It would be nice to start sticky for dead heating elements.

[devo]

Well yes I have joined the ranks of a dead heating element.There are so many threads all over the place of people complaining of this problem. What I would like to see is a sticky at the top so Bradley is made aware of the big problem they have. It should include your model
when you bought it
how many smokes before it went out on you
and what ever else you might think of

Kinda like a poll set up

What do ya think.

Mine is the 4 rack digital bought on Jan. 27th 2011
Used 6 times


I'm thinking the only way Bradley is going to admit there is a problem is if they see just how big it is

[BuyLowSellHigh]

It would be an intersting collection of data, but what would anyone do with it ?  Bradley is already aware of anyone who posts here that they have had a failure.  If you have a failure and call Bradley they also know.  So, I'm not sure what such a sticky thread would accomplish.

Did you see this thread ?
http://forum.bradleysmoker.com/index.php?topic=20592.0

[devo]

 Do I sound pissed  ;D you bet. Right now theres over 500 dollars of equipment sitting in my garage that dont work. Would I recommend a bradley to someone else, not at this time. Sorry bradley you lost my vote.

[Tenpoint5]

Alright Guys and Girls lets take a step back and look at this. Like BLSH has said what would this accomplish? Absolutely nothing except to give a really good product a black eye. Which I think has already happened. Does Bradley know there has been some issues with a relatively small percentage of elements? Yes. When I say small percentage. What I am asking is for you to think about it. They are probably selling 10s of thousands of smokers. Since they are selling the things Worldwide. So yes in reality it is a probably a really really small percentage. Now are they looking into it? Yes, Brian has already stated that he has been doing testing on the elements, he has requested that some elements be sent back. So that they may be examined and sent back to the manufacturer. Now here is the biggest question I have for you. Is Bradley standing behind the product? Yes they are. Much better than some of the other manufacturers that I have had to deal with. For instance Food Saver. I had my unit for 3 months the heat tape wrinkled and would give me a good seal so I would loose vacuum on EVERY 11 inch wide bag I made. I called them and ask for a replacement tape or if they would fix the unit. I was told Sorry that model has been discontinued we no longer service it. But they did offer to give me 10% of the new model If I wanted to buy one that day. That's not customer service or standing behind your product.

I have noticed that since this issue has been brought up. There seems to be a real influx of 1 or 2 post members on the forum. They come on they post "My element died" and nothing else. Then they find out that all they have to do is contact Bradley and their problem is fixed, and they go away. The best thing about this forum is not the Bradley Smoker, it's the caliber of people that come here everyday. They come here to have some fun joking around with each other. They come here to post the new "flavor of the month" seasoning they found or the Great BBQ sauce they started using. However the main reason they come here is to do their Damnedest to help anyone and everyone that is asking for help on how to do ...............whatever. What I am getting at here with my rambling goes back to the question posed by BLSH. What will this accomplish? The way I see it, all that it will accomplish is pissing the powers that be off and more than likely bring an end to the forum eventually. Why would it? Think about it, would you want to sponsor a forum that folks bashed your product? That my friends would cause more harm than good for ALL of US!!

So before we start a "Sticky" to say this unit or that unit has a bad element. Lets just have some patience. We can wait and see what the results of the testing are and what the response from the manufacturer is. Brian has already mentioned several times that as soon as he finds out. He will lets us know. Besides Bradley already sent you a replacement element. So your not out any money you have just been inconvenienced for 2 or 3 days. Before you start on me about I spent $500 on it it should work. How about the $25,000 I spent on a new vehicle only to have it recalled to be fixed and I didn't get a replacement for the week it was in the shop. Sorry that Dog wont Hunt for me.

This is my thoughts on this whole thing. If they differ from yours, I'm sorry that's what makes the world go round. I wont argue with you about my thoughts and feelings.

[mybad]

It would keep the "element burned out" topics together, and could be a source of info. You could place the info Brian has added on the subject, also how to get a replacement and so on.

I think when you just buy something, it breaks, you hit the net to see if you can figure it out, and you end up here. That is why you have a poster with just a couple of post.

Post count should never be a qualifying requirement IMO.

 

[devo]

Thank you
That is my point. And sorry i'm new to forum and dont have a high post count but that should not matter. You have your opinion and your intitled to it. I count ever dollor these days and get a little bothered when something breaks not even a month old. Just my opinion.

[TedEbear]

I guess people can continue to point out that the # of complaints about bad elements in this forum are a very small percentage when compared to total sales.  What I'd like to know is why there has been an apparent major increase recently in the number of owners on here who have reported element problems.  

If my element went out in my OBS and Bradley sent me a new one right away without any hassle it would be a nice reflection on their customer service.  If it went out and I lost a lot of money from food going bad, as I've read from some people here, I probably would not be so happy, even if they overnighted me a new part.

[Bavind]

Thank you for your comments 10.5. I agree the number of smokers sold compared to the the number of failures is infantisimal. Any problems you have with the units Bradley wil correct in a minimum time period. I think we should thank them rather than complain about the fantastic product they offer. I know of no other item you can purchase that you will get an immediate response to any problem that occurs. THANK YOU Bradley

[LumpyDVC]

First off, Let me say the Bradley folk are doing a great job at resolving issues
with this problem. They are going beyond what most people would get for
customer service for product warranty.

"I think we should thank them rather than complain about the fantastic product
they offer." - Bavind

Bavind, What are you smoking other than brisket? I'm sorry but "thank" them?

Which is better?

You buy a car and it breaks down 3 times a week and the dealer graciously keeps
fixing it.

or

You buy a car and it runs flawless every month.

I'd rather like to know that they have great customer service for "when" I need
it, than having to use it on a daily basis.

I hope Bradley fixes this problem asap.

[jiggerjams]

Well I am knocking on a smoking piece of wood with hope that I don't end of having an element problem. If I do I will call Bradley for a replacement. Will I post the problem on here? Probably not. I think invoices and premium shipping charges are enough of a flag to anyone incurring the cost that there is an issue with elements.

I am having a hard time understanding the comment "If it went out and I lost a lot of money from food going bad, as I've read from some people here, I probably would not be so happy, even if they overnighted me a new part". 

Are the smokers being left unattended for a long period of time?, is there no alternative cooking source available?, is there no refridgeration available?, or other? Just curious as to how the food couldn't be saved.

[wyoduke]

I want to make it clear i am not mad i got great service and i love my smoker i can deal with a little trouble heck my new dodge has been in for warranty work 7 times this year and that don't have me mad enough to complain  and there service sucks and half rude Bradley has done everything without a pause very polite and helpfull i have no trouble saying its a great product and can recamend it to all my friends and do. I do have more then one smoker to get my fix or to finish,and the oven can always cook food after smoke.