The heater is better if you live in a humid climate. And no, you cant change sales people. You'd get someone worse, most likely. You need to do your own research and due diligence, no matter what you purchase.

Do not rely on any salesperson for anything. The only way that you get around doing all of that yourself is to hire an independent, non salesperson, kitchen designer. They are your fiduciary representative and will look out for your best interests.

The heater kit requirement is explained at the bottom of page 3 of the T30IR905SP Specification Sheet. The explanation also appears on the T30IF905SP Specification Sheet.

Always read documents provided by the appliance manufacturer when evaluating.

Can't you go to a different store? You can tell the salesperson you are not ready to decide, you want to research other brands.

I would, if she truly made that mistake. I would find somewhere else. You haven't ordered yet, just move on.

Jane

Jane, I may go to a different store. I will ask our designer when we meet for the first time next week.which one she recommends.

Thank you for the spec sheet, wdccruise.

Verbo, agreed on the due diligence.

Thank you all for your advice. I appreciate it.

Hi Sabine,
I’m wondering what your end results was. Did you end up needing the Heatrkit? I am having a very similar problem. I am installing a fridge and freezer column side by side. I’m getting conflicting answers from Thermador, which is very frustrating. I phoned Thermador and the person I spoke to said that anything I need is included with the freezer. I then emailed Thermador, and I was told that I need to purchase the HeatRkit.
Thanks so much.

@mjwhome: "I am installing a fridge and freezer column side by side. I’m getting conflicting answers from Thermador, which is very frustrating."

The answer is on both the refrigerator and freezer spec sheets linked above.

@mjwhome We haven't ordered yet. We met with the interior designers yesterday for the first time and they send everybody to a particular salesperson who seems to know what he is doing. We'll see what his quote looks like.

As wdccruise said, the spec sheets show the following:

"Freedom® Heater Kit

When two appliances are installed side-by-side a sealing kit must

be used. For combinations that involve a freezer column,

this sealing kit is included.

For all other (non-traditional, i.e. two wine columns, two bottom freezers, etc.) side-by-side combinations or instances where any appliances are installed less than 6-inches (152 mm) apart from one another but not connected side-by-side, purchase this kit.

This kit is recommended for use with any installation in areas that are subject to humidity, or located next to an outside wall."

I'm not a native english speaker, but to me that reads as if the optional heater kit is only needed for:

non-traditional side-by-side combinations ( fridge / wine cooler e.g.)

Any combination, including fridge / freezer, if they are installed closer than 6" to each other, but not connected side-by-side

If high humidity is a concern (in our case it's not, we live in a dry climate)

Appliances installed next to an outside wall (probably only in areas where it gets cold)

I will update when I get the new quote.

She's an appliance salesperson. Her one job in this entire world is to understand what needs to be ordered for appliance customers and get it right.

She already demonstrated to you that she can't be bothered to pay attention to details. "It will be fine."<---famous last words of incompetent nightmare creating salespeople everywhere.

Work with someone else. They are helping you to make money, not because they are your friend, and they need to EARN that money by doing their job competently. You don't owe them anything.

It sounds like you'll likely go with the recommended salesperson as long as the quote is reasonable. I wouldn't feel bad about the commission lost by the first one. Rewards are earned by quality customer care.

Hello Sabine-

I agree with Verbo that as the customer you should always do your own [exhaustive] research.

It is after all, your money, and you will be living with results.

I do however disagree that you are stuck with the salesperson you first work with.

If your experience with the salesperson is unsatisfactory for any reason, for example,

1. the salesperson has an insufficient fund of knowledge about the product,

2. is rude or patronizing

3. does not reasonably accomodate any disabilities you may have

4. is not willing to provide the information about the product

5. seems to be evincing a prejudice of one sort or another (less common these days, but can still happen,) i.e. "I'll explain this when you come back with your husband"... "I don't think you can afford this, let's look at this instead," when you haven't even said what your price range is, etc

However, I do think you are most certainly entitled to speak with the store manager or sales manager and request to deal with someone else, Ideally the manager himself./herself.

If the manager says he/she will speak to the original salesperson you can say, "No thank you, I have come here on the express recommendation of Joe Blow my interior designer because of the service you all provide. I am more than disappointed at what has happened thus far. My questions have not been answered and it seems that there is a communication problem. I would like to be able to make all my kitchen purchases here and be able to tell Joe Blow that you treated me well. Would you be so good as to take care of me personally? I don't mind waiting."

And then give your prettiest smile and park your behind right there until he takes care of you.

(Note, don't trash the saleslady, for all you know the two of them may be banging harder than a screen door in a hurricane.)

@mjwhome

We finally got an updated quote and the optional heater kit is not needed for our situation.

Thank you for following up, Sabine! Best of luck with your new kitchen.

The same thing happened to me My sales person then came back and told me (after the online tech person at thermador said it wasn’t necessary) that because we live in a high humidity area (florida) that it was necessary. If I didn’t do in that mold would grow and their installers won’t even install if a heating unit isn’t present First of all the refrigerator/freezer are not outside, they are in my house which has a dehumidifier on the AC unit already so this makes no sense to me. I think its a scam to make the salesperson more money