Lowes Messed Up My Pellet Order and....

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mccabedoug

Member
Nov 12, 2008
65
Central MA
....I don't know if I should be mad or happy.

A couple weeks ago I went into the Milford, MA, Lowes and ordered 6 tons of Green Supreme pellets ($197/ton). I arranged for delivery on Saturday, September 10. I got a call last week stating that the delivery truck would not be available for September 10 and that I could have my delivery scheduled either before or after that date. I chose September 9. Well, the 6 pallets of pellets were left in my driveway without issue. I wasn't home. So far, so good.

Well, when I was getting into my truck Sat AM I happened to look at the label on the pellet skids. They weren't Green Supreme. They were Cheat River Pellets. I remember that when I placed my order at the Service Desk I made it a point to specify Green Supreme since there was an open pallet of Stove Chow pellets sitting right next to them. The person assured me that I would receive Green Supreme because they had just received a truck load of them and that is all they had.

I realize that the Cheat River brand is a new pellet (link). I'm not really p*ssed at Lowes since I am quite sure that to them a pellet is a pellet is a pellet. Same SKU for all pellets, I am sure.

My P61A burns pretty much anything with ease, I am just wondering how we'll do this year, ash-wise and clinker-wise.
 
I would call them and, either
a. Demand what I ordered, or
b. If I felt real lucky, tell them I'd keep these if they refund 30%.
Then, I'd probably put them into wherever I plan on storing them,and be p*ssed at Lowes, because neither a or b is gonna happen. Good luck with the Cheat River, you'll be fine, because, after all, all pellets are the same.
 
This is a common complaint from people that order from the box stores! They order 1 brand but recieve another! To them all pellets are the same the only difference is the brand name on the bag. If it says wood pellet and they are a premium grade they will ship them! Be glad they didn't deliver Inferno!

I have no experience on Cheat River(yet!), But the word so far is their pretty good. IDK how they compare to the Green Supreme's. Hopefully another member with some NEWP's(Green Supreme are NEWP's in a different bag for the box stores) experience has tried the cheat river brand as well. And will give some comparison between of the 2 brands.
 
That's a tough call since as stated earlier, not a lot of feedback on Cheat River pellets to date (which is not the case compared to GS). Either way, I would do what Hoss suggested and contact the manager in charge of that department and see what your options are. I don't think my local Lowes has any policy stating that they can just 'substitute' one pellet for another. At least if you talk to them, they will become aware that this sort of thing isn't acceptable (assuming this wasn't just a shipping mistake).

It's sorta like ordering 6 cords of seasoned Maple or Cherry. If they deliver Oak, you've made out! If they deliver Pine, well it will be a long cold Winter. A little harder to compare these two brands of pellets, but in the end, it all boils down to money - I hope it works out in your favor.
 
hossthehermit said:
I would call them and, either
a. Demand what I ordered, or
b. If I felt real lucky, tell them I'd keep these if they refund 30%.
Then, I'd probably put them into wherever I plan on storing them,and be p*ssed at Lowes, because neither a or b is gonna happen. Good luck with the Cheat River, you'll be fine, because, after all, all pellets are the same.

I would for sure call back and looked for a discount if they are not willing to replace. As for all pellets are the same. 100% not true!
 
Major91 said:
hossthehermit said:
I would call them and, either
a. Demand what I ordered, or
b. If I felt real lucky, tell them I'd keep these if they refund 30%.
Then, I'd probably put them into wherever I plan on storing them,and be p*ssed at Lowes, because neither a or b is gonna happen. Good luck with the Cheat River, you'll be fine, because, after all, all pellets are the same.

I would for sure call back and looked for a discount if they are not willing to replace. As for all pellets are the same. 100% not true!

The informed know better, But most box store employee's are far from informed! I could post some horror stories and comments from box store sales staff, But my fingers would hurt and they are almost unbelievable(But totally true)!
 
Thanks for the responses, folks. Again, I know this is a tough one since there is little-to-no experience with the Cheat River Pellets due to their recent introduction to the marketplace. If the pellets were clearly an inferior brand (vs. what I was expecting) then I would be seriously p@ssed off.
 
So.......... , did ya call 'em??????????? Inquiring minds wanna know..........
 
I lucked out.. when I ordered I asked for 2 and 2 (green supreme and Cheat River) I noticed the bagging of the Cheat River was significantly loser then those of the GS - and as such most likely will contain more pellet dust inside the bag.

I just fired them up for the first time over the weekend, and they produced nice heat, but I'm not much of a pellet connoisseur - as I often just burn pellets on the cheaper side - Hardwood blends and the like.

If I can find some type of temperature gauge around the house I could compare one versus the other.
 
here in Maine if you walk in to Lowes and tell them you want this brand, they tell you take them now or there is no guarantee you will get them if we deliver..
they tell you there all the same....blah blah blah!!!
 
roadking88 said:
they tell you there all the same....blah blah blah!!!

hehe! Had a gent tell me there's only 2 mills in the US and they bag for everybody so doesn't matter whats on the bag, There all the same inside! Huh???? :bug:

I proceeded to give him the link to some real world reviews, But highly doubt he ever went to look at them either!
 
hossthehermit said:
I would call them and, either
a. Demand what I ordered, or
b. If I felt real lucky, tell them I'd keep these if they refund 30%.
Then, I'd probably put them into wherever I plan on storing them,and be p*ssed at Lowes, because neither a or b is gonna happen. Good luck with the Cheat River, you'll be fine, because, after all, all pellets are the same.

Even pellets stored outside.

Eric
 
I ordered 3 tons from Lowes and when I was checking out I had a woman who was very helpful. I confirmed that I wanted the Green Team pellets (they also had Green Supreme and some other brand). She said that they only have one SKU for all of the pellets... what morons. But I guess you sacrifice expertise for price. Anyway, the woman told me she was going outside to tag my 3 tons right after she finished ringing me out. 3 tons delivered and they were the right kind!

Now my complaint is that they store these outside and the top of the plastic covering had water on there. I had 4 bags that must have gotten wet - so I returned them for a refund, at least that part worked well.

Now to find some Hamers for the cold months...
 
hossthehermit said:
I would call them and, either
a. Demand what I ordered, or
b. If I felt real lucky, tell them I'd keep these if they refund 30%.
Then, I'd probably put them into wherever I plan on storing them,and be p*ssed at Lowes, because neither a or b is gonna happen. Good luck with the Cheat River, you'll be fine, because, after all, all pellets are the same.

Got your message, Hoss. :cheese:
 
j-takeman said:
roadking88 said:
they tell you there all the same....blah blah blah!!!

hehe! Had a gent tell me there's only 2 mills in the US and they bag for everybody so doesn't matter whats on the bag, There all the same inside! Huh???? :bug:

I proceeded to give him the link to some real world reviews, But highly doubt he ever went to look at them either!


That is the same thing the Girl at Tractor Supply told me, did not want to get into it and left. They are selling Nation's Choice, which I was told are Inferno. To bad first year I was able to get Hardwood Heat (Hamer's) then Lignetics Green Label the next.
 
I ordered 3 tons of Somersets from Menard's last spring.
I specified Somersets at the sale price which escapes me now.

They called on the next Monday and said they had another brand, or if I didn't mind waiting,
I could have Somersets next week.

I waited and got the Somersets.

I'll see how they work.
 
Somersets are great, I have 4 tons in garage and getting one more...
 
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