MAK temporary pause in production

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

About had a heart attack reading the rumor mill this morning on other pages, but thankfully MAK fairly quickly put together the below response... hope they find a quality partner.

[captainlee]

Since they don't bend metal themselves they have totally relied on one supplier to support their product. Always a risky move whether you are on the sales side or production side putting your eggs in one basket. More true today than ever. Hopefully they can find a new source and get back to selling their products.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Not as risky when the partner is family owned... though one would think you would also get advanced notice and have a new supplier on trial before the public even found out. If I were them, this would be a perfect opportunity to establish an East Coast presence and gain redundancy

[Midway]

I saw the news on the MAK Facebook group. I thought both "companies" were owned by the same family even if they were different businesses. If the fabrication business is up for auction, that can mean a number of things, including bankruptcy, though that would be available information if the case. At least it seems they want to maintain the grill business.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I assume the metal company had investors or additional owners and the grill company is 100% family owned from the wording. I guess time will tell. If MAK can't figure it out hopefully they offer a fire sale on ignitors and whatever.

[Uncle Bob]

Retirement is often a cause for similar actions. Not really that uncommon.

[Midway]

I broke down and ordered the new controller and am feeling better about MAK. I'm not sure I feel better about spending $450 for a controller when a Traeger is $599 at Costco. I was tired with WiFi challenges and hope the new controller helps. I do love my MAK Two-Star all SS.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I did the same, I was trying to work a deal to trade in my old controller for the new one or a refurbed new one at a discount before all this, but since they've always been above and beyond for me I went ahead and paid the 450. I figure it's no different than the money we spent for local businesses buying "gift cards" to keep them afloat during the shutdown, the ones that stuck around were appreciative and are thriving again I hope the same ends up true with MAK.

[Midway]

I'm not too concerned, yet, but in the MAK Facebook Group post MAK claims "In Stock" and my order has been in processing for a week. With standard shipping to Seattle taking a day, I expected to have it installed by now.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Midway even before this generally it was a few days before shipping notification. I think it was 3 byisiness days before a shipping notification for me for this order.

[briano52]

I have the new touch screen controller. It is expensive but works wonderfully so far. So much easier to use than the old controller. I would buy it again.

[Midway]

I finally received my Touch Controller. Easy install, was able to connect to Wi-Fi, but touch buttons don't work. I unplugged the controller, started the grill, and left it on smoke, but the temp stayed at 75 degrees and it was obviously cooking at the highest rate. A stand alone thermometer hit 450, I couldn't change from smoke, and couldn't power down with button presses so had to unplug it.

I tried to call MAK but the voice mail is full. I sent a Web message and hope I get some help.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I'm having a.similar issue, once I got wifi connected I touch the top right and the whole unit freezes. After unplugging I have had multiple cooks without issue unless I.touch the top right. I too tried to email MAK a week ago without a response, I also tried.to PM Dennis n on FB but I know I've missed PM requests from non-friemds for months before because of how they show up.

I intend to.text Matt this week since he posted his number while they are fixing issues with the support line..

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

But maybe Meathead can remind them to check their damn emails, considering he's a fan of MAK... and some of his members have shelled out good.money to support a company during a high stress moment in their history...

[Midway]

I have received a prompt call back and satisfactory resolution. MAK has always given me great support, I was just not sure about the current best way to contact them.

[briano52]

I have had very good responses to email to Dennis at MAK. Give them space during this transition. They are very customer focused.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I know they are, but I have not got a response in almost 2 weeks now. When I have had communications with them Dennis is always on top of it. But the email I have for him doesn't work (I assume from when he left and then later came back)

[Midway]

I installed the replacement Pellet Boss and completed my first cook. It went well and it was nice to monitor a cook on my phone again.

The replacement didn't come with an antenna installed and it took a minute to figure out what kind of connection to the board it had. In the end an easy process once I figured out the Wi-Fi connector needs to be pulled strait up and out and pushed strait down on the new one. It is a small connection.

The Pellet Boss needed to be on (Slide to Start Grill) before I could touch the Wi-Fi icon that opened the dashboard screen. This finally showed the Grill ID I needed to add a grill to the Mobile app. The screen also is where you turn Wi-Fi and mobile control on and off.

Odd the elapsed time on the mobile app did not sync with the Pellet boss. I haven't tried starting the timer on the Pellet boss to see if a sync works the other direction and syncs on the mobile app.

All in all, happy with the new controller.