New Product Advice?

Dale

Years ago my company was involved, by funding,in a low income weatherization program, about 100 furnaces per year. As the tech person I was asked for what brands should be allowed. I said the specific model must be in at least the 3rd year of production. Although there was much whining and gnashing of teeth this worked pretty well as the redesigns from the mkt. dept pushing the model out early usually got reasonably fixed by engineering after 3 years and the contractors who sold and installed (paid by us) figured out how to service their brands pretty well after 3 years and the wholesaler stocked the right parts by then. Now,I hear guys here who can't wait to install the newest product just off the design board,good for them but my risk profile doesn't have me going there.

Ragu

Incentives?

This is mostly about big ticket items; boiler-burner combo, for example. The supply house calls with an invite to an open house to introduce a new line. The reps come for a sales presentation along with some classroom time and some hands on time. Unfortunately, nobody within 200 miles has installed one yet. If I am to be the first in the area to start buying this stuff, is it correct for me to ask for a big discount? I want to use new stuff, but I would like a financial break to help with my fear of being a guinea pig. How does that work? Thanks.

Mad Dog_2

That would be nice, and I have seen a few manufac's

that would do a cost-price for the first one or even a raffle, but it is kinda rare. Doesn't hurt to ask. Mad DOG

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

John Boyer

I would say dont look for it...Yet Quite often it is as you say.

Manufacturers quite often not only offer you the contractor a price break on the first ,...they also offer the outlet a very attractive incentive ...often the powers that be in a community wont let you get a word in edgewise when it comes to "New Technology" nah..its just some sorta expensive piece of junk that is going to break down ...who is going to be able to fix it?....we got along fine without that for a long time now....that sounds like an awful waste of money to.....so what difference does it make if the btu's leave fast or slow they are going out the window anyway...on and on....so....then there is the idea that if any aspect preforms slightly Other than you were into, then.... well.... now.... I told You so!... then too for all you do to get the things into the community it may take decades before any general acceptance occurs...these are some of the down sides to you the habby contractor....my thought is, mention in passing some of the objections that you have encountered installing widgets in the past and see whether you can intimate that you could use some possible incentive *~/:) just maybe you suggest it take's a bit to advertize and who knows, you might even get a bit of help you would have never thought existed...now , given that choise you might want to put a couple$ into your first intallation and take extra care to do just a little more than asked or suggested. you decide on the plan to chirp these things up....you might be suprised at how much you end up changing the face of the community over time....my thought though is ,dont expect any help and dont expect that anyone will ever say "Atta Boy" even if everyone and thier brother buys into it over time.....look for the good in every day even in the problem times ,these puzzles are a blessing and a means of growth. OH NO ! *~/:) I am Somebolly else again !

Boiler Guy

W/M Ultra

had an inventive program. But I have yet to receive the promised result!

John MacGregor_2

The only incentive I would be happy with would be full labor warranty. I can't begin to know how much we have spent out of our own pockets to cover the behinds of manufacturers who send out ill designed and or improperly manufactured products, from new toilet designs to hi efficiency heating equipment.
Maybe if we charged our customers for all the repairs to this equipment, they would go to the CPSC or FTC the way they did to the auto manufacturers years ago. But then we probably wouldn't be able to walk down the street and face our neighbors.
When the supplier or mfr doesn't want to help on the labor end,I have started to hold back payment on defective equipment and let the supplier work it out with the mfr.
This may not work to my advantage, but otherwise we have never missed a discount in over 40 years in business, and I know they have carried my competitors right into bankrupcy court after waiting , sometimes years, to get paid up.

Bob LaRochelle

de dietrich boilers

Does anyone have any info on the reliability/quality of de dietrich boilers for radiant heat? Thank you in advance - Bob