Print

[oz]

have been reading on OWB for a couple of month's now, will be putting one in this spring. really like the thought put into the bl-2840 and would buy it but nearest dealer is better than a five hr drive one way.
 there is how ever a woodmaster dealer with in a half hour drive of me. i beleive the farm next door to me has a woodmaster so i will be going over to pick his brain. although as i sad i do like the thought put into the bl2840 dealer location is also a huge factor. so anybody burning with the woodmaster 4400 or its predecessor? looking for any input be it pos or neg on the 4400

Thanks

[hondaracer2oo4]

Could you expand a little on your concern about a dealer being close by?

[Coyote556]

OZ,

I am in a similar boat to you.  I have Central Boiler, Woodmaster, Hardy, and Crown Royal dealers close by.  I narrowed it down to CB and Portage and Main.  There is no PM boiler dealer in my area, but if I had to buy today, that is what I would by.  I am still considering the CB, but heavily leaning toward the PM.  I have talked to the factory people and a dealer in southern MN.  I am not afraid of it because there is not that much to go wrong with them and I am pretty handy.  My opinion is do the research and buy the best boiler out there, dealer close or not.  That is my plan

[oz]

honda, if a blower was to crap out or a door gasket did not seal properly if one of the stats did not function within the aloud warranty period is a tech going to drive the 10 plus hrs return to repair? I am fairly handy at this stuff but most if not all warranty work for the most part states that it needs to be done by a qualified tech or the warranty becomes void. i am not sure what the warranty's read with the odb's, but other large priced items i have bought state this in there warranty.

what will be the cost of delivery? sure i could go and get the unit but that is a whole day gone. i would be picking the unit up in the spring which is one of the busiest times of the year for me, time is money this time of the year. I am suree a self employed dealer would be thinking the same.

[Pit Crew]

All parts can be shiped to your house.Warranty is free to you but still pays a dealer to perform the job.I m sure any dealer can fix the problem.

[slimjim]

Self employed dealers for the most part (I think) are more than happy to not only get paid to work on the competitions boiler but get a real life look at how there competitions boilers perform in the field and a chance to talk to the homeowner about their experience, It certainly gives me a chance to win over another customer in the future by providing them with a needed service.

[hondaracer2oo4]

Self employed dealers for the most part (I think) are more than happy to not only get paid to work on the competitions boiler but get a real life look at how there competitions boilers perform in the field and a chance to talk to the homeowner about their experience, It certainly gives me a chance to win over another customer in the future by providing them with a needed service.

Slim really subscribes to this theory! Kudos to him!

[pointer80]

Ive had a woodmaster 4400 for about 7 years now and the only problem ive had is I had to replace the blower motor a couple of times. 

[slimjim]

For those who are mechanically inclined a good dealer is nowhere near as important as for those who can't figure out how to change a blower, but todays units are a bit more complicated as well. Peace of mind is important as well as that we do try to simply give an alternative to the way business has been done in the past.

[Scott7m]

If they can't change a fan motor it's probably not a customer you want any how haha...  it's always the ones who can't change a light bulb that present the biggest challenge

[slimjim]

  But with a little coaxing we may be able to get another family off that oil teet.

[oz]

gentlemen, the point i am trying to get across is, if you like a
particular unit and live some Distance away a person should be cautious as to weather there will be extra costs involved such as shipping, travel time for a service call and so on.
As for me, working in my dads auto shop growing up, having licenses in two mechanical trades and working in a nuclear station, think i got the fan changing procedure covered..

[slimjim]

You would be just fine Oz, the point Scott is trying to make is that some people have an idealistic view of things and will jump into it both feet and then it is a lot of work to coach them through the learning curves and proper maintenance. For those who can't figure it out on their own this forum and the people on it can be a great resource.

[CountryBoyJohn]

I've never met my dealer.  He's 8 hours away.  But, I learned all my "handyman" skills from my dad growing up.  I got my entire system installed from that knowledge, this forum, and on the phone with my dealer.  If you are even the least bit handy and have a good dealer who communicates well, you should be fine. 

[cantoo]

oz, I bought a used unit and the company that made it is out of business. I've never been one is give warranty much thought though. I wouldn't worry about the distance your dealer is away, you sound like a guy who is just going to fix it anyway. Unless you buy one of the new computerized ones there really isn't much that can go wrong. Even then it's likely just a module or some other change out part. Buy what you think is the best and get burning.