jim gossage
05-06-2007, 9:44 AM
i have recently bought some hardwood in Georgia Iincluding several internet sources) and had good and bad experiences. the following is my analysis of several suppliers, for anyone who is interested.
Atlanta hardwoods
Location: Northern atlanta; www.hardwoodweb.com (http://www.hardwoodweb.com)
Mode of purchase: at store and by phone
Selection of wood: excellent
Quality of wood: very good
Prices: moderately high; 4/4 hard maple 6.23/bf; 4/4 black walnut 6.44/bf; plus, they add on 7% for kiln shrinkage.
Shipping: ship to atlanta area but not as far as augusta, GA (they used to).
Customer service: good in store and phone service, though no major issues.
Oswald lumber
Location: leesville, SC; www.oswald.doitbest.com (http://www.oswald.doitbest.com)
Mode of purchase: in store
Selection of wood: excellent source for baltic birch and general construction; also carry oak and maple
Quality of wood: exellent
Prices: good
Shipping: yes
Customer service: nice but not very knowledgeable about hardwood.
Internet lumber
Location: yadkinville, NC; www.internetlumber.com (http://www.internetlumber.com)
Mode of purchase: internet/phone
Selection of wood: good
Quality of wood: poor (based on one purchase; see photos of boards that were shipped as FAS1F+)
Prices: excellent; 4/4 hard maple about 3.00/bf; 4/4 black walnut 4.00/bf
Shipping: yes; good price
Customer service: poor; i ordered 20 BF (7 boards) of 4/4 FAS1F+ walnut and only 4 of the 7 boards were really up to NHLA grade - although 2 of these boards had such severe side bend that they were junk (so really only 2 of 7 boards were useable); after 4 calls and 3 emails, they sent an additional 5 BF, which was almost FAS1F+. i will probably not buy from them again.
Steve Wall Lumber
Location: Mayodan, NC; www.walllumber.com (http://www.walllumber.com)
Mode of purchase: internet/phone
Selection of wood: excellent
Quality of wood: very good (based on one purchase)
Prices: very good; 4/4 hard maple about 3.45/bf; 4/4 black walnut 4.00/bf
Shipping: yes; good price
Customer service: excellent, ordered from the owner himself; he is very knowledgeable and helpful.
Atlanta hardwoods
Location: Northern atlanta; www.hardwoodweb.com (http://www.hardwoodweb.com)
Mode of purchase: at store and by phone
Selection of wood: excellent
Quality of wood: very good
Prices: moderately high; 4/4 hard maple 6.23/bf; 4/4 black walnut 6.44/bf; plus, they add on 7% for kiln shrinkage.
Shipping: ship to atlanta area but not as far as augusta, GA (they used to).
Customer service: good in store and phone service, though no major issues.
Oswald lumber
Location: leesville, SC; www.oswald.doitbest.com (http://www.oswald.doitbest.com)
Mode of purchase: in store
Selection of wood: excellent source for baltic birch and general construction; also carry oak and maple
Quality of wood: exellent
Prices: good
Shipping: yes
Customer service: nice but not very knowledgeable about hardwood.
Internet lumber
Location: yadkinville, NC; www.internetlumber.com (http://www.internetlumber.com)
Mode of purchase: internet/phone
Selection of wood: good
Quality of wood: poor (based on one purchase; see photos of boards that were shipped as FAS1F+)
Prices: excellent; 4/4 hard maple about 3.00/bf; 4/4 black walnut 4.00/bf
Shipping: yes; good price
Customer service: poor; i ordered 20 BF (7 boards) of 4/4 FAS1F+ walnut and only 4 of the 7 boards were really up to NHLA grade - although 2 of these boards had such severe side bend that they were junk (so really only 2 of 7 boards were useable); after 4 calls and 3 emails, they sent an additional 5 BF, which was almost FAS1F+. i will probably not buy from them again.
Steve Wall Lumber
Location: Mayodan, NC; www.walllumber.com (http://www.walllumber.com)
Mode of purchase: internet/phone
Selection of wood: excellent
Quality of wood: very good (based on one purchase)
Prices: very good; 4/4 hard maple about 3.45/bf; 4/4 black walnut 4.00/bf
Shipping: yes; good price
Customer service: excellent, ordered from the owner himself; he is very knowledgeable and helpful.