So I for over a year I have been wanting a Rec Tec 680/700. I watched every YouTube video and read tons of reviews. I was 100% sure I was going to buy one this summer. Until a couple weeks ago I remembered this forum I used to go on when I was researching the Cook-Air before I purchased it. I figured I would come see what everyone has to say about Rec Tec. Yet the same thing kept popping up in every different smoker I read about. Get a MAK. Get a MAK. Get a MAK. After a couple days it was like you guys went DiCaprio Inception on me and planted the seed of doubt in me.
So now I had this new product I needed to research. I Google Fu the crap out of everything I am looking at getting. Videos, reviews, pictures, prices. Everything. All I knew is I cannot spend $2700 for a new grill. I would feel guilty. $1700 for the 1 Star is more than I wanted to spend. But, I was willing to bight the bullet and spend more to get the quality and longevity for a better unit.
While looking through Google pictures I clicked on the source link that changed everything. It was for Pierce Outdoors in Portland, Maine. And to my surprise he has MAK Grills listed for clearance. On his website it listed the 1 Star for $1100 (65% of new) and the 2 Star for $2200 (82% of new). Great freaking deals. So I emailed Larry, the owner, for the serials numbers. With this information I emailed Bruce at MAK grills with the serial numbers to find out the manufactured date so that I can compare what features these had versus brand new. He came back and told me the two 1 Stars were made in 2013, and the lone 2 Star was built in 2016. So with this information I emailed Larry back to find out if they were in fact new, if they were floor models, in a box, or if they were “burn units” for show and sells. Larry informed me that they were in fact brand new, unfired, and assembled.
Then Bruce mentioned something in an email that I have never heard a product owner ever say in my life. He said why don’t I see if the retail owner might we billing to lower the price even further than the advertised clearance price. It blew me away that he would even suggest that. So I sent Larry another email to see if something could be worked out. He responded with what would be the absolute lowest prices he would be willing to do to part with the three units. When I read the prices the next day I immediately emailed him a back and told him I would be at his store after a 2.5 hour drive.
So I am now the proud owner of MAK Grills 2016 2 Star General #2804. Brand new. Fully assembled. Never fired. For…………..$1850. He even sold me a 2 Star cover at cost for 75 bucks. Like I said before, I think I am more excited about the deal than I am about the grill. At least until I eat my first meal off of it.
There are two men I really need to thank. First is Bruce from MAK Grills. His customer service is 5 star *****. He is quick to answer any and all questions. He provided me with a wealth of information. One thing he did tell me was that I should upgrade the Flame Zone even though I don’t plan on grilling because it has shown to reduce pellet consumption by 15-20%. That’s huge. I told him to advertise that one his website, he said in the future, he is working on a new website. Bruce is a class act.
Second is Larry from Pierce Outdoor in Portland, Maine. His customer service and friendliness is simply amazing *****. He definitely cannot be lumped into the New Englander slur “masshole.” He owns a high end grill and outdoor furniture store with nothing but quality. He is super friendly and wonderful to interact with. If anyone is within a several hour drive of Portland please visit his store or shop online at:
https://www.pierceoutdoors.com/BUY ONCE,
CRY TEAR UP ONCE
