Stoker Stove Supply and Demand.

I have been trying to sell my Leisure Line Lil' Heater for a few weeks now and I am somewhat disappointed in the lack of interest. Not only do I have the stove listed here, but Craigslist as well, and tonight I will list it on eBay.

If I were selling a boiler, regardless of brand, it would sell fairly quickly, and the resale value would be very good. I'm not looking to get into a discussion about the price of my stove driving the demand. Price is not really the issue here.

As much as I like stoker stoves, the resale market is poor with low demand. This is another reason why boilers are a much better value in the long term.

Do most of you agree that boilers are the better buy, even if that means installing a water-to-air heat exchanger for those of us with forced hot-air systems?

Edit: Would another brand of stoker stove have a higher level of demand for it? For example, the Hitzer 608 or Keysoker 90?

Mark -

I think the market for stoves varies by season more than does the market for boilers. When it starts to get cold around early November, a lot of people get serious about trying to do something about their heating situation, and getting a stove is comparatively easy. Boilers aren't quite such a quick fix, so the demand tends to be steadier over the course of a year. I think you're most likely to get a fair price for a stove in the fall, and you may need to discount it if you want to move it now; boilers aren't as seasonal.

Mike

Mike,

That's a good point!

Boilers are something I see discussed on this board all year long, even during the hot summer months.

Outdoor temp, price of oil, what season...
All factor into how quick it will sell...
A boiler will allways be a boiler...

most stoker boilers are run 24/7/365 making them more valuable and in need more than stoves. Come fall your stove will move quickly. Most people in need of a stove most likly need their money to get thru summer time as money is tight now a days and looking for great bargins. Good luck selling,if you don't need the money real bad try to hold on till fall, unless you get the price you need.

Mark, I think you are experiencing the "seasonal" aspect of selling heating equipment. Snowblowers and snowmobiles aren't selling very well right now either.

It only takes one person to think ahead and buy your stove. Keep it advertised, and make sure you explain the benefits of anthracite and this particular stove to potential buyers.

Location,location,location.
Here in Pa it would sell in a heartbeat. Just not
willing to drive to CT.

I wish somebody would buy it. LOL .I need one of those stoves but this time of the year I am fighting my needs vs wants. I want a new tire , tune-up,and a few accessories for my motorcycle.Come fall I may have wished I bought a stove .Oh well.

I have been watching the coal/wood stoves on ebay and cannot figure why there has been such a flood of good stoves listed lately.The economy just is not that good whereby the average guy/gal would want to give up such thrifty alternatives to the oil man.I am baffled by it. Try listing yours on a 3x5 index card at the local food store bulletin board etc,. Good Luck . Mike

Warm winter...
Cheap NG...
Never will need it again...
Short term thinking...

Next fall, when heating oil is over $5.00 per gallon, and coal is $300/ton, even here in MA, there will be a line looking to buy coal stoves.

As mentioned above, springtime, even an early spring, is not the time to be selling winter equipment.

I pretty much agree with what has been said...

Selling a stove right now is like selling a good set of snow tires. Nobody is in the mindset to buy that far ahead. Wait until mid to late summer and people will be looking harder.

Boilers are a major install. Alot more planning and financing must be considered for them. Plus they seem to have become harder find in the last year or so. I believe demand for them is up plus the price for scrap steel is up, driving the prices up.