We recently purchased a Viking setup which included an 18" high 66" wall hood with 1200cfm vent kit, a 36" VGIC range with char grill, and a wok cooker, all with island trim. Per the documentation/specs and the salesman/regional distributor/factory, all will work together for a nice, sharp, clean look.

After getting the items installed by a certified Viking installer, the two items don't line up. The installers don't know why the range sticks out 1/4 inch further than the wok, since the trims line up and are flush to the wall. I call the distributor, and they are going to send a certified viking servicer to look at it (they haven't been out yet due to scheduling).

In the meantime, I call Viking directly and after talking to the tech support folks, and ensuring them that my measurements are correct, they tell me they will look into it. Later in the day, they call back and tell me that they measured a range and guess what? It was the same measurements I said. Range measured as 28" deep from knobs to back of unit/trim, and documentation/specs state 27 3/4".

So needless to say that my range sticks out further than my countertop mounted wok cooker, and looks like crap. Yes, we could move it forward, but then the back wouldn't line up and still look like crap not to mention the cost and time for a contractor to redo my cabinets!

I get a message later in the week that says that the engineers call it a manufacturers 'VARIANCE' and that they can't do anything about it and will change their documentation to reflect the 'VARIANCE'. Since parts going together can cause such a variance, there is nothing they can do? Well, one piece I measured which is a strip between the back trim and the front edge assembly (all one piece) is 1/4" longer than the equivalent piece on the wok cooker, they must have known about the variance in order to 'make' that strip. So am I to understand that they want to just put in a disclaimer that if someone encounters this while desiring to put together a 'dream' kitchen full of their product, they aren't responsible for the entire setup looking like crap as you look down your counter and see jagged sets of control knobs and edges!?!?!

They market you being able to put these things together for a sharp kitchen, but, apparently don't want to own up on it.

Also, the 66" hood, with the most powerful internal vent kit they make (1200cfm), unfortunately doesn't 'suck' the smoke from the char-grill. On first use, smoke was rolling out of the front of it. We purposely bought the largest hood to ensure that everything gets 'sucked' out. But I was told it was 'normal'.

This situation is still in the works, so I'll post an update if they decide to take care of their 'customer'.

UPDATE: 9/18/03

As of this date, I have had no success in dealing with the manufacturer, distributor, dealer, and installer. All have to this date ignored all requests and even the letter I sent to the distributor in my attempt to get all of this resolved.

The 'authorized' servicer that was sent out on my initial call said that the vent was installed incorrectly with too small an opening, so I wasn't getting the flow rate. No luck with getting the installer to come out to fix their error. Also beware of the installer that puts in your vent. This installer didn't have a license to put roofing on, so I ended up spending $300 more to have a licensed roofer to come out to fix what they did. There is no such thing as a Viking authorized 'installer'. When I called to get help to fix the venting, they told me they only certify 'servicers' so I was mislead by the dealer and distributor. I still don't have a properly working vent.

So if you are thinking about buying in the Southern California area, please be very wary of the regional distributor located in Baldwin Park, CA and even more so of the dealer (Glendale, CA) and their alleged 'authorized' installers (Burbank, CA) that they say you must use to extend the warranty for another year. According to Viking, there is no such thing!



Recommended: No

Amount Paid (US$): 10000