Steve Ebels

Alan(CaliforniaRadiant)Forbes

You were venting the other day about Viessmann replacement parts; taking a long time to get them delivered. Has that been resolved yet, i.e. have you received the parts?

As I remember, you were pretty riled up which is pretty unusual. How do you feel about Viessmann products now?

I actually have a hard time selling Viessmann, even in the affluent SF Bay Area. A lot of people shy away from the pricing and I'm afarid to say that if I only quote Viessmann products, I often find out that they go with someone who quoted them Munchkin/Superstor. So I've started quoting Viessmann, Munchkin and Superstor.

Alan



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S Ebels

As the song goes

"MMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmm, I'm all shook up".

Yes I was riled up a tad. Frustrated is a better word. Not with the product in the least though, just the distribution. Example: I ordered a little ECD-80 a couple weeks ago. Not in stock. That is a pretty basic piece, inventory wise I would think. Also, it's a very good atmospheric, wet base, gas fired boiler. Perfect for the particular system and budget for this homeowner. NOT IN STOCK!! Have to get it drop shipped from Viessmann, have to pay extra freight. Frustrated is indeed the correct term.
Parts are always available, just not from the distributor that I have. They just don't stock much in the Viessmann line the way it seems.

As far as selling the product goes, customers can pick up real quick when you believe a certain product or brand is the right choice for their job. I never go into a house, no matter how humble, with the idea that "these folks can't afford........". You'd be amazed at some of the places around here that have a Viessmann sitting in the basement. This is because I didn't go into a selling situation with a preconceived notion of what the customer would buy. I firmly believe that Viessmann products are without peer in the boiler industry.

That being said, Do I offer options? Yes, of course I do and I make very clear the difference between option V and option M for example. My sales run about 3 Vitodens to 1 Munchkin. Go figure.