Investigate prices before you sell

Yesterday I had the pleasure to help out an old acquaintance. He was looking to sell a half load of cedar and fir logs. In our discussion he mentioned that he had an offer on the table from an individual looking to buy his 35 logs for $900. I will be honest, it stopped me in my tracks. I asked, "How many board feet do you have and what are the current lumber prices in your area?" He had no idea, but I'm sure the gentleman with the offer on the table did. I took the time to help him out and show him where to look up a good board foot calculator and a cubic metre to board foot calculator as well. With that I then recommended he check out the local lumber dealers to compare board foot prices in his area. We discussed the different size lumber that could be manufactured from his logs as well and I showed him where and how to locate the clear lumber. As it turns out, the old friend will make almost $1500.00 more if he gets the logs milled and sells the lumber himself.

Things to consider are:

1)Don't jump in and do business with the first offer put on the table, get several
offers and compare price and options.
2)Know what the local markets are allowing product to be sold for.
3)If you have the time to sell your product on your own and it makes sense, take
advantage of the opportunity around your schedule.
4)If you are not sure what your product is worth, just ask. There are people,
companies and organizations out there willing to help. If you are uncertain where
to locate people that are willing to help, ask other woodland and woodlot owners,
farmers, wood workers, wood product dealers...

Remember - take a tree, not a forest!