Rob M
TVWBB Super Fan
(have had issues posting pic's on new forum, not sure what I am doing wrong, never had an issue on old forum)
Hello All,
If you click link above it should show you a photo of the Weber Electrode Part # 42051 that is used on many of Weber's Gas Grill Ignitor's.
I have replaced a few over the years on my Summit Platinum as they have a tendancy to rust out after a couple years of regular use. I have always tried to order OEM parts direct from Weber and have had no issues doing so.
Today I called Weber to order the 2014 lower cooking grates for my older 18.5 and 22.5 WSM's since they now have handles and last year I dumped 3 turkey breast into the water after burning myself even with cooking gloves on trying to remove lower cooking rack on the 22.5. I usually cook between 30-35 boneless breast each Christmas as gifts to good clients. I have been doing this for almost 20 years and started when I was young and poor trying to give good gifts that did not cost as much as a "good gift" would and now most ask when they are getting their turkey breast! LOL! So am am still doing them.
Well after 25 minutes according to the timer on my phone trying to order these and the woman Helen I was dealing with would one minute refer to ordering for a Performer and next she confirms I am ordering the charcoal grate which none is correct and I am wondering if she is even listening to me then after finally reiterating I want the 2014 lower cooking racks for the 18.5 and 22.5 I finally ask her to please refer to my last order 2 years ago for the Electrode's Part # 42051, as I always order a couple at a time so I have a spare. Well she then explains I can no longer order those separate that they now sell only the ENTIRE Ignitor system only for $57 which includes the entire wiring system for the grill for every burner, smoker box, infrared and side burner, EVERY Wire on the grill. I explain I only need the One 8 inch wired electrode and could I speak to someone about this. Well she puts me on hold and after 10 minutes listening to Christmas Carols I am hung up on or as the later told me when I call back I "must have been accidentally disconnected" They never even called me back even though they have all my contact info I confirmed.
So then I get Alexandra and she is helpful to complete my order and connects me to Nick a "Supervisor" Well Nick is a nice and obviously very young man (sounded in his 20's) (Helen and Alexandra sounded to be at least 60 years old) Well Nick explains the same to me and tells me a year or so ago they reviewed their business plan for selling parts and revised that they no longer sell anything separate and everything is now sold in "Kit's" for example you can no longer buy only one flavorizer bar you have to buy them all. I tried to give him an example that is like saying I need spark plugs for my car but they tell me no you need to buy the complete wiring harness for they car, or I need new brake pads and they tell me no you need all new brake components.
CRAZY if you ask me. Well I explained to Nick I own 3 corporations and as a business man that is going to hurt them in the long run because anyone with a half an ounce of sense is going to buy from a 3rd party vendor and they will lose money.
Just an FYI I bought 3 Electrodes Weber Part # 42051 for $9 each on Grill Parts .com and with shipping spent less that $40. I thought I would share this experience with you all and hope you let me know your thoughts and if you have had similar parts buying experiences recently with Weber. They may make once of the best grill line-ups on the market but they have royally screwed up the parts supply and without a doubt this going to cause them to lose $money$ on the replacement parts business side.
Thanks for listening, Rob
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