mmelko

[mmelko]

Hello: I own about 100 wooded acres in PA and am considering starting a firewood sales business. I am thinking about starting with small bundles (shrink wrapped with a plastic handle) ready for one time fireplace use. I thought places such as convenience stores, gas stations, markets, etc. would be a good place to start marketing. Can anyone give me some direction as to how to start and what to expect/charge? Thanks.

 

[ever green]

Up here in WNY that wrapped bundle is about 7 or 8 dollars maybe even less...6 or 7 pieces of wood I think...

 

[Billy_Bob]

First check stores in your local area for *local* prices. Them make your prices something less than that.

Might want to make your product "better" than your competitors maybe by also including a bit a kindling with each package. (To help get the fire started.)

I would print up business cards with your rates on the back.

Next go around giving 3 free bundles of firewood to each store and your card to order more when they sell those. Have a suggested price display sign made up like:

Firewood
(kindling included)
$6.95​

Be sure to have an answering machine on your phone for when you are not there.

Anyway this is the general idea. Take a loss in the short term looking for their long term business.

If you walk into a store and say I'm here to give you your free firewood, you will get a much better reaction then I'm here to sell you something.