Firewood Bags - Starting a Delivery Service - Here's What I Would Do

[@johndodge679]

good video I jst order a sample kit of 20 I have a small firewood buss we both are disabled vets and are fund raising for a local vet center he said he would discount or some other offer in the future but have 2 sold already as soon as I get them so thanks Dan this will work better for us I enjoy learning from fellow woodhounds

[@Back40Firewood]

That's great to hear that you've already have interest in them...I hope you sell them all. 👍

[@markMac407]

Great ideas all around!!!! Thank you for your brilliant mind thoughts !! 😂

[@PicMartSkunkWerX]

Great follow-up. This is a case where I wouldn't stack my finished product, I'd pile it, then fill bags out of a loose pile. No sense in stacking, only to take from the stack into the bag, eliminate that initial stacking step. As far as filling the bags, I envision, similar to small bags, the trashcan method, get a larger plastic trashcan, cut the bottom out, insert into bag, fill, and pull the can, viola!! (this is assuming many people do Not have tractors with forks.) Or, if someone where going to go full-on with these bags, take a wooden pallet, some 2x4s, and build a "filling stand." A bag "deposit" does add more confusion, so, maybe build in the cost, but, let people know, if their bag is not damaged beyond re-use, they will get a $5 discount on their next order? Or simply a $5 rebate upon bag return? Return bags to your firewood stand, then they see that option! The subscription method would be wonderful, in those cases. Marketing.... in reference to the larger neighborhood, host a "neighborhood campfire". Or have someone in the neighborhood host it. Bring bags, mini-stoves, mini-wood, provide refreshments, and just have product on display. You may quickly find those who might be interested. All good stuff, the larger bags are certainly an option, in between the smaller bag/bundle, and an IBC tote full.

[@Back40Firewood]

I think Shaver offers a rack/loading system to hold the bags open, however not sure it is small enough for these bags but wouldn't be too difficult to build one. Definitely like your idea of a 'neighborhood campfire', I think some cities still have a 'National Night Out' that would be perfect for introducing neighbors to the service. There really are unlimited opportunities and potential with these bags, but I think the urban areas and cities would be the target market.

[@unclestinky6388]

Those are good suggestions. Another good possibility for joining the local FB groups without the hard sell is to join the groups and position yourself as the firewood expert. Answer questions, give suggestions and advice, tell entertaining stories, etc. In other words, you are giving to them, not asking for something from them. Soon the people may start to see you as the firewood guy and may want to buy from you and refer other buyers to you

[@toddpacheco4748]

Dan,another excellent piece of advice and video 😮😊❤

[@jbbrown7907]

Thank you ever so much for the box of mini firewood . I feel like I am now a wood hound!

[@bioniclife]

In 25 months, that tote of red oak that weighed 1640 when first cut and split lost 480lbs of moisture. That’s over a 55 gallon drum worth of water. The part that surprised me, was that it lost 440lbs during the first year and only 40lbs the past year.

[@Back40Firewood]

Wow, that is surprising both in the amount of water and how little the 2nd year! That's a LOT of water out of a tote...hahaha

[@larryterrell8458]

Great advice Dan…so many different avenues.👏🏻🇺🇸

[@jasonracette6143]

Good morning, Dan. I've never seen a happier person working with small wood than you. You were definitely "in the zone" at the beginning of the vlog. Nice work on developing your business. Keep up the great work!

[@Back40Firewood]

lol...thanks! It is a bit mesmerizing to watch that machine do it's thing.

[@larrykluckoutdoors8227]

Lots of great information

[@Tonnsfabrication]

I've had new signs to put up for my roadside stand to go down the road at each end of my property but I've been holding off advertising because I'm low on dry seasoned wood. I'm saving what I have on hand to make sure I get through winter. I sold a lot more wood out of that stand than I thought I would given my location.

[@Back40Firewood]

It's great being busy, but that's where the 'getting ahead' and 'staying ahead' tend to separate into different categories...hahaha....but it's a good problem to have and a great sign of potential growth.

[@WilleysFirewood]

I agree with the website and subscription for the small quantities. That is a great idea. Your sales mind is a wonderful thing my friend it's scary that someone else is always spinning like I am. Keep up the great work!!

[@Back40Firewood]

Subscription service is the ticket for sure...reoccurring payments and deliveries. Then have all other orders set up with automated emails that generate delivery dates based off zones so at the end of the week you end up with a export of where to go on what days the following week. 😀👍🍻

[@GPOutdoors]

Some great ideas Dan. And hey, Little Boss Man is getting older now so ....maybe Back40 expands within the neighbourhood for him to deliver on the streets around you. those 9 cubic foot bags...:)))

[@fricknjeep]

hi there, the little light bulb in my empty head burnt out years ago or at least has a dimmer on it , interesting thoughts your a genious . best to all john

[@Back40Firewood]

Oh yeah, mine has had the dimmer dial installed as well...lol...and I think the bulb has been replaced with a lower wattage. Ha

[@antiochman8222]

You could advertise on your roadside stands and see if you can upsell a few customers - you should be able to make better margins on one big bag vs the equivalent in small bags once you factor in your time and the cost of bags.

[@gregsteiger7829]

As this mini firewood business evolves, I see mini conveyors and mini disc cleaners being implemented into the process possibly. All about efficiency and convenience.

[@daveklein2826]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Back40Firewood]

lol...I've already thought about a mini disc cleaner...but I have another idea I'm gonna try here soon. A small conveyor would be nice to move stuff into the greenhouse...hahahaha

[@kdscrapping4452]

Is there a link for those nice gloves you are wearing ??

[@Back40Firewood]

I don't have one...they are Wells Lamont Cold Weather gloves, I got these at Fleet Farm a local farm supply store.

[@kdscrapping4452]

@@Back40Firewood Thanks , found them on amazon here in canada for 25 a pair !

[@WonderMonkey2]

I think you are right about the bags being at the end of the conveyor. I'm one of the people who suggested that. Far too inefficient unless you had someone dedicated to doing that in some manner. I really enjoy hearing about the "business building" thoughts of things that you do.

[@Back40Firewood]

Yeah the conveyor would also put a lot of the 'mess' and slash into the bags...I think for this type of use the wood needs to be as clean as possible.

[@johnkiser2658]

Seems the bags would be good for sauna customers. Might as well become a sauna dealer too lol

[@Back40Firewood]

lol...I have far too many irons in the fire to take that on!

[@tonywoods3197]

Hi Dan Great Video of Drying Out your Mini Firewood Splits And How you Split Them using The Kindlet 200 QQQ Dan How about Also using Home Adviser or other Out Let's like Angie's

[@Back40Firewood]

Ohh yeah, getting on something like Home Adviser, Angie's list, or Next Door would be good ideas as well.

[@williamellis8993]

Good thoughts, Dan. Bill

[@ronbrooks6681]

Yes Dan, many great Ideas. Those Bags are not Cheap. How about the Orange Bags? Which ever way you Go I know it will Work. First Day for me Back out in my Woodyard. Only 1hour a Day. Cutting Rounds up, putting in Garage to Split Later. Be Safe and try to be with everyone this Friday Night. Ron from the Woodyard in Upstate NY.

[@VideosByAl]

We have found that the Lifting Eyes on bulk bags are not UV protected and the loops brake.

[@willdavidsonakawd3062]

🎉🎉🎉 thanks dan!!!

[@Back40Firewood]

No problem buddy! I see your birds won the state title game...lol

[@seanpuffer8436]

My question would be how heavy are they once full and how to get them out of a truck bed with minimal equipment

[@garyeaton6212]

Do you have to be Superman to lift those bags into your truck

[@daveklein2826]

Tractor, forks, done

[@Back40Firewood]

Well you could just load them in your truck if you didn't have a way to lift them up and in like a tractor....and/or could use step method or a winch/pulley to slide them up a ramp. Just need to be creative on how to achieve a mechanical advantage.,

[@tonydavis3453]

Man I wanna get into firewood business bc I can't find any good firewood. Just need a splitter

[@JamesParrottBleuParrot]

How long can you continue doing this alone? It seems that you know your limitations right now.

[@Back40Firewood]

That....is the million dollar question...lol...at least for a little while longer.

[@jbbrown7907]

What day would you deliver to Ohio? Once or twice a year?

[@ohiowoodburner]

If you were starting a delivery service what would you do? Would you use firewood bags?

[@DanielAtkinsFirewood]

😂😂

[@Back40Firewood]

Basically, yes....and as you can see it would use firewood bags.

[@JasonGirten]

If did all hickory, pecan, and fruit wood for barbecuing you could make a fortune.

[@daveklein2826]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@rexcamp261]

You also didn't show loading one of those into the back of a truck!

[@daveklein2826]

So difficult to understand huh? Firms on a tractor into the truck......done

[@rexcamp261]

@daveklein2826 Great idea One more question how do you deliver it? You take a tractor with you?

[@jbbrown7907]

Shipping would be too expensive to be reasonable. You would have to deliver the bags.

[@robertjhilliard2403]

No bags,,,,,,shrink wrap only 🤑

[@robertjhilliard2403]

I focus on margins

[@clintdaniel9260]

when i sell my cord wood i let the cus have that for free

[@buckinfirewood]

I've delt with bulk bags before and it's much better to just sell the bag with the wood.. if you get them back bonus if not it doesn't matter..

[@Back40Firewood]

Yep that's more than likely the case, however if you can find the right customers ya might be able to get the bags back for a couple re-uses.