I think the issue might be that this was the first one shipped without the ash pan assembly. This is only my theory.
First, the bottom shield kit was not shipped with the stove but it did arrive the next day via UPS. The bottom plate of the firebox is packaged separately from but shipped with the stove and I did not realize there was an issue with it until I went to install the bottom shield assembly. The first direction is to insert studs into the outmost holes in the firebox bottom. Oops, my firebox bottom does not have holes! It seems they forgot to put the threaded holes around the edge of the bottom plate. I called them up and they apologized and shipped a new one that day.
I think WS is still scrambling to get a good, consistent system down for shipping out their new product. I bet all the different options don't help. Ash pan/no ash pan, right door/left door, ash lip/no ash lip, etc.
The anticipation and added delays are tough, but it will work out OK as I will have all weekend getting to know the stove and can still have a toasty warm Christmas.
Edit: I should say there will be no added work for me, it's just a matter of having the right part. The rest, I would have had to do anyway.
First, the bottom shield kit was not shipped with the stove but it did arrive the next day via UPS. The bottom plate of the firebox is packaged separately from but shipped with the stove and I did not realize there was an issue with it until I went to install the bottom shield assembly. The first direction is to insert studs into the outmost holes in the firebox bottom. Oops, my firebox bottom does not have holes! It seems they forgot to put the threaded holes around the edge of the bottom plate. I called them up and they apologized and shipped a new one that day.
I think WS is still scrambling to get a good, consistent system down for shipping out their new product. I bet all the different options don't help. Ash pan/no ash pan, right door/left door, ash lip/no ash lip, etc.
The anticipation and added delays are tough, but it will work out OK as I will have all weekend getting to know the stove and can still have a toasty warm Christmas.
Edit: I should say there will be no added work for me, it's just a matter of having the right part. The rest, I would have had to do anyway.