Some firewood dealers caught with big supply due to warm winter (Maine)

[jpak]

http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2007/01/12/some_firewood_dealers_caught_with_big_supply_due_to_warm_winter/

PORTLAND, Maine --After years of increased demand for firewood because of high energy costs, some firewood dealers find themselves caught with too much supply and not enough demand because of a relatively balmy winter and stable heating oil prices.

Thousands of cords of unsold firewood are piled up across southern and central Maine, and some firewood dealers have begun cutting prices.

Michael Scott of Waterboro was offering seasoned wood for $220 a cord, but recently went down to $205. That hasn't helped much, he said, because people don't buy what they don't need.

Tim Chick, a logger and truck driver in Gorham, is working with several other dealers and is currently selling seasoned wood for even less, at $190.

"It's still not moving at that price," he said.

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[shain from kane]

1. "...some firewood dealers have begun cutting prices." LOL.

[MADem]

2. If I were relying on wood for heat and hot water, I'd buy now

Feb and Mar could be ghastly....always good to be prepared.

[billybob537]

3. Last year they were

gouging at $275.00 I hope the memory of good times warms their hearts.

[MethuenProgressive]

4. No laughing matter,

Maine's rural economy is very fragile.

[deadmessengers]

5. I bought a cord back in March

I haven't burned a stick of it - haven't needed to. We've only had 1 or 2 nights this year where it actually went below freezing.

I guess I shouldn't complain too much - this time last year I was getting raked over the coals by my gas company. I'll take a warm winter over that any day.

[OregonBlue]

6. Well Maine may be warm but it was 5F when I got up this morning.

Here in Central Oregon we're having a really really cold winter.