Ooph I can’t keep up. Weather has been winter like here and people have been dusting off their money and buying firewood. Existing customers are trying to bully me into delivering to them when I’m already committed. Some people I flat out tell them I don’t have time. Some want it after it’s already snowing. Some want it today or nothing. I have lost track of how many sales I’ve lost and I completely forgot a delivery last weekend. The guy called yesterday and as soon as I heard his voice I knew I had forgotten him. Fortunately he was understanding and is waiting for his premium wood. How’s everyone’s sales this winter?
After seeing all that arctic air barreling southeast, you were the first person that came to mind. I figured your sales must be booming. I had to pull my ad from Craigslist last month because I got slammed during one of those cold snaps. I still have at least 3 cords I can part with but I'm half expecting to get some repeat customers here shortly. If in another month it's still quiet I'll advertise again, as I'm looking to rid myself of all my RTB inventory if I can.
I placed a CL ad a few days before the vortex plunge and I’m wondering if it was a good or bad idea. Just told another guy I’m booked until Monday afternoon and crickets. If people keep buying through February my rtb inventory will be depleted if not sooner. I have to move logs this weekend to get access to the remainder. Never ever thought I would be at risk of being sold out, but I guess it’s the trap many run into. I have some regulars that I wish would ease up on their consumption, but they are hooked on the good stuff.
Good for you Jim. Make the Benjamins! Nice that mother nature has provided you the weather for great wood sales. It could be 60* and you're twiddling your thumbs at the wood stack. My sales are good. January already is what it should be for the entire month. Gonna be a record month. Couple small FBM sales. I did lose out on a small smoker bundle sale. PITA trying to coordinate with them and if they even show. Had a no show back in the Fall and has left a bad taste in my mouth towards small sales. Picked up a new bundle customer. Referral from another so I got my price. Gave him an introductory load and he wants 50 more.
Most of my regulars like the half cord at a time delivery and if its colder than usual they may need the extra half later in the Winter. I usually don't advertise unless I want a particular stack gone. Right now only my shorts/chunks listed. Some inquiry but seems folks want you to drop what you are doing and bring it to them. I did that Wednesday night as a regular ran out. I brought him a wheelbarrow full as he lives right around the corner. His half went yesterday. He'll get another cord over the next six weeks.
Most of my customers know to stock up in the late summer and all through fall. I still have plenty of seasoned wood though and have had 2 types of customers since it got cold - those who waited and are new customers and those who burned through a lot or all of what they got earlier and want more. I have never been this busy in January before. Phone keeps getting texts, calls, and fb messages. Looking like I will be busy again this weekend.
We have another polar blast next week. I will be delivering in the dark tonight. I have Monday off and it’s already covered. Gotta get the guy I forgot last Saturday
Roadside stand sales are predictably down for the winter since people don't venture outside in the cold and snow for campfires. I had 2 bulk deliveries last weekend and have another scheduled for tomorrow morning. The money is already in my Venmo account. I don't advertise for bulk orders but when people ask, I'll deliver as long as I have the inventory.
Earlier this week I got a text out of the blue from one of last year's customers one town away. He wants a full cord again so I'll try to get it to him tomorrow morning before the rain moves in. My RTB inventory is dwindling fast but I still have a way to go before having to turn people away. I'll stick to burning whatever unsellable junk I have in the meantime. I have plenty of aspen, half punky cherry, dead oak with crumbling sapwood, and sassafras to carry me until spring.
Just heard the frenzy part from one of my customers, landscape firm sells firewood this time of year. He was saying that he will have to possibly fire up the kiln because he is running out 15% or less. He got a processor 2 years ago so had a very large stash all set, But because of the weather a lot of of them are calling for additional supplies. heck i am going have to raid my stacks as well.
I am praying for rain all day Sunday just to have an excuse to say no. It would also give me time to move wood into my own dagum house. Not that some of these folks would give a crap about getting rain soaked wood.
I got another firewood selling story. A customer called a few days ago and asked for another load. I said sure, but I’m booked until next week. She wanted it before the weekend and said I will buy from someone else. Ok, I’m thinking to myself good luck with that load of mexi green split yesterday and you just moved yourself further down the preferred customer list. She just texted and said next week is fine. I may be the last man standing
6 deliveries today by noon with 4 scheduled tomorrow morning. Had a woman reach out around 11 today asking if I could deliver today. LOL. Get in line lady!
Yep nothing like an intense cold snap to boost firewood sales. This afternoon/evening I was heading to a birthday party of sorts, when I got a text message from my best friend who lives 65+ miles away. “How much for a pickup load of firewood delivered to Judy and Orv’s place in Broken Bow?” I kinda figured out the logistics to make it happen and gave him the friends and family price. Got my 8 year old helper lined up to help me load in the morning. We are at 5F right now at midnight so we will see what he is made of. Then when I got to the party, the native fellow from Cedar to cry forwas there and said, “I was hoping you’d be here, I lost your number and I’m ready for some more wood”. This time it doesn’t have to be cedar although that would be fine. Dry, hardwood, however much I can bring. Luckily he is going to be gone through the first week of February, so I have a little time. I didn’t set out to be a firewood vendor. Word gets out and it just happens
When you have good product word gets around. FHC standards makes for good product! Plus its a good incentive to hoard more wood! Keep up the great work!
My firewood privacy fences are nearly all gone in the front. My place looks so different and sad. The neighbors will be able to see my firewood activities again. 3 deliveries today and I’m caught up. I’m more than ready switch back to restocking mode.
Always sad to see empty stacks but all the reason to hoard more. How many cords have you sold this season Jim.
It’s a blur at this point. My guess is 30+ cords. A year or 2 ago I would have been happy to sell 12. This is the opportunity I was prepared to exploit. I’d like to thank you and the rest of the honorable FHC folks for helping me along the road to Benjamin
