Vent Code Update

[MartyG]

Congrats Bman! You got yourself a Poster. Only D to go.

[1buckie]

"D" is left "D", I say.........might have to dig deep for this one......Hmmmmm, maybe, just maybe........

[sunsanvil]

My 22.5 OTG seems to have both the legacy AT and a full CU______ number.  Will get a pic up (cam needs batts!).

[MartyG]

"D" is left "D", I say.........might have to dig deep for this one......Hmmmmm, maybe, just maybe........

Just making sure you're watching Buckie!  Check your email.

[MartyG]

I stopped by a local Ace here in Chicago, picked up some leg caps in both black and white, (no 7409 OT kits  ) and noticed that the few AT coded kettles they had in stock also include the laser-etched serial numbers on the vent. I may have to stop back with a camera unless one of us has a 2013 kettle vent they can capture. Is there a letter code for 2014 that anyone knows of?

[Johnpv]

I have a 2013 OTG I could get a picture of the vent of tomorrow.

[G$]

AH will be 2014, if it is still being stamped on vents.

[MartyG]

AH HA...thanks G$

[Thin Blue Smoke]

Here is a 2013 kettle vent with a serial number. Also, when registering the kettle online you had to use the first two letters of the serial number, not the "AT". I almost thought the AT would have been the word at and not a code.

I have another 2013 and can tell you both of the serial numbers begin with CN.  It will be interesting to see how 2014 turns out.

[HankB]

Interesting. I just realized the vent cover on my 2013 WSM 22.5 is also serialized. I acquired this in December of 2012.

[G$]

I am still shocked they are going through the cost to serial these vents!

[glrasmussen]

I am still shocked they are going through the cost to serial these vents!

It has to be about warranty. I bet they can track what store the go to. Then you register, they can collect all kinds of data. Wonder what the warranty procedure is now, has anyone read the 2013 warranty that has purchased one? 

[G$]

Oh i know it is about warranty gl, i am shocked nonetheless.  We are talking about $80 charcoal grills not rocket ships or televisions!

[glrasmussen]

Oh i know it is about warranty gl, i am shocked nonetheless.  We are talking about $80 charcoal grills not rocket ships or televisions!

I understand that, but how many free goods have they sent out on the honor system? If they warranty one grill cover per sale because of rust, what does that do to their margin? I bet the S/N#'s today are done by robots, they are paid for after a year(Robots). They have no medical costs, S/S, overtime, ect.. They have put some money into technology, to save warranty costs... Maybe?

[G$]

Fer sure, an actuary Has done the calcs and determined there is an ROI here, after 60 years without em.