http://virtualwebergasgrill.com/2016/11/2017-weber-genesis-ii-first-impressions/#more-1577
Weber Grills were known to last for years and worth the extra cost compared to a Walmart Special that would be lucky to get a couple years of service from. I hate to see this, will Quality go down hill? Will Customer Support go down hill? Is the Iconic Weber Kettle next?
All I'll say is the Genesis 2 410 I put together was sturdier than my S330 and the performance was spot on.
Don't let where it ships from fool you- it's still a Weber thru and thru.
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Quote from: HeyGrillGuy on December 08, 2016, 07:52:15 AM
All I'll say is the Genesis 2 410 I put together was sturdier than my S330 and the performance was spot on.
Don't let where it ships from fool you- it's still a Weber thru and thru.
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Plenty of great things are made in China
The concern is portions of brand loyalty were built upon Weber being proudly USA made, as well as the eventual decline in quality that usually follows.
Cost saving measures for big brands can be a slippery slope.
Quote from: HeyGrillGuy on December 08, 2016, 07:52:15 AM
All I'll say is the Genesis 2 410 I put together was sturdier than my S330 and the performance was spot on.
Don't let where it ships from fool you- it's still a Weber thru and thru.
Sent from my iPhone using Weber Kettle Club mobile app (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=91018)
@HeyGrillGuy Are you affiliated with Weber? If so, please disclose.
Sad.
$949 @ Ace Hardware for a 410. Made in China.
No thank you.
searching for 2 18" straight lip twist ash pans.
I thought that the Gennies & Summits were US made, but the Spirits were offshore.
If you go to Weber"s website, under the heading entitled "about us" you used to be able to see videos of factory tours showing Genesis grills being made in Illinois. The videos have now been paused with a "coming soon" disclaimer added for new updated videos. I guess they need time to add English subtitles so we can understand what all them Chinese factory workers are saying?
I saw the new Webers Genesis up close and the quality on them is very low. A lot of the previously cast frame components such as the table ends, and front panel end caps are now cheap plastic. The shroud on the side that covers the tank is cheap, flimsy plastic. The sheet metal frame slats and frame supports are extremely thin and flexy. The grates are stainless but the bar spacing is farther apart to save on material. There is exposed wiring on the frame. The three burner internals kept rattling when I opened the lid. They are a significant step down in quality. I took a few pics and videos of my observations but go to Ace if you don't believe me.
I guess the Summit line will be next? (if it isn't already). Weber is quickly becoming a Brinkmann or a Chargriller - all in the pursuit of enjoying "excessive profits". This is a total sellout. Weber wants to give their customers "Made in China" quality at "made in America" prices. The next gas grill I'm buying is going to be a Fire-Magic.
I just talked with a Weber CSR to register my displeasure at Weber's pursuit to become the new Dyna-Glo grill coming soon to a Dollar General store near you. She informed me that the Genesis II is made in China, but the Genesis II LX model is supposedly still made in Amerika (but not for long I presume?).
What's the point of selling a Chinese made E-210 alongside a similar American made LX E-240? ..or a Chinese made E-410 alongside a similarly looking American made LX E-440? This is the stupidest marketing strategy I have ever seen using all these complicated number and letter sequences while some are made here and others are made there? The only obvious reason is to mix the few bad ones in with the good ones and blend them all together and assume the consumers can't tell the difference. All the while making bigger profits on the cheaper Chinese made models that are disguised in among the better made American models that command higher prices.
If we are frustrated with Weber and the new direction the best thing to do is to voice it with them.
The way of the world of business is to outsource labor to cheaper areas to maximize profits. Unfortunately with our trade agreements US based businesses are allowed to offshore labor, other countries frown on this practice. As a result it strengthens their labor force, it also results in less choices and more cost.
I know this, I am 43 years old and I have enough older cookers that will last many years after I am gone if I take care of them. Not sure we can say that about the new stuff coming out.
Quote from: LightningBoldtz on December 20, 2016, 11:00:11 AM
If we are frustrated with Weber and the new direction the best thing to do is to voice it with them.
Yes, everyone must voice their unhappiness, but not with their mouth. Use your wallet to do your talking.
Quote from: ramsfan on December 20, 2016, 11:08:19 AM
Quote from: LightningBoldtz on December 20, 2016, 11:00:11 AM
If we are frustrated with Weber and the new direction the best thing to do is to voice it with them.
Yes, everyone must voice their unhappiness, but not with their mouth. Use your wallet to do your talking.
Maybe we already have, I know that many of us on the club would never buy anything new. Kettles are made so well that we can find really nice ones used. Could we be to blame for this? Probably not.
When health care is at an all time high and government regulations are driving energy costs up, what do you expect?
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Quote from: ramsfan on December 20, 2016, 07:08:42 AM
What's the point of selling a Chinese made E-210 alongside a similar American made LX E-240? ..or a Chinese made E-410 alongside a similarly looking American made LX E-440? This is the stupidest marketing strategy I have ever seen using all these complicated number and letter sequences while some are made here and others are made there? The only obvious reason is to mix the few bad ones in with the good ones and blend them all together and assume the consumers can't tell the difference. All the while making bigger profits on the cheaper Chinese made models that are disguised in among the better made American models that command higher prices.
It's probably a market test to trend the sales of the E and LX series. Most consumers aren't paying attention to detail when they buy something these days. I don't think it will be long until thy push it all overseas. It's sad but it's the world we live in. Don't like it? Don't buy their new stuff. I know I won't.
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This makes me so sad. Here's the guy who now technically owns Weber:
Byron Trott, leader of BDT Capital Partners...the private equity firm that bought a controlling stake in Weber a few years ago.
http://fortune.com/2014/12/29/byron-trott-billionaires-banker/ (http://fortune.com/2014/12/29/byron-trott-billionaires-banker/)
Here's the phone number for for BDT Capital Partners (they have no website):
312-660-7311
New mottos:
Thinner metals, higher profits.
Made in Chicago, Wood Dale, Arlington Heights, Palatine, and Guangzhou.
Quote from: HoosierKettle on December 20, 2016, 12:39:41 PM
When health care is at an all time high and government regulations are driving energy costs up, what do you expect?
Clearly, this new Weber management that has taken over the company the past several years is attempting to sell cheap, low cost, Chinese junk and use the quality name of Weber as a front to command premium prices in order to realize excessive profits. This will only work for a very short period of time until people figure out that Weber isn't what it used to be and then the gig will be up. By then, management will have squeezed out everything of value from the company that George Stephen spent 40 years building. Then, when there is nothing left to be had and all the production has been moved to China and the value of the brand has been thoroughly depleted, Weber will be sold for pennies on the dollar and merged with Brinkmann, Char-Griller, or some other low end brand and Byron Trott will be long gone with the tens of millions he was able to make off the deal. I absolutely guarantee you this is exactly how the whole thing will play out.
Quote from: HoosierKettle on December 20, 2016, 12:39:41 PM
When health care is at an all time high and government regulations are driving energy costs up, what do you expect?
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I apologize for a gross generalization which may or may not have any relevance. To my defense, I was using whiskey to combat a chest cold last night.
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A couple of points here...
I think it's fair to say that a decline in quality is disappointing.
And it's fair to say that seeing an american company slowly shift to offshore manufacturing is disappointing.
But lets get realistic.
None of us have any further knowledge of their business and financial data.
Labeling these decisions as profit and greed driven is ignorant and short-sighted.
Quote from: Troy on December 21, 2016, 03:32:43 PM
Labeling these decisions as profit and greed driven is ignorant and short-sighted.
You're kidding, right? Are you being serious with that statement? Every single decision that Weber (or any business) makes is strictly about profit and nothing else! Weber exist for no other purpose but to create profits and the desire and greed for more profits. If it didn't, they would be out of business.
Quote from: ramsfan on December 21, 2016, 06:21:58 PM
Quote from: Troy on December 21, 2016, 03:32:43 PM
Labeling these decisions as profit and greed driven is ignorant and short-sighted.
You're kidding, right? Are you being serious with that statement? Every single decision that Weber (or any business) makes is strictly about profit and nothing else! Weber exist for no other purpose but to create profits and the desire and greed for more profits. If it didn't, they would be out of business.
I'm not kidding.
And you're making my point for me. Business is all about profits. If they didn't, they'd be out of business.
What I'm saying is, you guys are painting this very negative as if these corporate folk are moving genesis manufacturing to china so they can afford a 3rd Ferrari.
In reality, none of us know JACK SHIT about the business details. And even if we did, most of us aren't qualified to judge the decisions anyway.
Moving manufacturing overseas isn't always about maximizing profits.
It's usually about surviving.
I'm just like the rest of you, I don't like it, and
I also DO NOT KNOW WHY it is happening.My concern is the witch hunt mentality that often happens. Everyone is welcome to an opinion, and everyone can speculate all they want... but things have gone too far when negative labels and personal information starts getting tossed around based on pure speculation.
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Want to bash the quality changes of the Genesis grills now that some are made in China? 100% legit discussion, have it.
Our community is the authority on Weber, and we're respected for it.
Lets try to keep it classy and objective.
The Genesis II LX is made in the US, and the Gen II is made off shore. Customer service and the quality control are still as strong as they have ever been.
Well all I have to say is, I own a 08 S310 and when it dies I will not buy another gas grill. But that being said ibam 65 and the grills I have will out live me.
I love my Webers, more charcoal than the gaser.
But the older units are just simpler and easier to mantain. Like 65 Chevy or Ford.
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I saw a couple of them today, they look pretty solid. But I'm no Genesis expert. I only own an old red 1000 (EE code). The height of the new lid seems to be in line with that of the Spirit gassers now. Wheels look much better in person than online.
Is the Warranty the same as the older USA made ones? What ever Weber's reason for relocating, it is a Sad day when American Companies choose to move and manufacture over seas. And personally, I believe its all for cheaper labor and profits. One day this good Ole USA won't exist, just look at all the Big well known companies being bought from other countries, Jim Beam, Budweiser, etc,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Quote from: Harleysmoker on December 23, 2016, 08:36:58 PM
One day this good Ole USA won't exist, just look at all the Big well known companies being bought from other countries, Jim Beam, Budweiser, etc,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
The problem isn't foreign countries coming in and buying our "big, well known, companies"; rather the question is: why do we sell?