What would you guys do?

[jasoutside]

So here is the Craigslist ad....

http://saginaw.craigslist.org/for/1020294088.html

He is selling 1/3 cord, calling it a cord AND KNOWS IT (said it himself). Not too bad of a deal for 1/3 cord but that isn't what he says he is selling!

So, what would you do? Something? Nothing? I am just thinking of the regular fella who doesn't know 1/3 cord from a cord.

 

[cfabe]

I just moved up here to the saginaw area about a year ago but that's really common up here. The terms cord and facecord are used interchangably, and most all firewood you see for sale is stacked and priced by the face cord. Not saying it's right, it's just the local custom.

 

[November Wolf]

Put another add on craigslist warning others of this crooked SOB!

 

[thejdman04]

I agree put another ad up and tell them about the seller.

 

[Richard_]

also flag it

 

[vt625]

A lot of folks seem to sell by face cord. Have to watch out for that. Obviously it wasn't a full cord for that price though... If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is...

 

[carvinmark]

So here is the Craigslist ad....

http://saginaw.craigslist.org/for/1020294088.html

He is selling 1/3 cord, calling it a cord AND KNOWS IT (said it himself). Not too bad of a deal for 1/3 cord but that isn't what he says he is selling!

So, what would you do? Something? Nothing? I am just thinking of the regular fella who doesn't know 1/3 cord from a cord.

Not trying to stick up for anybody!!!!
I have been burning wood for years up here. Most people here know that the sellers are talking about face cords, 4'X8'X16". It's just how it has been for as long as I can remember unless it is called a Full cord or Loggers cord by the seller.
You get screwed when they give you 12-14" stuff and short the pile. Common here
Most Face cords I have paid for are not 4'X8', that's part of the reason I cut my own, plus I cut mine 18-20" long.

 

[logbutcher]

So ? $40. for a part of a cord, so ? Cheap. Call it anything you want since too many make up terms for what they call a cord: "face", "rick", "banana".
It is not a cord, period.
Give the guy a break, you want to get all hot about it, go ahead. It sounds like some need to either go out and cut a real cord for yourselves from the stump,.....or, get a life.
$40. for what you say is a 1/3 cord comes out to $120/a real cord. Not bad in any book. You want a cause, fine.:spam:

 

[habanero]

...Most people here know that the sellers are talking about face cords, 4'X8'X16"...

The problem I see is with the glut of new woodburners due to the high energy prices the last few years, you have a lot of people who are basically clueless when it comes to buying wood. So even though most would probably be used to the local custom, it would be easy to make a few extra bucks sticking it to the idiots-and that's not necessarily right.

 

[jasoutside]

Interesting....

So opinions range from throw him under the bus to no big deal. I was kinda thinking that there might have been a little more common ground on this one, guess not, eh!:greenchainsaw:

 

[carvinmark]

The problem I see is with the glut of new woodburners due to the high energy prices the last few years, you have a lot of people who are basically clueless when it comes to buying wood. So even though most would probably be used to the local custom, it would be easy to make a few extra bucks sticking it to the idiots-and that's not necessarily right.

:agree2:

 

[logbutcher]

Why do those with zero/nada time felling, skidding, humping, splitting believe
( yes, feel ) that those woodsellers are always trying to screw someone ? :censored:
Feel/believe the same when you buy your latest electronic toy ? That new truck ? Fuel ? Milk ? Is it because it all looks so simple and easy from the online seat ?
Here's a real world prescription for the whiners: get out and away from the PC, get to the tree with the gear ( and training or experience ), fell tree, limb and buck, haul or skid, unload, split, THEN stack, or try this: sell the product for just what it cost you to produce it. " Look, look, Jane: they're trying to cheat us .....again.":monkey:
Rant ( a PC term of derision when you can't take it ) over.
And, no boys and girls, I do not sell or buy firewood.

 

[jasoutside]

Heads up....

Why do those with zero/nada time felling, skidding, humping, splitting believe
( yes, feel ) that those woodsellers are always trying to screw someone ? :censored:
Feel/believe the same when you buy your latest electronic toy ? That new truck ? Fuel ? Milk ? Is it because it all looks so simple and easy from the online seat ?
Here's a real world prescription for the whiners: get out and away from the PC, get to the tree with the gear ( and training or experience ), fell tree, limb and buck, haul or skid, unload, split, THEN stack, or try this: sell the product for just what it cost you to produce it. " Look, look, Jane: they're trying to cheat us .....again.":monkey:
Rant ( a PC term of derision when you can't take it ) over.
And, no boys and girls, I do not sell or buy firewood.

I'm not entirely sure if that was directed towards me but if it was...

I cut, split, stack, and move all of my own wood to heat my house through the winter. I don't use a drop of propane the entire winter to heat my place. So, I feel I have a pretty good idea about the amount of work that is involved to prepare 1/3 of a cord v. a full cord.

If it wasn't, cool...

 

[cfabe]

I think if he were trying to screw someone it'd be a different matter. But the only thing you've got to complain about is the fact that he's using the local terminology of "cord" like everybody else does. His price is right on, maybe even a little low for a 1/3 cord face cord. And as far as I know (and I've searched online) there's no "cord" law in Michigan. I do understand in other states this sale would be illegal. But I don't think it is here. So it's legal, and he's not screwing anybody, what's the problem?

 

[b1rdman]

So here is the Craigslist ad....

http://saginaw.craigslist.org/for/1020294088.html

He is selling 1/3 cord, calling it a cord AND KNOWS IT (said it himself). Not too bad of a deal for 1/3 cord but that isn't what he says he is selling!

So, what would you do? Something? Nothing? I am just thinking of the regular fella who doesn't know 1/3 cord from a cord.

I'd order up about 10 cord and pay the man his $400 when 10 Cord is delivered.

 

[jasoutside]

I think if he were trying to screw someone it'd be a different matter. But the only thing you've got to complain about is the fact that he's using the local terminology of "cord" like everybody else does. His price is right on, maybe even a little low for a 1/3 cord face cord. And as far as I know (and I've searched online) there's no "cord" law in Michigan. I do understand in other states this sale would be illegal. But I don't think it is here. So it's legal, and he's not screwing anybody, what's the problem?

I am pretty sure that they (government types) do define a cord. Seems like I have seen it written somewhere. And, as I said at the outset, it's a good price for what he is offering (4'x8'x16").

Again, just asking what you guys would do. It's obvious that there are a bunch of different opinions here.

I have only sold a small amount of wood. Just stuff that I have had left over. But when I do, I always let the buyer know exactly what they are getting by name and size. Face Cord = 4'x8'x"16" or Cord = 4'x8'x4'. This way there is no confusion and everybody is on the up and up.

Cool:greenchainsaw:

 

[habanero]

Why do those with zero/nada time felling, skidding, humping, splitting believe
( yes, feel ) that those woodsellers are always trying to screw someone ? :censored:
Feel/believe the same when you buy your latest electronic toy ? That new truck ? Fuel ? Milk ? Is it because it all looks so simple and easy from the online seat ?
Here's a real world prescription for the whiners: get out and away from the PC, get to the tree with the gear ( and training or experience ), fell tree, limb and buck, haul or skid, unload, split, THEN stack, or try this: sell the product for just what it cost you to produce it. " Look, look, Jane: they're trying to cheat us .....again.":monkey:
Rant ( a PC term of derision when you can't take it ) over.
And, no boys and girls, I do not sell or buy firewood.

I'm not sure where your hostility comes from, but I haven't interpreted anyone's post as whining about his selling price. At the same time, though, it's illegal, not to mention unethical, to knowingly advertise a price for something that isn't correct. I doubt the seller has any malicious intent in this case, but that doesn't change the fact his advertisement doesn't match what he's selling.

It would be like a gas station deciding to sell gas by the quart instead of gallon. Most signs don't have the volume, just the price. Can you imagine the uproar you'd have when people realized how many quarts it took to fill their tank and what the price was. Even if the price per gallon worked out cheaper than the joint across the street, people would still freak out because they pulled in expecting to get gas for 1/4 the amount they normally pay.

The moral of the story is it just makes sense to advertise the amount (in legal terms-not local jargon) you're selling for the advertised price. Firewood is about the only often-traded commodity I can think of where this even is an issue at all.

 

[Dalmatian90]

I think if he were trying to screw someone it'd be a different matter. But the only thing you've got to complain about is the fact that he's using the local terminology of "cord" like everybody else does. His price is right on, maybe even a little low for a 1/3 cord face cord. And as far as I know (and I've searched online) there's no "cord" law in Michigan. I do understand in other states this sale would be illegal. But I don't think it is here. So it's legal, and he's not screwing anybody, what's the problem?

Michigan Compiled Laws 290.602:
(f) “Cord”, when used in connection with wood intended for fuel purposes or for pulpwood, means the amount of wood that is contained in a space of 128 cubic feet when the wood is ranked and well stowed.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(au...eg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-290-602

 

[jasoutside]

Michigan Compiled Laws 290.602:
(f) “Cord”, when used in connection with wood intended for fuel purposes or for pulpwood, means the amount of wood that is contained in a space of 128 cubic feet when the wood is ranked and well stowed.

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(au...eg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-290-602

:agree2:

I knew I saw that somewhere, thanks man!

 

[Austin1]

I just checked a cord of Pine here sells for 656.00!!!!!!!!!!!!! CDN.
The add Claims it is cut dead standing wood with a moister content of 16/18%. This is supposedly the 1 firewood dealer in my area.
I think I might go into the firewood sales next year sell a half cord one truck load for 200.00 or a Full cord for say 389.99lol,Even Stacked I would still be making a profit!At least in their ad they say what a cord is 4'x4' x8' they also sell 1/3 and 1/2 cords but I am thinking since this is Canada should that not be by the cubic metre?lol.
Ah H*** I don't have the time to start my own business. I just added a cord to the 2010 pile of Green pine that was recently blown down it's split and drying now.You don't even want to know what Birch or Fir is going for.
You guy's with your Oak and Hickory and that tree with the spikes on it probably have a big grin on your face just reading this!