Been thinking this one through carefully ,don't want to get in a pizzing contest I think the burden does belong on the consumer and at the same time the solution is for the dealers to educate them . Lw has been telling us for months now to buy early ,and I think most of us here did that I get that not everyone has the $$ or space ,you need to plan for it . I can only speak for myself after this springs shortage as soon as pellets hit the big boxes I was buying 10 bags here 15 there... took up extra space in the garage don't have room to work out there ,but I won't be cold or have to use the electric heat That's my take on this, shoot a hole in it if you don't agree That's all I got, now I need another Beer
In your best estimate, what would have been the latest date a customer could have ordered pellets from you and you could have delivered the average amount of say 3 or 4 tons by October 1?
I was also buying just like yourself, and will have no issue this year and most likely be good to go for the beginning of next or hopefully, all of next. But I think most of us here are much more proactive than the average person. And I would be willing to be this extends in to other areas of our lives besides pellets. But the average consumer IMHO is not. My concern is the hassle of buying pellets at the end of last year and so far this year will adversely effect the industry, in particular the smaller dealers, which I want to see thrive. And if you buy pellets in August and cannot get them until November ( happened to a friend that's where I got my Okies Platinums ) and even then you have to hound the dealer, that is an issue. The suppliers and dealers need to make it easy for the consumer especially as the savings spread dwindles and considering the labor involved. Thats all I got as and its Time for me as well.
I think we can all agree the smart ones got early and have plenty to get through the season. Some got them in the nick of time, But for the most part we members are all set. I do feel for the ones that really can't stock up like we do. This looks to be the worst season I have seen in all my burning years. At least the start of it is pretty bad. Hoping we don't get any worse. I stopped to see what TSC had as they were getting an order in. All 22 tons are spoken for. Next order might be next week. So its still a bit of a rush on them in my area. About all I could easily buy would be Warm fronts(price chopper) and Inferno golds(IGA- BigY) both at $7.00 a bag. Or spend $0.50 a bag more at the nearest pellet house(much better brand). I'm pretty sure I could get some at another house, But haven't bothered to see if they quantity have limits or whats the current/bag price. From what I am told, There are certain brands that won't be seen here until April. The mill is flat out and going full tilt.
tho I smell a trap here....lol...I'll bite.....if it was to be delivered by 10/1 or so, Id guess that latest date would have been late August-very early September- and that depends on how far away you live......but some brands were even short by then. We were actively searching for more product prior to that tho.....like bringing in railcars of product, but rail is pretty expensive and not very reliable....we had a car of Doug Firs sitting on a siding in Chicago for a month.....why? No one knows, not even the railroad.
Also agree that the folks who take the time and interest to frequent this forum and other forums tend to be a bit better informed and tend to be considerably more proactive than the average burner. Kinda like the old softwood versus hardwood argument.....hardwood's just better, right? We hear that ALOT. Or that crazy fallacy about cleaning your pellet stove?! Come on, pft, I empty the ashes a couple times a year, that's good enough...its what the dealer told me (the worthless $hit that the dealer is!)......clean the impellers? scrape the burnpot? Clean the igniter?! I don't even know where the igniter IS!...but yeah, of course I clean it!!!! etc... The thing is, with the amount of info out there these days with Youtube.com, the Owners Manual (available online these days), forums like this and others, there really isn't an excuse to be uninformed about the stoves we burn AND the pellets we burn. Too many folks these days don't want to be held accountable for their actions or lack thereof, lol, and I'll stop there, before this goes to some crazy quasi-political rant........I don't drink, so I'll just have a popcorn, please!
yea, buying in August waiting for November, I'd agree with you as well, pretty much sucks. Im guessing the dealer didn't have sitting stock and was waiting on his order (which might not ever arrive?)....starting to hear THOSE stories as well.......ugh
Ill be the designated driver.....don't worry, I wont use my droid to take pics and movies of your drunken antics either.....(there has GOT to be some perk to being the DD, there just has to....)
Expanding and repairing rail lines ,,,,,,, another reason for the pellet shortage . Railties= less sawdust in the raw material supply.
Does anybody realizes the dealers are taking a major finicial hit? Seasonal sales are gone when the click turns. Dealers do all they can to exchange their product for your money.. Im concerned some dealers will take a big hit & fold.
