The scene at every last hd around

I've been thinking about the concept of pellet stores getting increased sales this season on account of box stores increasing their prices too much. After all, logic would dictate that Penningtons at Walmart for $280 or LaCretes at the pellet store down the street for $285 should be a no-brainer, right? For us here, yes. But honestly, I'm not sure it's going to be a factor for most. Typically, folks that shop the discount stores for pellets do so because the brain is programmed to understand that those stores always have the lowest price, period. Many also do the buy 5 bags at a time all winter long buying method. Now - when they go to make their purchases this year, I think one of two things will happen. They will either proceed to buy exactly as they always have, despite the price increase - or they will not buy at all and just heat with oil, given the record low prices. In general, I don't really see folks turning to the pellets stores, because historically they always cost more and the brain has already been pre-programmed with that tidbit. Also consider, for the 5 bags at a time buyers - a bag of pellets at TSC for $5.49 or HD for $5.79, while more costly than last year, is certainly a lot more appealing than an $8 bag of pellets at the pellet store.

 

Being a public company, this isn't something that hasn't already been disclosed. We have raised several million dollars and some of that has gone into building inventory at Upton in the off season. We don't have anywhere close to 20k tons, much closer to 5k... I can't speak for what others ship into Upton prepackaged, but we take up pretty much all the bulk build there...there is little windows here and there that a car or two will get done for someone else, but its not much. Others will ship prepackaged pellets there for distribution and I don't know what that count is...we don't do any of that, as all our product is bagged there.

Pretty much everyone either ran out of product or had none to sell thru most of the winter last year...especially in Feb/March.....Okanagan was the exception last year and we were able to supply pretty much all our dealers promptly with product....we want to be able to do that again this year. Its only Sept and many manufactures are having issues already and if you are a current dealer of ours, we have been able to supply when other can't....We also haven't raised prices this year over last. Our brand is getting better known and gaining market share .... we feel that is a good business model....but it has taken a lot and I mean a lot of hard work to get to this point...not to mention major investment to keep stocked like this and a great group of dealers who sell our pellets.

 

How do you know that? Have you had someone like me, who lives here, that gave you REAL prices?.....not the ones (that are obviously wrong) from the state?

 

Larry, we're in about the same situation. Got my "lock-in" for a year (May 1st - April 30 '16) @ $1.84, and my furnace is also 95% AFUE rated.

 

BTW, just in case anybody is considering buying pellets from a big box.....Lowes just ran an ad on the radio & email. If you live within 75 miles of their store, they will deliver up to 6 tons for a flat $19. That's pretty cheap, although if you have any kind of coupon on the actual pellets, that would be even better. Deal is good through 9/14/15.

 

I was actually referring to our presents in the North East and not the pricing of heating oil...there is nothing I can do about that...I was thinking the bigger picture which has worked out well for us...thanks for asking

 

Funny, I seem to remember it as a discussion of the price of HHO.

 

Not here, that's for sure..

Dan

 

It is cheap.
But I also consider that the pellets they are selling you (here) are $279-$299..
I know that different Lowe's sell different brands, but for the most part,
The ones in our area, are the ones that a lot of people here don't really care for...
So is it a deal?

Dan

 

The Energex Family.. hardwoods from America/Softwoods from Canada..
my dealer sells me the Golden Pellets.. low ash

 

I wasn't disputing the pellet price.....just some info in case anyone decided to shop there for pellets.....for whatever their reason. There ARE 10% off coupons floating around, so maybe $251/ton is doable for some.

 

Will Lowes honor veteran's discounts on pellets? HD will not on pellets, lumber and some garden stuff.

 

savemoney Larry, this is their "official" statement on that......only thing that might be a fly in the ointment is if they try to say you're already getting the "contractor price" on tons of pellet and can't combine. But I've heard other members say they got both......give it a shot anyway:

"Lowe's established the 10% Military Discount to support the men and women who are currently serving our country in the Armed Services1 and to honor Retired Veterans and VA Recipients.2 This 10% discount is also extended to the immediate family3 of those who are currently serving, Retired Veterans, or VA Recipients.

To qualify for the Everyday 10% Military Discount, you must:

Be currently serving in, or retired from, a qualifying branch of the Armed Services, or be the immediate family member of someone who is and have a valid military ID Card.

Or:

Be a veteran who receives VA benefits and have a valid Veteran Identification Card (VIC).

We honor all Veterans on three specific holidays: Memorial Day, 4th of July and Veterans Day. During these three holiday weekends, we extend the discount to all veterans who served honorably and who present a valid Form DD214 or other proof of service. The Lowe’s Military Discount is extended to the Veteran community on these three holidays only.

The Military Discount must be used on personal purchases only and cannot be used for Lowes.com purchases, previous sales, or the purchase of gift cards or services including product installations. It cannot be combined with the Lowe’s Price Guarantee, or promotions such as "Spend and Get," "New Mover," "Project Starter," "Your Choice," or discounts such as Quote Support Program (QSP) quotes.

• 1 Armed Services — US Army, US Navy, US Air Force, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard, or the National Guard and who are in active, reserve, or retired status.
• 2 Retired Veterans and VA Recipients — Veterans who have retired after 20 years of service and/or those who receive VA Benefits
• 3 Immediate Family — Spouses and/or dependent children (up to 18 years old.)"

 

In the past they have.
This year they said no...
(At our local store)

Dan

 

The Vermonts family. Softwoods from Vermont. My dealer sells me Vermonts. Virtually no ash.

 

Vermont's family > Energex family

 

Very good pellet....little tough to find sometimes...but a good pellet nonetheless.

 

What are they getting for them this year?

 

$301 during early buy. I think they are $306 now.