatform by "Bill Kline" <[email protected]> Chimney Scams by "Craig Issod" <[email protected]>
(back) Subject: Blowers for Superior Heatform From: Bill Kline <[email protected]> Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1999 22:07:46 -0500 (EST) A customer is looking for blowers for a Model 33A Superior Heat Form Fireplace. Is such a product still available? Your assistance is much appreciated. -- Bill Kline Chim Cheree Chimney Sweep 27 Edwards Lake Dr. Greer, SC 29651 In our Twenty First year. http://www.andoken.net/chimcheree
(back) Subject: Chimney Scams From: Craig Issod <[email protected]> Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1999 12:47:10 -0500 (EST) Our local papers here in NJ have featured chimney scams in the headlines for the past day or two. Apparently, the sweeps in questions have been telephoning the public saying they were recommended by a large local utility company. The utility in question has denied recommending any particular sweeps. In addition, the paper quotes a homeowner as saying "He came,took my money, and left in 10 minutes. When the cap he installed came off, I called back and was unable to reach him." Not good PR for the chimney sweeping business. However, it might actually be a feather in the cap for those honest and certified sweeps. We've also run into our share of zealous sweeps over the past 20 years while running our retail store...you know, the ones that tell EVERY homeowner that the chimney needs a $2,500 relining or the house will burn down. Funny thing, most of the customers don't go for it- and their houses are still in one piece. Some of these sweeps are actually honest..they sincerely believe that unless every chimney is relined, it will be a hazard. And...this may even be partially true. Still, it's the attitude with which the options are presented that sometimes causes a problem. Bottom line is that we all take chances. Maybe we don't have the safest car, the right number of CO or smoke detectors in our home, the right decals on our windows, etc. We buy discount airline tickets on 30 year old planes and second-rate airlines. There is a big difference between saying: 1. "Your house will burn down if you don't sweep or reline your chimney" 2. "You might have some problems with excess creosote or poor draft. Why don't you get back to me after you've run the stove for a few weeks and let me know your experience" It's like my dad used to tell me about the "old time" car dealers. After you laid out your hard earned money for a new car, a salesman would take you into the other room and say "You are not going to let your wife and kids drive around in that car with the stock BRAND X tires, are you?" He would go on to make the customer think he was a criminal and should increase his life insurance if he subjected his family to the car without a tire upgrade. Notice - Buddha is gone from my signature - I figure you've all seen that enough. I'll come up with a fresh one soon, but here's the weekly quote: "Government lies and Newspapers lie - but in a democracy they tell different lies" ------------------------------------------------------ Craig Issod HearthNet at http://www.hearth.com [email protected] Everything your Hearth Desires ------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------