Wet wood complaints pile up in Hawke’s Bay
Customers complain about green wood deliveries but firms contend the fireplace fuel is rain-affected
Complaints about wet wood have dampened the spirits of local firewood purchasers. Several complaints refer to Speedy Firewood, a company whose director is listed on the New Zealand Companies Register as Thomas Douglas Francis Macdonald.
Hawke’s Bay rapper Tom Francis shares the same name as the director and has previously sold firewood to fund overseas trips to further his music career.
However, a Speedy Firewood spokesperson, who would not identify themselves, told Hawke’s Bay
Today that Francis does not own Speedy Firewood.
“Speedy Firewood is owned privately and run by myself. The owners are based elsewhere.”
Some Speedy Firewood customers have taken to social media to say their wood is too wet to burn.
One buyer said she received two cord — about 7.2sq m — of what was supposed to be kiln-dried pine for $670 through Winz.
She thought it may have been rain wet, and could burn. However, it was too damp and had moisture levels of 37 to 43 per cent.
Firewood should not have a moisture content greater than 25 per cent.
Another customer alleged they paid $400 for 4m3 of dry firewood which was wet and mouldy. The person asked for a refund or replacement but was refused.
The Speedy Firewood spokesperson, who would not give his name, said “(It) would have to have become rain wet by either not being stored properly, mistreated or it has been delivered during a time of heavy rain.”
Customers had been refunded or had more wood delivered to them.
“If it is a genuine mistake at our end, we are more than happy to fix the issue.”
Customers have also complained about wet wood from Undercut Firewood.
Representative Mike Hunt said: “Claims about wood being green are not true at all.”.
With heavy rain, “even when the wood is undercover certain types of wood can be affected in different ways.”
Hunt said they had told the first person who had complained that they “would be happy to refund them and we would pick up the wood.”
“We have made the mistake of delivering the wrong wood which we take full responsibility for and offered a refund or credit for more wood free of charge.”
However, the solution was declined.
Both companies recommend customers buy firewood in spring or summer.