Pissed at local hardware store

Home Depot always keeps their stuff outside which is ok as long as the plastic condom over the pallet stays in tact. Unfortunately careless forklift operators often scrape other pallets across the tops of pallets breaching the plastic.

All it takes is one little hole. If they bags get wet they will absorb moisture.

Sounds like you need to find a new hardware store or maybe try Tractor Supply if there's one close by.

UMainah said:

The latest ton of MWP I picked up didn't have plastic on the bottom. Just a sheet of thin cardboard on top of the pallet.

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Mine only had thin cardboard too. Not only that, the bag covering the ton that was delivered had a hole in the top that I did not know about and they sat out for a week with two days in the rain. About half the bags had rain drops on them and I wiped them off well. Softies. Wish me luck.

jtakeman said:

ScotL said he was adding them to help, Maybe they don't anymore? The pallet I picked from at TSC did have a plastic sheet on the skid last spring.

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When we added the automated pallet and slipsheet dispenser, the recycled plastic sheets would not work with the new system. So we had to switch to a pressed chipboard liner with a moisture barrier additive. It's not really cardboard. They cost more than the plastic liners, but they work.

Melissa220 said:

Mine only had thin cardboard too. Not only that, the bag covering the ton that was delivered had a hole in the top that I did not know about and they sat out for a week with two days in the rain. About half the bags had rain drops on them and I wiped them off well. Softies. Wish me luck.

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I was looking through the stock Home Depot had outside and I noticed that the straps that the truck drivers use to secure the load down to their flatbed were causing small tears in quite a few of the protective coverings.

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Scott I am sure you already know this, but in my travels (at least in Maine) most of the pellets I see for sale are just sitting out in the open rain or shine.
They are rolling the dice with a pellet manufacturer reputation. Personaly it appears that these dealers/sellers don't understand the product.

That has been our biggest problem. We have a former salesman we've been sending around the state to retailers trying to educate them on the importance of keeping the pellets dry. Most stores now use box trailers and avoid the strap problem.
Double stacking can be a problem too. If you look at double stacks at any pellet mill, you'll see something in between the pallets like a 4'x8' sheet of plywood or advantec - we've had to buy about 5,000 sheets of it. Mills are much more careful with their product than retailers. But it's also a costly investment.

Here is a run down of dealer pellet storage in my neck of the woods:

Home Depot - Blazers - Stored outside by the ton. Unwrapped pallets are inside and sold by the bag. Some bags have moisture swollen pellets.
Farmer's Coop - Blue Mt Wood Products - Pallets are stored in a large pole shed with feed/hay/etc. Loose bags are inside. All pellets are dry.
Lopi Dealer - Bear Mt - Stores outside. Partial pallets are re-covered. Some bags are moist to the touch. Some swollen pellets in bags.
Wal-Mart - Penningtons - Pallets are stored outside and are often left uncovered after customers rummage through them for a few bags. Loose bags are brought inside for sale. Many bags show moisture damage. One time I pointed this out to Dept Mgr. He shrugged.

Our HD seems to handle their pellets with care. But, if you have a product that has been mishandled, report it to the manager, or owners. Should you be ignored, boycott them. Nothing speaks louder than $.

jrogers999 said:

It was Oconnors Hardware in Billerica ma. They do store them outside. Probably in a puddle. I haven't tried the spruces yet. I got a good deal on them from pellets directs in uxbridge. My first time ordering from them. Very happy with their service and selection. This is my second year burning. Last year I did 3 tons of green supreme, 2 tons of greene team and 2 of LG Granules. The LG's are the best I burned so far. My stove is a FS M55 cast.

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I've dealt w/them before (not for pellets) and they were pretty good to me. Sorry to hear about the lack of service/knowledge.
I burned Spruce pointe's last year from PD and was not overly impressed......just sayin