Michael Smotch
TVWBB Fan
I just got my replacement for my cook box for this same issue. 2013 summit.looks hard to do.rotisserie wiring and gas line on side is a *****.
Question for Summit owners...
- Thread starter TonyI
- Start date
As a Weber enthusiast, I wish they'd stock every part forever, or that there was enough demand that third parties would offer aftermarket replacement parts. As a Weber Summit 450 owner, I'm now paranoid about this particular problem and thinking I need to clean the inside of my grill more often! As someone who's worked in big product companies, I understand that supporting products with parts and service is strictly a bottom line calculation...if you've sold a gillion Genesis grills, you may decide to make and sell replacement grates and Flavorizer bars for years, but not the wooden side tables, wooden handles, frame, etc. If you've never changed the diameter of your kettle grill design, then the guy with a 1960's kettle is happy because he can go to Home Depot and buy a replacement cooking grate off the shelf...but not the original wheels or handle.
But if you've sold far fewer Summits, you may not stock any spare parts for discontinued products after the warranty period, and if you're 24 years into a 25 year warranty for cast aluminum fireboxes and you've got none of them on the shelf, and you've got a customer with a receipt and a serial number and there's no sign of abuse, misuse, improper maintenance, etc. you're not going to cast a firebox when there's a warranty claim, you're going to just replace the grill if push comes to shove.
DaveW, interesting info about the firebox components being considered one part by Weber. I suspect they were within their right to apply different warranty conditions to the different components, replacing the firebox if the porcelain steel pieces failed within 2 years and not replacing if failure happened after that.
But if you've sold far fewer Summits, you may not stock any spare parts for discontinued products after the warranty period, and if you're 24 years into a 25 year warranty for cast aluminum fireboxes and you've got none of them on the shelf, and you've got a customer with a receipt and a serial number and there's no sign of abuse, misuse, improper maintenance, etc. you're not going to cast a firebox when there's a warranty claim, you're going to just replace the grill if push comes to shove.
DaveW, interesting info about the firebox components being considered one part by Weber. I suspect they were within their right to apply different warranty conditions to the different components, replacing the firebox if the porcelain steel pieces failed within 2 years and not replacing if failure happened after that.
Yeah, the firebox's for each model have a single part# and when you order that part, you get the entire lower firebox. I suspect that Weber has a different interpretation of the warranty than you do, and that the front/rear of the firebox doesn't fall under the "all other parts" category.
I think you hit the nail on the head though. I surmise that Weber ran out of the firebox from LM's model and that the first level CSR's were instructed to tell people "sorry, that part isn't available" in the hopes that most people would just accept that answer and let it go.
LMichaels
TVWBB 2-Star Olympian
Except that in my case I'll never again consider a new Weber product. They lost me for life no matter what my finances are. Yeah if I come across a used XXXX and I feel like grabbing it I will. But case in point, my oldest daughter is getting married and they'll be buying a house. Bet your bottom $$$ their housewarming present grill will not be a Weber thanks to the shabby treatment. Yeah it's "just one" but I see no reason to buy one. Heck, it's akin to GM telling you "yeah we know that part is warranty but heck you're only 1000 miles from being out and 6 months so yeah we don't have the part................have a nice life". It would be your last GM product right? Heck I would have been happy if the rep said "you know we understand and would like to offer a $XX.XX credit on your new purchase" but no not even that. When I got that grill I was in a totally different financial situation than now. That $1500-$2000 means to me now 10x that amount thanks to being retired on a fixed income. So truly I wish someone from Weber looked at these forums and spoke up. But, while I love the way the Weber grills I own perform I would not purchase a new one.
One thing I've wondered since I first heard about your issue is how far did you take it ? Did you ask to speak to a supervisor ? Did you raise a fuss with someone higher up who might/should be able to do something about it?
Well to each their own.
But what is there that compares? I mean surely you want to buy something that will last many years and be able to fix or repair along the way. I certainly would have called mare than twice maybe find a regional rep or something. I get that it shouldn't be that difficult but when you consider where customer service is in this day and age regardless where you are those people are lucky to be making minimum wage and aren't giving their best effort. That can be said for GM ford weber whoever.
Good luck to you
But what is there that compares? I mean surely you want to buy something that will last many years and be able to fix or repair along the way. I certainly would have called mare than twice maybe find a regional rep or something. I get that it shouldn't be that difficult but when you consider where customer service is in this day and age regardless where you are those people are lucky to be making minimum wage and aren't giving their best effort. That can be said for GM ford weber whoever.
Good luck to you
LMichaels
TVWBB 2-Star Olympian
BroilMaster is one that does. You can still get every part going all the way back to the 60's versions. To name one company. Bottom line if it wasn't a close to $2k grill it would not bother me as much. If my old Genesis got to that point because it was basically a $500 grill spread over about 25 years now I would not feel too badly sending it over the "rainbow bridge" so to speak. So you ask what I might buy that does as well in performance? I might look to something like these http://www.broilkingbbq.com/grill/propane-and-natural-gas-grills I have looked at them and am very impressed at the quality/price point. Basically these look like they will "go the distance" at half the price of Weber's product(s) and if 10 years down the road it fails and cannot get parts I'd feel lots better about it at their price point than Weber's. Again YMMV and it's just one person's (mine) observation. It's also only one example. Again not "flaming" anyone/anything (no pun intended) just making an observation here
Greg M
TVWBB All-Star
I don't think you are flaming anyone. I understand why you are upset. I probably would be too
But I've looked at the 2 options you mention. The broil master line just doesn't appeal to me at all. I just don't like the older design of their grills. At least the ones I've seen.
Broil king is the only other manufacturer I would condider. But I don't know that they continue to make parts for their older grills to the extent that weber does.
To each his own. I happen to love my 2 older genesis. I hope you find something that works for you.
But I've looked at the 2 options you mention. The broil master line just doesn't appeal to me at all. I just don't like the older design of their grills. At least the ones I've seen.
Broil king is the only other manufacturer I would condider. But I don't know that they continue to make parts for their older grills to the extent that weber does.
To each his own. I happen to love my 2 older genesis. I hope you find something that works for you.
LMichaels
TVWBB 2-Star Olympian
I only threw BK out there because it is a very good performing product with price point about 50% of say a Weber Summit. My thinking is that if they let you down on part availability 5 or 10 years down the road better to scrap a $900 grill than a $2000 one. Luckily I don't need to scrap mine. Thanks to recently purchasing said bad part from a member here I should be able to get many more years from many Summit. It's just that this experience was a true eye opener for me. Odds of me ever buying another high end brand new grill for myself though.......................slim. Retirement and fixed income has a way of making you see things differently. Though for my daughter and son in law (well soon to be) when they buy a house I will be gifting them something very nice since she's still using the old Q200 I bought for her a number of years ago. I was lucky enough to acquire a BroilMaster P3 for free from some people I met who were moving out of state. I have to say while it may look old school it definitely performs. It actually is my "go to" more times than not. I particularly like the moveable grates being able to move them closer to or further from the heat source and the folding top rack. It's actually a lot more versatile than you'd ever think a 2 burner would ever be.