help setting up

[Stuart A-C]

Know your product, which woods burn best etc. I only sell logs that I use myself, if I find something is not quite ready or smokes a lot, I wont sell it. I live in a small village and word will soon travel if you are dishing out crap logs!

[cousin jack]

Getting yourself known is the key to it. Posters, flyers etc are all really useful. I sell a reasonable amount through local farmshop, canal marina, builders merchant etc

I put an advert in local papers, £100 for 4 weeks - waste of money so far, one enquiry only!

Exactly the same for me with the local press, how well does your website do for you?

[Joy Yeomans]

Exactly the same for me with the local press, how well does your website do for you?

 

bingo - we've found it just the same, I think that no one reads these local rags anymore - word of mouth - INVALUABLE - Web site works well for wholesale customers & ebay does pretty well - I think a good website in this day and age is invaluable though - updating ours in the next month or so when I can get round to it

[Chris Sheppard]

I only sell logs that I use myself, if I find something is not quite ready or smokes a lot, I wont sell it. I live in a small village and word will soon travel if you are dishing out crap logs!

 

Absolutely - we used to use the same way of thinking.

 

Be prepared for the customers who have never had a fire before and insist the logs are all exactly X cm long by X cm across as that's what it says in there stove manual - oh and be prepared for the ones who try to light the log with a match and no kindling/firelighter/etc (yep, they do really exist )

 

Don't ever be tempted to sell yourself out too cheap if it's a good product - around christmas time a lot of guys will have run out of seasoned wood and you'll get even more for it as it becomes scarce. We didn't have a huge round but had regular customers and got them all onto taking bigger loads - more money for less driving about

[Frank]

i have got lots of wood ready for orders has anyone got advice on setting up a firewood business?

The answer is simple, you have the product, now you need the customers. Thats how it works. Word of mouth is best, so get spreading the word. Tell everyone you meet, flyers / posters / banners between 2 street lamps, whatever floats your boat, just make sure everyone within your desired area knows you are there. Plus, look professional, invoice everything, dont request cash only. Do special offers, like 1 net free with your first order, or one month only specials on bulk amounts, etc etc. Now think for yourself and stop knicking all our ideas haha.

Good luck mate.

[Dean Lofthouse]

Word of mouth is best,.

 

Word of mouth might not be a good idea in your case frank

[Timber terrier]

Hi I used to work for a guy that sold a huge amount of logs and although i dont do split seasoned logs myself one of the things i learnt from him was that if you sell wet rubbish you wont be selling many repeat orders. I can remember taking a load of logs to a fella that had bought some from a local competitor prior to contacting my boss-the reason being the other firm took him a load of wet poplar! Ok in 12 months maybe but didnt burn to well in the state they were delivered in. Not a happy customer! I think honesty about your product is key and installs confidence in your customers, i sell firewood straight off my forwarder and make it abundantly clear that its fresh felled unseasoned hardwood,hard/soft mix or softwood.

Best of luck with your venture:thumbup:

[davetaz]

Exactly the same for me with the local press, how well does your website do for you?

 

I find the website is more useful when people want information on load sizes and delivery etc. Rather than try and go in to too much detail on the phone I suggest they look at website for any further info. Also I believe it portrays a reasonably professional image

[Frank]

Word of mouth might not be a good idea in your case frank

thats why I sold around 40 cube last year.

[gensetsteve]

Dont pay much for adverts. I go for free web listings ( you dont need a web site just put your phone no on ) free one line yellow pages and thompson. Parish mags are cheap about £40 a year. School notice boards. Leaflet and business cards