most expensive, least expensive, tomato, tomahto, but your vaunted Big Box isn't helping ya now when they don't have product, are they?
I would agree that the locally available pellets at dealers can (at present) indeed be the least expensive. People who only buy a few bags at a time without having a stockpile, at the place of use, back themselves into the corner of being at the mercy of the wild swings of the market. When considering the total cost of buying an item on Amazon I consider price and shipping... When considering pellet purchases, one must also consider the timeline that the buyer has to work with as well as shipping/transportation costs.. One could certainly buy pellets from outside the local area (thus bypassing local dealers) but the shipping costs would make said pellets More Expensive... These "least expensive" pellets from dealers, could also be more expensive than other options such as Nat Gas, Propane or Oil depending on the price and situation... Ahhhh.. Superlatives... Gotta love 'em.. But I'm just a wood guy, so I'm probably wrong..
Lately the box store selection has been more of a local thing, They seem to be trying to reduce the shipping haul and getting them in a more regional location(closer mill to this area). I used to see more from other regions and now it seems more like I only see whats produced from mills that are closer. I used to see more brands like Stove Chow, PTL(Lignetics) and Clean Energy/Hardwood Heat(Hamers). Now its more MWP, GS(NEWPS) and North Americans(Currans) that are plentiful where these other brands still make a showing but not as abundant(pretty scarce).
I think, probably more than most, the BB's realize what transportation costs...and what they can trim from their cost structure is all the better from them, which is why you tend to see more local pellets there. Also factor in the folks who buy the better quality pellets, because they don't want to spend much time cleaning, and want more heat from their unit. You aren't USUALLY going to find that at the BB's, but certain local ones might have some pretty good ones. Around here, you're not likely to find a doug fir pellet in the BB, because they tend to be expensive. We tried them this year in a couple brands, trepidaciously, given their costs, and were pleasantly surprised that we sold 12 boxcar loads of them (about 100 tons/car).......our area isn't upscale at all either. Given, the folks who are looking for pellets in the low 200's will never try the doug firs, since the product is out of their price range, but I was certainly surprised by the folks who would, and did. Out of those 12 cars, how many are left as I type this? Zero. Zilch. Nada. Why is this? Because some people recognize them as a value to themselves. Other side of that coin, there's a great many folks who also come in looking for "the cheapest pellet you have". Yup, we sell more of these, but the higher quality pellets are making ground. While we do sell some pellets which can be the same brand as some local BB's, I try to support the manufacturers who don't support them, like Okanagan. Say what you will about Doug, for instance, but he tends to bend over backwards for his dealers (we were getting low on pellets ourselves, and he set up 5 truckloads for us for next week), is always available, seems to me to be an honest guy, and contrary to what folks tend to allude to here, he speaks the truth, notwithstanding his obvious zeal for his product. He is a manufacturer resource here on this board, with a pretty unique perspective that I believe no one else here has. Doug owes me dinner.
I think we've bandied this somewhere before, but yes, certainly in some instances Natural Gas, Wood, and fuel oil can be cheaper when their price is low and the pellet price is high (don't think I agree on propane...that chit is expensive!)....but what many folks say is that they seem to feel more comfortable with the heat pellets provide, etc. Also not financing governments who seem to support terrorism is a plus too....
Didn't need to AWFWP were just as good. And $50 less per ton. And they were just as good as those Okies Platinums. Burned them back to back. These were my results....take from this what you want: Okies Platinum 2.9lbs/hr 146.1℉ 14 AWF Pine 2.6lbs/hr 143.6℉ 14 The 14 is how many bags I can go without cleaning. In full honesty, Vermont's tested a bit better in both categories for me. But that was not this year and I want to burn more and not post old results.
If that what burns best in your stove and you are happy with them...then by all means you should burn those....and as a bonus if you paid $50 less per ton....then good for you ...sounds like a win-win to me..... Every stove is different...every pellet will burn just a bit different in each stove and that is why Baskin Robbins has 31 favors of ice cream...so there is something for everyone.....stay warm.
Good luck collecting! Was going to ask how much he paid ya to say all this. Just kidding! Haha, easy Mr Doug, Just funnin no harm meant! I was told I was nuts(well duh!) for thinkin they become popular over here. And look what happened!! I had many of the pellet guru's tell me they won't sell due to $$ reasons. I didn't buy that! I knew some would $$ the coins on em, Just because of how clean they are and good heat too! Now it looks like one of the local dealers is carrying these Purcells. I just bet the other might start carrying them too. Yes, They are more expensive and many will not be spendy with them. But there will be a crowd(I'll call em the pellet yuppies-No offense intended) that does. Manily because of how clean they burn and how clean the stove stays. Yet throwing gobs of heat at ya. So I have to ask, What is the common reason that your clients are going with these? Just curious is all!
No No Jay...I'm thinking I see a friendly wager here.....I think you might indirectly be calling me .........frugal......cheap.....a welcher???? How about I put up a ton of Douglas Fir against whatever you want to bet of equal value...that Lousyweather gets his dinner next time I am back in NE (schedule permitting)....actually let's make it 4 tons worth....we got a bet? I was told I was nuts(well duh!) for thinkin they become popular over here. And look what happened!! I had many of the pellet guru's tell me they won't sell due to $$ reasons. I didn't buy that! I knew some would $$ the coins on em, Just because of how clean they are and good heat too! Now it looks like one of the local dealers is carrying these Purcells. I just bet the other might start carrying them too. Yes, They are more expensive and many will not be spendy with them. But there will be a crowd(I'll call em the pellet yuppies-No offense intended) that does. Manily because of how clean they burn and how clean the stove stays. Yet throwing gobs of heat at ya. So I have to ask, What is the common reason that your clients are going with these? Just curious is all! [/QUOTE]
In my ever so HO...if they don't say 100% Douglas Fir on the bag...they are wanna be's....inland Fir/Larch with some Douglas Fir thrown in for good measure...but not the real deal...not saying they aren't a bad pellet....but not 100% Oregon or Wash State true coastal Douglas Fir...best pellet made anywhere in the world.....period....but then again, that just might be me thinking that way.....
Well, I think once folks try them, many simply appreciate the quality of the product. Yea, more money, and that wont appeal to the bottom-feeders (no offense intended), but heck, the pellet yuppies wanna buy good product...far be it from me to deny them!
Just don't go and schedule your trip up here when I am away, Doug! That place in Worcester....Sole Proprietor! Its also close to a couple of your other dealers, so somewhat convenient as well to you. Don't forget, Im fasting now, so, dangit, don't welch on me! Am I getting my pellets this week?
Used to be a yuppie(or at least my old stove was) until I bought the beast. Bottom feeder? Nah, But I do try to spend less on the best stuff I can find on the cheap!
I started off as a "yuppie" as well. Last year was straight Vermont's, year before Vermont's, Turmans and PWI. This was the first year I went without any purchasing from the local shops. It turned out just fine but was a bit more work. I am undecided on how this next year will go. Guess it comes down to what the Spring Specials, if any look like.
