Repair low flame of Napoleon fireplace
Buyer be warned
Facts:
Purchased GDS 60 Napoleon fireplace in 2006
Fireplace used a total of 30 hours per season (more decorative then heating source)
In 2007 fireplace had low weak blue flame even on high
Dupont assessed need to replace regulator valve to fix problem
I authorized work but part was in back order
Summer 2011 I followed up in preparation for winter season
September 2011 techinician replaces regulator - still low flame (faint blue flame) $250 invoice for this work
Called Dupont and told them of same issue and they send mechanic back to repair.
Mechanic advises me that the flame does not go any higher, and asks me if I am sure it was higher and leaves. - I was not charged for call back
Called office again and was told their best technician will come out and take a look.
Second technician diagnosis a second malfunction with another part by visual inspection, second techincian continues to question my memory of the flame height and advises that Napoleon units have these kind of problems after two three years, estimate cost for repair $600 - bad attitude was an omen
I call the offcie again suggesting that the problem is with airflow and not parts, I was assured it was parts and as act of good faith i would only be charged cost of part, I consented
October 2011 second technician comes out and replaces part but now tells me first technician had damaged the pilot line and had to be ordered in
Called the office again and I was told the order for the parts was placed
Novemeber 14, 2011 second technicain comes out again and fixes the pilot line, he then tries to light the fireplace but the starter isn't igniting the pilot so he manually lights it, whistling happiiy becasue he was moving right along. I said to him you just lit the pilot manually and he replied "yes I did", with a half smirk.
He reassembled the unit and after fixing the wires they had crossed on the electronic ignition he lit the fireplace only to get the same flame level.
While the techinican was there I called the office to let them know that the problem was not resolved. Mike was not in so the technicia packed it up to go. At that time I asked him if the starter is working and he turns to me and says no it will need repalicing, at which point I asked why was I not given a direct answer on the matter when I first asked.
Once again I was told by the technician that I am imagening things and that I am after free parts.
To my surprise the office (Mike) said he could not help any further, they cannot fix my fireplace.
November 14 2011 I called a technician from Toronto Home Comfort ho came on Novemeber 16, 2011. Within a half hour, a can of air spary to clear the blocked tubing and a service call of $100 my fireplace was fixed and the flames are glowing and at the perscribed by the manufacturerer. Oh, and he cleaned the fireplace inside out!
Comment: I knew there must have been a problem with the pilot starter when he lit the pilot manually but I wanted to test the honsty of this second techinician - failed. I will not go into details as to what transpired between me, Dupont and its agent after he finished the house call as this will be an issue for future litigation.
I will let you draw your own conclusions on the technical apptitude of some of Dupont's techinicians.
I regret recommending them to an older couple for a furnace installation - I will have to stay close to them on that install.
- Approximate cost of services:
- $250.00
- What could this company do to improve their services?
- Teach their staff client relations, honsety nad admitted they don't have the expertise to fix something upfront. Never question a customers integrity.
- Any advice to offer fellow homeowners facing a similar project?
- If you need your fireplace repaired look elsewhere.
- Company Response
This customer called in this season to have his fireplace serviced for an issue he's had since last year. I sent the first technician over who diagnosed a failed gas valve control. We replaced his valve but he still had issues. When I sent another technician to diagnose the problem, to have a second set of eyes look into it, he found that the fireplace had a weak signal from his powerpile and thermocouple and would not start normally. The technician was there to help him, replaced the parts and solved his fireplace issues that he had and noted that the flame adjustment was better. Having nothing to compare the flame to, the technician questioned this customer on how high the flame should be. This customer kicked the technician out of his home, slammed the door at him and did not pay his bill for the repairs. This customer was also promised to be charged only for parts and not for any labour involved in repairing his fireplace. After this incident, I spoke to the customer and advised him that abusing technicians is not tolerated by our company. I informed him that the technician who was at his property would not come back due to the incident that took place. Asking the customer what he wanted me to do to help him, he went silent on the phone and threatened legal action. Some people just can’t be satisfied no matter how hard you try. No one was ever disrespectful or showed any malice towards him. I have no idea where this outburst came from.
FACTS:
1. His fireplace was actually installed in December of 2003 not 2006.
2. He has never complained about a problem about the fireplace until this year (8 years after the original installation) not 2007 as he has stated.
3. He has never called us or any other company to service his fireplace and perform a routine maintenance which has probably caused most of the issues he's been having.
4. This customer was promised to be charged only for parts at our cost.There seems to be no appreciation for the work the technicians have done for him and for the work the office put into finding all his replacement parts. We were not out there to make any money from this customer as he was only to pay for parts at our cost. His attitude towards this matter is immature considering what he has been offered and the abuse aimed at the last technician was uncalled for.
Not only is the company at a loss for parts replaced, labour hours to find and replace his parts, this customer seems he got the short end of the stick?!?