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kiln accident: where do i go from here

updated fri 22 oct 99

 

Rosanne Cleveland-King on thu 14 oct 99

I recently purchased a few new kiln posts. I have a Fred Olsen 40 cubic
foot kiln, and the shelves are 18x18, two next to each other go up in the
back, pair by pair. The same for the front. I put a new one inch post on
top of an eight inch post on the first set of shelves going up in the back,
on the right side. Fired as usual, no overfiring, just in case you were
going to ask later! When I opened the kiln two days later, the front was
lovely, but all of the back shelves were sagged over to the right side, and
resting on the side of the kiln. Quite a lot of the pottery was fine, but
quite a lot was lost, including a couple of shelves, if not more. I had a
show to get ready for, and just unloaded and walked away from it, trying not
to feel really bad feelings at that moment.
I called the company, who suggested that I had overfired, but I assured them
that I had not, and had pictures to prove it. I have been firing this kiln
for about 18 years, and have never had a post melt, save a few 1/2 inch
posts, which is another story. They are willing to work with me, and just
want to know what I want. I am not a pushy type at all, usually take the
low road. Super laid back sort. Shall I ask for replacement of all of that
shipment of kiln furniture, replacement of the kiln shelves that were
ruined, and cost for the ruined pottery? Help me out here; I would like
some feedback from you.
Thank you in advance,
Rosanne
Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

Anji Henderson on fri 15 oct 99


Heck, if they are going to pay for the shelv's that
are lost and the wares... I would say GET IT!!!! Most
people/companys you have to fight to get an ear (them
to listen).... Heck you need the shelvs right??? You
would have made money off of the wasre right??? And,
if you don't get them to replace the shelvs, you have
to put money out.... I would personally take the
paymen for the wares as a gift, I wouldn't make a big
stink over it (remember I personaly) But I think I
would make a stink about the shelvs, and stilts, with
a couple of slick interjections about the wares and my
livelyhood....

Good luck, and curious of the out come...

Anji

--- Rosanne Cleveland-King
wrote:
> ----------------------------Original
> message----------------------------
> I recently purchased a few new kiln posts. I have a
> Fred Olsen 40 cubic
> foot kiln, and the shelves are 18x18, two next to
> each other go up in the
> back, pair by pair. The same for the front. I put
> a new one inch post on
> top of an eight inch post on the first set of
> shelves going up in the back,
> on the right side. Fired as usual, no overfiring,
> just in case you were
> going to ask later! When I opened the kiln two days
> later, the front was
> lovely, but all of the back shelves were sagged over
> to the right side, and
> resting on the side of the kiln. Quite a lot of the
> pottery was fine, but
> quite a lot was lost, including a couple of shelves,
> if not more. I had a
> show to get ready for, and just unloaded and walked
> away from it, trying not
> to feel really bad feelings at that moment.
> I called the company, who suggested that I had
> overfired, but I assured them
> that I had not, and had pictures to prove it. I
> have been firing this kiln
> for about 18 years, and have never had a post melt,
> save a few 1/2 inch
> posts, which is another story. They are willing to
> work with me, and just
> want to know what I want. I am not a pushy type at
> all, usually take the
> low road. Super laid back sort. Shall I ask for
> replacement of all of that
> shipment of kiln furniture, replacement of the kiln
> shelves that were
> ruined, and cost for the ruined pottery? Help me
> out here; I would like
> some feedback from you.
> Thank you in advance,
> Rosanne
> Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case
> you have to eat them.
>

__________________________________________________
Do You Yahoo!?
Bid and sell for free at http://auctions.yahoo.com

elizabeth priddy on fri 15 oct 99

ask for EVERYTHING that you would have had if their
product had not failed.

If they are a reputable company and want to remain
such, they will do right by you. I would wholesale
price the lost work, as you cannot guarantee that you
would have sold it all.

Good luck, let us know what happens!
---
Elizabeth Priddy

I speak from sincerity and experience, not authority...
email: epriddy@usa.net
website: http://www.angelfire.com/nc/clayworkshop



On Thu, 14 Oct 1999 13:06:00 Rosanne Cleveland-King wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I recently purchased a few new kiln posts. I have a Fred Olsen 40 cubic
>foot kiln, and the shelves are 18x18, two next to each other go up in the
>back, pair by pair. The same for the front. I put a new one inch post on
>top of an eight inch post on the first set of shelves going up in the back,
>on the right side. Fired as usual, no overfiring, just in case you were
>going to ask later! When I opened the kiln two days later, the front was
>lovely, but all of the back shelves were sagged over to the right side, and
>resting on the side of the kiln. Quite a lot of the pottery was fine, but
>quite a lot was lost, including a couple of shelves, if not more. I had a
>show to get ready for, and just unloaded and walked away from it, trying not
>to feel really bad feelings at that moment.
>I called the company, who suggested that I had overfired, but I assured them
>that I had not, and had pictures to prove it. I have been firing this kiln
>for about 18 years, and have never had a post melt, save a few 1/2 inch
>posts, which is another story. They are willing to work with me, and just
>want to know what I want. I am not a pushy type at all, usually take the
>low road. Super laid back sort. Shall I ask for replacement of all of that
>shipment of kiln furniture, replacement of the kiln shelves that were
>ruined, and cost for the ruined pottery? Help me out here; I would like
>some feedback from you.
>Thank you in advance,
>Rosanne
>Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.
>


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Kathy Stecker on thu 21 oct 99

It's great that the company is admitting that they have a product problem,
with their melting kiln furniture. Don't hesitate to ask for compensation for
your losses, the company could always compensate with the same value in their
products, saving them and you money, if you'd feel more comfortable. Just
think of how many other people you've helped by telling them, and not just
letting it go. And just think how you've saved them lots of complaints-maybe
they were lucky and you were one of the first not so lucky recipients.

Alas, I can't blame the stilts for the several silly errors I've done
lately-I'm never going to bisque again without leaving the kiln on low
overnight no matter how dry it all appears. And I had just vacuumed out the
kiln after getting it repaired.

Kathy Stecker