-
Active since 1995, Hearth.com is THE place on the internet for free information and advice about wood stoves, pellet stoves and other energy saving equipment.
We strive to provide opinions, articles, discussions and history related to Hearth Products and in a more general sense, energy issues.
We promote the EFFICIENT, RESPONSIBLE, CLEAN and SAFE use of all fuels, whether renewable or fossil. -
Super Cedar firestarters 30% discount Use code Hearth2024 Click here
- Status
This is another to each his own thread. I am not rich, but things are much better now that daycare, child support, and college are done. When all that was going on, maybe you'd get a different answer from me. Right now, I would rather get my choice of pellets through a pellet dealer than what the big box stores push. I like the choice and the service; both of which I've never gotten at my local Home Depot.
John Fortier
Feeling the Heat
- Sep 29, 2013
- 450
Fortuanately this one is easy for me. The stove shop I have used for 30 years says "Go to Home Depot". They don't mess with keeping pellets around.
Bioburner
Moderator
Went to a stove shop last year and they asked me where to get pellets. Stopped back last fall and they were getting the pellets from the box store I had recommended and marking them up
I feel fortunate that I found a local guy that deals in pellets, coal and stoves. Sells two different pellets that's it. And bought 6 tons of Barefoot at $235.00 per. To those of you that say your stove will eat anything, I say mine will eat anything I throw at it too, but for the extra heat and less cleaning, I figure it's worth it. I have notebooks worth of heat output that I look at every so often for comparison.
To those who can't afford pre-buy, keep working at it. I remember when I was so poor I couldn't even pay attention. Just kept plugging away it. I kept saying to myself, the $$$ I am saving is $$$ in my pocket(or more pellets-LOL).
To those who can't afford pre-buy, keep working at it. I remember when I was so poor I couldn't even pay attention. Just kept plugging away it. I kept saying to myself, the $$$ I am saving is $$$ in my pocket(or more pellets-LOL).
Last edited by a moderator:
Apparently you folks have missed the multiple times I've noted that I HAVE ENOUGH PELLETS TO LAST ME. This thread was not started to whine that I don't have enough inventory, because I do. It was started to point out that unlike good dealers, a box store may leave people high and dry. I wish I had never started it, as it has simply left me with a bad impression and opinion in a number of ways.
Yes, if you frequent shops like that, I imagine you would find my post funny. I just find the lack of support for local businesses and willingness to sell out to box stores for a few shekels sad. Shut down the thread, ban me, whatever. I frankly don't care.
If it wasn't for the volume the box stores guarantee in advance 3/4 of the pellet mills in this country would be out of business in a year. My shop doesn't carry them because they are a pain in the ass and take up too much space for too little profit. They are letting the box stores provide incentive for people to buy stoves from them and provide the overhead for the low margin pellet sales.
And they have been the leading stove shop in this area for seventy years. Third generation family owned and operated. They need not your pity.
And they have been the leading stove shop in this area for seventy years. Third generation family owned and operated. They need not your pity.
IHATEPROPANE
Minister of Fire
The money I save at the box stores goes ti other local business, plus I own stock in the box stores (you probably do as well)so I have as much to gain from them doing well as my local economy. Remember, the box stores, walmart etc were once a local mom and pop. And some people may not have the extra shekels you do, its nice that you do, but to look down on those that don't, well I will leave it at that...
Last edited:
Wow, that's some impressive sounding data on the economics of the wood pellet industry. Can you cite that? 'Cause I'm betting you likely have no idea of its accuracy, but gold stars for coming back with the impact of box stores on the wood pellet industry and the viability of pellet mills. I'd love to see that study, but won't be holding my breath. Excellent rationalization, though.If it wasn't for the volume the box stores guarantee in advance 3/4 of the pellet mills in this country would be out of business in a year. My shop doesn't carry them because they are a pain in the ass and take up too much space for too little profit. They are letting the box stores provide incentive for people to buy stoves from them and provide the overhead for the low margin pellet sales.
And they have been the leading stove shop in this area for seventy years. Third generation family owned and operated. They need not your pity.
I don't know the shop you reference and can only speak to their actions based on information you provide, but a shop engaging in the practices described by you is closer to the box store mentality than a full-service dealer that many of us prefer. They're happy to sell you a pellet stove, but aren't helping you fuel it with high quality pellets even if they need you to pay a slight premium to make that viable. They essentially force you to use a lower quality pellet, and by helping to drive the market to that level, they in effect actually harm many stove owners who prefer a higher quality pellet by reducing the market for the mills willing to produce them. So they may move a lot of pellet stoves through their shop and not need my pity (I don't recall offering it, but it was late when I was writing). But they are not a full service pellet shop to me. Dealers that can't help their customers fuel their pellet stoves are partial service dealers, in my view, ignoring the fact that pellets - unlike wood - require manufacturing. But I can't speak to that specific shop - only to their practice. Personally, they would be my former dealer. But you do what suits you, 'cause it's pretty clear we have differing views on a number of things.
Well, feel free to use that logic all you want. I question it, but have at it if you wish. And I'm not looking down on anyone for having less money. I'm lamenting the rationalization that contributed to many people being in that situation, because their manufacturing jobs no longer exist here, nor their clerking jobs that paid a living wage. And I'm actually ashamed of my contribution to that. More of us probably should be.
Last edited by a moderator:
IHATEPROPANE
Minister of Fire
I can agree on the new economy that has driven a lot of these jobs oversees. However, this is not a box store versus mom and pop, local business issue. It is much bigger than that.
Lfdp13RET
New Member
So I was in Lebanon,NH yesterday and found a local stovevshop, Upper Valley Stove Shop, and because I had an 80 mile ride home only bought 10 bags of Energex for 4.80 a bag. $0.12 more than anything the local HD sells. I am thinking of finding a fair stove shop and sticking with them. Btw that's $240.00 a ton
I asked my local boxes and they have shipments coming in(2-18-14 for HD). So its not that they are selling law ntractors or weed wackers. Its just been tougher to get them from the mills! This season 2 issues have effected supply. 1st is logistic's due to cold and snow. 2nd is demand is up(we'll duh its cold!). Many burners are using more due to the colder than usual weather.
If you haven't planned ahead and made a pig of yourself(well shame on you!). You might be in for a ride! Source a friendly pellet house, I bet they have plenty to get you through this snafue. There out there, Just need to a little diggin to find some.
If you haven't planned ahead and made a pig of yourself(well shame on you!). You might be in for a ride! Source a friendly pellet house, I bet they have plenty to get you through this snafue. There out there, Just need to a little diggin to find some.
Not to mention if you are a small user you usually pay more anyway. A bud with a 100 gallon tank pays like $4 bucks and another that has 1000 gallon payed like $2.80 something.
Oils up too!
I believe that people should have the choice to buy from whomever they want, meets their needs and they're comfortable with.
I'm certainly not against supporting my local economy, I prefer to keep it local. However, the notion or suggestion that I am doing myself, or my local economy any favors by buying the things I need from the local "Boss Hogg" for 25%(or more) than the big box is hogwash(pun intended). The idea that he cares any more about me and my family than the people working the local box stores(they live here too) is foolish IMO.
Some local business owners do genuinely care for sure, and I will do what I can to help them.
Let's face it, greed is not confined, or defined by the size of the business.
Big box stores products often times come from the same suppliers as small business products do, and I see plenty of big business support at local events.
You are as welcome to your opinions as am I.
Stay warm.
I'm certainly not against supporting my local economy, I prefer to keep it local. However, the notion or suggestion that I am doing myself, or my local economy any favors by buying the things I need from the local "Boss Hogg" for 25%(or more) than the big box is hogwash(pun intended). The idea that he cares any more about me and my family than the people working the local box stores(they live here too) is foolish IMO.
Some local business owners do genuinely care for sure, and I will do what I can to help them.
Let's face it, greed is not confined, or defined by the size of the business.
Big box stores products often times come from the same suppliers as small business products do, and I see plenty of big business support at local events.
You are as welcome to your opinions as am I.
Stay warm.
Bioburner
Moderator
Guaranteed they wood be out of biz!
They contract purchase in the mills off season keeping the mill alive.
Raw material costs alone would be enough to sink a mill in a few off season months if they didn't move product.
Even if I had the liquid capital to start up a pellet mill I woodnt . The profit margin is minimal and market swings too great.
The fact that BB stores are selling pellets is gonna keep the mom and pop prices in check .
Last edited:
Everyone's situation is different in some way. When I can buy my stash (3-4 tons) in the off season for $192/ton at TSC, that's a significant savings over some of the prices mentioned here. In some cases, that's nearly $100/ton savings. Sorry, guys, I own a Harman so it's the BB stores for me.....and more BEER in the fridge.
Pete Zahria
Minister of Fire
But that is making the assumption that everyone with a pellet stove that buys from
them, would stop using their pellet stove....
If they stopped, it would open up two scenarios.
The local guys would order/sell more, and/or, there would be more pellet dealers
on a local level.
The landfills wouldn't all of a sudden be filled with pellet stoves.
The demand would still be there, and savings over LP/oil/KWH would still
be significant and desirable. Even at >$269/Ton
Just as a disclaimer, to be fair, I do a website for a local dealer, that ONLY sells pellets and coal.
No stoves, no tv's, no vinyl siding or paint... But I try to not let that influence
me in how I feel about local dealers. I'd buy from them regardless, but that's just me.
Oh.. when I talk about 'dealers', I am talking about that kind of dealer or local landscaper
or feed supply place (not TSC types).. etc. Not necessarily a 'stove' dealer.
I understand them. They usually operate out of a retail space, and cannot keep a couple hundred
ton hanging around in the parking lot... Thankfully, several of them send customers our way,
and not to HD/Lowes... They also know the value of using good products.
Dan
- Status
Similar threads
