Pellet Shortage?
- Thread starter mass_burner
- Start date
-
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
reallyte
Feeling the Heat
Happens every year: the big box stores switch over to Spring gardening equipment by February (but the ground will be frozen solid till May). They don't want to take up valuable floor space on any seasonal commodity that might not sell, so they cut back on the shipments/orders.
Shame on them for not planning ahead. 
See related thread I started about why we can't rely on box stores for pellets. Sadly, what I learned from it is:
1) That many pellet stove owners have no more potential loyalty to dealers that try to offer adequate supplies of high quality, reasonably priced pellets than the general public (I actually thought they were different and, frankly, better)
2) That many pellet stove owners are terrible planners and savers
3) That no matter how many times they get burned by a store (such as one that stops stocking needed supplies at critical periods), a low price for at best average quality will bring many of those same pellet stove owners running back to the arms of those same stores that burned them.
The whole thing left me with a combined feeling of sadness and, frankly, a bit dusgusted.
The mills I have spoken too have plenty of product. The issue is getting it to the end user. Cold and snow have hampered things as far as gettting things shipped by truck or rail.
Box stores aren't like pellet houses who sit on many tons. They rely on their regular shipments and if there is a hiccup, Things get all out of whack for them. Then they get behind and the hoarders get all jittery! They all start to over stuff and there is always some who are left looking for supplies! (Yep, I'm one of them stuffers! I got mine!)
The 3 box stores in my area have pellets all season and even into the summer. But once the war slow's the prices go up to where i get better deals at the pellet houses in my area. Yes, I'm a bargain shopper!
Box stores aren't like pellet houses who sit on many tons. They rely on their regular shipments and if there is a hiccup, Things get all out of whack for them. Then they get behind and the hoarders get all jittery! They all start to over stuff and there is always some who are left looking for supplies! (Yep, I'm one of them stuffers! I got mine!)
The 3 box stores in my area have pellets all season and even into the summer. But once the war slow's the prices go up to where i get better deals at the pellet houses in my area. Yes, I'm a bargain shopper!
Last edited:
MarkF48
Feeling the Heat
Tractor Supply in Central MA had some that were going quick yesterday. Maybe not the best quality, but usable. $4.59 a bag.
MarkF48
Feeling the Heat
I've not seen any at a BJ's, don't know about Costco.
There are a few Tractor Supply stores down around Taunton area. Perhaps give them a call and see what they have.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/StoreL...d=-1&city=taunton&state=MA&zipCode=&radius=50
Or do a search closer to where you are.
There are a few Tractor Supply stores down around Taunton area. Perhaps give them a call and see what they have.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/StoreL...d=-1&city=taunton&state=MA&zipCode=&radius=50
Or do a search closer to where you are.
Aubuchon around the corner from me has a pallet of Green Supreme, picked up 1 bag at 6.99, too expensive. Nearest TS to me is Plympton, but not that close. I'm right on the coast. I'm checking some other spots around work.
Pete Zahria
Minister of Fire
It's not 'just' the transportation right now, it's also the plants.
If your brand is one that uses wood that has to be harvested,
that is a big problem right now, they are behind big time.
a) snow
b) much bigger demand this season, thusfar.
If your brand is hardwood, using stuff from their/someone's furniture plant,
they are in a better situation. If yours is made of junk debris, no prob..
Right now deliveries are at or more, than a month out for the ones
I am familiar with..
Dan
If your brand is one that uses wood that has to be harvested,
that is a big problem right now, they are behind big time.
a) snow
b) much bigger demand this season, thusfar.
If your brand is hardwood, using stuff from their/someone's furniture plant,
they are in a better situation. If yours is made of junk debris, no prob..
Right now deliveries are at or more, than a month out for the ones
I am familiar with..
Dan
Im almost out and home depot/stove dealer is out until friday. Stove dealer is looking for 7.00 a bag. Im burning oil I guess. At 7.00 a bag, where is the bargain? I went through 4 tons this season so I guess I saved. Fireside ultras were great.
isn't the pellets still cheaper than oil? my buderus gun burns .45/gal per hour at 3.69/gal; if you get 12hrs from a bag, that's way worth it.
I'm missing the fu's too. Burned through. 4 tons. Picked up some dry creek. I think someone peed in the crick. No heat, high ash!
This is nothing compared to the pellet panics of 2000-2001, post katrina and the spring/summer of 2008. Yup, there was a pellet panic in the spring and summer. Petroleum spiked to $145.00 per barrel and people were paying $500.00 per ton for pellets on Feebay. Check woodpellets.com; they may not be the cheapest, but they source from local stove shops, not big box stores, so they can usually supply product. I tell people that the best time to buy pellets is when you see them. Don't wait until fall or winter to buy because you will be subject to the vagaries of the market.
Hdhogger
Feeling the Heat
Called every HD and Lowes in N. Mass and S. NH all were out of pellets. Picked up a ton at a stove shop in Merrimack, NH this AM. Payed a little more but got'em. A trailer had just pulled in from Quebec when I got there and the owner of the store was just starting to unload. Put the first ton off in my truck. 
Nothing in any Big Box stores here. My Local Dealer is limiting 10 bags at a time.Called every HD and Lowes in N. Mass and S. NH all were out of pellets. Picked up a ton at a stove shop in Merrimack, NH this AM. Payed a little more but got'em. A trailer had just pulled in from Quebec when I got there and the owner of the store was just starting to unload. Put the first ton off in my truck.
Hdhogger
Feeling the Heat
pell it
Feeling the Heat
![[Hearth.com] Pellet Shortage?](/talk/data/attachments/127/127337-f756ccdd23ec15787f9c1b0e61581490.jpg?hash=Oeg4tk47Vq)
iceguy4
Minister of Fire
Hdhogger
Feeling the Heat
Harvey Schneider
Minister of Fire
Those aren't pellets those are Infernos. I made the mistake of burning them my first year. I suppose if I couldn't get anything else I might burn them, but only as a last resort.
- Status
Similar threads
