I'm 45 minutes north east of Saint Louis. I'm at 250 a cord for dry and 200 for green but no takers yet. A stand out by the road at 100/face cord row maybe? I'd really like to get some stuff moving.
Pricing can be quite subjective. And also people LOVE to procrastinate over firewood. Effective and cheap advertising would be to place some signs at a couple local intersections? Price it for what you feel it's worth. Your assessment should be within reason of other locals in your area. I would print a picture of that covered wood to put on the signs. There's always marketplace, BUT the most likely of people to NOT be on marketplace will be wood burning types. Craigslist is still free listing also.
It took me 4-5 years to reach the point where I can’t keep up. I’m in a city of 250-300k. I used CL and Nextdoor to advertise. Both provided regular customers. Dry wood will lock in regular customers. There’s plenty of split today sell tomorrow guys, but ready to burn sellers are rare. In my area anyway. This year I am not advertising and I have already sold more 1 cord loads than last year. It takes time but good product will sell itself.
Give customers what you advertise. If selling as "seasoned" be sure the INTERNAL moisture content is below 20%. Split a few random larger pieces and check with a moisture meter. Certain woods, mostly notably oak and hickory, take more than a year to get to that level. If selling a cord, deliver a cord. These are the two most common problems I've seen and heard from new customers. Ill deliver a half cord taken from a half cord sized rack and the customer is dumfounded by the volume. "the other guy was ripping me off" is usually heard. $250 per cord is a bargain around here in Southern New England, then again when I see low prices are they delivering the right amount. Take time to establish a regular customer base and treat them well, until then a lower price helps. I don't advertise to sell volume wood unless its near the end of the season and I have extra. With more established customers its a constant battle to scrounge mor inventory.
Yeah this stuff is 3 years dry and we burned a little bit last year. I just have legitimately no interest.
Great selling point. Few, if any, wood sellers can say this. Should be an easy sell with that in your listing.
People don't want ambiguous amounts out of piles or truck loads in a truck that could be any size. I sell 1/3 cord stacks when I get extra that people can drive up to. Almost nobody has a truck that can take more easily. List the exact size of the stack and the species of wood and when it was cut and split.
You know what he would say.......we ain't ... But on another note, find the better sections of St Louis, a lot of folks like having a firepit or outdoor fireplace. As stated, deliver an honest amount of good wood.
A guy I know who I’d always figured was born with a silver spoon up his ash, turns out he was in fact a self made man and quite wealthy. At a meeting at his home once he made the comment, and I quote him because it has always stuck with me! “Make a quality product, sell it as cheap as you possibly can, and stand behind it!” That philosophy has obviously worked well for him. customer service is huge I believe. Provide a quality product, honest, if not generous quantity and do what you say you will WHEN you say you will. (Delivery wise if you go that route) Over time you will have a solid customer base. selling firewood is NOT a get rich quick proposition! Unless you’re selling in the Nashville market area
Customer Service is so bad everywhere today in every business that if you excel at it people will definitely notice.
