MCS can be a real...... predicament.

[holehogg]

I have a twinge of envy for the people living in the USA.
Maybe irritation is a better way of describing it. I enjoy reading about the array of grand smokers available in the states that you guys constantly refer to and show off in the pit.
This leads to a degree of depression on my part especially knowing that the only way to satisfy MCS would come at a princely price given all the factors that need to be counted in.

I have been able to fabricate a few things along the way to help out in my forward momentum with my goal of becoming an exceptional pit controller. I have started a few cooker related projects, some that have been put on hold for mixed reasons. One such project (partly built) is a UDS born out of all the discussions on how wonderful the Pit Barrel Cooker is.

So yesterday evening I was looking if there are any fan temperature controllers available for sale in South Africa and an online shopping site showed a brand new Pit Barrel Cooker for sale. The selling price is what really piqued my interest. I contacted the online store via E-mail to confirm pricing and availability being ex stock. They replied first thing in the morning confirming everything and asked "when will you be collecting".
The insoluble dilemma is I really want it but that means putting one of my projects on the back burner that I promised myself will have my undivided attention whenever possible, regardless.
I must reiterate I made myself the promise without exception.

So can I justify this MCS purchase using these considerations as favourable reasoning?

Selling price in SA delivered to my door - R 4 999.00 (South African Rand) which equates to $346.00
Selling price in USA $ 299.00 converted to Rand’s @ today’s exchange = R 4 320.00
Must pay VAT (Value added Tax) @ 15% = R 648.00
Import Duties? I paid R 236 on Maverick XR50 with a lesser Price Value
Shipping? I paid $30.00 = R 433.00 a small package in comparison to PBC box size and weight.
Without the unknown costs of shipping and import duties I’m at R 4 968.00 so this seems like a no brainer.

The conundrum is do I go against my promise to self and warrant it because it’s a great deal and may regret it if I don’t act now.
I did not ask how many they had in stock for good reason.

The biggest hurdle might be getting SWMBO to consent.

[Attjack]

Can be real? I live with it everyday.

[holehogg]

Corrected.... IS... a real predicament.

[EdF]

My usual approach is to consider what's going on when things change. If your project was a UDS (sounds like it was), then assess the tradeoffs independently from the promise you made to yourself. Then balance that against your promise and its intent. It's about what you value, and only you can answer that one.

[holehogg]

Wise and Understood, just don't like dealing with tradeoffs.

[Attjack]

How far along is your own UDS? How much do you have in it and how much do you estimate it will cost to complete it? If you abandon the project don't neglect to figure in those losses to the cost of the purchase of a factory built UDS. And wouldn't you be happier with a drum smoker made by your own hands?

[holehogg]

I would be much happier with OE and only spent a few hundred rand on the UDS to date. I have 2 other projects that are higher on the list and one of them near completion that the money would come from to buy PBC. EdF

[Attjack]

Then I say get it!

[Troutman]

Look at it this way. If you do come up with a UDS design that works well and can be mass produced, think of the audience you have in your country !! Oh the opportunity my friend, cash in on it and strike while the iron is hot !!! Remember, "L'audace, l'audace, toujours l'audace!" ...audacity, audacity, always audacity !!!!

[Attjack]

This is a good point.

[CaptainMike]

I like how EdF phrased it. Also, not the first time someone has mentioned being irritated with us Americans. We can be a prickly lot, but we can also be pretty helpful when needed.

[Rod]

Sounds like the deal you found is pretty rare in your corner of the world. I'd jump on if that's the case. You can always finish your other projects at your leisure. You don't have the unusual concern of having to many cookers, do you? Cause that would be weird.

[holehogg]

I'd like a variety and so far have a vertical gasser, 2 kettles and a wood burning gizmo for my kettle, a charcoal / wood griller (braai) and a rotisserie charcoal braai.Stick burner in build and half complete USA.
Don't want to look a gift horse in the mouth.

[Steve B]

Jump on it!!!
Especially if you’re trying to build your own UDS.
You can use it as, well a prototype for your own version.
Win win situation.

[holehogg]

USD will probably wont get finished for a long time to come.

[Mr. Bones]

I feel that a compromise is possible, here.

Buy th PBC, an tuck it away, in box, until ya finish yer project that has ya so conflicted.

[holehogg]

Now that would be cruel to both me and the PBC. ☺

[Mr. Bones]

Best I could come up with, given th situation presented...
Sounded to me like ya needed some means of atonement, fer potentially ~breakin / bendin~ a promise that ya made to yerself...
I was offerin a potential means to ~bend~, while keepin ya on yer path.
holehogg

[holehogg]

Just noticed you can like the comments. That's cool.

[FireMan]

Sounds like a decent price. My question is how far along are you on your UDS. A friend, who is very handy, which you seem to be & I am definitely not, made a 30” ho-made pit barrel (UDS) for me with about 12$ of material. Food for thought.

[holehogg]

My biggest concern is will my H/Built UDS perform as well as the PBC. Nothing local to make the comparison with. I know if it works it works.

[FireMan]

Mine works just like everybody else’s, the way they talk.

[ComfortablyNumb]

Emigrate. I have a house in NE Washington state sitting empty.

[holehogg]

If the house comes with a variety of cookers I'm in.

[fzxdoc]

I see on the Pit Barrel Cooker website that they have international retailers in South Africa. Perhaps you can contact one of them (getting the contact info from the PBC folks via their website) to make sure that the product is indeed a real PBC and not a knockoff. Not to sound like a Debbie Downer, but one never knows anymore.

From the Pit Barrel Cooker website:

Do you ship Internationally?
Yes, just enter your shipping details in the shipping calculator upon checkout for a shipping quote. We also have international retailers in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and The Netherlands. Note: International shipping rates do not include duties and/or taxes.




Kathryn

[holehogg]

I was informed it is original PBC from the States. I'm guessing they've had it or them in stock for a long while. I will check as you've suggested. I definitely don't want a knockoff.

[Livermoron]

If it's the real thing, grab it. Explain it to the missus as an opportunity for reverse engineering.

...but grab it first...