Buying pellets in the summer ?

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squeed

New Member
Hearth Supporter
Jan 25, 2009
32
North East, USA
As you may have seen from my posts, I'm new to pellet stoves. I'm wondering if it is possible to buy a few tons in the middle of the summer and get a decent price per ton. Decent being < $200 per ton.

-S
 
Check with your local larger pellets sales places. Some will let you prebuy in April-May. You will see some discount.

I have pre bought 3 tons for the last 3 years. Had to struggle to get the last 3 tons this year.

I'll buy all mine early if I can afford too.
 
squeed said:
As you may have seen from my posts, I'm new to pellet stoves. I'm wondering if it is possible to buy a few tons in the middle of the summer and get a decent price per ton. Decent being < $200 per ton.

-S

A lot of people pre-buy in the spring/early summer, and usually that's when you'll see the best price. Once summer is almost over, the price starts to rise again.
 
IMHO, with all the difficulties people here have had pre-paying (if that's what pre-buying means - if not, then fine -) I would buy but not pre-pay. I got 5 tons in May, but only from a reputable hardware store that HAD THEM IN STOCK and delivered them a day or two later. If possible that's how I'll buy again this year.
 
We will be lucky if we see $250.00 / ton this spring!
 
My dealer only charges when picked up or delivered. I don't even need to leave a deposit!

He knows he will sell everything he has in stock anyways. And He'll get more money on the fall sales prices.
 
I would not pre pay anyone...... Any price under $250.00 should be considered good in the North East...............
 
Pay cash when you TAKE them. You best bet for the lowest price.

Eric
 
I doubt we will ever see $200 a ton on the east coast again unless they
are standard grade pellets, but if I did find premium at that price I would
pounce on em in a heartbeat.

I would let the other pellet pigs know about them too AFTER I got my fill..of course ;-)

I usually get my winter supply in the spring time as that is usually when the
prices are the cheapest. Hopefully this year will be a repeat of previous years.
 
tinkabranc said:
....I would let the other pellet pigs know about them too AFTER I got my fill..of course ;-) ....

Mighty nice of ya Tink :)
 
My dealer has an early buy program in March/April. Buy now... pick up in July (I think). If you pick up on a certain weekend the dealer has a big bar-b-que going for the customers plus added discounts on accessories, etc. Good deal.
 
well in my case the pellet stove is my main heat, so I am kind of stuck paying the price.
 
Might want to consider installing a wood stove as well then. I've been burning pellets for a long time now. Supply/pricing has been all over the place, it's good to have options (such as free wood) rather than be at the mercy of the pellet industry...
 
According to new england pellet web site.....

Will there still be an early buy program?

Based on anticipated market conditions in the spring, we are unlikely to offer discounted spring pricing. Historically, pellet manufacturers including NEWP have offered lower prices to our retailers in the spring. In turn retailers have offered “spring buy” programs to their customers, generally enabling consumers to acquire their full complement of product for the upcoming heating season. With volatility in the market place we have seen more people than ever chose to buy pellets sooner rather than later. This resulted in some unfortunate circumstances. Much like a run on a bank, supply was quickly exhausted, demand increased even more and some dealers oversold (a practice we have strongly cautioned against). NEWP instituted a strict purchase order system to add structure and accountability to help match supply with demand for our dealers. Ultimately retailers will be in a better position to determine the kind of offering they can make to the customer.
 
Wet1 said:
Might want to consider installing a wood stove as well then. I've been burning pellets for a long time now. Supply/pricing has been all over the place, it's good to have options (such as free wood) rather than be at the mercy of the pellet industry...

free wood, where? Will you deliver me some?
 
chrisasst said:
Wet1 said:
Might want to consider installing a wood stove as well then. I've been burning pellets for a long time now. Supply/pricing has been all over the place, it's good to have options (such as free wood) rather than be at the mercy of the pellet industry...

free wood, where? Will you deliver me some?
Sure, I'll deliver all you want if you pay for my delivery fees. :)
 
Can't predict pricing, but will say that by summer
the prices are higher. Purchase in April for best price.
 
My local Agway is still waiting for their shipment that they were waiting for in August. My local True Value Hardware store where I bought my Lignetics in August for $237 a ton now wants $300 a ton for a brand I've never heard of....something "burn"....anyway...I don't have very many choices right now and am going to wait until April or May. Not sure I'm in for $300 a ton.
 
tinkabranc said:
I doubt we will ever see $200 a ton on the east coast again unless they
are standard grade pellets, but if I did find premium at that price I would
pounce on em in a heartbeat.

I would let the other pellet pigs know about them too AFTER I got my fill..of course ;-)

I usually get my winter supply in the spring time as that is usually when the
prices are the cheapest. Hopefully this year will be a repeat of previous years.

Last June, they said we'd never see $4.50/gal HHO again. It's always a gamble. I have friends locked in at over $4, that are stuck with it, their neighbors are paying $2. I paid $225/ton for pellets, filled the oil tank just in case in September @ $2.99/gal, went down to $2/gal soon after. I'll make decisions again, this spring and summer." Buy the ticket, take the ride".
 
Probably not as much demand here as in the northeast, but I find the large feed and supply stores do a lot better on pricing than the dealers and most that do a significant volume discount a lot in order to move inventory out before the winter rush. I can pay 140 in July or 225 in October.
 
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