Is there a pellet shortage already!

[Ctcarl]

Whe I was shopping 2 weeks ago I called the Home Depot I always use they told me they were out.called one near by.the guy said I have plenty.So I said great let me order 4 tons over the phone and set up delivery.He went on His computer and said wow .2 days ago we got 20 tons.now we are down to 3 that are open not sealed.So I called around and found at lowes 4 tons of green team that are packed sloppy in my basement.Get them while you can.

 

[bcpellet]

There is a severe shortage in pellet supply. Demand far exceeds production at the moment. Several issues, more pellets going to Europe and Asia. Extreme trucking problems, Although most of us find it hard to believe the economy is tmuch better, there are less truckers available to haul loads. Many truckers were fighting for loads over the last four years, just to stay alive. no longer the case. There are rumors that one major supplier is so far behind on third quarter shipments they are not honoring orders for the 4th quarter. Just a rumor but I've checked several reliable source and there is smoke. Not sure it's going to erupt into a fire, but beware. So the downside risk is maybe $ 10, the upside risk far exceeds the downside. I talk to 10 different pellet mills and none have no excess production for sale. I've been in the pellet game for 8 years and have distributed well known brands in the northeast. Please buy what you can, whatever pellet you prefer. I've been beating this drum for awhile. Even though hossthehermit told me to shut up cause "I make no sense" Might have to change his handle to hosstheostrich. lol

 

[DMKNLD]

I just got my winter La Crete stash delivered this afternoon from Steve Barker at SIB, and he said as well that his pellet suppliers are very tight on product, and that his Canadian suppliers are having the same trucking issues that bcpellet was talking about. I'm happy to have my 4 tons tucked away in my barn garage - great service from Steve and his family as always !!

 

[alternativeheat]

A corporate coworker of mine that I see about 4 times a year lives in the Portsmouth area. He gets his pellets from Lowes over that way. He called for delivery and they were out. So he ordered anyway and his delivery will be on the next shipment they told him, which they thought to be this week.

 

[MikeNH]

My dealer was lamenting yesterday over how many people have come in just this week and ended up yelling at him when he had to tell them that he cannot take their order right now. I've only been in the pellet game for three years so I don't have much experience but has this ever happened to this extent in the past? Even firewood is going up and becoming more difficult to get for those who don't cut/split their own around here.

 

[alternativeheat]

Lowes in Kingston Ma lists Green Team in stock 1400 bags. That was yesterday, who knows today..

 

[robert65]

Buy early.....and often!

 

[TimfromMA]

My wife gave me crap for buying 6 tons back in April.

She has since apologized.

 

[Arti]

I'm located in central U.S. most pellet dealers stocked up early this year, box stores have pellets on display but I haven't checked on how much they have in stock.
I will more than likely pick up another ton , watching to see if they go on sale, It's not risky for me to wait as corn is cheap, $130 a ton at the moment.

 

[moey]

If stores are still getting shipments I dont think that would constitute a shortage. You can only expect them to keep so much stock on hand.

 

[Harman Lover 007]

Pellet stoves are much more mainstream here in the Northeast and supply is clearly a problem.

 

[TimfromMA]

Pellet stoves are much more mainstream here in the Northeast and supply is clearly a problem.

Not if you buy early.

 

[Mr. Spock]

Not if you buy early.

Even when buying early there was a waiting period. I was per-orderd but waited 3 weeks before I was finally scheduled for delivery due to demand/shipment arrivals.

 

[JohnD]

Buying too early for me is not an option because of space. I can store in the garage in fall and winter but not in summer as I've tried before and it gets so humid in there, the pellets got moist! I don't need to tell you all what happens when you try to burn moist pellets.... What a nightmare that was!

 

[Mr. Spock]

Buying too early for me is not an option because of space. I can store in the garage in fall and winter but not in summer as I've tried before and it gets so humid in there, the pellets got moist! I don't need to tell you all what happens when you try to burn moist pellets.... What a nightmare that was!

I have stored outdoors in original warping and covered with a tarp. No issues.

 

[JohnD]

I have stored outdoors in original warping and covered with a tarp. No issues.

During the summer months? Good to know...

 

[Mr. Spock]

During the summer months? Good to know...

One ton was outside for a year. Burned fine last season.

 

[briansol]

A lot of this season's stash was burned in april and may .... the winter that never ended.

So what you're finding is stocks were depleted, and people who usually stash more ran completely out and need to buy more than usual.


I have 1 ton in house as of right now.

I submitted a request monday at BT's website... they still haven't replied to me. Crappy customer service, I don't care how busy they are. 4 days is unacceptable turn around time, even if it's to say 'we don't have it' for a $1000+ order.

HD still has a lot of chows and there's always TSC junk and GT's around. I'll hold out a little longer. Sunday, i'm taking the Dakota and making 15 trips back and forth i guess if they don't want my money.... screw 'em. I'm young (enough) and my back works.

 

[RhodyPelletRook]

My wife gave me crap for buying 6 tons back in April.

She has since apologized.

A wife apologize for the giving of crap... Keeper!

 

[alternativeheat]

A wife apologize for the giving of crap... Keeper!

Seriously. My wife would just change up the story so it looked like her idea all along !

 

[Harman Lover 007]

Not if you buy early.

This thread is about now, not last April. You paid a premium that some of us aren't willing to pay, me included. For the 6 ton that I will eventually be purchasing (I have 4 now) I will have over $600 more in my pocket than you do. It's all a matter of personal preference and what your stove likes to eat. I've been purchasing pellets for 18 years now. I'm a bit concerned, but not panicking. There are enough people on this forum who "know" people who are closer to the supply and shipping info than me. I think they are offering us quality information.....JMHO

 

[BrotherBart]

A wife apologize for the giving of crap... Keeper!

That only happens in the movies.

 

[RhodyPelletRook]

Seriously. My wife would just change up the story so it looked like her idea all along !

We must've married into the same family

 

[TimfromMA]

We must've married into the same family

Divorcing from the same family too by the sounds of it.

 

[RhodyPelletRook]

This thread is about now, not last April. You paid a premium that some of us aren't willing to pay, me included. For the 6 ton that I will eventually be purchasing (I have 4 now) I will have over $600 more in my pocket than you do. It's all a matter of personal preference and what your stove likes to eat. I've been purchasing pellets for 18 years now. I'm a bit concerned, but not panicking. There are enough people on this forum who "know" people who are closer to the supply and shipping info than me. I think they are offering us quality information.....JMHO

Before we get too many IMHO, there's early and there's EARLY. TimfromMA is in caps. I squeezed in just under the early buying in August. The funny thing is you don't know what's too early but you know when you're too late. I'm glad I'm prepared and most here are. The lesson learned is buy when there's supply, cash to pay for them and a place to put them. Take care.