OK....they now just told me the Golden softwoods are not being produced this year and because of the fire the Golden hardwoods are produced on a limited basis.
With you and Douglas keeping us informed, Of coarse we do!! Having the insiders that see things before we do and passing on the heads up? Priceless! I'm sitting on 5 tons an easy ton+ more than I need! We thank you Been bugging Dougie and a few of the others trying to find stock for the ones I know that didn't listen and are a bit stuck. Also priceless when many dealers aren't picking up their phones cause their absolutely flat out try to get the deliveries out!
It kind of bothers me that many on here are fine with not supporting their local vendors. I buy very little from "outsiders" like Lowes, Hone depot. Yes I do vote with my wallet too, but $20 a ton difference... I'd spend it to support local. Not pointing fingers at any one person, if you don't agree that's fine.
I would support my local vendor if I was only saving $20 a ton. The dealers near me are $50 or more for equal pellets. Multiply that by five tons a year and it's a big difference. I can use that money saved and by different items locally that they can be competitive with.
I'm good for this season and part of next (just like every other year)...I don't chit around, I'm well stocked!!!!
Ive supported ,local dealers for 75% of my pellets. I can afford the extra few dollars, BUT, I also buy in June, so I was paying HD prices, But I know others who cant afford the $, and don't have trucks, so delivery adds up. Oh, and its 15 miles to a bigger dealer, 3 miles to HD.
Just left HD and they had FSU for $239. Surprised that Lowes had Somersets and Presto logs out front for $237 I may support one of our local guys if he still has any LG left at $279 after I burn a ton to make room.
I buy about as local as I can get. The pellets are made in Michigan and the store I get most of my pellets from, while it is a chain store, is a chain store based in Michigan. Every now and then I get some from Menards if they have a deal, but that's not to often. Back to Home Depot. I stopped looking there after two seasons of Wood Fibers, Inc pellets. I bought 15 bags of that junk before I knew better. Never again.
Four stores in the area where we can buy pellets, all big box stores. Bomgaars is where Dad gets his and is the most local, Menards would be the next in line as far as local is concerned.
My example of saving $50 at the box stores was comparing them to the Spring Special at my local place.....now the savings are closer to $70 per ton.
I usually buy some of my stash from a pellet house. Used to buy about all my stash there, But when you have a stove that just doesn't care and it keeps money in my pocket. Tough to do these days with the higher prices. From what I saw when I stopped in, There is no shortage of others that are buying from them!! Mom and pops employ maybe 2 to 10 people(including the owners) and the box store employ's hundreds. I have no problem spending cash at either! Its more important I keep the cash in my pocket in this economy. I'm out for the little guy, And that little guy would be my family!
You need to look out for number one....or else you wind up stepping in number two...........something like that!
Stopped in yesterday to see if any Platinum were around. Nope, just regular FSU and Heatr's. Whats the scoop on Heat'rs?
I haven't heard that much. Word was kind of Blah IIRC, But no first hand experience. I have not seen them in my area.
many amazing points above, that's fer sure.....we are a "little guy" as well, but I don't fault a guy (or gal!) for buying from the big boxes, or wherever they can, be it because they are perceived as cheaper, or have product, or are more convenient, etc.....its YOUR money! That being said, if I can "help a guy out" who I know is one of my own customers, Im MUCH more likely to do it than they guy who stumbles in and cant get it at the big box.....that pendulum swings both ways, i'm afraid....
I hear what your saying LW, a big box could care less if you don't have enough to make the season!! Most of us that do the box store deal also know once they start rolling out the lawn furniture. We usually won't see pellets there much longer. So if your in a pinch, Ya might want to keep an "in" at the pellet house JIC. A mom and pops will usually have stock all year, Where the box store might not. My "in" is to show up early with a medium hazzlenut coffee and a few of his favorite doughnuts. I get a few for the kid who drives the truck/runs the fork lift too. Speaking of that I have'nt been there in a while now, I best go say hello!
