Was at Home Depot this past week. Kinda know the Manager, he was telling me that they haven't gotten in the amount of pellets they normally have this time of year and the company hasn't told him anything. He also said that this year sales and interest are notably down this year and not sure why. Maybe there will be more of a last minute rush compared to last year...maybe it will be a tough year to find pellets? They were going for $250 a ton.
Hard telling. 2 pretty mild winters in a row. People might have left overs. Been a long hot summer . No one thinking about winter. The more I'm hearing , trucking logistics may play a huge role in delivery this year.Those who procrastinate on buying last minute this year may be disappointed in some areas. I've been in the firewood business for 30 years and there's no predicting people's buying habits
i agree,although we had a long winter last season......people are ignorant in general...."its hot out,no need to worry about pellets now honey,home depot will have plenty" or some chit like that.
Our order file and shipments are ahead of last year for this time and it is certainly true that getting trucks out of certain parts of the country to the New England market has been a problem for some....to the point some dealers have dropped some lines because they simply can't get enough of a steady supply to be able to count on them....the hot weather this past month hasn't made for ideal pellet selling...but the orders have been steady and think they will improve after Labor Day as they usually do....for the most part with the long winter this year, most (not all) have empty basements and garages, so most average orders seem to be in the 3-4 tons range and not the 1-2 we saw the last 2 years....still feels like we could have a strong winter...
I am down to 3 tons, and that won't make it thru the winter. However, I am working on relocating my basement pellet stove, and finishing a wall off, so don't have room to place any in the basement. I've got all the pellets in the garage and 1 ton still under a tarp that has to come in this year). Anyway, the point is that I am not buying my pellets yet. Since I work slowly, I'm guessing not until October anyway.
many people getting the relentless Heat and humidity and rain, who wants to be out in that lugging pellets, I need another ton but I know I'm waiting for the weather to break.
I've got my stash full from last year and pellets are furthest from my mind at this moment, busy doing my new stash room and car shelter. I will keep the stash top up during the winter if I find deals
yup....same for me.....I carry 5-6 tons into my basement by myself.....cant see my old self doing this when its 85% humidity and 93 degrees out. I can see them sitting by my bulkhead killing the lawn while I wait for cooler weather....so, Im waiting a bit longer. No problem for me, I know a guy who sells pellets.......... That being said, that same guy who sells me pellets tells me their order file is now 7 weeks.......hmmm.....
Actually, sales have been good here, but we have product on the ground. We are having issues getting product from the South, but that's due to trucking,....might be though of as an artificial shortage, but to us, if we cant get them, its a shortage nonetheless. oh, and.... will there be a pellet shortage this fall? so, given this, most people feel there wont be a shortage. maybe they are right?
I order in April[early buy after tax deadline day], then delivered mid August and stored in the cellar. ready for winter with 5 tons. Done!!!!!
I used to carry mine to the basement as well.. down seven steps. Best thing I ever did was get a poly slide from one of those big kids swing things.. I built an 8' long table about two feet high 2 feet wide, and the slide goes on that. Slide 7-8 down at a time, then take them off the table to stack them. no more walking up and down the stairs with a bag.. and no more bending over at the bottom to pick them up off the floor... Back loved this system...
Yea, I agree with that.....but I dont think you will at this point either, maybe not till March/April 2019
fortunatly no steps to haul pellets. i have windows that we pop out and just hand them thru and lay on skids in my cellar..
Basement is next to my underhouse garage - easy to get in there. Only have to carry pellets up the stairs to the P43 - when a bag or two is needed. Since the P61a keeps the floors warm and sends some heat upstairs, the P43 doesn't have to be fed to much. Got a 10% off entire order coupon from TSC. Good until the 15th or 16th. Does not say it excludes pellets, and they will hold them until I need them, so will most likely pay for 2 tons and pick up at my convenience. If their price is still $260/ton, with $26 off that makes it $234/ton. Only better deal I see is at HD - going for $219/ton if you buy 4 or more tons (and I'm sure they won't hold them, but didn't ask). The HD I was at last night had FSU's and that is a good price for those.
