Is this Manufacturer unreasonable... or am I?

Kevin O. Pulver_2

I have been a dealer (for a short time) for a very well known and respected wood gasification boiler manufacturer.
I promote their products at several home shows a year and advertise in a local/regional publication.

A fellow called me recently whom they referred to me. (I thanked them profusely for the lead) He is maybe a couple hundred miles away, but I'm the closest dealer.
I spent some time with him on the phone talking about his job. (you know all that is involved with that)
He wanted to know the price of the boiler and mentioned they gave him list price and offered free shipping.
I called the company to get current pricing, and he wants to buy from me.

So what's the problem?
Well, they'll ship to any business address (that can unload a pallet)for a retail customer, but for a dealer, they'll only ship to my door- no drop shipping.

Secondly, shipping is free for the customer, but $400 for a dealer.

Thirdly, I asked how much down payment to get the order processed. A thousand bucks. No problem, except they wanted the remainder "as soon as possible" though the boiler won't ship for 90 days. When I balked, the agent said they could get the remainder a month or so before it shipped. This is not a credit issue and I expect to pay before they ship, but why do they try to get it all up front?

This thing is big, heavy, and ships on a pallet. It won't fit in a van or truck with topper. Why would I want the logistics of receiving and then to bounce it down the road on a trailer when I could have it shipped directly to the locale? If they can and will ship to a business address with forklift for their retail customers, why will they not ship it to the same place fo their dealers?

BOTTOM LINE:
WHAT is the difference if they ship 10 boilers to 10 locations for 10 people, or ship 10 boilers to 10 locations for ONE dealer?
I'll bet if a retail customer wanted to buy 10 units, they'd be happy to drop ship them all over the place.

I believe the product is great, but I'm starting to think the representation is not so great.
What do you guys say? Do you have any gasifier companies who you think really take care of you?
Kevin

Steve Ebels_3

Sea change in the market

Some wood boiler manufacturers are still stuck in the mindset that you are encountering and are not "contractor friendly", as you have discovered.

I would assume that this is a habit that has been ingrained over time because many contractors have basically ignored the wood market for years. Now that our phones are ringing off the hook with questions about wood boilers and gasification equipment we contractors would like to be treated in the same manner as we do at our normal places of supply.

I would suggest that you get in touch with Econoburn. They sell only through dealers and their product is very good indeed. Send me an e-mail and I'll give you contact info for the VP of sales.