jrider
Addicted to ArboristSite
Well damn, if you think like this you may as well never even step outside.
Small time firewood sales
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ChoppyChoppy
Tree Freak
I told a "slip and sue" guy once I had plenty of places and equipment available to bury a body.
TysonH
ArboristSite Operative
Im in your boat I sell a few cords advertising only in January and later as thats when most people are getting low or despirate and high prices are justifiable. We have had only one couple come up and while they're not people I'd hang out with they were two that went through life at the beat of their own drum thats for sure. The rest I deliever and feel this weeds out tire kickers or other questionables, if someone contacts and wants wood delivered they're a serious buyer. At least thats been my experiance.
LoveStihlQuality
Addicted to ArboristSite
ChoppyChoppy
Tree Freak
I have not had success in accurately being able to measure loose wood. I've hauled wood to my house loose and it's varied quite a bit, like total load being anywhere from 1 to almost 1.5 cords.
I know 2 of my compete tors sell it loose and I've heard many complaints about being shorted. One for example has a 4x8x10ft bed and somehow figures that it's 2 cords, where it's more around 1.75 cords.
I've actually had several of his old customers call me back after I delivered to ask if I gave them a bunch of extra wood, their shed/rack/basement, etc was packed full and still had more wood.
Believe me I've tried to figure a way of not stacking. Short of selling by weight, I don't know a way. (Truck scales areally very expensive BTW)
I know 2 of my compete tors sell it loose and I've heard many complaints about being shorted. One for example has a 4x8x10ft bed and somehow figures that it's 2 cords, where it's more around 1.75 cords.
I've actually had several of his old customers call me back after I delivered to ask if I gave them a bunch of extra wood, their shed/rack/basement, etc was packed full and still had more wood.
Believe me I've tried to figure a way of not stacking. Short of selling by weight, I don't know a way. (Truck scales areally very expensive BTW)
jrider
Addicted to ArboristSite
I can agree with this if loaded with machinery and splits ranging greatly in size and length but if your wood is cut to uniform length and splits are mostly same size and thrown in by hand it is pretty close the same amount each time from my experience. I know it doesn't make sense but if loaded by buckets and dumped compared to thrown in by hand the placement of pieces varies and air gaps varies. I hand load everything, just tossing and it works for me.
merc_man
Addicted to ArboristSite
If i sell to someone who insists on picking up them selves i preliad on trailer and pull on road. That way if they get hurt its not on my property. And like others have said they dont need to know whats on my property. When i do deliver i usually only charge cost of fuel or min. $10.
grapplermi
ArboristSite Operative
I stack mine in cord increments after I split it, to dry. Then I throw it in my dump trailer, knowing it's a cord.
johnnyballs
ArboristSite Operative
in the big picture, there are a lot easier ways to make a few bucks extra cash...but some of us tree guys just like doing it...its more of a hobby to me but i'll tell you when i tell someone i'll deliver a "face cord" of wood for $80 and i get there and they say they only have $75...i feel like driving away...i still give them the wood but tell them i'm not splitting next year...but the people that give me $100 and say keep the change...i give them 'healthy cords" next time and they do appreciate it...
LoveStihlQuality
Addicted to ArboristSite
Selling saws, if buyer tries to low ball, I leave. At that point it not negotiable.
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lknchoppers
ArboristSite Operative
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You would make out better selling half cords. A full cord is one price, a half cord is more than half the price of a full cord and stacking is extra. My favorite is when people buy half cords and want them stacked, it doesn't take that long and you make more $$$.
I don't have many people pickup at all. The people picking up wood are cheap skates trying to save a buck. The people I deliver to are more willing to spend extra for stacking and/or tipping. I would rather sit on as much wood as I can until the really cold weather hits. Plan a route and haul two cords of wood into the city and stack out half cords or quarter cords (quarter cords are more than half the cost of half cords). Go back and do it again. Firewood is hard energy consuming, time consuming work, I have to be as efficient as possible to maximize my profit and keep my customers happy to return.
My delivery fee is already figured into the cost of the firewood, so it's always "Free" so if someone insists on picking up their firewood, they pay the same price as if it were delivered.
I don't have many people pickup at all. The people picking up wood are cheap skates trying to save a buck. The people I deliver to are more willing to spend extra for stacking and/or tipping. I would rather sit on as much wood as I can until the really cold weather hits. Plan a route and haul two cords of wood into the city and stack out half cords or quarter cords (quarter cords are more than half the cost of half cords). Go back and do it again. Firewood is hard energy consuming, time consuming work, I have to be as efficient as possible to maximize my profit and keep my customers happy to return.
My delivery fee is already figured into the cost of the firewood, so it's always "Free" so if someone insists on picking up their firewood, they pay the same price as if it were delivered.
you still have them knowing where you live,,and where the wood is....
merc_man
Addicted to ArboristSite
They would have to move my boat and rv to get to it. Unless they caried it out by hand. lol
I havnt sold to anyone the past couple years that come to my house and plan to keep it that way unless i know them.
even then, in this day and age. people have loose lips......
merc_man
Addicted to ArboristSite
Yes very true. They wouod just steal them too probly.
TysonH
ArboristSite Operative
I'm honestly in disbelief that some can charge for stacking, hey more power to ya if you can. I never have but I only sell a few extra cords in the peak of the season so I'm already charging what I feel is a premium price. Is this an east coast thing because I havent herad of this in California ?
Stacking on site is an absolute value add and should command a premium!
spike60
Addicted to ArboristSite
There is some logic there; similar to selling bundled wood. The smaller quantity means a higher price. I know a couple guys who deliver face cords. Mostly cause it's easy to do that in their pick ups; they really can't do a full cord. It plays well to the folks who just want some fireplace wood, and people who don't have the cash to buy a full cord. The downside to keep an eye on is that you have to make 3 face cord trips to deliver a single cord so the extra money they charge needs to exceed the cost of extra trips. Honestly I doubt either of them get enough of a premium to really make out better in the end.
It's also smart to hang o to the wood til mid winter when supplies dwindle and prices go up. Especially if you have seasoned stuff and others are selling green wood.
spike60
Addicted to ArboristSite
Nice to have some time to post and hang out a little. Truth is it get so bombed with PM's anymore that by the time I'm done with them I feel like I ought to be off doing something else.
Plus the burning season is just around the corner and I enjoy spending some time here with the rest of you guys. Only about a month til "light up".
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