The people selling them new on ebay are distributors... How do you think they obtain them in bulk and sell them for so little? just my 2 cents but perhaps if they all charged more they could become as big as the distributors you mention But I for one would rather buy it with less of a markup.. I havent needed any "support" for how to use a kettle or plate chiller so im good saving a considerable amount of money instead. ebay and paypal both have purchase protection in case I ever do have a problem.
Hi auggiedoggy!
When I asked sparger the questions it was to clarify what he had done. I knew that he bought directly from the manufacturer, but I wanted answers to a few other questions rather than making assumptions and giving a response based upon assumptions. Over the years I've found it works best for me to get clarity before writing a response.
I do not have anything against Ebay sellers, I can understand how you may think I do from the way I wrote my response, to sparger. The reason I separated larger online retailers from Ebay retailers because of my experience with manufacturers in general. I've found that it is not uncommon that manufacturers offer no support from a sale on Ebay and some other smaller online shops. On the other side, my experience with some manufacturers is that many times they do offer their support if a product is purchased from larger brick & mortar stores.
The reason for me even questioning the manufacturers support of the product was not because sparger was talking about price matching from an online retailer...but because of the wording in the response from Grainfather themselves.
When referencing support, I was thinking more in lines of defects with the materials, or in intended operation...not how to questions. One may assume that a manufacturer would certainly cover any product defects in the materials...but it cannot always be taken for granted that the manufacturer will cover defects if you purchase from an "unauthorized seller".
Paypal certainly does offer protection and I purchase with them quite a bit. I've also been caught up in a Paypal snafu before. It was incredibly difficult, and lengthy, to get out of the situation. If after many phone calls, if I hadn't (finally) been in contact with that one Paypal support worker who took the time to actually listen to what my problem actually was (instead of their error code and operating procedures telling them what the problem is written up as)...if I hadn't gotten that person...it would have even more difficult to remedy the situation. During this time, I was unable to purchase anything online that used the Paypal engine...this included every seller that even uses Paypal on the back side of their online checkout. It became surprising to me how many checkout carts still use some portion of Paypals services while not giving the customer any idea that it's a Paypal transaction.
No - they are saying that you will be supported by the company that you bought it off. Buy from morebeer and you have a problem, you contact morebeer.
That's how I read it too. While I can agree with them that if you bought it from a distributer, you should start you services with them. If it's an issue with quality, operational defect, etc...and the retailer you bought it from isn't taking care of the problem for you...I would certainly hope the manufacturer would step in and take over your service and make things right. From their wording, it sounds as if it is you an the retailer...if so, that is a shame.
FWIW, I bought my grainfather from morebeer and still receive awesome support from grainfather.
That is awesome to hear...and how I hoped Grainfather would stand behind their product. I was a little surprised to see their wording, and that concerned me more than the pricing issue.
On the pricing issue, that's just the way it goes. I believe responsibility falls on the consumer. A person cannot like it...but that's how it goes. If anyone really wants a possibility to get some of the years best pricing...I'd recommend waiting until the post Thanksgiving sales...but you're still not assured any confidence in pricing then either.
Either way...enjoy your Grainfather!