Thank you
Thanks shredwagon. I'm leaning towards Webasto I think. I don't know what others here have had as to Espar's customer service and customer support, but for me it has been very negative. Here are some examples:
I emailed both Espar and Webasto with some questions. Webasto got back with me fairly quickly. Espar? 35 days later from a John Giglio. Although my questions were answered, I asked why it took 35 days to reply to me, and I informed him that because of that time lapse I was a dissuaded potential customer and asked if he could "per"suade me to buying their Espar product. I also stated that I got a quick reply back from their competitor (although I didn't say who, as Webasto is a sibling company I guess), and that at this point I'm more inclined to go with them. What was his reply back to me? No apology for the 35 day late reply, no desire to check on the communication break down - if indeed that was the reason. His reply was "I appreciate your thoughts. The competitors could use some help. We wish you best of luck with your personal venture." I emailed the president of Espar, Mr. Hohensee, and of course I haven't had a reply, which I expected.
I do have an Espar dealer and installer nearby, 3 miles away actually, who has been dealing in Espars for a long time. I called one Saturday and the man working didn't have any knowledge about the product or units. So I called an Espar dealer much further from me. The man I spoke with there was courteous, took my phone number and questions, and said that the one who knows all about the Espar will call me back. He never did. That's when I decided to email my questions to Espar and Webasto as mentioned above.
So anyway I went to my local dealer 5 days ago, and found that they have D2's for $995 US. I asked about a muffler, digital control, and altitude compensator. He told me that he's never heard of Espar selling those. Ummm... what???? Ok, maybe 'I' am wrong and they don't(?). He wrote down my ph number and those extra items I was interested in and said he'd check on those and would call me. Couldn't he have just looked it up right then and there to see if Espar has them? So far I haven't heard a thing from them.
To me a brand and product is only as good as the people behind it. Whether that be sales, service, PR, whatever. I'd rather purchase a slightly inferior product whose company has the intent to look out for me after the sale and make something right if it's wrong, than deal with a company whose Rep tells me to go elsewhere, have no concern for 'my' concerns, and no remorse for poor customer service. How would the latter company treat their customers 'after' the sale? Obviously poorly. Maybe Webasto is just as bad, but thus far I've had no indication of this. Product quality is important, yes. And equally important is the people behind the product. If i went with Espar I'm quite sure I'd be on my own after the sale.
