Damaged MES 30: Need advise

[kevin james]

Hi Guys. So I ordered a MES 30 from Amazon several weeks ago and I have been so busy that I haven't had a chance to open it until last Friday.

I got the whole thing assembled and the last thing was to adjust the feet at the bottom to stablize it. Thats when I noticed damage.

The rear panel at the bottom is bent and bulges out. It looks like it was droped on the left rear corner foot and the threaded foot pushed the back panel out. Its bulged out pretty far, probably at least a half inch.

So here's wher the question comes in. Is this unit sealed from the inside? I took a flashlight and tried shining a light in to the bulged area from the outside to see if I could see any light on the inside, and then tried shining a light from the inside to see if i could see any light coming through outside. Both tests passed and I couldn't see any light coming through from the other side.

I'm wondering because while I do still have a few days left to return it, the process looks like a huge p.i.t.a. and I'm wondering if I should just keep it since the damage can't even be seen from the front of the unit.

Any oppinions would be helpfull. I haven't had any time to take pictures or I would post them.

Thanks.

 

[daveomak]

Kevin, evening....   Is the inside SS liner damaged, at all, that you can see ??  If not, is the exterior damage gonna bug you forever ??  Do all the electronics work like they are supposed to ???  

I think I remember others saying Amazon deliveries were coming in damaged.... That is not to say there are a lot of damaged units.... MB probably sells 200 smokers a day...   Bad luck getting one of them...

I reread you post.... The left rear, on the bottom of the smoker, is where all the extra electronics are buried... at least on the older units like I have....  

The decision you have to make is a tough one....   Best of luck figuring it out....     Dave 

 

[big lew bbq]

Turn Smoker on, Put in Chips, If smoke leaks then you have a faulty product, Then return!

 

[red dog]

I haven't had to deal with customer service but have heard that if there is a problem like that Masterbuilt will send a new body. In my instruction book it says if you have a problem with your new smoker to contact them, not the retailer. If you can get a new body for free from Masterbuilt you won't have to deal with re-packing and shipping it back to Amazon. You will have to put your door and some other things on the new body. I would definately take some photos of the damage then try it out like Lew said.

 

[kevin james]

So I called masterbuilt yesterday and they did offer to send a new body but I have to send several parts back to them first. They also said that it IS sealed from the inside but that their concern is the bulge might cause the insulation to start expanding.

I still haven't totally decided but I'm probably just going to return it to Amazon.

 

[kevin james]

OK snapped a few pictures of the damage. What do you guys think?

2012-09-0810.45.03.jpg

• kevin james
• Sep 8, 2012

2012-09-0810.45.33.jpg

• kevin james
• Sep 8, 2012

2012-09-0810.45.50.jpg

• kevin james
• Sep 8, 2012

 

[red dog]

That looks pretty nasty. Might be a source of moisture to get into your electronics and carode connections over the long run. I would seriously consisder getting the new body if it was me. It's a bummer but at least they will make it right.

 

[gotarace]

I would have Masterbuilt send me a new body if that is offered. A little ding or dent is one thing.. that is some serious damage there. Hope there is a quick resolution to the problem and you can get to making some BBQ!!!

 

[kevin james]

Its going back to Amazon. Its already boxed up and the UPS pickup has been scheduled. I've heard some people say that when they did an exchange they ended up with a refurbished item so I went the route of asking for a full refund and I'll just buy another one to make sure a get a brand new unit.

 

[daveomak]

.....  Kevin.... you will be happier knowing you aren't going to have problems in the future...  Dave

 

[kevin james]

Well, I have an update. Unfortunitely it's more bad news. I recieved the new smoker and opened it up and once again it's damaged. This time worse than the first one as its bent up in multiple places on the back and bottom panels.

So, this one is going back as well. I have decided that I will not be ordering another as it seem next to impossible to get one shipped without it ariving damaged. Since no one caries them locally I may just have to get something else. Not sure what to get though.

 

[linguica]

Don't underestimate a firmly worded letter to the head of the company. Remember, the power is at the top of the chain. Tell him about all the possible customers at the SMF and how they are following your problem. They know that only 1 in 20 people actually write in. Be courteous, but give them Hell.

 

[diggingdogfarm]

Well, I have an update. Unfortunitely it's more bad news. I recieved the new smoker and opened it up and once again it's damaged. This time worse than the first one as its bent up in multiple places on the back and bottom panels.

So, this one is going back as well. I have decided that I will not be ordering another as it seem next to impossible to get one shipped without it ariving damaged. Since no one caries them locally I may just have to get something else. Not sure what to get though.

The communist Chinese crap will almost always disappoint in the end, if it doesn't in the beginning! :biggrin:

So........Maybe a Smokin-it......!?!?!?!

http://www.smokin-it.com/


~Martin

 

[deltadude]

Well, I have an update. Unfortunitely it's more bad news. I recieved the new smoker and opened it up and once again it's damaged. This time worse than the first one as its bent up in multiple places on the back and bottom panels.

So, this one is going back as well. I have decided that I will not be ordering another as it seem next to impossible to get one shipped without it ariving damaged. Since no one caries them locally I may just have to get something else. Not sure what to get though.

Kevin, you bad luck is due to luck of the draw, it happens!  Two things are known:

1st Masterbuilt makes a very good smoker ala MES either 30 or 40.

2nd Amazon is a great vendor, usually willing to do what it takes to make the customer happy.

The villain sounds like the transport carrier, which could be more than one.

My MES 40 came with a slight ding obviously due to being dropped on a corner, however it wasn't as bad as your damage in the pics, and has worked fine for 6 years.  Point being other MES owners have received damaged shipped MES units, mine came from SAMS club.  Yours is either coming directly from Masterbuilt or from a Amazon warehouse.  Contact Masterbuilt and tell them what happened, they might have another vendor you can purchase from that is closer to you.

BTW I ran into same problem with a dishwasher from Sear 2 years ago.  We bought our house (a foreclosure) and replaced all the kitchen appliances.  The dishwasher I chose was a highly rated one with 75 people giving it 4-5 stars out of about 85, no other washer got such a good rating, so I wanted that one especially since it fit my budget.  It was not in stock, it arrived and I installed it and it was DOA, even the repair guy says he never saw the pump motor be DOA on this make. I returned and 2nd one comes damaged!  A lot of people would have been seriously upset either changing vendor or chose a different model.  All I could think about was those ratings 75 out of 85 could not be wrong, I ordered another same model.  I am so happy I did, the dishwasher works better than we thought possible. 

The MES is highly rated with so many happy owners.  You are out a little effort not out hundreds of dollars, contact both Amazon & Masterbuilt and consider the options they give you.

 

[kevin james]

I think I'm going to give this one more try and order another one today. Hopfully the 3rd time is acharm and I'll get one that doesn't show up damaged. I think I'm going to call Masterbuilt first though and see if they can point me in the direction of any stores in my area that cary them in stock. If not I'll try again with Amazon and keep my fingers crossed, because I REALLY want this to work out.

 

[chiefwej]

If you have a Sam's warehouse nearby the MES 40 is a great unit for $299. If they don't have it in stock you can usually order online for store pickup. That way ou could open the box and check for damage before even taking it home.

 

[kevin james]

If you have a Sam's warehouse nearby the MES 40 is a great unit for $299. If they don't have it in stock you can usually order online for store pickup. That way ou could open the box and check for damage before even taking it home.

Nope, no Sam's Club in my state :( Trying to find another place in my area that has them in stock rather than special order.

 

[chiefwej]

There are several Sam's Club locations in CA. The closest to San Jose is in Concord about 45 miles.


[=http://www3.samsclub.com/clublocator/club_detail.aspx?myClub=6612][/]

 

[kevin james]

There are several Sam's Club locations in CA. The closest to San Jose is in Concord about 45 miles.
[=http://www3.samsclub.com/clublocator/club_detail.aspx?myClub=6612][/]

Oops, I was getting confused with Cabela's. Regardless, I'm not going to drive all the way to Concord. I pulled the trigger and placed the order with Amazon. If this one doesn't work out then I'll have to look for something else besides the Masterbuilt. Keeping my fingers crossed that the 3rd time's a charm!