Am I nuts?

[Ken Blazek]

Here's my thinking. You cannot own people. They have free will. One thing I impart on my employees..don't put our company in the position where we cannot defend ourselves. For example, if you don't clean the back of the stove with the same vigor as the front...what happens when the customer pulls the insert out mid season and sees our sloppy work? They may not be upset but if they are and start trash talking to their neighbor...well you get the idea. That is a lazy example and dang it if anyone working for me leaves as much as a dust bunny...I want to know! But it goes for hygiene, attitude, workitude...smileatude

By bringing in the 52i I give the consumer the option to see them side by side. They may like the Harman more, that's good cause I want them to be happy and empowered, not sold. But by having it there I create an opportunity for myself to control the situation. I will make a small commission off it, I'll get the venting and install and I will get a service customer for life. If they go down the street to whatshisface, I get nothing and there is a chance they may have a less than stellar experience.

Not saying your approach is wrong, just high lighting disadvantages.

 

[smwilliamson]

Not saying your approach is wrong, just high lighting disadvantages.

I hear ya but let me counter...what is the disadvantage of seeing people get what THEY want? I may not get the whole enchilada but I may get the filling and cheese

 

[TheMightyMoe]

Every stove has negatives or cons. Harmans are noisy. Quirky control that will shutdown or you'd better have a book to keep ya busy while ya wait(was told to empty the hopper and wait for the blinky!). Air wash is sub par. Pricey buggers too!

I just never see people talk bad about them, and was interested in peoples negative opinions (Other then cost)

I could see the Harman being noisy, it's got a very open design, which let's a lot of noise come out the mechanical areas. Maybe they need to re-design that.

Not sure about the quirky shutdown, but mine typically has very cold outdoor air coming straight in so that might make it shutdown a lot quicker.

Air wash doesn't seem bad, but then again I haven't seen an amazing air wash yet.

 

[webbie]

These are really "retailer" details and probably not of much use to the general public, but I can say this much. If I go to the Lexus dealer and there are (and there ARE) quite a few mercedes models on display there, I definitely would never let the sales person guide me to them or explain what is right or what is wrong with them.

I always felt this way, and the internet age would seem to make it even easier for any customer to do better research than seeing something that's not being sold as a full line.

Among my successful retail maxims:

1. Always try to have something for every customer who walks through the door.
2. Don't sell anything I cannot back up or get service or parts for.

and my one and only Pellet Stove Maxim to customers and dealers...

Never buy a pellet stove from a company that ONLY makes pellet stoves..

 

[smwilliamson]

Never buy a pellet stove from a company that ONLY makes pellet stoves..

Sage advice...

 

[hockeypuck]

Everyone is always out for the best price.. but since most manufacturers seem to put a limit on how low you can go I think your idea is solid. "Controlling the situation" is key. Every product has its strengths and weaknesses. Even if they do go to another shop to buy you have your foot in the door for service because you know all there is to know about Harman and demonstrated it in front of their very eyes.

 

[nailed_nailer]

Hey Scott.........

If you need someone to install that for you there is this guy named "CARL" that is available.


Good on you allowing the customers the chance to make an informed decision.
Of course 99% of them will decide with their checkbook balance.

Best of success.
---Nailer---

 

[smwilliamson]

Everyone is always out for the best price.. but since most manufacturers seem to put a limit on how low you can go I think your idea is solid. "Controlling the situation" is key. Every product has its strengths and weaknesses. Even if they do go to another shop to buy you have your foot in the door for service because you know all there is to know about Harman and demonstrated it in front of their very eyes.

And when they go there and talk to another guy who mostly a dope....just sayin

 

[smwilliamson]

Hey Scott.........

If you need someone to install that for you there is this guy named "CARL" that is available.


Good on you allowing the customers the chance to make an informed decision.
Of course 99% of them will decide with their checkbook balance.

Best of success.
---Nailer---

I got PayPal Bill Me Later, 6 months same as cash....had a guy use it the other day for a repair he was psyched! I called Carl one day a couple of years ago just to bust his chops, got his wife and she said that if I got in touch with him before she did tell him he was an ***hole. Totally serious. I had to pull over and wipe the tears from eyes I was laughing so hard.

 

[jtakeman]

I called Carl one day a couple of years ago just to bust his chops, got his wife and she said that if I got in touch with him before she did tell him he was an ***hole. Totally serious. I had to pull over and wipe the tears from eyes I was laughing so hard.

I kind of feel sorry for Carl! Poor bugger seems he can't do nutin right!

 

[IHATEPROPANE]

I just never see people talk bad about them, and was interested in peoples negative opinions (Other then cost)

I could see the Harman being noisy, it's got a very open design, which let's a lot of noise come out the mechanical areas. Maybe they need to re-design that.

Not sure about the quirky shutdown, but mine typically has very cold outdoor air coming straight in so that might make it shutdown a lot quicker.

Air wash doesn't seem bad, but then again I haven't seen an amazing air wash yet.

The negatives I have read seem to all be related to the dealers not so much the performance of the Harman.