anybody near Columbia, MO wanting an XL BGE?

The ones down here have the vision kamado's. Never seen a bge. 

Sam's isn't a BGE dealer, but just like half the stuff in their (or costco's) apparel or jewelry dept, it's gray market.  They are getting it from some BGE distributor and selling probably at their cost in order to attract their members.  

Costco has been sued several times over this......Calvin Klein or Levis went after them, as did Tiffanys.  Costco won as they bought it fair and square.

As far as the warranty goes, the BGE dealer one will not be honored, but Sam's will warranty it for life.  Just know you're probably going to get a refund rather than a firebox though.

I saw large BGEs in a few Sam's stores around St. Louis a few years ago.  3-4 per store, didn't last long.  Large with a nest and daisy wheel, no mates, $799.

This happens every year.  If BGE really cared they'd put a stop to it.

blasting said:

The way I'm reading this, it is the a great thing for corporate bge.  Increased sales and no warranty claims.  Seems like a bit of a scam though for the consumer though, unless it is stated "No Warranty"

Not really......it diminishes the value of the brand when you have stores out there selling them for WAY below the minimum advertised price and outside of the boundaries of a dealership network.

I don't know about BGE, but some companies will come in and buy their product back from unauthorized dealers in order to protect their dealers.

One of the products that I used to sell had a pretty strict dealer agreement.  I got on a waiting list to purchase them and was prohibited from selling them on Amazon, eBay, etc.  They had a minimum advertised price as well.  Once I finally got 3 dozen of them in stock, it wasn't a month later and they were on Amazon for the same price I paid for them as a dealer (45% off MSRP, I believe).  I tried to return them, but the manufacturer wouldn't take them back.  So, I sold them at cost to get rid of them......and that took almost a year.

I'm all for free enterprise and capitalism, but if I'm bound to a dealer agreement, everyone else has to be.  We have one for Rockwood--it's probably the shortest one ever written--but if a dealer breaks it, no more charcoal.

johnkitchens said:

blasting said:

The way I'm reading this, it is the a great thing for corporate bge.  Increased sales and no warranty claims.  Seems like a bit of a scam though for the consumer though, unless it is stated "No Warranty"

I would be pissed if I bought one from Sam's and found out the hard way that I didn't have the full warranty.

It does have a full warranty......from Sams, not from the manufacturer.  It breaks, you get 100% of your money back including the tax.  That's above and beyond what you get from the manufacturer.  The bummer is if you want to keep the product and just wanted a replacement part--even then, they may cut you a check so you can buy the part from the manufacturer. 

I would have liked to have paid that for my XL, but I like my dealer and they treat me right.  That to me is an advantage.  I live 2 hours from Columbia, but I don't need another XL.

I wonder how upset the year round BGE dealers in the area get about this.  

RRP said:

SunDeviledEgg said:

I wonder how upset the year round BGE dealers in the area get about this.  

I'm vaguely familiar with Columbia and the sole BGE dealer there is a snobby pool business. I have heard from several people that unless you have money in your hand when you walk in the door to buy a BGE that they won't waste time with any "lookie-lou" folks. One guy told me when he told them he just wanted  to see it in person then the salesperson just turned and walked away! 

Those kinds of places should not be dealers. Most of us looked at the Eggs more than once before we made the purchase. My philosophy is that they don't have time for me before my purchase they certainly won't have time for me after. 

Some people don't have the temperament to deal with the public.