How many bad bags is acceptable in a bulk buy?

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NotSure

New Member
Aug 20, 2017
41
NH
Welp, I did something stupid and ordered 5 tons from Lowes to fill the basement for next year. I had bought 40 bags from them a few weeks ago and got Green Supreme... didnt love them but seemed to burn fine in the Harmans (p68 & 43). So decided to pull the trigger since they were cheap. Figured worse case I empty the fine box and ash pan more often.

Come home today and find the 5 skids in my driveway. Expect them to be Green Supreme but to my surprise they are some Natures Own? Oh well - so I start loading into the basement. Got through all 5 tons and had to pull 11 bags due to being completely torn open and wet pellets. Its like they were training the new fork truck driver on my order!

Anyway, was curious what people thought for # of bad bags when they buy in bulk. Is it 0? 1%? I expected some but that is like $50 in unusable pellets so going to try to bring them back and swap. I was not being picky either.. a lot of the other bags seem pretty clumpy so I am nervous about the whole lot.

Bonus question: anyone burn these Natures Own when they arent damaged? How bad are they?
 

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It should be 0 as in zero bad bags. I'd have them replaced.

As a side note a buddy of mine gets swelled pellet bags for free from the local farm store to use as bedding in the barn.
 
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The correct answer is 0
there should be no torn or open bags
There should be no wet bags
I company I buy my pellets come good
on any wet ,broken or torn bags no
questions asked
 
jackman said:
As a side note a buddy of mine gets swelled pellet bags for free from the local farm store to use as bedding in the barn.
Click to expand...

After seeing the the first few bad bags I had to double check I purchased pellet fuel and not animal pellets. They looked completely different
 
Our policy where I work is if a bag is torn in delivery we give them an extra bag. None of our pellets are wet since we keep them inside. I don’t care how tightly you wrap a ton, if it’s ouside it can draw moisture.
 
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You’ll be much happier with these than you would have been with the GS. Heat wise they’re far superior and ash wise a bit better too. And return those bags.
 
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Word is that it’s an energex product in those bags
 
NotSure said:
. a lot of the other bags seem pretty clumpy so I am nervous about the whole lot.
Click to expand...

Other`s clumpy? This has to be a big concern ! It sounds like the whole batch could have been exposed to extreme moisture .
 
I would address this with a manager and not customer service. Be sure to get all of his info so that when you do get around to moving them, a return will not be an issue. Do you plan on breaking the pallets down now or later on. Take pics,lots of pics
 
NotSure said:
Welp, I did something stupid and ordered 5 tons from Lowes to fill the basement for next year. I had bought 40 bags from them a few weeks ago and got Green Supreme... didnt love them but seemed to burn fine in the Harmans (p68 & 43). So decided to pull the trigger since they were cheap. Figured worse case I empty the fine box and ash pan more often.

Come home today and find the 5 skids in my driveway. Expect them to be Green Supreme but to my surprise they are some Natures Own? Oh well - so I start loading into the basement. Got through all 5 tons and had to pull 11 bags due to being completely torn open and wet pellets. Its like they were training the new fork truck driver on my order!

Anyway, was curious what people thought for # of bad bags when they buy in bulk. Is it 0? 1%? I expected some but that is like $50 in unusable pellets so going to try to bring them back and swap. I was not being picky either.. a lot of the other bags seem pretty clumpy so I am nervous about the whole lot.

Bonus question: anyone burn these Natures Own when they arent damaged? How bad are they?
Click to expand...

I have multiple tons delivered every summer and have done so since 2011. Sometimes as many a five tons in a single order. Every now and again the forklift operator might spike a bag while pushing them into the garage. I accept this small damage as I'm thankful that he pushes them in. I'm squarely with the others. Zero damaged bags should be you expectation.
 
NotSure said:
Welp, I did something stupid and ordered 5 tons from Lowes to fill the basement for next year. I had bought 40 bags from them a few weeks ago and got Green Supreme... didnt love them but seemed to burn fine in the Harmans (p68 & 43). So decided to pull the trigger since they were cheap. Figured worse case I empty the fine box and ash pan more often.

Come home today and find the 5 skids in my driveway. Expect them to be Green Supreme but to my surprise they are some Natures Own? Oh well - so I start loading into the basement. Got through all 5 tons and had to pull 11 bags due to being completely torn open and wet pellets. Its like they were training the new fork truck driver on my order!

Anyway, was curious what people thought for # of bad bags when they buy in bulk. Is it 0? 1%? I expected some but that is like $50 in unusable pellets so going to try to bring them back and swap. I was not being picky either.. a lot of the other bags seem pretty clumpy so I am nervous about the whole lot.

Bonus question: anyone burn these Natures Own when they arent damaged? How bad are they?
Click to expand...

I agree with the others, zero (0) bags should be bad. Get Lowes to replace them. I buy from 2 companies depending on their availability. If bags are bad or broken during the unloading they always replace them.
 
A pallet JUST fits in my 5x8 enclosed trailer, and while skilled fork drivers can load it fine, many have a hard time. If I have some torn bags (and not much spillage) then it's fine. I just either tape up the bag, or save them for last so I know when I pick them up. Any spilled ones stay in the trailer on the ride home anyway so I can collect them if needed.

Wet or been wet bags I expect ZERO. After a time when I got them home and there most of the ton was wet, I called the manager and I brought them back and got them replaced. But still lost time and gas. Ever since then I personally check out the ton BEFORE they slide it into my trailer.

I also make sure of the brand is getting loaded, since they continually are switching what brands they carry.

I guess your cutoff is what is worth it to you. If it's a few bags then it's probably not worth the time and gas to go back and get them exchanged. Just use them as oil dry or whatever if you have a use for that.
 
It's 0 like everyone else stated.I had the same thing happen this year and they replaced them all and I even was able to keep the my slightly water damaged bags.Made out with about a half ton for free after I sifted through the bags which were only wet on the corners.
 
The best thing is that you had to break down the pellets to haul them inside as opposed to having them in a metal building or garage then you might not have known till next year.
 
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NotSure said:
Welp, I did something stupid and ordered 5 tons from Lowes to fill the basement for next year. I had bought 40 bags from them a few weeks ago and got Green Supreme... didnt love them but seemed to burn fine in the Harmans (p68 & 43). So decided to pull the trigger since they were cheap. Figured worse case I empty the fine box and ash pan more often.

Come home today and find the 5 skids in my driveway. Expect them to be Green Supreme but to my surprise they are some Natures Own? Oh well - so I start loading into the basement. Got through all 5 tons and had to pull 11 bags due to being completely torn open and wet pellets. Its like they were training the new fork truck driver on my order!

Anyway, was curious what people thought for # of bad bags when they buy in bulk. Is it 0? 1%? I expected some but that is like $50 in unusable pellets so going to try to bring them back and swap. I was not being picky either.. a lot of the other bags seem pretty clumpy so I am nervous about the whole lot.

Bonus question: anyone burn these Natures Own when they arent damaged? How bad are they?
Click to expand...
When I buy a pallet of pellets I have to unload then one by one so I know if they got wet and are chunky . After I get then unloaded I return any wet or damaged bags and get good ones at no charge.
 
Went by the store today and they swapped out those bags no questions asked as expected. Appreciate everyones thoughts on the matter. Hopefully i have good luck with the remaining lot.
 
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When I've gotten from Lowes if the driver spikes any, he writes it down and has them refund the per bag price. not worth it for me to haul in 2 or 3 bags out of 5 tons to get them replaced, the refund is fine.
 
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