Greenfire Furnaces....Good Purchase?

[PEI1]

I am looking to purchase a wood boiler for the coming season and have been actively checking into the Greenfire furnaces, I have read most of the entries by one of the members (Sparke) with his and the break down.....I really like the way the unit sets up but I am from Canada and have to deal with a broker for the units in Ontario, instead of SJV Trailers in Fort Kent. The Canadian broker is asking around $8000 plus taxes for the 90,000 Btu model. For that kind of cash, does this seem like a good buy, seems to me that Sparke did not pay that kind of money for his.......just wondering if anyone has bought from SJV and in what ballpark they are charging for the boilers?

PEI1

 

[MikeF]

Hi,

I have been talking to Mark at Greenfire lately and he quoted a little over $5800 for a 130 BTU. He's made quite a few improvements to the unit since Sparke bought his. I live in NB and plan to drive up there and get one myslef. All you have to do then is pay the tax at the border. It will amount to 13%. That will save you from the $8000 quote out of Ontario.

 

[PEI1]

Thanks for the Reply MikeF, I wonder how these people at GreenHorizons are selling it at the higher cost.......according to them, they are the ONLY distributor the the Greenfire line.......did Mark at Greenfire ever try to send you to these people or mention that you should purchase from them???.......I am a little peeved especially since I was quoted the $8000 on the model smaller that yours.....you mentioned that you were going to pick it up, is shipping a possibility??

PEI1

 

[Willman]

is shipping a possibility??

If your from PEI you should contact some local truckers who might be able to pick up a boiler for you on their return trip.All kinds of trucking going off the island, not sure they all come back with full loads. pre pay for boiler, great exchange rate ! Pay trucker and tax and your all set. Unload at their terminal.

 

[MikeF]

In terms of the cost of the Greenfire, I'm just passing along what I have been told. If Green Horizons is a middle man, my guess is that they are simply adding to the cost to get their cut. The cost I was quoted was based on me going to the fabrication site and picking it up. In terms of shipping, I know that Sparke had his shipped and I'm sure that could be arranged. Shipping across the border is sometimes an issue so if you can find a local trucker who regularly makes runs back and forth across the line, then perhaps you can work something out. Not sure what the odds are of having a local trucker hauling out of the Fort Kent area is. If you can do it, I would consider getting as friend who has a set up that can haul the weight and taking a day trip, albeit a long one from PEI to northern Maine, and driving up and back yourself. It's simply a matter of presenting your paperwork at Canada Customs, paying your HST, and getting on home. Also make sure you have two IDs for the US Customs people. (Photo ID for one of them and birth certificate work well.)

Mark tells me Saturday is the best day to come up. Call ahead. All the best.

 

[Grapenut]

I recieved a quote of $5400 (US) from Mark for a 130 back in June that was good for 30 days. I did not bite b/c I bought a used Seton instead. While you are looking into shipping, I've used UShip.com with good luck.

 

[PEI1]

All of these quotes are more in the range that I was planning on, I am not sure why the broker in Ont is so off base but I know that I will be giving Mark from SJV Trailers a call because I think that the $5400 is in my ballpark.....now all I need is too understand setup and installation and I will be all set.....seems daunting to a newbie but i am up to the challenge!!....

PEI1

 

[sparky1961]

sjv trailers no longer sells greenfire wood boilers direct . All wood boilers are marketed through Green horizon boilers in Prescott .Ont Canada

 

[PEI1]

hey Sparky1961,

When did they stop selling them at sjv........as Grapenut had a quote as late as June.........it seems disappointing, because if i have to go through green horizons it is going to cost me much more than what was originally quoted to some of the members above.......very unfortunate......is this a for sure???

PEI1

 

[MikeF]

Sent Mark at SJV Trailer an e-mail today and he confirmed that the Greenfire is now being sold through Green Horizons. I guess I should have bought mine a few months ago but the business I'm in does not slow down until September. That is when I was going to make my purchase and install the Greenfire. I guess I missed the boat and I will not spend the money they are now asking for one just to keep the middle man happy. If I have to buy through Green Horizons, there will be one sale they won't be making. too bad. I really liked what Greenfire was doing with the changes they had recently made.

 

[PEI1]

That is really too bad, I am like you MikeF....I really like the Greenfire, and especially at the attractive price......at GreenHorizons pricing it just puts it almost out of the picture.........THAT SUCKS!!

PEI1

 

[Titus]

I think that they may be protecting a new dealership arrangement in Canada. i.e. they will not knowingly sell a boiler direct into Canada.

However, I do believe they are selling direct to locals. Is there a way for you to go to there and buy it? You do not have to tell them you are taking it back to PEI. Or do you know anyone in the area, perhaps Edmundston, who could do it for you? If so, I'd be happy to make a call and verify that someone can walk in and buy one. (I'm from there and know them.)

 

[Mainewood]

It is obvious that SJV Trailers was selling at factory pricing direct to the customer. You can buy a genuine Seton for $7000.00

 

[PEI1]

Hey Titus,

I am certainly game for just about anything if it saves me $3000, I actually have in-laws that are in St Stephen NB and i also have good friends in Brockton, Ma, also some relatives in Norfolk, Ma.....getting there to get it would not be the issue........getting it in the $5400 range would be the trick......if you could make the call that would be spectacular......from the sounds of it, there are others that like the boiler, just not at Green Horizons pricing.......I would certainly be interested if you could get some more info Titus.......Big Ole Atlantic THANKS!!

PEI1

 

[PEI1]

Hey,

Has there been anyone else, looking into these boilers over the last little while??, curious what info everyone is getting and what kind of pricing.....??

PEI1

 

[Titus]

PEI1... sent you a PM.

I spoke with Mark (owner) today. GreenHorizons has a dealer relationship with SJV Trailers, and not just for Canada. Mark only kept Maine for himself. So, price mentioned here was a factory direct buy and is not realistic for most people. They are building steadily, selling about 10 units per week. Not bad, since they are relatively unknown. Mark is more into building than selling, if you know what I mean. Personally, I would have dedicated myself more towards selling and held off on making an exclusive dealer relationship. Imagine how many you could sell, just advertising here.

 

[Ginny]

From my research it seems to me that Mark at SJV Trailers no longer manufactures Greenfire. He is currently making boilers for Green Horizon, a Canadian company. I hear good things about the product and the new business relationship. All this conversation is going on because Mark sold off the end of line Greenfire boilers cheaply to clear the decks for the new boilers. I spoke with Tony at Green Horizon and he told me that those lower prices were for very basic units. The new units are clad largely in stainless steel, are all electric and fully plumbed and essentially ready to plug in. The prices are very competitive for what is on offer. I took a peek at their new web site and found it easy to understand, even for an old girl like me!

 

[Titus]

The Green Horizon boilers and Greenfire boilers are one and the same. SJV Trailers entered into the relationship with Green Horizons in order to get out of the sales and marketing and just focus on making the things. Check out the websites... same material.

So, buying direct from SJV gets you the same item, for less. The difference is the middleman. However, the agreement states that direct sales are only for here in Maine. Mark reserved the backyard territory for himself.

Not more complicated than that.

 

[PEI1]

Hey Titus....thanks for all the leg work and info that you were able to round up........it is because of members like you that we newbies are able to gain the info needed to make purchase decisions a little easier.......THANKS A BUNCH!!

PEI1

 

[newbie976]

Hello PEI1, I was looking at the Green Horizon boilers too and the quote for mine (130) was $9100. I would like to get one of these units but just like you say I refuse to pay that much money for it. How have you made out with your contacts in ME? Did you get a better quote? Any info that you could share with me, my family and I would really appreciate...

 

[webbie]

Hmmm, are folks really considering the purchase of a 9K + boiler from a web site which has been active only a few months? Why?
And doesn't the web site and boiler look a lot like the Adobe?

How does a trailer company qualify to make boilers? Please explain how long they have worked with pressure vessels and other such heating equipment.

Maybe folks should read these experiences:
https://www.hearth.com/talk/threads/15542/

 

[Willman]

How does a trailer company qualify to make boilers?

I have spoken to Mark the owner of the "trailer shop" on a couple of occasions concerning his boiler fabrication. He builds the Seton, which has been around awhile. I would imagine that a welder who can weld up a trailer for road use can prolly have a good outcome with a boiler. The Seton is known mostly for the large amount of refractory anyway. Pressure vessel is sched 40 pipe manifolded into 1/4'' sq tubing. Definitely not typical Euro technology, but seems to get the job done.
Search some threads by Sparke as he bought a knocked down version of the Greenfire for assembly in his basement last year.

Will

 

[webbie]

So it is just coincidence that the Adobe Boiler went away, and this appeared? And seems to use some of the same graphics?

I get worried about all those Maine customers....seems like they are ready to throw money at any potential solutions, even without a long history of performance.

 

[Mainewood]

Craig, There are more people copying Fred Seton's design than just adobe. A little research will reveal that there are several copies being manufactured and marketed. You are right about exercising caution in purchasing a wood boiler.

 

[webbie]

I hear ya...but I'm on my way down to the 7-11 to buy their newest boiler model......the clerk swore to me he learned welding in his high school elective.
%-P