Think I got ripped off....what can I do about it?

[sthomas77]

Hey all...so I bought wood for the first time today...the deal was reasonable, $135 per cord (although it was sold as 45/FC, the only way you can buy wood here)...a little on the low side for the area, but not suspiciously low. I check out some of the top pieces...even bust out the HF water content tester thing...all seemed ok. They unload and leave, and I start checking it out. I notice that some of the pieces are a little wet, I think no big deal...but then I notice that some pieces look like the tree was still standing this morning! Plus, I think he shorted me....hard to tell by the pile in the driveway.... Is there anything I can do? In retrospect, the vibe I was getting wasn't great, but he didnt seem like a scumbag or anything...suggestions anybody?? Thanks! Sean

<a href="http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/thom1048/?action=view&current=DSCI0462.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/thom1048/DSCI0462.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/thom1048/?action=view&current=wood1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w39/thom1048/wood1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>d

 

[Dalmatian90]

Stack it up to burn next year and chalk it up as a learning experience?

Let's see...the State of Maine allows that a cord of *piled* wood is 180 c.f. for 16" logs and 195 c.f. for 24". Their law considers those equivalent to 128 c.f. ranked and well stowed, so that's a good guide.

My quick eyeballing says that pile is about 3' high, 7' wide/long. Volume of a pyramid is l x w x h x 1/3...that would put it about 50 c.f. As a sanity check, it also looks about the size of the pile that I can make when I stuff my Ranger to the gills. Now photographs can be deceiving, so if you have better measurements feel free to share

Looks like a face cord to me.

 

[SINGLE-JACK]

Hey all...so I bought wood for the first time

...

I think he shorted me

...

suggestions anybody?? Thanks! Sean

In my state there are very specific laws about selling firewood, enforced by the Maryland Department of Agriculture's - Weights and Measures section.

Here's the link about our laws (below) won't help you but you may have a similar "big brother" in your area.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/forester/firewoodinfo.html

 

[epicklein22]

Good advice by Dalmation.

The beech is definitely fresh. Just look at the color of the torn bark. Hope what is in the picture isn't a cord, doesn't quite look like a face either, but pictures are deceiving.

 

[sthomas77]

Well, the pile came out of a trailer..6x8x4 (WxLxH) approx...and piled I would say its more like 10-12 ft wide...As far as laws are concerned, I will look, but it seems that NYS doesn't regulate the sale of firewood the way some other states do. My wife said the same thing when she saw me having a :censored: fit about the whole thing, more wood for next year....too bad I still have to buy wood for this year...DOH!

 

[willsaw4beer]

Stack it up to burn next year and chalk it up as a learning experience?

Let's see...the State of Maine allows that a cord of *piled* wood is 180 c.f. for 16" logs and 195 c.f. for 24". Their law considers those equivalent to 128 c.f. ranked and well stowed, so that's a good guide.

My quick eyeballing says that pile is about 3' high, 7' wide/long. Volume of a pyramid is l x w x h x 1/3...that would put it about 50 c.f. As a sanity check, it also looks about the size of the pile that I can make when I stuff my Ranger to the gills. Now photographs can be deceiving, so if you have better measurements feel free to share

Looks like a face cord to me.

:agree2:

Maybe call the dude and ask him when he's bringing the other two face cords?

 

[matt9923]

Doesn't look like a cord to me...

 

[ericjeeper]

One way to tell.

Drive six tee post in the ground.. and stack it.. Yes it is a little on the green side..4 feet between em. sixteen inches between the ends
If anyone expects to have truly seasoned firewood.. Buy it a year ahead of time.. That is the only way you can control the seasoning.

 

[matt9923]

Drive six tee post in the ground.. and stack it.. Yes it is a little on the green side..4 feet between em. sixteen inches between the ends
If anyone expects to have truly seasoned firewood.. Buy it a year ahead of time.. That is the only way you can control the seasoning.

When i'm selling I make sure it's seasoned. But some people need money fast these days and wont hesitate to screw you over.

 

[sthomas77]

Ok, so I just finished stacking it...I ended up with 2 stacks about 9x4x18" each and one 9x16"x18" (lxhxw). Figured it out to be about 3-4 cu ft short..although the piles are a bit pyramidal since they are self-standing. Well, lesson learned...and I will just need to get into the woods earlier to make sure I have enough. I do find it interesting that in central NY, most people don't even know what a real cord is. Many of the advertisers don't even use the word face when describing the amount of wood. I just wish the DEC hadn't made the law that wood cannot be moved more than 50miles from the source...my father-in-law has 25 acres that I have full access to, but hes 75-100 away....oh well. thanks for listenin to my complainin!

 

[matt9923]

Ok, so I just finished stacking it...I ended up with 2 stacks totalling about 9x4x18" and one 9x16"x18" (lxhxw). Figured it out to be about 3-4 cu ft short..although the piles are a bit pyramidal since they are self-standing. Well, lesson learned...and I will just need to get into the woods earlier to make sure I have enough. I do find it interesting that in central NY, most people don't even know what a real cord is. Many of the advertisers don't even use the word face when describing the amount of wood. I just wish the DEC hadn't made the law that wood cannot be moved more than 50miles from the source...my father-in-law has 25 acres that I have full access to, but hes 75-100 away....oh well. thanks for listenin to my complainin!

How would they know how far you go? Screw the law do it. Get a truck and trailer full with a few chords!

 

[mga]

Stack it up to burn next year and chalk it up as a learning experience?

Let's see...the State of Maine allows that a cord of *piled* wood is 180 c.f. for 16" logs and 195 c.f. for 24". Their law considers those equivalent to 128 c.f. ranked and well stowed, so that's a good guide.

My quick eyeballing says that pile is about 3' high, 7' wide/long. Volume of a pyramid is l x w x h x 1/3...that would put it about 50 c.f. As a sanity check, it also looks about the size of the pile that I can make when I stuff my Ranger to the gills. Now photographs can be deceiving, so if you have better measurements feel free to share

Looks like a face cord to me.

i agree.

i'd stack it 4 x 8 and see what you got. i doubt it'll come close to a full cord and it does look green.

then call them back.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Your math is off. I came up with 72 cf which is barely over half a cord. I added your piles together as 9'X5'-4"X18". Order another pile from the guy and after he unloads it don't pay him and ask him to leave. Tell him with that load you just now have the inital cord you ordered. If he don't want to leave tell him you will get your shotgun and help him leave.

 

[sthomas77]

Sorry..I think my statement was confusing...its 2 stacks measuring 9x4x18" each, plus the third one. The post is corrected...

 

[blackdogon57]

you got shorted 3-4 cubic feet on 128 cubic feet of wood that you paid $ 135and you are getting all bent out of shape ? If you are only that short it could easily be an honest mistake. What does he owe you about 5 bucks ?

Try burning some of the wood. It does look a green but you won't know for sure until you burn some.

 

[jkupcha]

You really got ripped off. SOme people feel like fools so they will not try to take it back or call the seller on it. Call the seller, tell him what you found. Tell him you want him to make it right. Have him deliver the other half. If he refuses then you can decide what to do. At a minimum I would let others know to avoid him. Good luck!

 

[matt9923]

you got shorted 3-4 cubic feet on 128 cubic feet of wood that you paid $ 135and you are getting all bent out of shape ? If you are only that short it could easily be an honest mistake. What does he owe you about 5 bucks ?

Try burning some of the wood. It does look a green but you won't know for sure until you burn some.

It definitely could be seasoned more but if you get a hot fire going it will probably burn, hopefully is seasoned a little.

 

[Art Vandelay]

You're only 2 cf short then. Burn whatever is burnable an save the rest for next year.

 

[Art Vandelay]

I would still call the guy back and have a word with him. Someone not knowing any better might burn a cord of his unseasoned wood causing a potential creosote fire. Maybe the local fire marshall would like to have a word with him as well.

 

[trimmmed]

If that beech doesn't have checks on the ends, it probably was cut today. But when it does dry it'll be excellent firewood.