Do your homework before ordering wood for the winter

TRURO - People burning firewood are cautioned to do their homework before ordering their winter's supply of wood.

Don MacKinnon of the Better Business Bureau of the Maritimes said he's currently investigating complaints about three Nova Scotia firewood vendors. While investigation is in the early stages, the agency is keeping names confidential.

They did report, however, Stewiacke Logging and #1 Original Firewood, both companies that share the same address at #1 AAA Original Firewood, have not responded to the bureau's letters regarding complaints filed earlier this month.

"Invariably, people agree to a certain amount of wood, then they check after it's delivered, and it's not as much wood as they paid for," he said, adding that one Halifax area woman received only 30 per cent of the wood she purchased.

According to MacKinnon, there are several proactive steps consumers can take before ordering firewood.

The first, he said, is to avoid calling unfamiliar vendors advertising firewood for sale on local telephone poles or bulletin boards.

Vendors registered with Service Nova Scotia or with Better Business Bureau have more business credibility, said MacKinnon.

Since the online registries don't list any vendors in Colchester County, MacKinnon recommends measuring wood immediately after it's delivered.

A cord of wood should fill up about two pickup trucks and measure 128 cubic feet, regardless of whether wood is split, stacked or still in long pieces.

If you feel there's a discrepancy, he said, Measurement Canada, an agency of Industry Canada, can come and measure the delivered wood.

MacKinnon said it's also essential to obtain a receipt of the transaction, including the vendor's name and address.